How to Live with Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy
Do you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes? If so, it’s important that you recognize the signs of diabetic peripheral neuropathy so you can seek treatment as soon as possible. Our neuropathy doctor in Grand Rapids, MI, offers a holistic approach to help reduce symptoms and improve your overall quality of life.
In the meantime, here are our top tips for living with diabetic neuropathy.
Recognize the Signs of Neuropathy
The sooner you can detect neuropathy symptoms, the sooner you can get the care you need. While there’s no cure for peripheral neuropathy, we offer treatment options to help manage your condition and prevent it from progressing.
Symptoms of diabetic neuropathy include:
- Numbness in the hands and feet
- Balance problems
- Stumbling, tripping, and falling
- Sharp electric-like pain
- Burning or tingling sensation
- Difficulty sleeping from leg or foot discomfort
- Muscle weakness
- Sensitivity to touch
If you recognize any of the above symptoms, schedule an appointment with our neuropathy specialist in Grand Rapids, MI.
Manage Your Blood Sugar
If high blood sugar is left unchecked, it can damage your nerves and the supporting small blood vessels. For this reason, it’s vital that you take your medicine or insulin as instructed by your primary care physician.
Exercise
In general, we recommend that our patients get 150 minutes of moderate physical activity per week. Not only does exercise help prevent neuropathy from worsening, but it can improve your balance and strength over time. This lowers your risk of falling and helps you maintain your independence.
Be Mindful of Your Feet
One of the is numbness in the feet. This means that you’re more at risk for injuring your feet and not realizing it right away. For this reason, we recommend that you never walk around barefoot and ensure your shoes fit properly. You should also check your feet daily for sores, cracks, and blisters.
Stop Smoking
Smoking can cause low blood oxygen levels. This means that your blood vessels, nerves, and other tissues are likely starved for oxygen as well. Smoking can also make it more difficult to control your blood sugar and can trigger inflammation. Not to mention, smoking can be a direct cause of and worsen it once it starts.
Talk with Your Doctor
It’s always recommended that you schedule routine visits with your primary care physician. From there, you can determine if you’d benefit from also seeing our neuropathy specialist.
Dr. Harrison would be more than happy to communicate with your family doctor to create a holistic care plan that’s tailored to your unique needs. Neuropathy treatment at our center, combined with traditional medicine, can greatly improve your outcome.
Schedule a Diabetic Neuropathy Consultation
Dr. David Harrison is proud to serve as your trusted neuropathy doctor in Grand Rapids, MI. To schedule an appointment and learn how we can help improve your quality of life, please call the Harrison Neuropathy Center at (616) 363-0902. You may also fill out our online contact form and someone from our team will reach out to you soon.