When nerves are damaged due to diabetes, a person may experience neuralgia, which is pain that follows the paths of specific nerves. Neuralgia and diabetes are both very hard conditions to deal with by themselves, much less in combination. Diabetes neuralgia occurs because high blood sugar levels damage tiny arteries that supply circulation to the nerves. Over time this may lead to nerve fiber malfunction and even nerve loss.
It is estimated that approximately 70% of diabetics will experience some neuralgia diabetes symptoms at some point. Treatments for neuralgia and diabetes vary from person to person. The type and location of neuralgia being experienced also makes a difference. Neuropathy-treatment.org states that if you feel numbness or tingling in your feet or hands, you should make an appointment with your doctor immediately. Other symptoms of neuralgia and diabetes may include:
- Pain
- Weakness
- Impaired function of a body part
- Sensitivity in the skin
- Numbness in the skin
- Pain that follows the path of a nerve
- Pain caused by movement, touch, or pressure
Trigeminal Neuralgia Diabetes
Trigeminal neuralgia is the most common form of neuralgia. This type affects the main sensory nerve of the face, called the trigeminal nerve. In this type of neuralgia, a person experiences short and sudden attacks of severe pain on one side of the face or the other. This pain is usually severe enough to cause a facial grimace or tic. The severe pain in trigeminal neuralgia may be triggered by movements such as chewing, talking, swallowing, or touching the area of the nerve affected.
Most of the time the causes of trigeminal neuralgia are not identified, but there are known links between this type of neuralgia and diabetes. Treatment always begins with keeping the blood sugar levels within a healthy range before further damage can occur. Trigeminal neuralgia will sometimes respond well to anticonvulsant drugs. It can also be relieved by surgery in which the nerve is either decompressed or cut. Other treatment options that may be available are:
- Antidepressants
- Topical pain killers
- Desensitization
- TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation)
- Dorsal root zone (DREX) surgery
One alternative treatment that is available for neuralgia and diabetes is B-complex vitamins given by intramuscular injection. According to Arthritis-Symptom.com, this can be quite effective. Eating a whole foods diet which is high in B vitamins may also be helpful. Acupuncture has a good reputation in the treatment of nerve disorders as well. A person turning to acupuncture for treatment should be sure that the person performing the acupuncture is well certified, the environment is well kept, and that the equipment is being sanitized.
