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Table
of Contents (click to jump to sections)
What is Diabetic Neuropathy?
Is there any treatment?
What is the prognosis?
What research is being
done?
Organizations
What
is Diabetic Neuropathy?
Diabetic neuropathy is a peripheral nerve disorder caused by diabetes.
The symptoms of diabetic neuropathy are often slight at first.
In fact, some mild cases may go unnoticed for a long time. Numbness,
pain, or tingling in the feet, or legs may, after several years,
lead to weakness in the muscles of the feet. Occasionally, diabetic
neuropathy can flare up suddenly and affect specific nerves so
that an affected individual will develop double vision or drooping
eyelids, or weakness and atrophy of the thigh muscles. Nerve damage
caused by diabetes generally occurs over a period of years and
may lead to problems with the digestive tract and sexual organs,
which can cause indigestion, diarrhea or constipation, dizziness,
bladder infections, and impotence. The loss of sensation in the
feet may increase the possibility for foot injuries to go unnoticed
and develop into ulcers or lesions that become infected.
Is
There Any Treatment?
The
goal of treating diabetic neuropathy is to relieve discomfort
and prevent further tissue damage. The first step is to bring
blood sugar levels under control by diet and medication. Another
important part of treatment involves taking special care of
the feet. Analgesics, low doses of antidepressants, and some
anticonvulsant medications may be prescribed for relief of pain,
burning, or tingling. Some patients may find that walking regularly,
taking warm baths, or using elastic stockings may help relieve
leg pain.
What
is The Prognosis?
The
prognosis for diabetic neuropathy depends largely on how well
the underlying condition of diabetes is handled. Treating diabetes
may halt progression and improve symptoms of the neuropathy,
but recovery is slow. The painful sensations of diabetic neuropathy
may become severe enough to cause depression in some patients.
What
Research is Being Done?
The
NINDS conducts and supports research on diabetic neuropathy
to increase understanding of the disorder and find ways to prevent
and cure it. New medications are currently being examined to
assess improvement or stabilization of neuropathic symptoms.
Organizations
American
Chronic Pain Association (ACPA)
P.O. Box 850
Rocklin, CA 95677-0850
ACPA@pacbell.net
http://www.theacpa.org
Tel: 916-632-0922 800-533-3231
Fax: 916-632-3208
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American
Diabetes Association
1701 North Beauregard Street
Alexandria, VA 22311
askada@diabetes.org
http://www.diabetes.org
Tel: 800-DIABETES (342-2383) 703-549-1500
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Juvenile
Diabetes Research Foundation, International
120 Wall Street
New York, NY 10005-4001
info@jdrf.org
http://www.jdrf.org
Tel: 800-533-CURE (-2873) 212-785-9500
Fax: 212-795-9595
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National
Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR)
National Institutes of Health, DHHS
31 Center Drive, Room 5B-55
Bethesda, MD 20892
nidcrinfo@mail.nih.gov
http://www.nidcr.nih.gov
Tel: 301-496-4261
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National
Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
(NIDDK)
National Institutes of Health, DHHS
31 Center Drive, Rm. 9A06 MSC 2560
Bethesda, MD 20892-2560
http://www.niddk.nih.gov
Tel: 301-496-3583
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Prepared
by:
Office of Communications and Public Liaison
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
National Institutes of Health
Bethesda, MD 20892
NINDS health-related
material is provided for information purposes only and does
not necessarily represent endorsement by or an official position
of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
or any other Federal agency. Advice on the treatment or care
of an individual patient should be obtained through consultation
with a physician who has examined that patient or is familiar
with that patient's medical history.
All NINDS-prepared
information is in the public domain and may be freely copied.
Credit to the NINDS or the NIH is appreciated.
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Last updated
January 24, 2006
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Resources
on Diabetes on the web:
* National
Organizations Juvenile Diabetes Foundation
* American
Diabetes Association
* Joslin Diabetes
Center
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