Diabetic Neuropathy

Diabetic neuropathy is a complication of Diabetes.  It is the most common complication of the disease and can afflict both type I and type II diabetics.   This complication is noted in approximately 60% of diagnosed diabetics.  Peripheral neuropathy disturbs the sensory, autonomic, and motor neurons of the peripheral nervous system.

Uncontrolled blood sugars which are frequently elevated increases the risk for severe neuropathy significantly.  The disorder usually shows itself early in diabetes but doesn’t show detectable nerve damage.  Lower limb pain and hyperalgesia (high sensitivity to pain) are usually the first noticeable symptoms.  This can then turn to reduced sensations or feeling.  The pain can be spontaneous and severe.  At times it can be debilitating to the individual. 

As of now, there is no cure for diabetes or neuropathy.  Studies are targeted toward development of safe and effective treatments that modify the underlying pathologies.  These have been difficult and slow to come, but do remain a focus of intervention for those who suffer from this complication.  Current treatments are aimed at symptomatic relief.  Several medications have been evaluated for effectiveness in relieving the pain associated with diabetic peripheral neuropathy. 

Some of these medications include, Cymbalta, Neurontin, Lyrica, Effexor, Wellbutrin and many others.  Several of these medications double as antidepressants and most have some pretty hefty side effects.  Lidocaine patches have been proven to be somewhat effect.  These are an adhesive patch impregnated with lidocaine which numbs the area applied to.  They may only be worn 12 hours of a day however and are contraindicated in patients with heart conditions. 

There are different types of neuropathies affecting different nervous systems.  Small nerve fibers, large nerve fibers and some forms often affect the autonomic nervous systems.  These can include the cardiovascular, genitourinary and gastrointestinal.  Different treatment options and methods are used to treat these symptomatically.     

Women who take medication for this disease have reported decreased libido, mostly due to pain during intercourse from vaginal dryness. It should be known by men taking medications for management of the symptoms of neuropathy that many of them cause erectile dysfunction.   However, there are medications on the market today that have been effective in treating this.  If you are being treated with medications and experience these side effects, be sure to notify your physician.