Diabetes was the seventh main cause of death in the United States in 2019, based on 87,647 death certificates in which diabetes appeared as the underlying cause of death, according to the American Diabetes Association.In 2019, 37.3 million Americans, or 11.3 percent of the population, had diabetes.
According to the latest survey of the International Diabetes Federation, 1 in 4 diabetic patients interviewed declared not having received adequate information about the disease.As a consequence, many patients did not take care of complications properly, which seriously hindered their daily lives.
diabetes cause peripheral neuropathy
Diabetic patients usually ignore the relationship between peripheral neuropathy and diabetes.Hence, they can erroneously interpret the sensations of physical paralysis as part of the aging.Since diabetes symptoms are not always evident in the initial phases, when some patients seek medical treatment, the disease may have progressed substantially.
Dr. Tsang Man ”, specialist in endocrinology and diabetes of the United Christian Hospital, points out that diabetes is the most common cause of peripheral neuropathy.The nerve fibers of the surrounding nervous system are damaged, which causes peripheral nerve lesions or microvascular dysfunction due to high blood sugar levels.
Peripheral neuropathy can lead to multiple health risks, such as sensory loss, muscle atrophy and tremors, which increases the risk of injuries and converts everyday activities into a challenge.Diabetic patients are prone to other serious conditions, such as skin ulcers and amputation of the foot induced by diabetes mellitus.
How to prevent peripheral neuropathy?
Tsang suggests that the best way to prevent injuries or greater deterioration for diabetes is to control blood sugar levels.In addition to controlling blood glucose, patients should maintain normal levels of blood pressure and cholesterol, avoid smoking and consuming alcohol and exercising regularly.
In addition, patients should take enough vitamins B1, B6 and B12 to maintain the health of blood vessels and the nervous system.
The lack of vitamin B1 affects the heart and feet, damages the nerves and probably causes Beriberi, also known as lack of thiamine.The lack of vitamin B6 affects blood, brain and nervous system signals.
The lack of vitamin B12 affects the blood and the regeneration of the nervous system and, what is worse, causes scurvy, malignant anemia, sensory loss and dementia.
Metformin is a usual drug to treat diabetes.However, a high dose and prolonged use, especially for three years or more, can affect the absorption of vitamin B12 in the intestines, which causes peripheral neuralgia.
TSANG states that increasing group B vitamins, such as B1, B6 and B12, specific to the nervous system, can be relieved and prevent symptoms of peripheral neuropathy.
The doctor suggests that whenever patients suffer numbness in the limbs, especially diabetics, do not overlook the possibility of peripheral neuropathy and confuse it with arthritis or sciatica.
