Diabetic Proximal Neuropathy, Type 2 Diabetic Muscle Wasting and How to Prevent It

Diabetic proximal neuropathy is only one of many diabetic neuropathies. Like all the others it is the result of long-term high blood sugar, but it is not as well known as the numbness and tingling of fingers and toes that is called peripheral neropathy. Nearly every type 2 diabetic will experience it.



But not everyone with type 2 diabetes has the symptoms of muscle wasting and weakness that is diabetic proximal neuropathy. This condition is also called diabetic amyotrophy (myo- for muscles and -trophy for breaking down), and it happens after years and years of too much glucose in your blood.



The Symptoms of Diabetic Proximal Neuropathy



Diabetic amyotrophy starts with pain in the muscles of the thighs, hips, buttocks or legs. In rare cases it also affects the shoulders, but wherever it shows up, the pain is usually on only one side, or on one side more than the other.



If the cause of the muscle wasting is diabetic nerve disease, it is always in older adults who have had diabetes for a while. Type 2 diabetes has usually been damaging the blood vessels that supply nerves with oxygen, destroying the nerves slowly over time.



The effect is weakness in your legs, being unable to stand up from a chair without help. There is loss of knee and ankle reflexes too. That's one reason doctors check your reflexes at each physical by gently tapping your knee and ankle joints with a small hammer.



If diabetic proximal neuropathy continues, the result is quadriparesis, or weakness in the arms and legs. That's why it is called muscle wasting. There are other causes for this disease, such as Lou Gehrig's disease or muscular dystrophy.



But in type 2 diabetes the cause is peripheral nerve disease. Insulin resistance in the cells leads to high blood sugar that weakens veins and arteries, as well as high insulin levels that lead to inflammatory symptoms. For a long time those are hidden problems, but after a while the symptoms of pain and weakness rise up, and we are forced to face diabetic amyotrophy.



How Is Diabetic Proximal Neuropathy Diagnosed?



Doctors have tests available to them - nerve conduction studies and needle electromyography are two of them - but usually the tests aren't needed. It is easy for your doctor to see the symptoms of amyotrophy by use of reflex testing and observing how you stand and walk.



The diabetic neuropathies your doctor sees every day make diagnosing very easy. It's the treatment and prevention that concerns them the most, and it's good to know there are things that can be done.



The Treatment



Diabetic proximal neuropathy is halted and reversed by controlling your blood sugar. Using good eating habits is a great start for lowering your blood sugar. Then there is physical exercise that not only aids blood sugar control but strengthens the muscles and stimulates nerve growth.



There are medications for helping control blood sugar, too, but you need to be aware of the side effects of each diabetic medicine so you can weigh that against the positive results. You can also look into medications for nerve pain, most of which are similar to the things doctors prescribe for depression. That's because those medicines have been found effective against nerve pain.



What that means to me is if you can stay out of the depression that plagues diabetics and work on good mental health, nerve pain will be less damaging. Avoiding harmful habits like smoking, and lowering your levels of stress will also aid you in the fight against neuropathies.



If diabetic proximal neuropathy has made it difficult to get around there are good physical therapies for bringing feeling back in your legs and building muscles that have weakened. For a type 2 diabetic there is always hope because, unlike other wasting diseases, this condition responds to intervention with exercise, weight loss and physical therapy. You can slow and reverse the course of diabetic amyotrophy.



I know how hard it is to face pain. I'm afraid I don't do it very well. But if we will go ahead and walk through the pain we will get stronger and feel better. It's the only way to keep those peripheral nerve disease symptoms from taking over our lives. Let's do it.

Diabetic Neuropathy Treatment

Diabetic Neuropathy is damage to nerves caused by the prolonged effect of high sugar levels in the blood. High blood sugar is a consequence of having diabetes. Diabetics strive to manage their blood sugar levels by eating a healthy diet, exercising (and injecting insulin in some cases). It is believed that keeping blood sugar levels low or at least constant is the best way to manage diabetes and prevent further complications occurring. This article will outline the various types of neuropathy, why it is important to treat them and how they are treated.



Diabetic neuropathy can affect any nerve or system of nerves in the body and has be sub-classified by the parts of the body that they affect. The four types are :



Peripheral - that affects the extremities of the body, notably the feet.



Autonomic - that affects the autonomic nervous system that is responsible for the automatic processes that go on in the body. They manifest in the stomach generally.



Proximal - the areas affects are the hips, thighs and buttocks.



Focal - a focused group of nerves in any region of the body. This is characterized by sudden 'flare ups' of irritation or pain in a specific part of the body. They are as likely to 'flare down' or dissipate with treatment as they are to 'flare up'.



The most common form of neuropathy is peripheral neuropathy. It generally affects the feet but can move into the legs. It is also known to affect the hands and arms but is less common. The most obvious signs of peripheral neuropathy are numbness or tingling in the feet. As the nerves become more damaged the loss of feeling in the feet increases. This insensitivity is exacerbated because the feet of diabetics are prone to cuts and bruises. Without the sensation of pain that might accompany a cut the cut can be left untreated and fester. This can lead to gangrene and infection. In some cases people have had to have feet amputated.



This is why treatment and prevention are important for diabetic neuropathy.



Treatment of diabetic neuropathy is problematic because the symptoms can affect any part of the body. Therefore the treatment of neuropathy focuses on dealing with the immediate symptoms and then working on preventing the neuropathy from worsening.



The immediate symptoms may be any form of pain or irritation in the feet, for example. A pain killing medicine might be prescribed, a cream might be administered to the area most affected or a therapeutic course of action like acupuncture, might be followed.



In conjunction with this treatment of the immediate problem, a long term prevention strategy will be advised. Long term prevention means keeping the blood sugar level low or within a target range that is recommended by your doctor. The best way to do this would be to devise and stick to a diabetic diet, exercise regularly and take insulin replacement therapy to control the blood sugar levels before or after eating. This will require a fair amount of discipline from the diabetic but the complications of diabetic neuropathy will be far worse over time if allowed to worsen.

Diabetes-neuropathy and foot diseases

As type 2 diabetes, neuropathy or nerve diseases, may be unnoticed as the symptoms are gradual.



Generally occurs in diabetics over 40 years and who have the blood sugar control poor. It has been found to affect approximately 60% of all diabetic diagnosis and often cause infections and amputations of the foot.



Generally appears after 10 years or more of blood sugar levels high and occurs in both diabetics of type 1 and 2. Can be cured, however, simply of blood glucose control, making the contraction of the disease first totally avoidable.



Taller people are more susceptible to the disease as they have more nerve fibers and drink (alcohol) can make things worse.



There are a number of symptoms to be aware of. The most evident between the inability of any feeling in your feet.



In this case you need to use your eyes to check your feet, because once the sensation is lost, you can fit on a broken piece of glass, for example, and not feel any pain.



Actually the most common problem is foot ulcers. In non-diabetics, no pressure on the sole of the foot will show itself with pain. Diabetic neuropathy means that this pain is not felt by the patient, and after some time, the skin begins to harden in the area being pressurized. Over time this turns into a callus, which eventually forms an ulcer.



You can to go unnoticed, and the problem is that as the spread of canker, which for the moment is found; the only cure possible amputation.



The best way to avoid the disease neuropathic foot is to follow the usual procedures for diabetes:



-Keep blood glucose under control



-Seek treatment if you suffer from hypertension



-Exercise. Bad cholesterol clogs arteries and exercise helps stimulate the body to produce new blood vessels, in addition to reducing bad cholesterol.



-Smoking. Smoking is major cause of peripheral arterial disease, which affects the feet first. Consider giving it up.

Recognizing the Symptoms of Diabetic Neuropathy

A complication that all people with diabetes need to be aware of and on the lookout for is diabetic neuropathy. This is a disorder of the peripheral nerves, which are the nerves in the outermost portions of the body (feet, hands, etc.). Recognizing the symptoms of diabetic neuropathy are of major importance because to miss them can have life altering or even threatening affects.



Diabetic neuropathy is caused by the walls of the blood vessels that supply the nerves becoming thicker. The end result of this is less nutrients are unable to get to the nerves as well as a demyelinization (destruction of the myelin sheath that protects nerves) of the Schwann cells that surround and insulate the nerves. This slows the ability of the nerves to conduct impulses back to the brain. Sorbitol also forms and accumulates in the Schwann cells causing further nerve conduction impairment.



There are two forms of neuropathies that can form with diabetes; polynueropathies and mononeuropathies. Polynueropathies are the most common in those with diabetes and is a bilateral sensory disorder. The symptoms for this form of diabetic neuropathy are most common in the toes and feet and normally appear there first. The finger and hands can also be affected but this usually occurs during the later stages of the disease. Where the symptoms appear will depend on what nerves fibers are affected.



The symptoms can differ among individuals and is dependent on the amount of damage done to the nerves. It is a disorder that will get progressively worse if the diabetes is not properly managed. The first signs will normally be a subjective change in sensation in the extremities that can include numbness and tingling.



Other symptoms can include an aching pain, a burning or shooting sensation, or feeling like you have cold feet. As the neuropathy progresses the symptoms can include impaired sensations of pain, touch, temperature, vibration, and two-point discrimination. The only way to treat polyneuropathy is through management of the diabetes itself.



Mononeuropathies are isolated events that affect single nerves. The symptoms of this form of neuropathy are entirely dependent on which nerve is affected. They can affect the oculomotor nerve which can lead to headache, eye pains and an inability to move the eye in any direction.



Another symptom of mononeuropathies is Radiculopathy which is characterized by pain that seems to radiate from the spine to extend outward to cause symptoms away from the source of the spinal nerve root irritation. It is thought to be caused by an inadequate blood supply to the spinal nerve roots.



All diabetics, whether type 1 or type 2, need to be aware of the symptoms of diabetic neuropathy. The sooner it is brought to the attention of the diabetics health care providers the sooner it can be managed through proper lifestyle choices that are centered on diet, exercise, and proper medical management.

Recognizing the Symptoms of Diabetic Neuropathy

A complication that all people with diabetes need to be aware of and on the lookout for is diabetic neuropathy. This is a disorder of the peripheral nerves, which are the nerves in the outermost portions of the body (feet, hands, etc.). Recognizing the symptoms of diabetic neuropathy are of major importance because to miss them can have life altering or even threatening affects.



Diabetic neuropathy is caused by the walls of the blood vessels that supply the nerves becoming thicker. The end result of this is less nutrients are unable to get to the nerves as well as a demyelinization (destruction of the myelin sheath that protects nerves) of the Schwann cells that surround and insulate the nerves. This slows the ability of the nerves to conduct impulses back to the brain. Sorbitol also forms and accumulates in the Schwann cells causing further nerve conduction impairment.



There are two forms of neuropathies that can form with diabetes; polynueropathies and mononeuropathies. Polynueropathies are the most common in those with diabetes and is a bilateral sensory disorder. The symptoms for this form of diabetic neuropathy are most common in the toes and feet and normally appear there first. The finger and hands can also be affected but this usually occurs during the later stages of the disease. Where the symptoms appear will depend on what nerves fibers are affected.



The symptoms can differ among individuals and is dependent on the amount of damage done to the nerves. It is a disorder that will get progressively worse if the diabetes is not properly managed. The first signs will normally be a subjective change in sensation in the extremities that can include numbness and tingling.



Other symptoms can include an aching pain, a burning or shooting sensation, or feeling like you have cold feet. As the neuropathy progresses the symptoms can include impaired sensations of pain, touch, temperature, vibration, and two-point discrimination. The only way to treat polyneuropathy is through management of the diabetes itself.



Mononeuropathies are isolated events that affect single nerves. The symptoms of this form of neuropathy are entirely dependent on which nerve is affected. They can affect the oculomotor nerve which can lead to headache, eye pains and an inability to move the eye in any direction.



Another symptom of mononeuropathies is Radiculopathy which is characterized by pain that seems to radiate from the spine to extend outward to cause symptoms away from the source of the spinal nerve root irritation. It is thought to be caused by an inadequate blood supply to the spinal nerve roots.



All diabetics, whether type 1 or type 2, need to be aware of the symptoms of diabetic neuropathy. The sooner it is brought to the attention of the diabetics health care providers the sooner it can be managed through proper lifestyle choices that are centered on diet, exercise, and proper medical management.

A Cardiac Diet That Promises to Arrest Diabetic Neuropathy

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.

Diabetic Neuropathy: What You Can't Feel Can Hurt You

Diabetic neuropathy, the condition of ongoing loss of sensation in the feet, the hands, and other parts of the sensory nervous system, is a particular challenge to the medical profession. From their earliest training, doctors learn how to diagnose and develop treatment plans on the basis of pain as a system. In diabetic neuropathy, however, not feeling pain is the symptom. It's very difficult for doctors, and diabetics, to treat a condition characterized by what the diabetic does not feel.



Diabetic neuropathy is depressingly common. Among type 2 diabetics who have diabetes for 10 years or more, about 50 per cent develop neuropathy.



Loss of sensation in the feet is particularly problematic. Cuts, scrapes, and scratches, along with something as simple as dry skin, can present open avenues to infection. Infectious microorganisms, as you have probably heard over and over again, thrive on sugar. Diabetes presents a "sweet" environment for the growth of infectious bacteria. When there is limited sensation in the feet, a simple infection can cause serious tissue damage in a very short time, untreated because it is unnoticed. Up to 25 per cent of type 2 diabetics eventually develop foot ulcers, and sometimes the very first diagnosis of type 2 diabetes occurs only when a foot has to be amputated.



Although the very best prevention of diabetic neuropathy is keeping blood sugar levels under control, there are many routes to treating and reversing neuropathy even after it occurs. The one thing to remember is, just as different diabetics respond best to different diets and different medications, no two diabetics experience diabetic nerve damage in the same way, either. You may have to try more than one method--in addition to keeping your blood sugar levels well controlled--to turn neuropathy around.