Over time, individuals with diabetes can develop nerve damage or neuropathy. Around 60 percent of diabetics can have some form of neuropathy. Some people have nerve problems while some others can have nerve damage with no symptoms. This can be felt as pain, tingling, or numbness of the hands and feet.
The risk of having some form of neuropathy increases with the duration of the diabetes. Those who have uncontrolled blood sugar levels also have increased risk of neuropathy. Other factors include high blood pressure and obesity or being overweight.
There are a number of causes of diabetic neuropathies. Among the most common are high blood glucose, high blood fat levels, and long duration of diabetes. Another reason is inflammation of the nerves caused by autoimmune factors. Genetics also plays a role in increased risk of nerve disease. Cigarette smoking and alcohol use are also contributing factors to developing the condition.
The symptoms are usually felt as numbness, tingling, or pain in the feet. Later, the numbness or pain can be felt in the toes, legs, arms, hands, and fingers. Other signs and symptoms are nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, dizziness, and weakness.
There are also various types of diabetic neuropathy but the most common type is peripheral neuropathy. The feet and legs are frequently affected first, followed by the hands and arms. It is a long term complication of diabetes and the nerve damage happens over a long time.
For people with diabetes, controlling the blood glucose levels and having regular exercise can help prevent neuropathy. Eat a diet that has fewer calories and higher in complex carbohydrates such as those found in vegetables, beans, and whole grains.
Nerve damage is also very common in people with vitamin B12 deficiency. This vitamin is important for proper functioning of the nervous system and in the production of red blood cells. Also, vitamin B1 or thiamine deficiency is linked to vascular system damage, which includes the nerves in the hands and feet. Thiamine is essential for numerous metabolic functions of the body.
In addition to regular exercise and proper diet a neuropathy supplement containing B1 and B12 can help diabetics and non diabetics to prevent tingling, numbness, and burning pains to the hands and feet.
