How To Treat And Manage Diabetic Neuropathy

Quit Smoking

An individual may need to stop smoking if they have diabetic neuropathy and would smoke cigarettes every day. The use of cigarettes and any other tobacco product causes a significant increase in the risk of diabetes patients experiencing a stroke or heart attack. The chemicals in cigarettes and other tobacco products can encourage high blood pressure, which contributes to the cardiovascular complications that can develop from diabetes.

High blood pressure causes damaged to the patient's blood vessels and makes them less able to expand to adapt to higher blood volumes. This malfunction results in reduced blood circulation around the body and can produce the pooling of blood in the patient's feet. Smoking cigarettes and using other tobacco products causes a reduction in lung function, which lowers the average oxygen concentration in the blood. Poor circulation and low oxygen concentration in the blood can promote life-threatening medical events like a heart attack and stroke.

Follow A Healthy Diet

A healthy diet can help a diabetes patient, particularly one with diabetic neuropathy, keep their blood sugar levels between eighty and 130 milligrams per deciliter before consuming their meals and under 180 milligrams per deciliter after meals. Keep blood sugar stable can help an individual affected by diabetic neuropathy slow the progression of their disease and symptoms.

Following a healthy diet as part of a patient's treatment plan can help prevent or relieve problems with digestion, which may include vomiting, nausea, gastroparesis, and belching. It is recommended for diabetic neuropathy patients to consume numerous smaller meals that contain low amounts of fat and fiber during the day. A patient may find it more beneficial to consume for pureed foods and soups to help keep food moving through their digestive tract at an adequate pace.