If you have diabetes, it’s likely you might at some time feel numbness or burning sensations in your feet, legs, or hands. That’s a warning sign of diabetic neuropathy. The pain management specialists at Pain Medicine Consultants are experts in caring for this common health condition. Call today or book online to schedule a consultation at one of the team’s convenient locations in Pleasant Hill, Pleasanton, and Marin County, California.
Diabetic neuropathy occurs when diabetes causes nerve damage. It’s common, and about half of all people with diabetes have some type of nerve damage.
Diabetes causes an unhealthy level of sugar, or glucose, to build up in your blood. In time, this can wear away the covering on your nerves or damage blood vessels that bring oxygen to your nerves. When this happens, your damaged nerves stop sending messages, send messages at the wrong times, or send them more slowly.
The longer you’ve had diabetes, the more likely you are to have diabetic neuropathy. Here are common symptoms to look for:
Another sign to look for is a feeling of dizziness when you move quickly.
The good news is diabetic neuropathy is easily diagnosed. Your Pain Medicine Consultants provider reviews your medical history and symptoms and performs a physical exam. They check your:
Depending on your condition, you might need one or more of the following tests:
Your Pain Medicine Consultants provider may also order an electromyography (EMG), which tests the electrical signals your muscles produce.
The right treatment helps to control your blood sugar, relieve pain, and reduce possible complications. The goal is to help you enjoy a full life.
Your doctor discusses with you the best way to control your blood sugar. This not only keeps nerve problems at bay, but it also prevents nerve damage from getting worse.
Depending on your overall health, treatment may include pain relievers and other medications. You might be a candidate for spinal cord stimulation. Spinal cord stimulation is a pain relief treatment where stimulating electrodes are placed by your spinal cord.
If you’re ready to take steps to enhance your well-being with best-in-class treatment, call today or book online to schedule an appointment with the pain management experts at Pain Medicine Consultants.