DIABETIC NEUROPAHTY

Understanding Diabetic Neuropathy

Diabetic neuropathy is a type of nerve damage associated with diabetes that often damages nerves in legs and feet, often causing discomfort and pain that drastically reduces quality of life. High blood sugar levels can damage all sorts of nerves in your body, but diabetic neuropathy usually targets nerves in legs and feet first. Diabetic neuropathy may even impair movement between feet and legs resulting in reduced quality of life overall.

Symptoms of Diabetic Neuropathy

Diabetic neuropathy symptoms range from mild to severe and may include:

• Sharp or jabbing pain may occur when muscles contract unexpectedly or cramp.
• Increased sensitivity to touch.
• Loss of coordination and balance
• Reduced ability to detect pain or temperature changes
• Muscle weakness 
• Burning or tingling sensations 

At The Comprehensive Pain Institute in Bedford and Benbrook, TX we take an integrative approach to managing diabetic neuropathy. Our aim is to relieve your pain, increase function and enhance quality of life using various pain management methods tailored specifically for you.

Pain Management Methods

• Medication Pain Relievers: Over-the-counter and prescription painkillers such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen or other pain relievers may help manage mild to moderate pain effectively.
• Antidepressants can help alleviate neuropathic pain even without experiencing depression, according to some studies.
• Anti-seizure medications typically used to treat epilepsy can also provide some relief of nerve discomfort.
• IV Drug Infusions could also offer assistance.
• Lidocaine Infusions: Lidocaine can offer significant pain relief by numbing affected nerves.
• Ketamine Infusions: Ketamine is an anesthetic which, taken at low doses, may provide long-term relief of severe chronic pain.
• Physical Therapy: A tailored exercise program designed to increase strength, balance, and coordination while mitigating neuropathy’s effect on daily life.
• Nerve Blocks: Nerve blocks involve injecting an anesthetic near affected nerves for temporary pain relief, especially during episodes of acute flare-ups. They may provide some of the only solutions when nothing else will do.
• Spinal Cord Stimulation: For those suffering from chronic or acute pain, spinal cord stimulation may offer relief. This procedure involves implanting a device which sends electrical pulses directly into the spine in order to temporarily block pain signals and mask the sensations caused by them.
• Life Style Modifications: Our experts offer advice and assistance with lifestyle modifications that may help manage symptoms, including maintaining ideal blood sugar levels, engaging in regular physical activity and following a balanced diet.

Diabetic Neuropathy Treatments in Bedford & Benbrook, TX

The Comprehensive Pain Institute can assist if the pain and discomfort associated with diabetic neuropathy is becoming unbearable. Reach out today at our Bedford or Benbrook locations and schedule your consultation, learning more about our tailored treatment solutions and options available to you.