What is diabetic neuropathy?
When you have diabetes, the high levels of blood glucose that circulate in your blood can damage your nerve fibers and interfere with their ability to send signals. You can develop diabetic neuropathy in any portion of your body, but the feet are most often affected.
You may have one or more of several types of diabetic neuropathies, but the one that affects your feet most often is called peripheral neuropathy. Peripheral neuropathy can affect either your motor or sensory responses. Sensory issues are most common in diabetic foot pain.
What are the risk factors for diabetic neuropathy?
You’re more likely to develop diabetic neuropathy if your disease is poorly controlled or you’ve had it for a long time. Other risk factors are:
- Being overweight or obese
- Smoking
- Having kidney disease
What are the symptoms of sensory neuropathy?
When you have sensory neuropathy, your nerves have an exaggerated response to pain or sensation. For instance, the simple act of putting on your socks may be excruciating. Some other symptoms include:
- Burning or tingling
- Stabbing sensation or sharp pain
- Numbness
- Cramps
- Balance and coordination issues
- Loss of reflexes
- Loss of muscle strength
- Infections, ulcers, and deformities
Numbness is a particularly dangerous form of sensory neuropathy because you could severely injure your feet without realizing it. If your feet tend to be numb, examine them daily for signs of damage, and visit Dr. Sands regularly to avoid serious complications, including limb loss.
How do podiatrists treat diabetic neuropathy?
Dr. Sands uses state-of-the-art, minimally invasive treatments to improve diabetic neuropathy. His preferred therapies are vitamin supplementation, diabetes control and the use of MicroVas electrical stimulation.
MicroVas is an advanced form of ionic therapy that was developed by U.S. military laboratories to treat Navy Seals who suffered hypothermia. The MicroVas current penetrates the entire treatment area to stimulate blood flow and tissue oxygenation. This leads to angiogenesis, a process through which your body heals and rebuilds damaged tissues.
If you think you have diabetic neuropathy, contact Dr. Sands for relief by booking an appointment online or calling his helpful staff.
