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Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy Tips For Managing Your Pain
Diabetic neuropathy can cause pain, tingling and numbness, especially in your hands and feet. The discomfort can affect your mood, sleep, and overall quality of life.
There are prescription medications available, which can help, but they typically only ease the pain by about 30-50%. Acetaminophen, aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen can also ease mild to moderate pain caused by diabetic nerve damage, however if they are taken regularly, some of these drugs may raise your risk of heart attack, stroke, or kidney damage.
The following tips and treatments can help you get relief now, and keep the condition from getting worse further down the road.
Get Your Blood Sugar Under Control
Talk to your doctor about ways to get your blood sugar into a healthy range. Changes to gently bring your levels down into the healthy zone include
Making healthy dietary adjustments
Maintaining a healthy body weight
Managing your stress levels
Exercising for at least 30 minutes, five days a week
Taking prescription medication for your blood sugar as recommended
If You Smoke, Stop
Smoking causes your blood vessels to constrict, which impairs your circulation. This means your peripheral nerves may get less nutrient-rich blood, which can lead to more pain.
Soak in a Warm Bath
Not only is the warm water relaxing, but it can also boost circulation throughout your body. This can provide instant relief. Just make sure the water is not too hot.
Exercise
In addition to helping keep blood sugar levels in check, exercise also increases blood flow to the arms and legs.
Capsaicin Cream
The active ingredient in hot peppers, capsaicin, may relieve some of the burning and pain of nerve damage. Lower-dose, over-the-counter capsaicin creams may help, and doctors can prescribe higher-dosed creams if needed.
Pain Management andRelaxation Techniques
Biofeedback In this practice, a machine monitors your heart rate, temperature, and brain waves. This helps you learn how to control your body's response to pain or other symptoms.
Relaxation techniques, such as visualizing, breathing exercise, meditation, massage, and yoga may also help you manage the pain.
If you do have diabetic neuropathic pain symptoms, there are a number of diabetic neuropathic pain management and treatment options that may help with pain management or eliminate the painful symptoms you may experience
Acupuncture
Neurostimulation Therapy
Physical therapy/chiropractic
TENS Unit (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation)
If you are experiencing pain with diabetic neuropathy without relief, consult with a pain management physician to find out which treatment option might be right for your pain.
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