The medical condition where diabetes leads to nerve damage is diabetic neuropathy. Diabetes is a condition that is characterized by levels of fasting glucose/sugar that exceeds the value of 100mg/dl and above 140mg/dl after two hours of consuming a meal. Insulin is the hormone that shoulders the responsibility of reducing the glucose present in the blood to the normal range, but in diabetes, that process is affected. It could be because insulin that converts excess sugar for storage is produced inadequately or the hormone is not unable to carry out its functions properly in the body, or in some other cases, they are not even being produced at all. Furthermore, this high blood glucose condition could cause severe problems such as inflammation of the blood vessels and the nerves as well. Many cognoscenti’s of the medical world, especially endocrinological department are working on Adult stem cell treatments for diabetes. There have been various researches on alternative treatment s using exosome.
I remember the first time I heard of diabetic foot, the medical condition that also affects people who have diabetes, just seeing the pictures alone, was haunting. Diabetic foot ulcer happens because of the nerve damage that occurs in patients that have diabetes. The lack of sensation and feeling in the leg robs them of the normal warning people without diabetes have, so they can be wounded and may not even notice it. The problem can also get worse as the sores are not felt, the normal pain stimulus that the nerves would have transmitted is lost, and the injury may go unnoticed for an extended period. This is to show how dangerous a nerve damage can be, but the impact of diabetic neuropathy can be felt in more than the lower limbs.
Types of Diabetes Nerve Damage/Diabetic Neuropathy
Autonomic Nerve Damage: The nerves that are involved in controlling the activities of the internal organs are damaged in autonomic neuropathy. Internal organs are vital for the proper functioning of the human body. The Heart pumps blood tirelessly, and if affected, it can literarily lead to death. The nerve damage affects the heart rate and blood pressure, which can be devastating, as people die from heart conditions annually. The nerve damage suffered from diabetic neuropathy can also impact the urinary and excretory systems. The resultant effect could affect the bladder that stores and regulates urination causing urinary incontinence which is both a discomforting problem socially as it is medically. It can further affect the eyes, the digestive system, the way sweat, and secretions are produced, and it even goes as far as rubbing the patient of the ability to detect low glucose levels like a healthy person.
Peripheral Nerve Damage: Nerves of the peripheral nervous system are affected, and these nerves initiate the functioning of our hands and legs. Therefore, when the nerves are damaged in the legs, conditions such as diabetic foot ulcer arise. The feet may have been the most notorious of the limbs, but it can also affect the legs, arms, and the hands as well.
Focal Nerve Damage: Just as the name implies, this neuropathy is more focused in the way it damages the nerves. Majority of the time it specifically affects a nerve in a part of the body like in the leg, the hand, the back, or even in the head.
Proximal Neuropathy: This is a more rare condition that is experienced in just a side of the body. It affects the thighs, buttocks, or thigh, and it typically causes severe pain and disability for the patient. Patients that suffer from this rare form of nerve damage may further lose a considerable amount of weight in the course of the condition.
Signs and Symptoms of Diabetic Neuropathy/Diabetes Nerve Damage
Based on the neuropathies mentioned above, there are different and unique signs that may be observed depending on the people that are suffering from nerve damages that resulted from diabetes.
Peripheral neuropathy
Peripheral neuropathy is the most widely recognized form of diabetic neuropathy. It predominantly affects the feet and legs, to begin with, then the hands and arms may also be involved. Signs and indications of peripheral neuropathy are frequently more troubling and severe in the night, and may include:
- Numbness or diminished ability to feel pain or changes in temperature
- Tingling or burning sensation
- Sharp pains or cramps
- Increased sensitivity to touch such that certain individual become burdened by the heaviness of the bedsheet
- Muscle weakness
- Loss of reflexes, particularly in the ankle
- Loss of balance and coordination
- Severe foot issues, like ulcers, infections, and bone and joint pain
Autonomic neuropathy
The autonomic sensory system controls the heart, bladder, digestive tracts, sex organs, and eyes. Diabetes can destroy nerves in any of these regions, causing:
- Loss of the ability to sense a reduction in blood sugar levels (hypoglycemia unawareness)
- Bladder issues, including urinary tract infections or urinary retention or incontinence
- Constipation and/or uncontrolled diarrhea
- Slow stomach emptying (gastroparesis), leading to nausea, vomiting, bloating and lack of appetite
- Difficulty swallowing
- Excessive or reduced sweating
- Problems with homeostasis especially, the temperature of the body
- Changes in the eyes’ adjustment when moving from a place that is bright to a much darker place
- Tachycardia while at rest
- Orthostatic hypertension/hypotension that may cause you to faint or feel lightheaded
- Erectile dysfunction
- Diminished vagina secretions
- Diminished sexual response
The way the signs are observed in particular individuals vary from that of others, some people start noticing the signs instantly while some do not discover until much later. However, managing this condition is possible, and there is no reason to panic. The only challenge with having either diabetes on its own or even diabetic neuropathy is that one is required to follow strict and stern guidelines. One of the most debilitating practices to stop instantly is smoking and alcohol consumption. Individuals living with nerve damages caused by diabetes should embrace a life of exercising quite routinely.
In order to get the best result, adherence to the prescribed meal plan must be strictly followed to limit any form of complication. In addition, all the drugs that have been prescribed should be bought and used as directed by the physician. It may appear burdensome at first, but it gradually becomes a lifestyle. The improvements that are achieved become not only the consolation but also the motivation for following the newly adopted changes.
The Use of Stem cell Therapy to Treat Arterial Hypertension
Stem cells of mesenchyme origin have proved useful in the treatment of nerve damage. They have helped in eliminating headache, sleeplessness, and dyspnea associated with diabetes.
References
Pop-Busui R, Boulton AJ, Feldman EL, et al. Diabetic neuropathy: a position statement by the American Diabetes Association. Diabetes Care. 2017;40(1):136–154.
Izenberg A, Perkins BA, Bril V. Diabetic neuropathies. Seminars in Neurology. 2015;35(4):424–430.
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