According to the National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse, about 60 to 70 percent of all people with diabetes develop neuropathy. This is a serious complication that can result in damage to the organs and limit your mobility. You can't cure neuropathy but home remedies can prevent its onset or slow its progression.
Identification
Nerve damage that results from diabetes is called diabetic neuropathy. It can occur at any time but the risk increases the longer you have diabetes and for those who have problems controlling their blood sugar (glucose). High blood pressure, high levels of fat in the blood and being overweight also increase your risk of developing diabetic neuropathy. Symptoms may be minimal or include pain, tingling, burning, prickling and range from hypersensitivity to loss of feeling. Blisters and sores frequently appear when feet are affected. Other specific issues will appear that are related to the organ or body system that is damaged.
Types
The four types of diabetic neuropathy are peripheral, autonomic, proximal and focal. The most common type is peripheral neuropathy, which damages nerves in the legs, feet, arms and hands. Autonomic neuropathy affects nerves in your organs, including those that regulate the heart, blood pressure and blood sugar. Proximal neuropathy usually impacts one side of the body, beginning as pain in the hip, thigh or leg and resulting in weakness in the leg. Focal neuropathy develops suddenly in specific nerves, most commonly affecting the head, torso and legs. It can cause paralysis on one side of the face, damage vision, or cause pain that is so severe it is sometimes mistaken for a heart attack or appendicitis.
Home Care
Home care begins with maintaining normal blood glucose levels, which will protect nerves from damage and help prevent neuropathy. Watching your blood sugar may even improve symptoms that already exist. Specialists at the Mayo Clinic state that "intense glucose control may reduce the overall risk of diabetic neuropathy by more than 60 percent."
Healthy Lifestyle
Home care continues with a healthy lifestyle that includes a balanced diet, avoiding alcohol, and 30 minutes of daily exercise. You need to control blood pressure because high blood pressure combined with diabetes increases the risk of developing neuropathy. If necessary, lose weight by limiting portion sizes. According to the National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse, "smoking significantly increases the risk of foot problems and amputation" so if you smoke, it is important to quit. If you experience indigestion, belching, nausea or vomiting as a result of autonomic neuropathy, then concentrate on eating frequent, small meals, avoiding fats and eating less fiber.
Foot Care
Infection that begins in sores or blisters on the feet can spread to bones and result in amputation. The National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse states that more than half of all lower-limb amputations in the United States occur in people with diabetes, yet nearly half of them can be prevented by foot care. You should check your feet every day, looking for cuts, blisters, sores, swelling, redness or cracked skin. Wash your feet every day. Dry by gently patting because rough rubbing can damage your skin. Remember to test the water temperature first because your feet may have lost some sensation. Use a moisturizer after washing to prevent dry, cracked skin. Wear clean socks made out of cotton or moisture-wicking fibers. Avoid socks that have tight bands or thick seams. Be sure that your shoes fit properly to avoid rubbing and blisters.
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