Diabetic Neuropathy

Diabetes not just affects the internal organs but cause excruciating pain.

 

“I do not need to check my blood sugar levels; I will never get diabetes,” was the reaction of the techie when told by his physician to undergo a check up while looking for a cause of small blister on the sole not yielding to treatment. Well, diabetes is such a disease where the increased blood sugar levels do not cause or hardly show any symptoms that appear as a cause for concern.

It is complications of the disease and its effects on various organs of the body over a period of time that are a cause for concern.

Our body is endowed with energy requisite for various functions by the nutrition reaching through the blood vessels. In case of diabetes though the glucose levels in the blood are good enough they are not metabolised and thereby do not reach the tissues and the cells starved of nutrients tend to go awry. When it happens to the muscles and tissues of the lower limbs, the first symptom is a sensation of peripheral neuropathy wherein one complains of burning sensation of the soles. Over a period of time it graduates into an area of decreased sensation of touch, pressure and towards heat and cold.

Diabetes is also a disease where the peripheral blood circulation is compromised because of constriction of the blood vessels and the decreased amount of blood supply is enough cause for the deficient function of the area. Also, whenever there is an infection, the necessary serum required to fight it reaching through the blood also reduces and it always gives the agents i.e. bacteria, viruses and fungi and advantage over the immune system.

The decreased sensation of the extremeties and compromised blood circulation of the area are the primary causes for most of the degenerative changes of the foot. A small callus, corn or even a wart can be a problem as the deformed texture is more prone to abrasion and attempts to pick at them to remove them aggravate the problem further. When nails are clipped people tend to cut along the line and injure the corners that refuse to heal. Footwear containing uneven, rough surfaces injure the areas of the sole and the constant irritation does not allow it to heal while the person does not experience anything and that could turn into a festering wound. Once an ulcer is formed it is always a challenge to heal it among diabetics.

A few steps like washing the feet daily, more consciously, inspecting the feet regularly with a mirror at the bottom of the foot and using foot creams or lubricating oil will keep the soles supple and free of infectants but applying the same between toes should be avoided.

Walking barefooted is likely to cause more injuries and should be avoided and shoe which are broad at the toe end when worn do not cause constriction and sores. Toenails should be cut carefully and “home surgery” for calluses should be strictly avoided. Self-medication and extremes of temperature should be avoided.

When the above preventive and management steps do not avoid an injury, sore or a blister and a wound, homoeopathic medicine can be of help. Ferrum met, Arnica, Phosphorus are a few remedies which increase perfusion to the area and a re helpful in reducing the intensity of complications due to diabetes,

Peripheral neuropathy as it is termed with the characteristic burning and numbness and soles is symptomatically helped with Plumbum met, Sulphur, Gnaphalium etc. Any blister or an ulcer which has formed would need a regular debridement and dressing at the hands of a surgeon on a regular basis to avoid gangrene like changes and to heal the tissues, Homeopathic medicine has good remedies like Cantharis, Paeonia, Merc sol, Antim crud, Secale cor etc.