Diabetic Neuropathy

Hi beautiful people, I'm back with a topic that hits close to home. Let's get right into it!

What is diabetic neuropathy? Well, it's a series yet extremely common type of nerve damage that mainly occurs with diabetes. Although symptoms may appear gradually they are indeed long lasting. The pain may be mild at first, but it can get worse over time and spread. Diabetic Neuropathy causes numbness or tingling in your hands, feet and legs.

Regardless of the cause, neuropathy can be a very debilitating disorder that can impact multiple aspects of an individual's life. It can impact your ability to stand, walk, carry items, or lift. Signs and symptoms of peripheral neuropathy are often worse at night. Neuropathy can impact your day to day functioning as well as your ability to work and perform your normal job duties.

How do you get Diabetic Neuropathy?

Diabetic Neuropathy is mainly caused by high blood sugar levels sustained over a long period of time. Other factors that could also lead to nerve damage may include: damage to the blood vessels caused by high cholesterol levels. mechanical injury, such as injuries caused by carpal tunnel syndrome. Symptoms either develop a few years after diagnosis or it could also develop slowly before you are diagnosed.

Can Diabetic Neuropathy go away? What does it do?

Although it may not be able to "go away" there are things you can do to cope.

From a more personal experience, I've dealt with PDN (painful diabetic neuropathy) for almost 9 years. At the beginning I won't lie it was difficult, the late nights, smiling through the pain because you don't want to worry your parents, not being able to feel anything in your legs, constantly being numb, and getting frustrated because the painkillers didn't take away the pain.

I'd get irritated with everyone that tried to help me only because I felt helpless. Like no one really understood how much of a burden it was. One day my mom convinced me to try physiotherapy so I gave it a try and it was a miracle but for the first time in 9 years I could feel in my legs.

Peripheral neuropathy is the most common diabetic complication it can cause numbness or pain in the legs, feet, toes, arms, and hands. Proximal neuropathy may cause weakness in your legs and pain in your hips and thighs.

Here's a few things that has helped me:

• Physiotherapy: ( using the TENS machine) I decided to buy my own and I continue to treat myself every night, not only does it help with the numbness and pain but it also helps with blood circulation which automatically lowers your glucose levels. I started using it on my arm (where I take insulin) as well and it breaks the little lumps that the insulin leaves which is AMAZING.

• Vitamins and Diabetic supplements: vitamin B-B12 is useful in treating neuropathy since it supports the nervous system, enhances nerve function and Improves Functional Recovery After Traumatic Brain Injury by Inhibiting ER Stress-Induced Neuron Injury. (Peripheral neuropathy is sometimes caused by a vitamin B deficiency) Supplementation should include vitamin B-1 (thiamine and benfotiamine), B-6, and B-12.

• Exercise: a natural remedy to not one but several health conditions. Exercise releases natural painkillers called endorphins. Exercise also promotes blood flow to the nerves in the legs and feet. By strengthening your body (especially your legs) it helps by decreasing the numbness and tingling. When I don't go for my morning jog my legs start getting weak and numb like they're about to start cramping. It also helps with your energy levels since diabetes really takes a toll on the body.

• Apple cider vinegar: A great anti-inflammatory agent, apple cider vinegar can help combat the inflammation caused by nerve pain. I know right, gross. But I don't mean the liquid apple cider vinegar (although that would be great) personally I can't handle it so instead I take the Goli Apple Cider Vinegar Gummies, the gummies are manufactured with pure CBD oil which has anti-inflammatory properties to eliminate the chronic pains. If you consume it every day, it increases joint flexibility and mobility.

• Magnesium and potassium: Magnesium prevents nerve cells from being overstimulated, which can kill them and may cause brain damage. Every time my legs would go into a spasm, instead of taking painkillers I would take magnesium to help with the pain. Potassium is important for healthy nerve function. Low blood levels of potassium can weaken nerve signals, which may result in tingling and numbness.

What foods (that are known to improve nerve transmissions) should I add to my diet?

• Chia seeds

• Salmon

• Sardines

• Sprouts

• Canola oil

• Almonds

• Chocolates (dark)

• Almonds

• Brown rice

• Cayenne pepper

• Avocados

Other ways I can naturally stop neuropathy

• Meditation

• Acupuncture

• Quit smoking

• Warm epsom salt baths

• Massages

• Essential oils

• Daily Foot Care Is a Must

• Yoga or Tai Chi