If you have diabetes, you’ve probably been warned about developing peripheral neuropathy. It’s one of the most common complications of diabetes, affecting nearly 50% of people with Type 2 diabetes.
But how exactly does diabetes lead to peripheral neuropathy, and can a pain management specialist help?
Dr. John S. Michels is a pain management physician at ISP Health, serving communities in and around Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas. Well-known for his comprehensive, personalized care, Dr. Michels offers minimally invasive treatments for chronic pain conditions, including peripheral neuropathy.
Read more from Dr. Michels regarding the connection between diabetes and peripheral neuropathy and the therapies that can help turn off the pain.
Neuropathy is a well-known complication of poorly managed or long-term diabetes.
Peripheral neuropathy affects nerves outside the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord), including those responsible for sensation, movement, and autonomic functions such as heartbeat, digestion, respiration, and pupillary responses to light.
Diabetes-related peripheral neuropathy is most common in the legs and feet, affecting sensory and motor nerves, but may also occur in the arms and hands.
Complications that increase the risk of diabetic peripheral neuropathy include:
Chronically elevated blood sugar levels in poorly controlled diabetes can damage the blood vessels that supply oxygen and nutrients to the nerves. Without adequate blood flow, nerves become injured over time.
Diabetes increases the production of free radicals in the body, which can lead to oxidative stress. This can damage nerve cells and exacerbate neuropathic symptoms.
Elevated blood sugar can cause chronic low-grade inflammation, impairing circulation and further harming nerves.
Diabetes affects how your body processes fats and proteins, creating harmful byproducts that accumulate and damage nerves.
Genetics, smoking, lack of physical activity, and poor dietary habits can amplify the nerve damage risk in people with diabetes.
The symptoms of diabetic peripheral neuropathy typically develop slowly, progress over time, and may include:
Over time, peripheral neuropathy can significantly affect your quality of life and increase your risk of open wounds (diabetic foot ulcers), infections, or amputations.
Dr. Michels specializes in diagnosing and treating chronic pain conditions like diabetic peripheral neuropathy. His approach is geared toward relieving your pain and improving your quality of life.
Medications such as antidepressants (e.g., amitriptyline) and anticonvulsants (e.g., gabapentin) are somewhat effective in managing nerve pain. But these drugs often carry unwanted side effects that can affect your overall well-being.
Thus, Dr. Michels favors interventional procedures that help block pain signals traveling to the brain.
Your strategy may include:
Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) utilizes advanced computer technology to direct mild electrical impulses to the spinal cord. This disrupts pain signals traveling through the nerves to your brain.
A programmable, implanted device offers hands-free control of the pulse frequency and intensity, allowing us to tailor the therapy to meet your needs. A pre-implantation trial allows you to gauge its therapeutic benefits before committing to SCS.
This is similar to spinal cord stimulation, except that the electrical impulses target a structure known as the dorsal root ganglion (DRG). The DRG acts like the control center for peripheral nerves.
Individual nerves from a specific part of your body meet at the DRG before entering the spinal cord. Targeting the DRG allows Dr. Michels to address pain in a very specific area, such as the foot.
You may also benefit from physical therapy and exercise programs tailored to improve strength and circulation while protecting nerve health.
While Dr. Michels does not treat diabetes, he may recommend improved control via a follow-up with your diabetes care team.
Pain related to diabetic peripheral neuropathy can be debilitating, but help is available. Schedule a visit with Dr. Michels by calling our office today.
