For many people living with diabetes, pain management is an essential part of their daily treatment plan. Caused by nerve damage as a result of chronically high blood sugar levels, diabetic neuropathy is an incredibly painful condition that can have a dramatic impact on a person’s quality of life. But it doesn’t have to be this way!
Looking to provide additional support in managing pain with diabetes, we have created this helpful recourse to shed some light on the various treatment options available for those experiencing neuropathic pain. Here is what we want you to know about diabetes and pain management:
Understanding diabetic neuropathy
In America, over 34 million adults (or just over 1 in every 10 people) are living with diabetes. With more people being diagnosed with diabetes every single year, the number of people experiencing the negative health impacts of diabetic neuropathy is also on the rise.
Diabetic neuropathy (also called peripheral neuropathy) is a condition that impacts the health and function of the nervous system. As one of the most complex systems within the human body, our nervous system is responsible for allowing us to feel and move each of our limbs.
Because diabetes impacts a person’s ability to regulate their blood sugar levels (by either not producing or impacting the efficacy of the hormone insulin), it is very common for people with this condition to experience chronically high blood glucose levels. The cells that make up our neurons are incredibly sensitive to any changes in the body — and as a result, they can quickly become injured or damaged due to being exposed to high blood sugar levels. When this occurs, symptoms of diabetic neuropathy begin to emerge.
The most common symptoms of diabetic neuropathy
As more people are being diagnosed with diabetes, symptoms of diabetic neuropathy are becoming more prevalent. Primarily impacting the toes and feet, diabetic neuropathy can also spread to the lower legs, fingers, and hands. Ranging in severity from mild to completely debilitating, some of the most common symptoms of diabetic neuropathy include:
- Tingling or burning sensations to the affect areas
- Sharp pain or the development of strong and painful cramping
- Partial or complete numbness to the toes and feet
- An inability to feel temperature changes in affected areas
- Increased sensitivity and pain to any amount of pressure
- Chronically cold feet due to poor circulation
- The development of serious foot conditions like pressure ulcers and slow to heal infections
Can diabetic neuropathy be reversed?
For anyone who has experienced the less than pleasant symptoms of diabetic neuropathy, one of the first questions they bring to their physician is often, “can you reverse neuropathy?”
As a serious condition that can have a significant impact on a person’s ability to partake in daily activities, it is no wonder that most people want to reverse the damage in order to better control their diabetes-related pain. But, unfortunately, we currently do not have any way of undoing nerve injuries that cause diabetic neuropathy.
But, just because we do not currently have a way to reverse diabetic neuropathy, it doesn’t mean that you will be subjected to a high level of pain for the rest of your life. With a multitude of different treatment and pain management options available for anyone living with diabetic neuropathy, there are ways to help reduce your pain while also slowing the progression of the disease any further.
Diabetic neuropathy and pain management
When it comes to reducing the severity of the symptoms and pain caused by diabetic neuropathy, your primary care provider may suggest a variety of lifestyle and medical options that are best suited to your unique needs. The majority of the available treatment options for diabetic neuropathy focus on preventing further damage by making healthier lifestyle choices. Some of the most common treatment options for managing pain with diabetes include:
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Monitoring and controlling blood sugar levels
As the primary cause of diabetic neuropathy, finding ways to reduce chronically high blood sugar levels can help to slow the progression of the disease.
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Maintaining normal blood pressure levels
Hypertension is a common complication in people who live with poorly controlled diabetes. Capable of damaging the major blood vessels that supply blood to the lower extremities, keeping your blood pressure within normal limits is a great way to encourage improved diabetes and pain management.
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Participating in daily exercise
While exercise may be painful at first, choosing to participate in low-intensity activities like walking, swimming, and yoga can help to increase blood flow to the feet. This can help prevent further nervous system damage.
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Taking medications to reduce chronic pain
If your diabetic neuropathy pain is significant enough to impact your day-to-day living, your physician may prescribe pain medication to help reduce the severity of your symptoms. Medications created to treat nerve pain can be helpful in managing pain with diabetes.
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Adding foot care into your daily routine
For most people with diabetic neuropathy, symptoms first present themselves in their toes and feet. In order to prevent the development of foot injuries and infections, taking better care of your feet by doing daily checks and wearing protective non-binding diabetic socks can help to reduce neuropathic pain.
How diabetic socks help with diabetes and pain management
Diabetic socks are a specialty product designed to provide support and comfort to the feet of people living with diabetes. Different from compression socks which are designed to apply consistent pressure to the lower extremities, diabetic socks are made to be incredibly stretchy. Able to comfortably fit any size of foot or calf muscle without creating painful pressure marks, Viasox diabetic socks are a must-have component in your diabetic neuropathy pain management plan.
As the first fancy diabetic socks available on the market, Viasox socks offer a wide variety of health benefits, including:
- Relieving numbness caused by diabetic neuropathy
- Helping to reduce swelling and edema of the lower extremities
- Improving blood flow
- Providing protection against food injuries and infections
With all sizes of Viasox diabetic socks capable of accommodating a calf circumference of 30 inches, you can rest assured that wearing our socks will be a comfortable and non-restrictive experience. Available in classic colors or bold and funky patterns, our selection of high-quality diabetic socks is sure to have something for everyone!
Buy high-quality diabetic socks online with Viasox
For many people living with diabetes, chronic pain caused by diabetic neuropathy can have a profound impact on their quality of life. Thankfully, with many options to help with managing pain with diabetes, most people living with this condition are able to continue doing the things they love.
As one of the most effective resources in diabetic neuropathy pain management, high-quality diabetic socks offer plenty of health benefits. Great for providing additional support and comfort to the feet, Viasox non-binding diabetic socks are a must-have in your closet.
Viasox is proud to be the leading provider of high-quality diabetic socks in North America. With bulk or single pair purchasing options available through our online store, there is no better way to get connected to diabetic socks made with fashion and comfort in mind.
Shop our collection of fancy diabetic socks online today to experience the difference that quality makes!
