Diabetic neuropathy can really be a pain to deal with – no pun intended. The constant nerve pain can make it hard to move around or get motivated to do anything.
There are many ways to treat diabetic neuropathy. Doctors usually recommend a mix of medical and at-home treatments in order to manage it. You can use any of these treatments in conjunction with your doctor’s suggestions in order to help treat the pain.
Please note that if you’re trying any of these suggestions for the first time, you should talk to your doctor first. You need to make sure it’s OK to do these things and that it won’t cause you harm. Nothing in here is dangerous, but your medical treatment may require that you avoid certain things. So talk to your doctor first before starting any new treatment options.
Exercise
The health benefits of exercise are numerous. One of them is that it heightens your tolerance for pain.
When you begin working your muscles, they will be very sore at first. However, the more you work them, the higher your tolerance will be. Soon you will be used to high intensity workouts. You might even push yourself further so that you can “feel the burn.”
Exercise also improves your body’s flow of blood. More exercise means your nerves will get more blood, which will help them to feel better. It also helps you to regulate your blood sugar – something that all diabetics need to do.
Take Care of Your Feet
Neuropathy can leave you feeling numb. You may hurt yourself without realizing it. That’s why it’s important to take care of yourself – especially your feet.
This means you need to keep your feet clean. Keep your toenails cut. Look at your feet and toes carefully every night before you go to bed and every morning when you wake up. Check for any type of injuries or ulcers. If you notice it’s not healing properly, consult your doctor immediately.
Finally, consider investing in some shoes for diabetic neuropathy. They may be pricey but they will help your overall condition.
Soak in a Warm Bath
Warm water can help to reduce stress and ease aches and pains. The water must be warm – not cold or hot. You need to make sure the water is the right temperature by putting your hand in the water, not the soles of your feet. Your hands are much more sensitive to heat than your feet are, so use those.
Keep Your Blood Sugar Regulated
The best way to treat neuropathy is to keep your blood sugar regulated. This is something you should be doing anyway, but if you’re not you should start. Keeping your blood sugar regulated can help to prevent complications that arise from diabetes, and ease the pain that comes with diabetic neuropathy.
Be Persistent
The key to any type of treatment is to be persistent. You may not see results the first day, or even the first week. But you have to keep at it.
Look at treatment as a long-term goal. By using at home treatments you’re taking steps towards the ultimate goal of relieving neuropathy pain. It may take some time to see results, but if you’re persistent, eventually you’ll find a routine that will help you treat your pain.
Neuropathy is one of the complications of diabetes. A combination of medical treatments and at home treatments can help you to manage the pain. You should be persistent with both treatment types if you want to see results. Consult your doctor if you have any questions or issues.