Neuropathy diabetes treatment mainly focuses on slowing the progression of the disease and relieving the pain. The most important aspect of neuropathy diabetes treatment is maintaining a healthy lifestyle through diet and exercise. The next is taking good care of your feet by checking them daily.
Keeping your blood sugar levels within target range can help delay diabetic neuropathy. This may also improve the symptoms that you already have. According to MayoClinic.com, blood sugar levels before meals should be between 70 – 130 mg/dL, and two hours after meals they should be less than 180 mg/dL.
An A1C tests indicates to your physician how well you have been controlling your blood sugar levels over the past few months. People who don’t have diabetes normally have an A1C of 4 – 6%. In order to prevent further nerve damage, your goal is to have an A1C score of less than 7%. Other ways to slow the damage to your nerves is to:
- Follow your doctor’s recommendations
- Keep blood pressure levels stable
- Eat healthily and maintain a healthy weight
- Stay physically active
- Stop smoking and drinking alcohol
Neuropathy Diabetes Treatment for Pain
One of the most difficult aspects of having diabetic neuropathy is the constant pain. There are a number of medications that can be used in neuropathy diabetes treatment for pain. There are also a number of alternative therapies that lead to neuropathic pain relief. Doctors normally recommend that they are used in conjunction with your medications, but speak to your doctor to be sure.
Anti-seizure medications are sometimes prescribed for nerve pain. Although they are not created for this purpose, they work very effectively. Drowsiness, dizziness, and swelling are side effects of this medication. Antidepressants are usually prescribed in the same manner for mild to moderate symptoms. They often have the same side effects as the anti-seizure med, in addition to nausea, decreased appetite, and constipation.
A lidocain patch includes topical anesthesia and is applied where your pain is most severe. Lidocain anesthesia has no known side effects. Opiods may also be used to relieve pain, although this neuropathy diabetes treatment has many side effects.
Capsaicin cream is a much safer natural alternative. Capsaicin is derived from chili pepper. It is what makes them so hot when you taste them. Capsaicin cream can be applied directly to the area in pain. Finally, acupuncture has been found to be a great form of neuropathy diabetes treatment. Speak with your doctor about these treatments as well as anything else which may be available.
