Neuropathy is an unsavory word that means damage or death to nerves. There are many different kinds of neuropathy that can be caused by many different things. One relatively common form of neuropathy is seen in folks with diabetes and is called diabetic polyneuropathy. This is described as having a “stocking and glove” pattern of distribution, meaning that it affects the hands and/or feet. The distribution is bilateral and symmetrical, meaning that it will occur in both feet and/or both hands and will also affect the same portion of both feet and/or hands. For example, one may experience symptoms in the tips of all 10 toes, on the bottoms of both feet, in all 10 fingers, etc.
The most common symptom is sensory nerve pain, which people often describe as burning, tingling, stabbing, electric-shock-like, and numbness. Not only can this be very uncomfortable and keep you up at night, but it can reduce the amount of sensory information that your feet communicate to your brain. I cannot tell you how many times I’ve seen patients come into the office and the hospital with a sewing needle completely buried in one of their feet. It still amazes me that these folks often have no recollection of how it got there and say that they can’t even feel it! I tell you this not to scare you but…well yeah I guess to scare you. But it’s for a good cause!
If you experience symptoms of diabetic neuropathy, then there are several things that you can do to prevent yourself from waking up one morning with a sewing needle tickling your sole. Two things are critically important above all others. One visually inspects the bottoms of your feet and in between your toes at least once a day. By doing this you will be able to see any nicks, cuts, or wounds that could be a portal for infection, the beginnings of a neuropathic ulcer, or even where a needle found its way inside your foot. It is important to see a podiatrist AT LEAST once a year depending on your symptoms to assess your nerve function and risk for developing a neuropathic wound. Second, you must try your hardest to control your blood sugar levels. High glucose in your blood is what causes damage to the nerves and many other organs and cells in your body. This is an insidious process that only gets worse over the course of many years if not tightly controlled. The best way to control your blood sugars is to make regular appointments with your primary care physician or endocrinologist and closely follow their recommendations regarding your medications, diet, and exercises.
This is by no means a complete overview of the symptoms, treatments, or even horror stories related to diabetic polyneuropathy. However, this can be a very mild and manageable disease that does not hold you back from living your life to the fullest if properly managed by your podiatrist, primary care physician, endocrinologist, nutritionist, and most importantly, yourself! Make sure to be proactive and start taking care of yourself before you experience any symptoms; but if you are currently experiencing symptoms as you read this, then fear not because there are several treatment options that can reduce those unpleasant burning sensations in conjunction with tight blood sugar control. Please call our office and schedule an appointment for a diabetic foot risk assessment!