nerve pain | Diabetes Healthy Solutions

Diabetic Foot Pain

Are Your Experiencing Diabetic Foot Pain?

Being a diabetic, many parts of the body get damaged, due to having too much glucose in the blood for extended periods. One of the main complaints of diabetics, I’d say would have to be the feet! In a nutshell, the cause of diabetic foot pain is mainly brought about by two main conditions

1. Diabetic Foot Pain & Nerve Damage

Diabetic neuropathy (damage to the nerves) is a very common complaint that occurs in the legs and feet. Basically, this condition occurs as a result of the normal process of the disease.

This condition can be quite dangerous:

you may not feel any pain,
you may not feel hot or cold
sores, ulcers, and even infection may be present and you’ll never know as you can’t feel it.

How often do we hear the words ‘my feet are killing me’!

Well, those words may well be too true for diabetics, unless good care is taken of your feet and in turn, lessen the diabetic foot pain you are experiencing. There are many home remedies for Diabetic Neuropathy.

Diabetic Foot Pain Treatment

Start by checking the trend of your blood sugar readings over the past few weeks (has it been a little on the high side). You should ask your Health care professional, his opinion regarding an A1c test. This test determines your levels over a time period. If your blood sugar levels are constantly high, this can contribute to nerve pain.
A good little gadget is a diabetic foot roller.Just gently massage your feet by running them over the roller. This may help reduce the severity of the pain.
Massaging the feet with some specialized diabetic foot cream, can play an essential role in preventing some of the problems.
Make sure you always wear good-fitting, comfortable supportive shoes. You could also invest in some inserts for extra comfort.

2. Diabetic Foot Pain and Poor Circulation.

Diabetes often also brings about poor circulation to the legs and feet. Once again, this is due to high glucose (sugar) levels in the blood, and the effects this has on the arteries, veins and capillaries. Capillaries tend to stiffen and get thicker with extra fatty deposits – this causes problems with delivering correct amounts of oxygen and vital nutrients to the tissues. (Peripheral vascular disease). Veins can swell up, when there becomes more blood they can cope with. Blood then pools into the legs and feet, sometimes even leaking out onto the skin.

diabetes foot nerve pain — diabetes and joint pain

I was visiting my Mom recently – she has problems with her feet due to poor blood flow. She bought herself a Circulation Booster and I tell you, the difference for her, was amazing!

How can I help Foot Pain from Poor Circulation?

It’s a great idea to have a regular check-up with your podiatrist – perhaps once every 6 months.

2. Wear support hose, or get yourself a good pair of ‘diabetic socks’, for when you have long periods of sitting, or when traveling.

3. If you are a smoker, give up! If you are suffering from Peripheral vascular disease (bad circulation) you will definitely benefit from giving up smoking.

4. EXERCISE EXERCISE! Of course, the best way to improve this condition is to make sure you get regular exercise. Walking is great! If you can manage 20-40 minutes a day, 5 days a week, this will make a significant difference to your circulation. A perfect situation is to make sure that you are walking quick enough to puff a little, but not too much so that you have problems holding a conversation.

To sweat just a little is also good. It means your body is working. You will have to make this a life change – a regular part of your daily life from now on. If you’re not quite up to 5 days a week, just start with 2 or 3 and build it up over time.

Once again, massage is great and may also help to reduce diabetic foot pain.

Medication for Diabetic Neuropathy

Diabetes is a lifelong condition affecting your insulin and blood sugar levels. One of the affiliations of diabetes is diabetic neuropathy. This condition often affects nerves in one’s feet or legs.

As with most medical conditions, diabetes and its side conditions have many remedies and medications. Below is a medication for diabetic neuropathy guide.

What is Diabetic Neuropathy?

It is a type of nerve damage occurring if you are diagnosed with diabetes. High glucose (blood sugar) levels can negatively affect the nerves throughout your body.

Depending on the nerves affected, diabetic neuropathy symptoms range from numbness and pain in the feet to complications in the digestive system, heart, and blood vessels.

The American Diabetes Association recommends immediate screening for diabetic neuropathy once you are diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. For type 1 diabetes, screening is recommended five years after diagnosis.

Unfortunately, diabetic neuropathy has no known cure. Therefore, the goal of seeking treatment and medication for diabetic neuropathy include:

To relieve pain
To manage complications and restore functions
A slow progression of the disease.

Diabetic Neuropathy Medication

Before starting any medication for diabetic neuropathy, consult with your doctor to discuss the safety and potency of the medication. When managing and treating diabetic neuropathy, you will come across natural and pharmaceutical remedies.

Over-the-Counter Medication for Diabetic Neuropathy

OTC medication provides pain relief, especially if your diabetic neuropathy is in its early stages. However, avoid taking these without first consulting your doctor. For nerve pain relief, you can use topical medications, for example, Capsaicin cream, which is applied directly to the skin to reduce pain.

Some examples of FDA-approved prescription medications that are used to treat diabetic neuropathy include:

Lyrica
Cymbalta
Nucynta.

Prescription medication available for diabetic neuropathy are:

Anti-depressants: These medications block pain messages from getting to your brain

Anti-seizures (anti-epileptics and anti-convulsants): These slow down the nerve signals heading to your brain, subsequently hindering pain messages.

Opioids: These are highly potent analgesics. Opioids provide immediate relief from intense pain. However, opioids can be highly addictive and should be used under a doctor’s strict medication.

Topical medication: A common topical prescription medication is a lidocaine patch that relieves pain, especially on the feet.

TENS: This is an FDA-approved non-medication treatment for diabetic neuropathy. The SENSUS Pain Management device

Natural Remedies for Diabetic Neuropathy

General OTC medication focus on reducing pain and discomfort. In addition, several natural treatments and remedies can help reduce symptoms and manage diabetic neuropathy(peripheral neuropathy). These include:

Vitamins

A few cases of diabetic neuropathy are related to vitamin deficiencies. A vitamin deficiency can cause significant nerve damage.

Generally, vitamin B is vital for your nerve health. While you can get vitamin B from supplements, a natural alternative is to consume Vitamin B-rich meals. Another functional vitamin is vitamin D that also hinders nerve pain.

According to the Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy, the vitamins and supplements that can help you manage diabetic neuropathy include:

Vitamin E
B-complex vitamins
Acetyl-l-carnitine (ACL)
Alpha-lipoic acid
Omega-3 fatty acids
Glutamine
Magnesium and calcium
N-acetylcysteine.

Cayenne Pepper

Cayenne pepper contains capsaicin which is used in topical creams for its pain-relieving properties. Capsaicin reduces the intensity of pain signals sent via the body. Adding cayenne pepper into your diet can help manage diabetic neuropathy.

Acupuncture

This ancient treatment method promotes natural healing by stimulating your body’s pressure points. It triggers the nervous system to release chemicals that can alter the pain threshold or experience. Moreover, it promotes an energy balance in your body that affects your emotional well-being.

Dietary Changes to Help Diabetic Neuropathy

Dietary changes that lower your blood sugar levels ease or prevent the symptoms of neuropathy. A fiber-rich diet or one low in simple carbs prevents blood sugar spikes. Moreover, avoiding the following products might help prevent diabetic neuropathy:

Sweets
Processed snacks
White bread products, including pasta.

Alternative dietary changes you can make include:

Reducing or eliminating alcohol intake
Limiting intake of trans or saturated fats
Consuming fewer than 2,300mg of sodium daily
Eating high fiber foods
Eating antioxidant-rich foods such as fatty fish, walnuts, blueberries, and flaxseed oil, which fight inflammation

Bottom Line

There is no known cure for diabetic neuropathy. However, the above medication for diabetic neuropathy can help diabetic patients manage their condition efficiently. Consult your doctors before using any peripheral neuropathy remedy, whether natural or pharmaceutical, to avoid complications.

What is Diabetic Myopathy?

Post Updated: 19th April 2023

Diabetic myopathy is a condition that affects people with diabetes, specifically those with type 2 diabetes. It is characterized by muscle weakness, wasting, and pain. This condition can affect any muscle group in the body, but it is most commonly seen in the hips, legs, and feet. In this article, we will explore the causes, symptoms, and treatment options for diabetic myopathy.

Causes of Diabetic Myopathy

The exact cause of diabetic myopathy is not fully understood. However, it is believed to be a result of long-term high blood sugar levels. High blood sugar levels can damage the blood vessels that supply the muscles with oxygen and nutrients. This damage can lead to muscle weakness, wasting, and pain.

In addition to high blood sugar levels, other factors can contribute to diabetic myopathy. These include:

Poor blood circulation: High blood sugar levels can damage the blood vessels that supply the muscles with oxygen and nutrients. This can lead to poor circulation, which can contribute to muscle weakness and wasting.
Neuropathy: Diabetes can cause nerve damage, which can lead to muscle weakness and wasting. This is known as diabetic neuropathy.
Inactivity: People with diabetes may be less active due to pain or other symptoms, which can contribute to muscle weakness and wasting.

Symptoms of Diabetic Myopathy

The symptoms of diabetic myopathy can vary from person to person. However, some common symptoms include:

Dysarthria:

This is a motor speech disorder that is primarily characterized by difficulty expressing and forming words. It is mainly a result of pathology or injury of the nervous system due to diabetes myopathy. The muscles of the respiratory system, face, and mouth move very slowly or do not move at all.

However, severity depends on the areas of the muscular and nervous systems that have been affected. Symptoms include; a slow or rapid rate of speech with a mumbling quality, limited lip, jaw, and tongue movement, changes in vocal quality, abnormal intonation, drooling, and chewing or swallowing difficulty.

Muscle weakness:

This is the most common symptom of diabetic myopathy. Muscle weakness occurs at any age and it can either affect the entire portion or just a portion of the body. Diabetic myopathy affects the nervous system resulting in muscle weakness. It occurs in conjunction with symptoms such as paresthesia, pain, or fever-like symptoms. Complications of muscle weakness vary depending on the stage of diabetic myopathy and they include contractures and muscle atrophy.

Muscle wasting:

Diabetic myopathy can lead to muscle wasting, also known as muscle atrophy. Muscle atrophy is the gradual loss of muscle tissue, which can result in decreased muscle strength and mobility.

Muscle pain:

Diabetic myopathy might also cause pain and aches in the muscles. This may be due to muscle cramps, muscle strains, injury, fatigue, circulatory disorders, and stress. The changes in muscle can be detected with biochemical or molecular techniques or with functional testing mainly because this condition is primarily associated with loss of strength and muscle mass.

Ataxia:

As diabetes progresses, sufferers may also experience failure of voluntary muscle coordination. It implies dysfunction of some parts of the nervous system that usually coordinate movement. Ataxia can cause a person to have difficulty with balance, walking, and other movements that require precise coordination of muscle activity.

Foot drop:

Foot drop is a condition where a person is unable to lift the front part of their foot, which can cause difficulty in walking and increase the risk of falling. Foot drop due to diabetic myopathy is a condition caused by nerve damage that affects the muscles responsible for lifting the front part of the foot.

Treatment options for diabetic myopathy

There are several treatment options available for diabetic myopathy. The most effective treatment will depend on the severity of the condition and the individual’s overall health.

Blood sugar control: The most important treatment for diabetic myopathy is to control blood sugar levels. This can be done through lifestyle changes such as diet and exercise, and medications such as insulin or oral hypoglycemic agents.
Exercise: Exercise can help improve muscle strength and flexibility. People with diabetic myopathy should engage in regular physical activity, such as walking, swimming, or resistance training.
Physical therapy: Physical therapy can help improve muscle strength, flexibility, and coordination. It may also include stretches and massages to help alleviate muscle pain.
Pain management: Pain medication may be prescribed to help manage muscle pain and cramping.
Surgery: In some cases, surgery may be necessary to repair or replace damaged muscles.

How can you help prevent diabetic leg pain?

Prevention of diabetic myopathy involves maintaining good blood sugar control and keeping active with regular physical activity. People with diabetes should aim to keep their blood sugar levels within a healthy range, as this can help prevent muscle damage and other complications.

Good blood sugar levels for the average person with diabetes should be between 60.8 mg/dl and 120.4 mg/dl ( 3.4 to 6.7mmol/L) depending on the time of day and amount eaten at the last meal.

They should also engage in regular physical activity, such as walking, swimming, or resistance training. This can help improve muscle strength, flexibility, and coordination.

In addition to these lifestyle changes, people with diabetes should have regular check-ups with their healthcare provider. This can help detect and treat any complications early on, including diabetic myopathy.

Diabetic myopathy is one of the leading causes of disability among diabetics. Therefore, regardless of how mild these signs and symptoms of diabetic myopathy are, they should never be ignored. In addition to the blood glucose control measures, interventions to improve strength and muscle mass in these patients should also be undertaken.

More info on the complications of diabetes HERE!

Coconut Oil and Diabetes – Health Benefits!

Diabetes has become prevalent with rising obesity and sugar consumption. 8.3% of the entire population in the United States has diabetes. This is approximately 2.8 million adults and children. Moreover, the rate of Americans becoming diabetic doubles every 10 years. Therefore, pharmaceutical companies are capitalizing on this epidemic especially with drugs for type 2 diabetes. However, these drugs are not dealing with real underlying causes. Besides improving the regulation of blood sugar, coconut oil can also eliminate cravings and relieve neuropathy; improve circulation in order to get rid of numbness.

How does Coconut Oil Reverse the Effects and Symptoms of Diabetes?

Imagine being able to eliminate or reduce the amount of medications you are taking. There are various beneficial properties of coconut oil that make it very effective in reversing the effects and symptoms of type 2 diabetes.

Try using Coconut Oil for Diabetes Control!

It nourishes your body

The digestive system normally converts what we eat into glucose. The glucose is absorbed into the bloodstream hence triggering the production of insulin by the pancreas. Insulin hooks to the cells in order to help bring the glucose into the cells. The cells use glucose as energy. However, with diabetic people, either insulin is not produced or it can’t attach to cells. As a result, the cells can neither absorb nor use glucose.

However, coconut oil can be absorbed by the cells and used as energy even in the absence of insulin. Moreover, the body can use MCFA’s (Middle chain fatty acids) in the same way as glucose without necessarily depending on glucose in order to do so. This gives the pancreas time to heal. In some cases, the pancreas may rest and recover the ability to manufacture insulin.

Boost your Metabolism – Use Coconut Oil for Weight Loss

Due to the problems with the absorption and use of glucose, weight gain and lower energy levels are common problems with most type 2 diabetics. When your cells lack glucose to power them, the metabolic rate drops thus resulting in low energy levels. (We all know that feeling!) However, coconut oil counters this effect due to its structural composition and the way it is used by the body. Coconut oil boosts metabolism and as a result, the body burns fat at a faster rate. Moreover, it slows digestion allowing you to feel fuller and energetic for longer.

Coconut Oil for Diabetes Control – Helps Regulate Blood Sugar

In my daily diet, I use coconut oil for diabetes control, as I had to deal with many complications as a result of my body’s inability to regulate the blood sugar levels. These problems mainly include constant hunger, obesity, food cravings and hypoglycemia. However, I realized that my blood sugar level which was usually 80 to 90 points above normal reduced within half an hour after taking a teaspoon of coconut oil. This helped reduce my cravings and hunger. Moreover, it helped me avoid other life threatening complications such as severe hypoglycemia, diabetes shock and loss of consciousness.

Coconut oil has a very low GI (glycemic index) of about 35 which helps prevent fluctuations in blood sugar by balancing the amount of insulin produced with the amount of sugar in the bloodstream in order to improve glucose control and reverse insulin resistance.

Neuropathy and Blood Circulation

Good blood circulation is very important for diabetics. Many diabetics who experience numbness in their limbs get cuts or infections on the limbs without realizing it until it is too late. This can lead to serious complications. Coconut oil helps to get rid of numbness by improving blood circulation.

My feet and legs used to get numb constantly! However, feeling returned to my feet and legs within ten days of eating 2 teaspoons of coconut oil! Therefore, eating 2-3 teaspoons of coconut oil per day can help reduce or even eliminate tingling and diabetic neuropathy (nerve pain) that occurs in the limbs.

Improving brain function

This is vital especially for type 1 diabetics. The MCFA’s (Middle chain fatty acids) found in coconut oil improves brain function. The medium chain triglycerides help improve and preserve brain function under ideal hypoglycemic condition. However, using coconut oil for diabetes control, helps preserve the brain without causing the deadly hyperglycemia.

Neuropathy Cures

One of the fastest growing health problems of the modern age is neuropathy, and neuropathy cures and treatments have become big business. The word neuropathy means nerve pain, and neuropathy is usually a sign of some underlying health problem, such as diabetes or multiple sclerosis.

This is not always the case, however, and some forms of neuropathy are idiopathic, which means that the cause of the problem is unknown. In either case neuropathy causes tingling, numbness, and in some cases pain so severe that it can greatly decrease the quality of life for those who suffer from it.

In some types of neuropathy, where the cause is known, neuropathy cures and treatments are aimed squarely at treating whatever is causing the disease. In most cases, when the cause can be determined and mitigated the neuropathy will resolve and cease to be a problem.

In other cases, the cause can’t be readily or easily determined, and the neuropathy cures are aimed simply at treating the pain or numbness that is associated with the neuropathy itself.

In mild cases of neuropathy over the counter pain medications such as ibuprofen may be sufficiently effective at treating the disease. In most cases however, and oral pain medication is prescribed by the patients physician as a way of taking care of the pain.

In some cases antidepressant medications are even more effective than traditional analgesics, and may also help the patient’s mental status in the meantime. Topical medications, like lidocaine patches and gels may be prescribed to treat some forms of neuropathy and can be quite effective.

No matter which neuropathy cures a patient chooses to try, one of the most important things that can help is maintaining a good attitude. As long as the patient can maintain a good attitude about their condition they can still find enjoyment in life, and hope that a cure is right around the corner.