Complications

There are many complications of Diabetes. This article is
about Neuropathy. One type of neuropathy is called "
Diffuse Neuropathy ". There are two types of diffuse
neuropathy. The first is called 'Peripheral Neuropathy'. It
affects the internal organs of the body. Your feet are
especially vulnerable. One of the symptoms is a loss of
feeling in the feet. You should check your feet very
carefully every day for sores, buirses or cuts. Also your
doctor should check your feet at every visit, to see how
much sensation you have in your feet.
Some good foot care tips are:
* Wash your feet every day in warm water and dry them
well.
* Smooth corns and calluses gently.
* Rub lotion over the tops and bottoms of your feet often.
* Keep your toenails trimmed.
* Wear socks and shoes at all times.
* Check with your doctor often and let him check your feet.


The other type of Diffuse neuropathy is called 'Autonomic
Neuropathy'. Your nerves transmit messages between
your brain and your muscles, blood vessels, skin and
internal organs. Damage to your autonomic nerves results
in faulty communication between your brain and the parts
of your body that your autonomic nervous system serves.
Signs and symptoms vary depending on which nerves are
affected but can range from dizziness to trouble with
digestion and urination to sexual difficulties.

Another type of neuropathy is called ' Focal Neuropathy'.
This kind of neropathy affects specific nerves. Mainly in
the leg, torso or head. Carpel tunnel syndrome is a
common symptom of focal neuropathy. Focal neuropathy
may cause eye problems as well, double vision and
inability to focus the eye. Focal neuropathy is painful and
unpredictable and occurs most often in older people.
However, it tends to improve by itself over weeks or
months and does not cause long-term damage.

Another type of neuropathy is called 'Proximal
Neuropathy'. This type of neuropathy is sometimes called
lumbosacral plexus neuropathy, femoral neuropathy, or
diabetic amyotrophy.The symptoms usually are pain in
either the thighs, hips, buttocks, or legs, usually on one
side of the body.It also causes weakness in the legs
causing difficulties when going from a sitting position to a
standing position with help.

The best way to prevent neuropathy is to keep your blood
glucose levels as close to the normal range as possible.
Maintaining safe blood glucose levels protects nerves
throughout your body. There are test that the doctor can
do to help determine the type and extent of the nerve
damage.
* Comprehensive foot exam
* A check of heart rate variability
* Nerve conduction studies
* Electromyography (EMG)
* Ultrasound

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By: Denise