Diabetic neuropathy - Essay Example

Neuropathy is a condition normally characterized by the damage of nerves and their functionality. Diabetic neuropathies are neuropathies that are as a result of diabetes mellitus, and this is caused by excess glucose in the blood (Herskovitz and Stephen, 2010). In a more generalized way, it can be defined as the peripheral nerve malfunction as a result of diabetes (Boulton and Loretta, 2011). These nerve problems do not affect any given organs of the body and can occur to any organ system.The causes of Diabetic neuropathy depend on its kind, but the most likely causes of nerve damage include hereditary qualities that lender an individual susceptible to nerve infection, physical injury caused to the nerves, lifestyle characteristics such as smoking and alcohol usage.

In addition, the other causes are metabolic aspects such as irregular blood fat levels, low levels of insulin, high blood glucose and neurovascular factors, which result to the damage to the blood vessels that carry oxygen and nutrients to the nerves (Benjamin, n.d.).Some patients will have no symptoms while others may show a range of signs including pain and numbness for starters. Symptoms of nerve damage may include erectile malfunction in males, vaginal dehydration in females, deteriorating of the muscles of the feet or hands, indigestion, nausea, weakness, difficulties during urination, numbness, tingling, pain in the arms and legs, constipation or diarrhea and finally wooziness as a result of a drop in blood pressure after standing up (Tesfaye, 2009).

Other symptoms like loss in weight and depression have been reported in some patients, but they are not as a result of neuropathy, but often go together with it.There are various types of diabetic neuropathies which usually have varied effects to its patients such as autonomic neuropathy that causes hypoglycemia unawareness and changes in bladder role, perspiration and sexual response in patients. Focal neuropathy causes an unexpected weakness of nerves resulting to muscle weakness. Proximal neuropathy results to pain in the leg muscles like the thighs causing a weakness in the legs and finally the peripheral neuropathy mainly results to pain in the arms and legs (Veves, 2006).

There is also the autonomic neuropathy will mostly affect sex organs, urinary track, digestive system and blood vessels, and focal neuropathy that affects the abdomen, facial muscles, chest, and pelvis and lower back (Veves and Rayaz, 2007). Futhermore, ther is proximal neuropathy will specialize with the legs and muscles related to the legs and so will the peripheral neuropathy though it also affects the arms. Based on the symptoms stated above, doctors are able to diagnose diabetic neuropathy after a physical exam.

The physical exams conducted could range from blood pressure, heart rate, muscle strength, body temperature or just pure tests like a light touch.In conclusion, despite continued research in the understanding of diabetic neuropathies, little progress has been made in as far as medication is concerned. Considering diabetic neuropathies are as a result of abnormal levels of glucose in the blood the first step would be to bring these levels within the normal range (Boulton and Loretta, 2011). This can be achieved through blood glucose monitoring, physical activity, taking insulin and taking the right foods.

In cases where patients want to reduce the pain they may consider using antiepileptic drugs (Galer and Charles, 2010). Physical therapy can also be engaged as an effective substitute treatment option as it helps to shrink reliance on pain relieving drug.ReferencesBoulton, A. J. M. and Loretta, V. (2011.). Painful diabetic neuropathy in clinical practice. London: Springer.Galer, B. S. and Charles E. A. (2010). Defeat chronic pain now!: groundbreaking strategies for eliminating the pain of arthritis, back and neck conditions, migraines, diabetic neuropathy, and chronic illness.

Beverly, MA: Fair Winds Press. Herskovitz, S. and Stephen N. S. (2010). Peripheral neuropathies in clinical practice. Oxford: Oxford University Press.Tesfaye, S. ( 2009). Diabetic neuropathy. Oxford: Oxford University Press.Veves, A.( 2006). The diabetic foot. 2nd ed. Totowa, N.J.: Humana Press. Veves, A. and Rayaz A. M.( 2007). Diabetic neuropathy clinical management. 2nd ed. Totowa, N.J.: Humana Press. Benjamin, S. (n.d.) Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy Treatment Program. Retrieved from http://www.

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