Question 1

can you get diabetic nerve problems without having symptoms?

Accepted Answer

Have you had: Diabetes since childhood? Takes a while to develop.  Emg/ncs can detect nerve damage before a patient becomes aware of them.

Question 2

what kind of condition is diabetic nerve problems (neuropathy)?

Accepted Answer

Foot ulcers etc.: Diabetic neuropathy (nerve disease), and may eventually lead to foot ulcers and amputation of lower limbs.

Question 3

how can diabetic neuropathy be distinguished from b12 deficiency nerve damage?

Accepted Answer

Mainly Clinical: Your question is a good one as recent reports suggest that about 20% occur together.

A few hints to the difference- if you have anosmia (loss of smell), hyperactive reflexes, large greater than small fiber sensory loss, and/or cognitive changes then suspect B12 deficiency.

If you have an asymmetric neuropathy, small fiber changes, and/or autonomic dysfunction(bp, sweat...) then think diabetes.

Question 4

can diabetic neuropathy be cured?

Accepted Answer

Acetyl l carnitine: The only thing with evidence to suggest it may be able to help nerve recovery in diabetic neuropathy is acetyl l carnitine.  It is a safe over the counter Amino Acid supplement that is proven to alleviate symtpoms and may aid in nerve regeneration.

Question 5

how to tell if i have diabetic neuropathy?

Accepted Answer

Filament testing: There is a standardized test using a small monofiliment that is touched to the skin.  Your podiatrist or internest can do this test for you to test for lack of skin sensation in different areas, usually in the feet.

Question 6

what are the tests for diabetic neuropathy?

Accepted Answer

Exams and tests: Diagnosis based largely on symptoms, medical history, and physical exam. It is diagnosed using tests that check for a protein called Albumin in the urine, which is an indicator of kidney damage.

Question 7

what are the symptoms of diabetic neuropathy?

Accepted Answer

Variable: May have feelings of numbness, cold, tingling, tightness in feet or hands. May not actually be cold or numb but feels to you that way. Other people have described it as a feeling of tightness of the skin, or that they are wearing a tight sock on foot even if nothing is on foot. May have a sensation of ingrown nails even if not actually ingrown. Symptoms are most often proniounced during inactivity.

Question 8

what is diabetic neuropathy?

Accepted Answer

Foot ulceration: Diabetics have loss of protective sensation to their feet.  This occurs because excess glucose in the blood causes pathological changes to the nerves.  Poor sensation can lead to the development of sores or ulcers.  Diabetic also have poor blood supply to their feet so it is difficult to heal the ulcers.  The ulcers can get infected and cause gangrene of the foot.

Question 9

how common is diabetic neuropathy?

Accepted Answer

Very: With the increase in the number of diabetics neuropathy will continue to rise..

Question 10

could diabetic neuropathy be reversed?

Accepted Answer

Great question!!: You have entered into the frontiers of medicine, and briefly, we do have a prescription medical food, metanx, which has been biopsy proven to restore density of small fiber loss in diabetes.  There is also some data to suggest better outcomes with very strict blood sugar control.. In europe, there are a few drugs which seem to offer further promise, but not yet on usa market.

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Doctor answers about:

Diabetic nerve problems signs

A member asked:

Can you get diabetic nerve problems without having symptoms?

A member asked:

What kind of condition is diabetic nerve problems (neuropathy)?

A member asked:

How can diabetic neuropathy be distinguished from b12 deficiency nerve damage?

A member asked:

Can diabetic neuropathy be cured?

A member asked:

How to tell if i have diabetic neuropathy?

A member asked:

What are the tests for diabetic neuropathy?

A member asked:

What are the symptoms of diabetic neuropathy?

A member asked:

What is diabetic neuropathy?

A member asked:

How common is diabetic neuropathy?

A member asked:

Could diabetic neuropathy be reversed?

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