Neuropathic pain in diabetic people

Neuropathic pain in diabetic people or diabetic neuropathies is series of nerve disorders caused due to diabetes. People suffering from diabetes after period of time develop damages in nerve all through their body. Some people face no symptoms even with nerve damage whereas others experience problems such as numbness, pain or tingling of legs, feet, arms, hands. Every organ in system like heart, sex organs, and digestive tract can get nerve problems.

Causes of diabetic neuropathies

  1.  The causes vary but the common cause is nerve damage that occurs due to exposure to high levels of blood glucose.
  2. Metabolic factors like prolonged diabetes, abnormal levels of blood fat, low insulin levels, high levels of blood glucose
  3. Neurovascular factors like blood vessel damage and blood vessels carry nutrients and oxygen to our nerves
  4. Autoimmune factors lead to inflammation in our nerves
  5. Mechanical injury to our nerves like carpal tunnel syndrome
  6. Lifestyle factors like alcohol use and smoking
  7. Inherited traits which increase the chances of nerve damage

Symptoms – Diabetic neuropathies

Symptoms solely depend on the nerves that are affected and type of neuropathy and other symptoms are

  • Indigestion, vomiting and nausea
  • Urinating problems
  • Faintness or dizziness due to low blood pressure after sitting or standing up
  • Wasting hand, feet muscles
  • Numbness, pain or tingling in finger, arms, legs feet and toes
  • Constipation or diarrhea

Diabetic neuropathy is basically nerve disorders cause due to the abnormalities that are linked to diabetes like high level of blood glucose. Treatments involve correcting the levels of blood glucose to normal range. Regulating the blood glucose levels can help prevent or starting of future problems. Foot care is considered as essential part of neuropathic pain treatment. People suffering from neuropathic pain having diabetes should take very good care of their feet on a daily basis and check for injuries. If the injuries are left untreated it can lead to infection and foot sores.

Treatment for neuropathic pain in diabetic patients also includes medications for pain relief and other medications depending on the severity of nerve damage. Smoking too increases problems of foot or amputation.

Exercise can also help a lot in showing improvements in neuropathic pain especially in diabetic people.  People having diabetes should consult their doctor before they start with any exercise and once decided; making exercise part of daily routine can be helpful.

Look for exercises with low impact as such exercises are easily tolerated by most diabetic people. Exercises like aerobics, swimming, yoga, are ideal options. These exercises can help improve relaxation skills.

Try to avoid exercises of high impact as such exercises can have adverse impact on neuropathic pain. Exercise can really help in nerve pain and doing it consistently is helpful. Start slowly and then increase the time to half an hour, at least five times in a week. The key is to start slowly and increase the time gradually and be consistent.

In case of neuropathic pain, diabetic people should focus on keeping their sugar levels in control and follow the diet recommended by their doctor.

Herbal Supplements can give you relief from Neuropathic pain

Neuropathic pain is really difficult to manage. In some cases where the pain occurs due to herniated disc can be easily resolved and also the pain can go off. But, in patients having chronic medical conditions like diabetes, prolonged pain due to an injury, even conventional type of pain management techniques aren’t successful.

Dysfunction of nerve cause neuropathic pain and nerves can get damaged due to a disease or an injury and sometimes the reason for the dysfunction remains unknown. People who suffer with neuropathic pain often experience severe, sharp pain that passes through the pathway of affected nerve. The pain can be followed by numbness, weakness, tingling or burning.

Conventional methods used for pain management focus on pharmaceuticals use and medications available for pain management do not work well for relieving neuropathic pain and also include risk like overdose, addiction and organ damage.

Herbal remedies that work well for neuropathic pain like Corydalis is a plant that yields flowers and is used since ages to treat depression, high blood pressure, menstrual cramps, abdominal pain, spastic intestines and other health problems.  The tuber part and roots of the plant are used. Corydalis can be used for people suffering from neuropathic pain and recent research has shown that a compound known as DHCB is quite effective in getting some relief in case of neuropathic pain.

To avoid side effects more and more people are opting for herbal supplements or remedies to treat naturopathic pain. Some herbs that are effective for relieving naturopathic pain are


It is also called as red pepper and is a spice which is used due to its medicinal properties. Capsaicin is a chemical constituent that gives hotness to the pepper. Capsaicin is basically a pain reliever which is being used since decades to promote circulation, improve digestive problems and encourage appetite. As per the research the medicinal use of cayenne is implemented for reduction of pain related to surgery, arthritis, peripheral neuropathy and nerve neuropathy. Capsaicin is also added to oils, creams and gels for applying on affected areas to get relief from pain.


Magnesium is very important mineral that the body uses for formation of fatty acid, protein, clotting blood, creation of new cells, supporting nerve and muscle function and generating energy in our body. The foods containing magnesium are sea food, dark green vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts and they are easily available in food stores.

Chiropractic massage

 People suffering from different types of neuropathic pain get benefited from chiropractic massage taken regularly. Massage loosens the tight muscles and aids circulation and nerve connection and also relaxes your body. You can approach a chiropractic professional and start with regular massage sessions to get relieve from neuropathic pain.

There are many herbal remedies and supplements available for treating neuropathic pain, but you need to find out the right one that suits you. As every person and health differs so the treatment one person is taking might not be suitable for the other.

Knowing About Peripheral Neuropathy

Nerve pain related to foot is a common problem and may cause tingling, numbness, burning sensation or weakness can affect your leg. Nerve pain in your foot occurs as a result of damage caused to the nerve that passes through path from your spine to your foot. This causes due to injury, medical condition or side effect of medication you are taking.

Damage caused to the nerve disables the ability to transmit messages thus causing nerve pain in your foot and it is known as neuropathic pain or neuropathy. Nerve pain in foot causes because of two reasons that is either due to peripheral neuropathy which occurs as a result of damage to the nerve in lower leg or foot it. The other reason for nerve pain in foot is due to problems that occur in lower spine. This results in leg, buttock, back nerve pain including pain in foot and weakness.

Foot Neuropathy Due to Spinal Problems

Nerve pain in the foot normally occurs due to problem in your back rather than in your foot.

Peripheral Neuropathy

When the problem occurs with the function of nerves that regulates the messages from spinal to brain and vice versa.  It causes problems in hands and feet. Peripheral neuropathy can develop

  1. Suddenly: can cause because of a traumatic incident.
  2. Develop gradually: tends to progress over the period of time and becomes chronic, which results in slow improvement.

If the damage occurs to one nerve it is termed as mononeuropathy and if it damages more than one nerve it is known as polyneuropathy.

The damage caused due to peripheral neuropathy results in

  • Weakness: difficulty in moving your leg or lifting up the leg.
  • Pain: stabbing, sharp, electric shock which often worsens during night
  • Altered sensation: pins, numbness, tingling or hypersensitivity. It makes you feel like you have worn a sock when actually you are barefoot.
  • Altered co-ordination and balance

Symptoms affect both feet rather than just affecting one and it progresses gradually.

Causes of nerve pain in foot in case of peripheral neuropathy

  • Medical Conditions: Diabetes is the major cause in case of peripheral neuropathy resulting in diabetic nerve foot pain which causes to imbalanced blood sugar levels which disturbs the metabolism of nerves glucose levels. Any diabetic person should take good care of their feet and report their doctor in case they face burning sensation or foot pain.
  • Injury: This may come from an incident or repetitive compression.
  • Infections: for example shingle, leprosy or Lyme disease.
  • Alcoholism: prolonged intake of alcohol can affect the peripheral nerves
  • Medications: peripheral neuropathy can also occur as a result of side-effect that causes due to medications like chemotherapy drugs.

Nerve pain in foot can become serious when you face weakness for example foot drop wherein you are not able to lift your foot, which causes you stumble or trip while walking. Also if you face numbness in between your legs you should see a doctor.

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