Diabetes Health Minute:
Did you know....High blood sugar levels are considered a factor in the development of diabetes-related nerve damage?
To reduce your risk of developing diabetes-related neuropathy, ask your doctor for your optimal blood sugar levels range and then to test periodically to make sure you are within the range set by your doctor.
Other factors in autonomic neuropathy include being overweight and smoking so working to lose weight and give up cigarettes can help reduce your risk of developing diabetes-related nerve damage in the future.
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...What is peripheral neuropathy?
Question on health care and healing: I believe I have developed some nerve damage from my diabetes. Are there any natural ways to deal with diabetic neuropathy ?
Healing Facilitation Response: First, let me say that a proper diagnosis is critical. Just because you have symptoms of neuropathy, that doesn't mean it is caused by your diabetes although it is certainly possible that it is. Diabetes-related nerve damage is quite common in diabetics who have trouble controlling blood sugar levels and particularly those who have had diabetes for 25 years or longer.
However, other factors such as pinched nerves and vitamin B-12 deficiency need to be considered as well. A chiropractor can determine whether you have a pinched nerve or impinged nerve that may be causing stinging or tingling. Suspect Vitamin B deficiency if you are more than a casual drinker, if you are taking an acid blocker, or if you don't eat dairy products or meat.
First thing, I'd suggest making sure that you do have peripheral neuropathy. See your doctor. And then look at all possible causes, including diabetes, that could be contributiting factors.
Symptoms of Peripheral Neuropathy:
One of the symptoms is a constant tingling feeling in the feet.Sometimes, there is also pain, as if something is stabbing your foot and other times it feels like a burning sensation or even an electrical feeling.
For some, there is just a feeling of heaviness or tiredness to their extremities.
Being diabetic definitely increases the risk of developing peripheral neuropathy since this condition is so common among diabetics that an estimated one-third of all diabetics suffer with it to some degree.
The role of Alpha Lipoic Acid
for Peripheral Neuropathy:
ALA, or alpha lipoic acid is one supplement being studied for helping ease the constant tingle of peripheral neuropathy. Here's a few of the reasons why....
1. Alpha Lipoic Acid is a powerful antioxidant. Diabetics need antioxidant protection as much as anyone dealing with a chronic health condition.
2. ALA helps get more glucose out of your blood stream and into your cells.
3. Supplementing with Alpha Lipoic Acid, along with exercise, seems to make insulin use more effective.
4. ALA interferes with the blood-pressure-raising qualities of salt, so it's considered a good cardio hazard deflector as well as useful in treating peripheral neuropathy.
5. Scientists are further exploring the potential of ALA to also help the body tackle other diabetic complications, such as diabetes-related vision problems and kidney damage.
6. Alpha Lipoic Acid interferes with a process called glycosylation that is a rather complicated process of your body (at least it's complicated to explain in layman terms) that affects LDL levels. This glycosylation process interference appears to be a benefical one, in helping a diabetic avoid diabetes-related heart disease.
Check with your doctor today, to see if adding alpha lipoic acid is an option in your case. As always, you should more carefully check blood sugar levels any time you add something new to your health care regimen, particularly if you are already taking other glucose regulating meds or supplements.
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Diabetic Health Care Disclaimer: Diabetes is a serious, and sometimes life-threatening condition. None of the information on this page, or elsewhere on this site, is meant to replace needed medical diagnosis or treatment for diabetes or diabetes-related conditions including peripheral neuropathy, vision problems related to diabetes or kidney complications related to being a diabetic.
Also, as noted above, there are other health factors which may contribute to symptoms of neuropathy and those should certainly be ruled out. The alternative health care / spiritual healing information provided here is for educational purposes only. Please consult with your chosen healthcare professional for proper guidance on treating diabetes.