About Diabetic Neuropathy Pain

Overview

According to the National Institutes of Health, neuropathy is a nerve condition that affects many diabetic patients, especially patients who have had diabetes for many years. Neuropathy results from damage to the nerves, most commonly in the peripheral nerves, which are outside of the brain and spinal cord. As a result of the nerve damage, pain and numbness occur in different areas of the body. While the pain from diabetic neuropathy can be quite uncomfortable, medication can help alleviate the pain symptoms.

Statistics

According to the National Institutes of Health, 60 to 70 percent of diabetes patients have neuropathy. The risk increases in diabetes patients who have had diabetes for at least 25 years, have problems controlling their blood glucose, have high levels of blood fat and blood pressure, and are also overweight.

Types

Multiple types of diabetic neuropathy exist, according to the National Institutes of Health; these different types of diabetic neuropathy affect various parts of the body. Peripheral neuropathy, which involves the peripheral nerves is the most common type of diabetic neuropathy. Pain or a loss of feeling occurs in the toes, feet, legs, hand and arms as a result of peripheral neuropathy. Autonomic neuropathy results in changes in digestion, bowel and bladder function. In addition, autonomic neuropathy affects sexual response, perspiration, the nerves that affect the heart, blood pressure, lungs and eyes. Proximal neuropathy results in pain in the thighs, hips and butt, which can cause weakness in the legs. The fourth type of diabetic neuropathy, focal neuropathy, causes sudden weakness in one or more nerves, which results in muscle weakness or pain.

Causes

Additional causes of neuropathy include low levels of insulin, damage to the blood vessels, autoimmune disorders, smoking, alcohol use, inherited susceptibility to nerve diseases and mechanical injuries like carpal tunnel syndrome.

Symptoms

Pain is the most common symptom of diabetic neuropathy, though the location of pain depends on which type of neuropathy the patient has. Additional symptoms include wasting of the muscles in the hands and feet, weakness, indigestion, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, problems with urination and sexual problems.

Pain Relief

Multiple medications can be used to relieve the pain from diabetic neuropathy, including tricyclic antidepressants, other antidepressants, anticonvulsants and opioids. Types of tricyclic antidepressants that are suggested by the National Institutes of Health are amitriptyline, imipramine and desipramine; other antidepressants that can be used are duloxetine, venlafaxine, bupropion, paroxetine and citalopram. In addition to antidepressants, anticonvulsants like pregabalin, gabapentin, carbamazepine and lamotrigine can treat the pain from diabetic neuropathy. Opioids, such as controlled released oxycondone and opioid-like drugs like tramadol, also can be used.