Neuropathy is a broad medical term for nerve damage. Neuropathy is quite common due to type 1 as well as type 2 diabetes. Did you know that it is estimated that more than 26 percent of people with diabetes — type 2 actually have evidence of damage to their nerves at the time that they are diagnosed with diabetes. A type of neuropathy, called polyneuropathy, is the one of most common type of neuropathy that occurs in patients that suffer from diabetes. There are many other types of neuropathy and often terms like diabetic neuropathy and polyneuropathy are large categories of illness and a more specific diagnosis can eventually be found. Neuropathy often affects people without diabetes as well.
There are many signs and symptoms of neuropathy usually the earliest signs are loss of sensation often with burning sensation in a stocking or glove distribution. Catching neuropathy caused by diabetes and treating the neuropathy early will often lead to better quality of life and even reversal of symptoms.
There are many treatments for diabetic neuropathy unfortunatley they are not widely publicized and includes a three step process:
1. Identifying the extent of the damage to the nerves this will allow us to target therapy
2. Stop the nerve pain — as long as your life (and sleep cycle) is disrupted by nerve pain healing will be delayed (most common issue seen with patients who have neuropathy)
3. Heal the nerves — Replace deficiencies that are associated with neuropathy, increase circulation, and use advanced regenerative treatments (often referred to as stem cells) to heal nerves have been damaged by demyelination.
If you are suffering from neuropathy pain and would like to receive help please contact our office by clicking here.