Diabetic Neuropathy: Why Early Detection and Care Are So Important

November is National Diabetes Month. It’s an important reminder when you consider that 1 in 5 people who have diabetes don’t know it. And since 1 in 10 Americans has some form of this condition, that’s a pretty large share of the population.

During this month, Dr. Jonathan Carlson and our team want to encourage people to get screened for diabetes. If you’re diagnosed with this condition, now’s the ideal time to start managing the potential complications.

That includes diabetic neuropathy. Dr. Carlson specializes in neuropathy and can help you right here at Hawai’i Pain & Spine on the Windward side of O’ahu in Kailua, Hawai’i. 

Nerve damage from high blood sugar: What to watch for

Diabetic neuropathy is nerve damage from uncontrolled blood sugar levels. When you have diabetes, your body doesn’t convert blood sugar into fuel for your cells the way it should.

That means you have a higher level of sugar in your blood over time, and that sugar takes a toll on your nerves and can eventually damage them. 

Diabetic neuropathy often affects nerves in your feet or legs (peripheral neuropathy), but it can impact any nerve in your body. Common signs of nerve damage from diabetes include:

• Pins and needles
• Localized weakness
• Numbness
• A burning sensation
• Increased sensitivity

As high levels of sugar damage the nerve, it changes the way that nerve functions. If you notice that a part of your body seems to feel things differently than it did before — or not feeling things at all — come talk to Dr. Carlson. 

The power of early management of diabetic neuropathy

Getting early care for neuropathy helps you avoid one of the most serious complications of neuropathy: the loss of a toe, foot, or leg. 

Nerve damage in your lower extremities can cause a loss of sensation in your feet. You might get a scrape or blister and not notice. 

That’s doubly problematic because diabetes also slows wound healing. That lingering issue opens you up to the risk of infection. The longer you go without noticing the wound, the greater your risk of amputation.

Early diagnosis and treatment help you avoid this unwelcome outcome. Being proactive can also slow the progression of the nerve damage and limit pain. 

Managing your neuropathy means adopting healthy lifestyle changes, which Dr. Carlson can recommend, paired with intervention when you need it. He might recommend laser therapy if your neuropathy causes you pain, for example. 

To get a personalized treatment plan to help you avoid the complications of diabetic neuropathy, come see Dr. Carlson. Call our office today to schedule your appointment.