We offer Neuropathy Treatment near Wilmington DE and trace the course of the disease in five different stages. At this stage, you'll start to notice it sooner. Usually, we trace the course of the disease in five distinct stages. In the third stage, the patient will experience the worst of their pain, which usually occurs every day. Many patients will have trouble performing tasks they could previously complete without hesitation, such as walking barefoot on the beach. This stage has an enormous impact on the patient's daily life and is truly unbearable.
This is the stage where many of our patients decide to undergo surgery and have our surgeons perform nerve decompression surgery. Diabetic polyneuropathy (DPN) describes when diabetic neuropathy affects to several peripheral nerves. Peripheral nerves branch from the spinal cord to the arms, hands, legs and feet, and are responsible for both muscle sensitivity and movement, among other more subtle functions. People with diabetic polyneuropathy have symptoms in multiple extremities at the same time.
The longest nerves are usually the most affected, so symptoms usually start in the feet. Pain and numbness, usually felt in the hands and feet, come and go sporadically. Because it's manageable, many people ignore these symptoms. However, since the main cause of neuropathy at this stage is excessive sugar consumption, it can be treated with dietary changes, such as eliminating simple carbohydrates, junk food, and sweets.
Pain and numbness become more constant in the second stage. It can be difficult to know when the condition has passed from the first stage to the second stage, but if symptoms are becoming more frequent, it is a good indication. Most people seek medical attention at this stage, which is good, because when the underlying cause of neuropathy is addressed at this stage, the condition can often be completely cured. If allowed to progress to later stages, neuropathy can cause permanent nerve damage.
So what are the final stages of neuropathy? When the patient reaches the third stage, the pain is almost constant. In addition to the pain, the numbness has also progressed to the point where you don't feel injuries to your feet and legs. If not treated in a timely manner, infections can occur. Peripheral neuropathy is the most common type of diabetic neuropathy.
It can affect nerves in the feet, legs, hands and the arms. It usually starts in the feet and usually affects both feet at the same time. Most often, the symptoms of peripheral neuropathy affect both sides of the body. Other risk factors for peripheral neuropathy (e.g., older age and diabetes control) must also be considered.
Diabetic autonomic neuropathy, a common complication of diabetes, refers to damage to the nerves that control internal organs, such as the heart, blood vessels, digestive system, and sexual organs. An important thing to keep in mind here is that while stage 1 neuropathy is usually caused by excessive sugar consumption, most people are not yet diagnosed with diabetes at this stage and, in fact, a fasting blood sugar test may be normal. Poorly treated diabetics have higher rates of morbidity and complications associated with DPN than well-controlled diabetics. In addition, all people with diabetes should be informed about how to avoid trauma and undergo any invasive foot procedure without the prior authorization of the endocrinologist.
Everyone with diabetes should have a dietary consultation and receive information about what foods they should eat and what they should avoid. Stage 2 is the last “safe” (relatively speaking) chance to reverse course before neuropathy becomes significantly more dangerous, expensive and difficult to treat. Fourth stage: At this stage, the intensity of pain and burning may decrease, and now it is possible that the gait will be affected by numbness and weakness. Peripheral and autonomic neuropathies are some of the main causes of morbidity in diabetes mellitus. According to the American Diabetes Association, people with diabetes should have a comprehensive foot exam every year and a visual foot exam at every visit, usually every 3 or 4 months.
Early-stage diabetic neuropathy often presents with mild symptoms that can be easily overlooked or attributed to other causes. The persistent tingling, numbness, and pain experienced as you move through the stages of diabetic neuropathy can cause discomfort and hinder your ability to do activities you previously enjoyed. The impact of the early stages of diabetic neuropathy on daily life can be significant and influence several aspects of your well-being.
