Diabetic autonomic neuropathy is a complication of diabetes that at least 60% of diabetics suffer from. The condition, which is caused by extensive nerve damage to one or several areas of the body, can be quite grave. Individuals who have had diabetes for over twenty-five years, are older, or have numerous episodes in which their blood sugar levels have been out of range most commonly experience diabetic autonomic neuropathy. In addition, diabetics who are overweight or have high blood pressure and blood lipid levels also endure this condition.
These classifications of people, although they may seem different, are all at increased risk for diabetic autonomic neuropathy for one simple reason. They have encountered problems with elevated blood sugar levels on numerous occasions. When a person suffers from high glucose levels, their insulin is unable to aid the body in absorbing the excess sugar, so it remains in the blood.
Normally, the insulin would help convert the sugar into fuel for the body and the energy would be transferred into the muscle, fat, and other tissues. When the sugar remains in the bloodstream, it acts like a poison and can cause severe damage to the nerves and organs. As such a high percentage of diabetics fall into one or more of the above categories, it is easy to understand why so many individuals would succumb to diabetic autonomic neuropathy.
Diabetic Autonomic Neuropathy Symptoms
Diabetic autonomic neuropathy symptoms may not present themselves until years later when severe nerve damage has taken place. When diabetics first develop diabetic autonomic neuropathy, they may not have anysymptoms or they may notice issues with their feet, such as tingling, burning, or numbing sensations. As many people suffer foot pain, they may not realize that this pain is a symptom of another condition.
As the disease progresses, individuals may start to realize that their muscle in their hands, feet, hips, or thighs are becoming weak, due to muscle loss and death. When other more obvious symptoms appear, several years’ worth of nerve damage may have already been done, and there is no way to reverse it. Obvious symptoms that manifest are indigestion, nausea, and vomiting. A person may experience diarrhea or constipation, as well as a frequent need to urinate.
Some people may feel dizzy, weak, or fatigued when resting or when standing or sitting due to blood pressure changes, as well as increased perspiration, breathing issues, and eye pain. In addition,diabetic autonomic neuropathy can also affect a person’s sex organs through erectile dysfunction or loss of sex drive. Everyone who withstands this condition may face differed symptoms as the damage can affect any nerve and any organ throughout the body. Loss of sensation, for some diabetics, may mean that they are less able to recognize these symptoms. Therefore, it is crucial to see a doctor frequently to have examinations performed.
Diabetic Autonomic Neuropathy Treatment
Diabetic autonomic neuropathy treatment should focus on the underlying issues of diabetes, such as why a person may experience elevated blood sugar levels. For example, as diabetic autonomic neuropathy is the result of unstable blood glucose levels, individuals should concentrate on reducing these episodes through daily exercise, healthy diet, and eliminating tobacco and alcohol. Doctors may be able to prescribe drugs to prevent and treat the effects and symptoms of nerve damage, as well as any drugs taken to control diabetes. Regular doctors’ visits are important to attend in order to have symptoms and side effects carefully monitored.
