At The Spine Care Center in Manassas, we proudly treat a wide variety of conditions that contribute to back and neck pain. Diabetic neuropathy affects thousands of people across the United States, and if you’re suffering from the symptoms of this chronic condition, then you should schedule an appointment with our spine doctors as soon as possible.
As the name suggests, diabetic neuropathy is a condition affecting diabetic patients who have elevated blood sugar levels for long periods of time. Consistently elevated blood sugar levels can damage your peripheral nerves (the nerves in your arms, legs, hands, and feet), in turn causing a painful condition known as diabetic neuropathy.
You can reduce your risk of developing diabetic neuropathy by properly managing your blood sugar with diet, exercise, medicine, and insulin. Without proper blood sugar control, half of all patients with diabetes will experience the life-disrupting symptoms of diabetic neuropathy.
Diabetic neuropathy affects nerve endings throughout your body. It can include a variety of symptoms, including, but not limited to:
You may also experience symptoms such as the inability to control your bowel or bladder. Over time, you may also develop complications such as damaged joints and digestive problems. Early treatment can help to slow the process of diabetic neuropathy and relieve your symptoms, so schedule an appointment as soon as you begin to experience any of the symptoms listed above.
To diagnose diabetic neuropathy, your doctor will test the affected limb’s sensitivity and reflexes. These tests are noninvasive and are not painful. They may include tests such as brushing a filament against your foot or using a reflex hammer to test your ankle reflexes. Your doctor will be able to make a diagnosis of diabetic neuropathy based on the combination of these tests and your medical history.
The pain management experts at The Spine Care Center treat all types of nerve pain, including diabetic neuropathy. They strive to help slow down the progression of neuropathy and provide you with lasting pain relief. Their skills and years of experience have earned them recognition as Top Doctors in the Washingtonian and Northern Virginia Magazine.
To relieve symptoms, you need to be an active member of your care team. Your pain medicine physician will work with you to create a personalized treatment plan that may include:
Our pain management experts work as part of a team dedicated to improving your health and relieving pain.
Take the first step toward a healthier, pain-free life today. Call The Spine Care Center in Manassas today or request an appointment using our online contact form.