What is Diabetic Neuropathy?

June 15, 2020

What Is diabetic neuropathy

and how to successfully prevent & treat it

Neuropathy is damage to nerve tissue within the body that prevents messages from being sent to the brain. Diabetic neuropathy, specifically, is nerve damage in the legs and feet caused by high blood sugar. Dysfunctional nerves are unable to provide normal sensation or function.

Neuropathy is not uncommon in those who have diabetes and can range from mild numbness to severe pain. If left untreated, diabetic neuropathy can be disabling and even fatal, as it is one of the most common causes of amputation in this country as well. The best defense is a good offense, so prevention is key to treating this disease.

It’s important to understand what diabetic neuropathy is and how it works, so you can identify it early, preventing progression of the disease and manage it better.

Is Nerve Damage That Bad?

Yes. The complications with diabetic neuropathy are that it if you cannot “feel” that something is wrong, you will be unaware that something is wrong. To those with diabetes, being unaware of pain or losing a sense of balance can be life-threatening over time. For instance, you could develop a Charcot foot. This disease is closely associated with (and caused by) diabetic neuropathy; fragmenting and weakening the bones within the foot. If your bones are weak, you’re more prone to a sprain, fracture or break.

If you fracture your foot and do not feel it, you will continue to walk on it. If you keep walking on it, eventually, your joints will cave in, your foot will swell, and you will likely need surgery to fix it. That’s Charcot foot, and it is one of many diseases catalyzed by diabetic neuropathy. In addition, the deformity caused by Charcot is a leading cause of ulcers on the foot. These may also lead to amputation.

Is There A Cure?

There is no known cure for diabetic neuropathy. However, being cognizant of your body and any loss of sensation, combined with a healthy lifestyle is vital to treatment and prevention. Diabetic neuropathy is caused by high blood sugar levels, so controlling those levels will control the damage done to your nerves.

How To Prevent & Treat Diabetic Neuropathy:

Paired with this, it is also essential to maintain proper blood pressure levels, avoid smoking or drinking, and practice good foot care. Of course, medication and surgery to help alleviate or cure the effects of diabetic neuropathy are options as well. A physician should periodically test you for what is called “protective sensation,” as well.

The most prominent threat from diabetic neuropathy comes from being unaware that something is wrong. If you maintain an active lifestyle, follow a healthy eating schedule and consult/update your doctor regularly then you are already taking effective steps towards prevention or recovery.

A great way to fill the gaps in your diet is through taking a multivitamin. Click here to read more about our surgeon-designed multivitamin and how it compares to other multivitamins on the market!

Dr. Meredith Warner is the creator of Well Theory and The Healing Sole. She is a board-certified Orthopedic Surgeon and Air Force Veteran.

She is on a mission to disrupt traditional medicine practices and promote betterment physically, spiritually and mentally to many more people. She advocates for wellness and functional health over big pharma so more people can age vibrantly with more function and less pain.

At Well Theory, Our surgeon-designed products are FDA Registered and formulated to help people:

Manage the symptoms of musculoskeletal pain
Recover vibrantly from orthopedic related surgeries
Fill the gaps in our daily diets
Manage pain associated with inflammation

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Prevent Charcot Foot and Avoid Injury

Prevent Charcot Foot And Avoid Injury

June 12, 2020

Charcot Foot

how diabetes puts you at risk

Diabetes is a significant problem in the United States. While diabetes causes many adverse effects on one’s body, the most commonly-hospitalized reason involves the foot. Diabetes causes nerve damage and poor circulation, which is a catalyst for most foot problems. In addition, diabetics are unable to heal and fight infection normally.

One of the complications caused by uncontrolled diabetes is known as diabetic Charcot neuropathy or Charcot foot. Commonly unrecognized until it gets severe, Charcot foot can deform the shape of the foot and potentially lead to disability. One of the best treatments is prevention. If this condition is not recognized and treated early, amputation can happen.

Charcot foot is a bone deformity that is a direct result of neuropathy in the foot, a decreased sensation of pain or feeling.

With a more diminished sense of pain and balance, those with Charcot foot tend not to notice as the disease’s effects as they worsen. As Charcot foot develops, it weakens the bones in the foot. This weakening becomes a severe problem since the affected person will continue to walk on the foot and cause trauma and fracturing.

As a result of this continued stress on weakened bones, the joints within the foot collapse and cause a visible deformation usually at the arch of the foot. The Charcot foot is a result of poor healing and continuous trauma.

The weakening of the bones and the lack of sensation are the amplifiers of Charcot foot. This disease weakens the bones in the foot, so it’s more common for a sprain, fracture, dislocation, etc., to occur.

Neuropathy decreases the ability to feel an injury and a bone break or severe sprain. As one continues to put pressure on the damaged foot, neuropathy prevents the affected person from being aware anything is wrong, and further damage occurs.

Orthotics are a great way to relieve foot pain. If you have diabetes, be sure to consult with your physician to find the right orthotic option for you.

How To Treat Charcot Foot

and how to prevent it

At its core, Charcot foot is a broken bone, so treatment methods are similar to that. Pressure needs to be taken off the foot, while the bones heal naturally. Special shoes or casting will be required to achieve this in the early stages. However, if Charcot foot has progressed enough that a deformity is noticeable (usually a swollen area on the arch or ankle of the foot), surgery may be the best option.

The best way to treat Charcot foot is to catch it early before any severe damage occurs. If you notice problems, tell your doctor immediately. If you have long-standing diabetic neuropathy, you should seek professional evaluation of the foot regardless.

If you have diabetes, you’re more susceptible to this condition, so daily monitoring of your feet is imperative. Any sensation of pain – no matter the severity – should be brought up with your doctor. Redness and foot swelling are early indicators, so look out for these signs as well. If you’ve been diagnosed with neuropathy before, be very cognizant of the conditions of your feet.

Charcot foot is caused due to a lack of the person affected knowing something is wrong. To combat this, one needs merely to be aware of their feet and check them daily for any abnormalities, especially if you have diabetes or neuropathy. Any mild sprain, misstep or impact to the foot should prompt a visit to you orthopedic surgeon. Otherwise, an injury will be missed and serious interventions may become necessary.

At Well Theory, we advocate for patient-led treatment and natural therapies.

The time to take charge of your health + overall wellness is now! Visit the Herbal Kitchen for wholesome, healthy recipes to help restore balance from the inside out – and shop our natural pain-fighting products.

Dr. Meredith Warner is the creator of Well Theory and The Healing Sole. She is a board-certified Orthopedic Surgeon and Air Force Veteran.

She is on a mission to disrupt traditional medicine practices and promote betterment physically, spiritually and mentally to many more people. She advocates for wellness and functional health over big pharma so more people can age vibrantly with more function and less pain.

At Well Theory, Our surgeon-designed products are FDA Registered and formulated to help people:

Manage the symptoms of musculoskeletal pain
Recover vibrantly from orthopedic related surgeries
Fill the gaps in our daily diets
Manage pain associated with inflammation

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