How Diabetic Nerve Pain in Feet Differs from Other Pains?
Healthful Vitality | 10/29/2021 | Diabetic Nerve Pain in Feet
One of the most common problems associated with diabetes is socks and glove syndrome. It is one of the significant signs of diabetic neuropathy. Those living with diabetes might feel changes in nerve health as pain in the hand or feet.
Diabetic peripheral neuropathy is the most common complication of diabetes. It is estimated that about 20% to 35% of all those living with diabetes are affected. However, almost half of all those living with the condition are not aware of it.
Diabetic neuropathy has a varied disease presentation
Doctors think that peripheral neuropathy starts in quite an early stage of diabetes. However, most individuals fail to identify it due to mildness of symptoms. Therefore, annual testing for peripheral neuropathy is a must in all those living with diabetes.
Nerve pain in the feet is just one of the signs of diabetic neuropathy. In many presentations is just the opposite; that is a loss of sensation. In most individuals presenting with nerve pain, it may start with periods of tingling sensation in the feet and even in hands.
Nerve pain in the feet is more commonly found in those with poorly controlled diabetes. It is because nerves, unlike other organs, are susceptible to glucose supply. In diabetes, although there is high blood glucose, this glucose cannot enter nerve cells due to insulin resistance or deficiency. This results in gradual damage to nerves causing pain in the feet or tingling sensation.
Diabetic nerve pain in feet differs from other pains
Diabetic nerve pain in the feet is relatively easy to identify. Unlike other causes, it is due to systemic disease, that is, diabetes. It means that changes are almost always symmetrical. Therefore, one would feel a similar kind of nerve pain in both feet. Such type of symmetry is uncommon in nerve pains caused by trauma, arthritis, or other diseases.
Further, these pains are constant and exist along with poor sensations in the feet. It means that despite the pain, the person may not feel when any sharp object is applied to feet. Nor may sense changes in temperature. Doctors can readily identify this loss in sensation.
Further, nerve pain in the feet would rarely occur without other types of neuropathies. Thus, the person living with nerve pain in the feet may also experience autonomic nervous system changes. These changes may cause fatigue, poor heart response to physical exertion, and bowel and bladder movement changes. Many may also experience changes in skin like excessive sweating or dry skin.
Strictly controlling blood sugar levels is the best way to prevent diabetic nerve pain in the feet. Apart from this, one may also supplement vitamin Bs. In addition, a higher intake of fish oil or omega-3 fatty acids may also help boost nerve health. To conclude, diabetic neuropathy and resulting pain in the feet are quite common. However, its presentation may vary. In many, it is pretty mild, and thus they fail to identify the problem in its early stages. Therefore, it is also vital to have a regular medical checkup to exclude neuropathies.
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