Diabetic Neuropathy

Hi, I am Dr Suresh Ade, Internal Medicine Specialist, Fortis Hiranandani Hospital, Vashi, Mumbai & Ayush Diabetes & Neurology Clinic, Navi Mumbai. Today I will talk about diabetic neuropathy. It is the most common complication of diabetes. It affects around 50% of diabetic patients. Pre-diabetes is a stage where the patient has not developed proper diabetes. Some patient develops diabetic neuropathy in that stage. Diabetes is a devastating disease which effects the quality of life by major complications and various consequences. Diabetes leads to foot ulcer and infections. So, how this diabetic neuropathy presents. It is present in the form of different symptoms. It presents in a for of painful symptoms like burning, severe stabbing, tingling or abnormal sensation all over the body. And neuropathy presents as an autonomic nerves system related changes where the patient may have a sudden fall which is called postural drop. The patient may develop indigestion, vomiting, constipation, diarrhoea, erectile dysfunction, incontinence of urine. It may also effect each and every nerve of the body. Diabetic neuropathy often represents a foot ulcer or any deformities of the foot.

In knee or any joint, the patient may develop tingling, numbness and some other symptoms. What are the risk factors of diabetic neuropathy? First and foremost risk is uncontrolled diabetes. 2nd is hypertension, high cholesterol level. Smoking, drinking, sedentary lifestyle are the other contributing factors. How to investigate these patients? Diabetes complications have to be kept in mind. The patient should go for some neuropathy tests. Many tests are available to check and to diagnose the patient. If the patient has any of the symptoms, he should approach a diabetologist and get all investigation done. It is recommended that every diabetic patient should get the test done for diabetic neuropathy every year once. If the patient has any deformity, he should go for the screening of diabetic neuropathy every month. What is management? The most important part is to control sugar Lot of medicines are available in the market which gives relief to the patient. The patient is advised to take proper care of the food. If a patient will take good care of the food from the evening then the complications of diabetic neuropathy can be avoided. For any other queries, contact me through Lybrate. Thank You.