How to Treat Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy
Peripheral neuropathy is a serious condition that causes nerve damage throughout the body. Our neuropathy doctor in Grand Rapids, MI, also knows that it’s one of the most common complications of diabetes.
According to the , about half of all people with diabetes will experience nerve damage in some capacity. This condition is called diabetic peripheral neuropathy, and your risk for it increases the longer you have diabetes.
Here’s what you need to know. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to the Neuropathy Center.
Recognize the Signs of Neuropathy
Too many people shrug off the symptoms of peripheral neuropathy as a sign of natural aging. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth. The sooner you receive a diagnosis from your doctor, the sooner you can seek treatment to mitigate your symptoms and prevent them from worsening.
The most common side effects of neuropathy include:
- Numbness in your hands and feet
- Balance problems
- Sharp, electric-like pain
- A burning or tingling sensation
- Difficulty sleeping from leg or foot discomfort
- Muscle weakness
- Sensitivity to touch
If you recognize any of these symptoms in either yourself or a loved one, it’s vital that you take action right away. Schedule an appointment with our neuropathy doctor in Grand Rapids, MI, today.
Inspect Your Feet Every Day
If you’ve been diagnosed with peripheral neuropathy, it’s important that you inspect your feet every day. One of the most common side effects of peripheral neuropathy is numbness in the hands and feet. For this reason, you’ll be more prone to not noticing injuries in the feet right away. This loss of sensation also increases your risk of balance problems, which include stumbling, tripping, and falling.
Since most of us wear socks and shoes every day, it can be difficult for people with neuropathy to know if their feet are injured. For this reason, we recommend that you thoroughly inspect your feet every day
Seek Neuropathy Treatment
While there’s no cure for neuropathy, there’s a lot you can do to prevent it from worsening so that you can maintain a good quality of life.
If you’ve been diagnosed with peripheral neuropathy, your primary care physician will advise you on how to keep your blood sugar within target levels. They’ll also point you in the right direction when it comes to adopting a healthier diet, exercising on a regular basis, and other lifestyle changes. Together, these tactics will help you better .
Once you’ve received instructions from your primary care physician, schedule an appointment at the Neuropathy Center. We offer neuropathy treatment and would be more than happy to work with your primary physician to ensure you receive excellent medical care.
Schedule a Neuropathy Consultation
Our neuropathy doctor in Grand Rapids, MI, is accepting new patients and will be able to determine if you’re a candidate for neuropathy treatment. To schedule an appointment, please call the 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.