June 1, 2008

Diabetic Neuropathy

Diabetic neuropathy is one of the more painful problems that occurs with the progression of diabetes. Neuropathy is another term for nerve damage, and in this case, it is nerve damage resulting from inadequate blood supply to the nerves. The blood supply becomes restricted by atherosclerotic plaque formation in the small blood vessels that supply the nerves, and this is a common result of increased blood lipids (cholesterol and triglycerides) associated with diabetes.Diabetic neuropathy typically first involves the feet, and may later involve the hands, creating the “stocking and glove” pattern of symptoms. As the nerves degenerate from lack of blood supply (and therefore a lack of vital oxygen to the nerve tissue), various symptoms of nerve damage begin to arise. The symptoms of diabetic neuropathy may include numbness, burning pain, tingling, and stabbing pain.Because diabetic neuropathy is tied to poor blood flow (and resulting decreased oxygen) to the nerves, symptoms tend to be worse at the extremes of activity level. When someone with diabetic neuropathy is inactive for an extended period of time, such as when sleeping, overall blood pressure and circulation decreases, resulting in decreased blood flow and oxygen supply to the nerves, […]

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