The percentage of people in this country with diabetes has been climbing steadily for years. With diabetes comes a lot of health issues and complications, one of which is diabetic neuropathy. If you have diabetes that is unmanaged, your chances of developing diabetic neuropathy increase substantially since the high levels of blood sugar coursing through your veins can damage your nerves everywhere.
The problem with diabetic neuropathy is that many people don’t know they have a problem until a sore or an infection in their feet or hands arises. Before that, they may experience pain, numbness or other symptoms in their legs, feet, arms or hands. Diabetics have a hard time healing from infection, especially in the lower extremities. It is therefore crucial to prevent damage from diabetic neuropathy in any way possible, and not keep delaying treatment until it Is too late!
Luckily, many of the things that you can do to prevent diabetic neuropathy are easy, inexpensive, and can be done at home. For example, a blood sugar monitor is an easy way to make sure your blood sugar is staying within normal levels. Additionally, you’ll need to practice careful foot care. In addition to keeping your feet clean, keeping them dry with moisture-wicking socks is a great first step. Having yourself or a family member check your feet daily for cracks, sores and cuts is another crucial step. Well-fitting shoes are a must! With these preventative steps, you can keep diabetic neuropathy damage at bay.
If you are looking for comprehensive care regarding your diabetic neuropathy, please give us a call here at Complete Rehab today.