Diabetic Neuropathy

Nerves acts as a messenger that carry electrical impulses between the brain and other parts of our body. When diabetes causes damage to these nerves, it is called diabetic neuropathy. It effects different types of nerves in your body including hands, feet, and arms.

Types of Diabetic Neuropathy

1) Peripheral neuropathy – It is the most common type of neuropathy and damage occurs to the nerves outside the brain and spinal cord. It affects the nerves particularly in the feet and hands.

2) Sensory neuropathy – damage to nerves that carry messages of touch, temperature, pain and other sensations from the skin.

Burning and sharp pains
Muscle weakness
Loss of ability to feel pain
Loss of ability to feel changes in temperature

3) Autonomic neuropathy – damage to the nerves that carry information to your organs and glands. Example -:

gastric problem – bloating, constipation and diarrhea
Bladder incontinency
Problem with sweating (excess or less)

4) Motor neuropathy – affects to the nerves that motor control movement. Damage to these nerves leads to muscle weakness, twitching and cramps.

Causes

High levels of sugar in the blood for prolonged time.
High levels of triglycerides can also cause nerve damage
Kidney and liver disorders
Autoimmune disorders and infections
Chronic alcoholism
Trauma

Symptoms

Pain and discomfort in arms, legs especially at night
Disturbed sleep pattern
Unable to feel sores or cuts
Bloating and indigestion
Heat intolerance
Diarrhea and constipation
Orthostatic hypotension
Sexual function problems

Some important factors to prevent Diabetic Neuropathy

Control blood sugar levels
Keep cholesterol and triglyceride within normal range
Manage blood pressure levels
Lifestyle modifications, specifically diet and exercise
Care for feet to prevent complications like foot ulcers
Avoid alcohol and smoking

Home remedies for Diabetic Neuropathy

Bitter gourd juice
Ajwain
Carrots
Spinach
Tomatoes
Walnuts
Whole grain foods – brown rice , whole wheat oatmeal

Ayurvedic Management

Herbs that help in management of diabetic neuropathy are –

tulsi
neem
ashwagandha
gokshura
pushkarmool
mahayograaj guggul
chitrak mool
sonth
shatavri
shilajit
agnitundi vati

These herbs helps in managing blood sugar level and prevent other organ damage by boosting up immunity. It also helps in relieving nervine pain and nervine weakness.