What is Diabetic Neuropathy
Diabetic Neuropathy is a type of nerve damage that occurs in people with long-term high blood sugar levels.
When blood sugar stays high for months or years, it can injure the tiny blood vessels (capillaries) that supply the nerves with oxygen and nutrients.
This results in weak, damaged, or non-functioning nerves, especially in the legs, feet, hands, and sometimes other organs.
Types of Diabetic Neuropathy
There are four main types:
1. Peripheral Neuropathy (Most common)
- Affects the nerves of the feet and legs first, and sometimes the hands and arms.
- Symptoms: Tingling, numbness, burning sensation, sharp pains, loss of sensation (which increases the risk of foot injuries).
2. Autonomic Neuropathy
- Affects nerves that control internal organs.
- Can cause problems in digestion (gastroparesis), bladder control, sexual function, heart rate, and blood pressure.
3. Proximal Neuropathy
- Affects the thighs, hips, buttocks, or legs.
- Causes sudden, severe pain and weakness, making it hard to stand or walk.
4. Focal Neuropathy (Mononeuropathy)
- Damage to a single nerve, usually in the head, torso, or leg.
- Can cause sudden weakness in the eye muscles, facial drooping, or hand weakness.
Causes & Risk Factors
- Poorly controlled blood sugar over a long period.
- High blood pressure and high cholesterol.
- Obesity.
- Smoking and alcohol use.
- Older age.
- Having diabetes for many years.
Symptoms
- Tingling or prickling sensations.
- Burning or sharp pain.
- Muscle weakness.
- Numbness (reduced ability to feel pain or temperature changes).
- Loss of reflexes.
- Balance problems.
- Digestive issues like bloating, constipation, or diarrhea.
- Sexual dysfunction.
- Urinary problems.
Complications
- Foot ulcers and infections (due to loss of sensation).
- Charcot joint (joint damage due to nerve loss).
- Falls and injuries.
- Difficulty controlling heart rate and blood pressure.
- Digestive and bladder disorders.
Prevention & Management
- Keep blood sugar within target range.
- Maintain a healthy weight.
- Avoid smoking and alcohol.
- Exercise regularly to improve circulation.
- Check feet daily for injuries.
- Wear comfortable shoes.
- Take medications or supplements as prescribed for nerve pain.
Homeopathy View
Diabetic neuropathy is nerve damage caused by high blood sugar over a long time. In homeopathy, the approach is not only to control blood sugar but also to stimulate nerve healing and improve overall vitality. Homeopathic medicines are chosen based on the totality of symptoms, which means we look at the patient’s physical, mental, and emotional signs together.
Some commonly indicated remedies:
- Phosphorus – for burning, tingling in hands/feet, and weakness.
- Plumbum Metallicum – for nerve degeneration with muscle weakness.
- Sulphur – for burning soles of feet, worse at night, restlessness.
- Hypericum – for sharp, shooting nerve pains.
- The goal is to slow down nerve damage, relieve pain/tingling, and improve quality of life without side effects.
