America is one of the unhealthiest nations. We are actually, the fattest nation. We take the lead in obesity. It's no wonder we are afflicted with diseases such as diabetic neuropathy. Here are some sobering statistics. Did you know that 64% of people are overweight in America? 27% of Americans are obese. Obesity is responsible for 325,000 deaths per year. 750 million people worldwide are overweight. Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes and is weight related. More than 20 million Americans have diabetes. Another sobering fact: 54 million Americans have prediabetes. What are the risk factors for getting diabetes?
1) Obesity
2) Poor diet
3) Lack of exercise
4) A diet high in refined carbohydrates
5) Heredity
6) Ethnicity
7) High Triglycerides
8) High Cholesterol
Of the eight risk factors listed above, we have control over six! If we watched our diets, we would not have to deal with diabetes, or diabetic neuropathy.
Diabetes does not only occur in human beings. There is such thing as feline diabetic neuropathy. First, let me explain what neuropathy is. Then we can talk about cats having diabetes - in that order. Neuropathy involves the deterioration of the nerve cells. It is a disease of the autonomic nervous system. It can be caused by diseases such as kidney failure, diabetes, or cancer. It can also be the result of ingestion of toxic drugs. Diabetes is characterized by an excessive amount of sugar in the blood. Neuropathy occurs when a diabetic is in chronic pain. The pain can be anywhere on the body, but it usually is in the foot or leg. Although rare, feline diabetic neuropathy is when a cat has diabetes. Just like in humans, the cat's blood sugar is extraordinarily high. Don't ask me how, as I don't know of any cat's that eat candy bars or ice cream cones. The symptoms are the same as human beings. The nervous system begins to deteriorate, their hind legs become weak, and the cat begins to limp. The problem with detecting feline neuropathy is that the cat cannot talk. She cannot tell you that her legs feel numb or that she has tingling sensation. By the time the owner realizes that something is amiss in the cat's gait, the disease has already progressed.
Diabetic Neuropathy has More Than One Symptom
Foot and leg pain are frequent symptoms of neuropathy - whether it be in cats or humans. The foot or leg becomes numb. As the disease of the nervous system progresses, the diabetic loses the ability to feel vibration, feel temperature, and in general, a complete loss of sensation.
Treatment Does Not Vary with Neuropathy in Felines
Amazingly, the treatment for neuropathy in felines is no different than it is for human beings.
There is Medication Available for Diabetics Suffering from Neuropathy But No Cure
Medication for neuropathy can range from basic physical therapy, to anti depressants. Although anti depressants are used for depression, the medicinal properties in anti depressants can be used for non depressive cases. To date, there is no cure for diabetic neuropathy. But there are things you can do to alleviate and/or prevent diabetic neuropathy. The most important thing is incorporating good dietary habits.
1) Obesity
2) Poor diet
3) Lack of exercise
4) A diet high in refined carbohydrates
5) Heredity
6) Ethnicity
7) High Triglycerides
8) High Cholesterol
Of the eight risk factors listed above, we have control over six! If we watched our diets, we would not have to deal with diabetes, or diabetic neuropathy.
Diabetes does not only occur in human beings. There is such thing as feline diabetic neuropathy. First, let me explain what neuropathy is. Then we can talk about cats having diabetes - in that order. Neuropathy involves the deterioration of the nerve cells. It is a disease of the autonomic nervous system. It can be caused by diseases such as kidney failure, diabetes, or cancer. It can also be the result of ingestion of toxic drugs. Diabetes is characterized by an excessive amount of sugar in the blood. Neuropathy occurs when a diabetic is in chronic pain. The pain can be anywhere on the body, but it usually is in the foot or leg. Although rare, feline diabetic neuropathy is when a cat has diabetes. Just like in humans, the cat's blood sugar is extraordinarily high. Don't ask me how, as I don't know of any cat's that eat candy bars or ice cream cones. The symptoms are the same as human beings. The nervous system begins to deteriorate, their hind legs become weak, and the cat begins to limp. The problem with detecting feline neuropathy is that the cat cannot talk. She cannot tell you that her legs feel numb or that she has tingling sensation. By the time the owner realizes that something is amiss in the cat's gait, the disease has already progressed.
Diabetic Neuropathy has More Than One Symptom
Foot and leg pain are frequent symptoms of neuropathy - whether it be in cats or humans. The foot or leg becomes numb. As the disease of the nervous system progresses, the diabetic loses the ability to feel vibration, feel temperature, and in general, a complete loss of sensation.
Treatment Does Not Vary with Neuropathy in Felines
Amazingly, the treatment for neuropathy in felines is no different than it is for human beings.
There is Medication Available for Diabetics Suffering from Neuropathy But No Cure
Medication for neuropathy can range from basic physical therapy, to anti depressants. Although anti depressants are used for depression, the medicinal properties in anti depressants can be used for non depressive cases. To date, there is no cure for diabetic neuropathy. But there are things you can do to alleviate and/or prevent diabetic neuropathy. The most important thing is incorporating good dietary habits.
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