Diabetes is a serious health issue, not just in Utah but all over the US. According to the CDC, about 38 million people in the US have diabetes, and 1 in 5 don’t know they have it. Living with diabetes is tough enough, but if you also experience diabetic nerve pain, it can make daily life even harder.
Diabetic nerve pain, or diabetic neuropathy, happens when high blood sugar damages your nerves, often in the hands and feet. It can cause pain, numbness, and tingling sensations. Managing this type of pain may feel overwhelming, but there are ways to help.
As a leading pain management clinic in Utah, we have helped many patients deal with this chronic pain. In this article, we will talk about what diabetic nerve pain is, how to treat it, and when you should see a pain management specialist in Utah.
Let’s get started.
What Is Diabetic Nerve Pain
Diabetic nerve pain, or peripheral neuropathy, typically starts as mild tingling or numbness. Over time, it can turn into a burning or sharp pain that gets in the way of your daily routine. It’s common for this pain to worsen at night and interfere with your sleep.
Controlling your blood sugar is the key to keeping the nerve pain in check. When your blood sugar levels are high, it leads to more nerve damage and worsens your pain. Keeping your blood sugar within a healthy range helps slow the progression of diabetic neuropathy.
How to Treat Diabetic Nerve Pain
Depending on the severity, your pain management specialist in Utah will recommend the most suitable treatment option, which includes medications, therapies, and lifestyle changes.
Let’s get a quick lowdown of all three.
1. Diabetic Nerve Pain Medication
Medication is often the first line of defense when it comes to diabetic nerve pain. Your healthcare professional may prescribe different types of medications:
- Over-the-counter painkillers like ibuprofen and acetaminophen can help reduce discomfort, especially if the pain is mild.
- Prescription pain medications are more suitable for severe diabetic nerve pain.
- Topicals such as creams, patches, or gels typically contain ingredients like lidocaine or capsaicin, which can help ease pain.
While these pain management techniques offer relief, they cannot treat diabetic neuropathy. Also, be careful when using pain medication, especially prescriptions. It’s best to stick to the dosage your doctor recommends.
2. Pain Management Techniques
Although medications can help, they are just one part of the puzzle. In addition to painkillers, your doctor may recommend other pain management techniques.
Physical Therapy
Regular movement and specific exercises can help you maintain muscle strength and improve blood flow. It can also help in reducing your blood sugar. A physical therapist may work with you to develop an exercise plan that doesn’t strain your body but helps ease the pain over time.
TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation)
TENS uses low-voltage electrical currents to block pain signals before they reach your brain. It is a non-invasive pain management technique you can do at home or under supervision at a Utah pain management clinic.
Acupuncture
Some pain management clinics in Utah may recommend alternative treatments like acupuncture. It can help you relieve pain and improve your daily life. However, you should consult your doctor before going ahead with an alternative therapy like acupuncture.
Massage Therapy
Sometimes, your doctor may recommend gentle massage to stimulate blood circulation and relieve tension in painful areas. This can be particularly helpful if you feel diabetic nerve pain in your feet and legs.
3. Lifestyle Changes
Besides medical treatments and therapies, lifestyle changes can boost comfort and reduce pain. You might not be able to get rid of diabetic neuropathy entirely, but making healthy choices can help control your symptoms.
Eat Healthy
Maintaining a balanced diet can help as this type of chronic pain is directly related to your blood sugar levels. Include vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins in your diet to support nerve health and help control blood sugar. Talk to a nutritionist or healthcare professional if you are not sure where to start.
Exercise Daily
Even moderate physical activity like walking can make a big difference. Exercise promotes blood circulation, helps maintain weight, and reduces inflammation, all of which are beneficial for reducing diabetic nerve pain. It can also help you control blood sugar levels.
Quit Smoking
Besides being harmful to your lungs, smoking constricts your blood vessels, making it harder for nutrients to reach your nerves. If you are a smoker, quitting can improve blood circulation and relieve your pain.
Limit or Avoid Alcohol
Excessive alcohol can worsen your diabetic nerve pain and affect overall health. Limiting or eliminating alcohol can help in the long run.
Take Care of Your Feet
If you have diabetic nerve pain, you should take extra care of your feet. Check your feet daily for sores or injuries, and always use supportive, comfortable shoes to protect your feet when you go out.
Work with a Pain Management Specialist in Utah
When diabetic nerve pain gets in the way of your daily activities, it may be time to seek professional help. One major benefit of working with a doctor is they can create a personalized treatment plan just for you. It often involves the right combination of treatments, medications, and therapies to help you lead a better life.
At Peak Health and Wellness, we offer several pain management options for diabetic neuropathy, which include:
- Tricyclic Agents: These antidepressants help reduce pain by altering the way your brain processes pain signals.
- Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRI): These medications, which are widely used to treat depression, can also help manage chronic pain by increasing serotonin levels in the brain.
- Anticonvulsants: These drugs can calm overactive nerves, which helps reduce diabetic nerve pain.
- NMDA Antagonists: These block NMDA receptors in the brain, reducing pain sensations, especially in chronic pain cases.
- Local Anesthetics: These numbing agents, like lidocaine, are applied to the skin to reduce pain in specific areas.
- Opioid medications: For severe pain, opioids can provide relief but are used cautiously due to their risk of addiction.
- Capsaicin: Capsaicin, a compound found in chili peppers, can be applied to the skin to reduce nerve pain by desensitizing the skin’s pain receptors.
While these pain management techniques are effective, they may have potential side effects. Your doctor will discuss these side effects in detail before your treatment begins.
The Bottom Line
Diabetic nerve pain can affect your routine, but you can still live a better life with proper pain management and a few lifestyle changes. Start by managing your blood sugar levels, eating healthy food, regular exercise, and quitting smoking and alcohol. Additionally, you can visit the nearest pain management clinic to see which treatment options are available. That’s where we come in.
Peak Health and Wellness is a leading pain management clinic in Utah. We offer several treatments for handling chronic pain, including diabetic nerve pain. Contact us today to learn more about our practice.