How is it Diagnosed?
In order to diagnose diabetic neuropathy, your doctor will check your medical history and conduct a physical exam. This helps them get an idea about the current state of your health, and whether any medication that you are taking accounts for your symptoms. Certain types of medicine and exposure to toxic substances can also cause nerve damage.
Next, a neurologic exam will be conducted in order to test your reflexes, coordination, balance, as well as your muscle strength. Your ability to feel heat and cold will also be tested.
Sometimes, a blood test may also be required. This helps show if there are any deficiencies in your blood, or if there are any other problems that could be affecting your nervous system.
If it has been confirmed that you have neuropathy, a nerve conduction study or needle electromyography might be done in order to find out where the nerve damage is, and the extent of the damage. These tests check the electrical activity of your muscles and can measure the response of nerves in order to find out how healthy they are.
How is it Treated?
In terms of treatment, the first thing to be recommended will be to keep your blood sugar under control. The more your blood sugar stays within the normal range, the less risk there is of further nerve damage.
Your doctor may also prescribe a change of diet, increased exercise, as well as certain types of medication in order to mitigate and slow down the symptoms of nerve damage.
For diabetic patients, it is important that you regularly consult your physician and monitor your condition. Overlooking your symptoms and not having it immediately treated can lead to more serious complications that may affect more body functions.
Can Diabetic Neuropathy Be Reversed?
The question of “can diabetic neuropathy be reversed?” is something that weighs heavily on the mind of diabetic patients. After all, it would be amazing if a patient who suffered severe nerve damage would be able to live normally again.
However, it is widely believed that diabetic neuropathy cannot be reversed. The best thing that doctors can help you with would be to slow down the progression of the disease and prevent it from causing further damage.
Certain medications can also manage the symptoms. But as far as curing diabetic neuropathy, it is improbable.
Key Takeaways
Keep your blood sugar levels in check. It is very important for diabetics to be mindful of their diet and to monitor their blood sugar levels throughout the day. This helps give them an idea of the current state of their health, and if they need to be more vigilant when it comes to controlling their blood sugar.
By managing diabetes properly, and taking steps towards being more healthy, diabetics can live a long and fulfilling life.
Learn more about Diabetes here.
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