Diabetic neuropathy is a common complication of diabetes. It occurs when high blood sugar levels damage the nerves. It can cause a range of symptoms, from mild to severe. The most common symptom is pain, which can range from mild to severe. Other symptoms include numbness, tingling, and weakness.
Diabetic neuropathy can affect any nerve in your body, but it most often affects nerves in your feet and legs. There are a number of natural remedies that have been shown to be effective in treating the symptoms of diabetic neuropathy and in this article will explore them.
Natural Remedies for Diabetic Neuropathy
Not everyone who develops diabetes will develop complications such as neuropathy, but neuropathy is a common complication of diabetes. At least up to 70 percent of diabetics develop neuropathy.
Some might experience mild symptoms like numbness, tingling, or weakness, others might suffer a great deal of pain, problems with the heart, high blood pressure, and in most cases death if major organs are affected.
There are several treatment options available that can help you manage peripheral neuropathy, they include medication, physical therapy, and lifestyle changes. While there is no cure for the condition, these treatments can help to improve symptoms and prevent further damage to the nerves.
What is Diabetic Neuropathy?
Diabetic Neuropathy, often referred to as peripheral neuropathy, is a type of nerve damage resulting from diabetes. It occurs with a range of symptoms, including pain, numbness, and weakness in the affected area.
Neuropathy can affect anywhere but it most commonly affects the nerves that run through the hand, feet, and limbs.
Causes of peripheral neuropathy
There are many potential causes of peripheral neuropathy, including diabetes, inflammation, infections, and trauma. Diabetes is the most common cause of nerve damage and can occur when blood sugar levels are high for an extended period. This can damage the small blood vessels that supply oxygen and nutrients to the nerves.
You can develop diabetes no matter what age, gender, race, or background. There is a higher risk factor if you are old, overweight, and living a lifestyle that negatively affects your body’s hormones.
Some major risk factors that will improve your chances of developing diabetic neuropathy include;
- Having uncontrolled blood sugar, which is the biggest risk factor for diabetes.
- Having a poor diet plan
- Smoking
- Having excess body weight or bring obese
- Having diabetes for a long time
- Having excess fat in the blood
- Experiencing injuries to the nerves
- Inherited traits that make nerve damage more likely.
5 Natural Remedies for Diabetic Neuropathy
Diabetes can impact your daily life, and so can Peripheral neuropathy. Just like diabetes itself has no cure, has no cure as well. You can only manage it and stop its progression using natural remedies for diabetic neuropathy. These natural treatments can help relieve these symptoms and improve your quality of life. Below are some of the natural remedies for diabetic neuropathy
1. Visit a medical expert:
This may sound a little out of line but you need medical advice if you have neuropathy. It can be quite challenging to exercise or function properly when you are in a lot of pain. Everyone experiences neuropathy differently, someone might be getting better results just by exercising, but you probably might not.
This is why it is important you see a neuropathy expert in other to guide you on what to do to help relieve your pain in other for you to carry on with other natural remedies for diabetic neuropathy.
2. Try exercising regularly
Exercise is one of the best things you can do for your health, and it’s also beneficial for peripheral neuropathy. Regular physical activity can help reduce nerve pain and improve blood circulation. It also helps to keep your blood sugar levels under control.
A research study published in the journal of diabetes complications in 2012 states that there’s a significant reduction in neuropathic pain and symptoms through regular exercise. It also shows an increased intraepidermal nerve fiber branching.
30-60 minutes of daily exercise will help the body respond faster to insulin and lower blood sugar. They also help the nerves, improve blood circulation, reduce cholesterol, and also lower stress levels.
3. Manage blood sugar
One thing you can do to get neuropathy under control is to manage your blood sugar levels. Getting your A1ac levels at a healthy range can help prevent permanent nerve damage, blood vessels, eyes, and other parts of the body that can develop complications due to high blood sugar levels.
According to the American diabetes association, testing for blood sugar should be more especially for those with type 1 diabetes. This is in case you need multiple injections daily.
4. Have a healthy diet plan:
Managing your blood sugar levels and having a healthy diet plan go hand in hand. Your diet directly impacts your blood sugar levels. In other to manage your diabetes and the complications that come with it, your diet is where you begin.
Your diet should consist of a colorful variety of foods that produces your body with a good number of antioxidants that help combat disease.
Your diet should focus mainly on unprocessed foods, and cut the high intake of refined carbs, sugar, and drinks that are high in sugar.
Some helpful steps you can take to make better healthy diet choices include;
- Replace soda, sweetened drinks, juice, etc. with water or herbal tea.
- Pick healthy fats (coconut oil, olive oil, nuts, seeds, avocado, etc.) and lean protein over refined carbs.
- Include vegetables and whole fruits, they are high in antioxidants, vitamins, fiber, and essential minerals like potassium.
- Replace table sugar with stevia, a natural no-calorie sweetener.
5. Learn to manage stress
Stress can help worse diabetic symptoms; it can also elevate blood sugar levels. Learning to manage stress is one of the natural remedies for diabetic neuropathy. There are lots of stress relief techniques you can use to combat stress like medication, healing prayers, and massage for neuropathy.
Massage techniques like acupuncture and reflexology work best in lowering stress ad relieving pain, they are safe and good techniques you can use to manage your stress.
Other Natural Remedies for Diabetic Neuropathy include;
Heat or cold therapy
Applying heat or cold to the affected area can help relieve pain and discomfort. You can use a heating pad, hot water bottle, or warm compress. For cold therapy, you can use an ice pack or cool compress. Do not apply ice directly to the skin as this could cause further damage.
Massage
Massaging the affected area can also help to relieve pain and improve circulation. Be sure to use a gentle touch to avoid irritating the already-damaged nerves. If you’re unsure how to massage properly, seek a professional massage therapist or you can get a foot massager for neuropathy. These machines are designed to help combat neuropathic pain.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese practice that involves inserting thin needles into the skin at specific points on the body. This form of therapy is effective in treating various conditions, including diabetic neuropathy.
Further, Prevent peripheral neuropathy
A few things can be done to further prevent peripheral neuropathy, or at least slow its progression. They include;
Keep your sugar level low: it is important to keep your blood sugar levels under control. This can be done through diet, exercise, and medication.
Avoid harmful toxins: you should avoid smoking and drinking alcohol, as these can damage the nerves. Foot care: you should take care of your feet and legs to prevent injury.
Medication: if you are already experiencing neuropathy, there are treatments available that can help relieve the pain and other symptoms.
Conclusion
Luckily, there are a number of natural remedies that can help to ease the symptoms of diabetic neuropathy, First, try to keep your blood sugar levels under control. This will help reduce the inflammation that’s causing the nerve damage. Second, massage your feet regularly to increase circulation and relieve pain. You can also try using essential oils or topical creams to help soothe your feet. Finally, make sure you’re getting enough rest and exercise. Taking care of yourself is important when dealing with any chronic condition.