Diabetes

One of the most common complications of diabetes is neuropathy (nerve damage), that, among other issues, can lead to abnormal sensations, debilitating pain, and eventual loss of feeling in your legs and feet. Dabbs Rehab Center of MD specializes in diabetes and neuropathy and provides holistic, integrative, and naturopathic care to patients in Columbia, Maryland. The chiropractic and physical therapy practice can effectively decrease symptoms and reduce your risk of developing worsening nerve damage. Schedule a visit with knowledgeable diabetes specialists by phone or online today.

What type of nerve damage is caused by diabetes?

Diabetic neuropathy is nerve damage that occurs from diabetes. High glucose (blood sugar) can injure nerves throughout the body, most often damaging the nerves in your legs and feet. It can also affect nerves associated with your digestive system, blood vessels, heart, and urinary tract.

What are the symptoms of nerve damage caused by diabetes?

Symptoms of nerve damage caused by diabetes depend on the type. Diabetic neuropathy consists of four main types:

Peripheral neuropathy

Peripheral nerves make up a complex network that connects the spinal cord and brain to the internal organs, muscles, and skin. Peripheral neuropathy damages these nerves, causing pain.

Symptoms may include tingling or burning sensation, loss of balance and coordination, sharp pain or cramps, and the reduced ability to feel pain or temperature changes.

Autonomic neuropathy

This system regulates many body functions, including digestion, bowel movements, urination, blood pressure, heart rate, and temperature. Damage to the nerves interrupts the signals between the brain and organs.

Symptoms may include frequent urinary tract infections, retention or incontinence, constipation or uncontrolled diarrhea, difficulty swallowing, changes in how your eyes adjust to light or darkness, and increased heart rate at rest. It can also slow stomach emptying (gastroparesis), resulting in nausea, vomiting, bloating, and loss of appetite.

Diabetic amyotrophy

This type of neuropathy is predominantly a motor condition that affects the lumbosacral plexus, a network of nerves in the lumbar region of the body. Usually, it develops in older patients with Type 2 diabetes.

Symptoms include severe pain in your hips, thighs, or buttocks, difficulty rising from a sitting position, weak and shrinking thigh muscles, and abdominal swelling.

Mononeuropathy

Mononeuropathy refers to damage to a nerve outside the brain and spinal cord. It often strikes without warning, causing severe pain. It can occur in any body area, most commonly in the foot, shin, thigh, pelvis, lower back, abdomen, or chest.

What is the treatment for diabetes?

Dabbs Rehab Center of MD takes a holistic, integrative, and functional medicine approach to treating diabetes. They may recommend physical therapy focused on restoring balance and techniques for improving diabetes management.

They offer the most advanced multidisciplinary holistic medical treatment for diabetic neuropathy patients. Research continues to show that coordinated care over 6-12 weeks leads to an 80 to 100% recovery in about 90% of patients.

While diabetes has no cure, you can treat it and keep it in check. To receive the quality diabetes care you deserve, call Dabbs Rehab Center of MD or request an appointment online today.