Remedies

Are there any lifestyle remedies?

These reduce the risk of diabetic neuropathy

1. Keep your blood pressure under control– high blood pressure damages your blood vessels.
2. Eat healthy food – fruits, green vegetables, whole grain in limited portions to maintain a healthy weight.
3. Active life – protects your heart and improves blood flow. Keeps your blood pressure and blood sugar under control. Exercise 30 minutes 5 times a week. If the patient has severe neuropathy and reduced sensations in legs one must do non-weight bearing exercises like swimming and cycling.
4. Stop smoking – smoking with diabetes markedly increases chances of death due to heart attack or stroke. Besides, you could lose your legs due to choking of the blood vessels of the legs.

Is alternative medicine effective?

• Capsaicin – cream that can reduce the pain sensation in some but could produce skin burns and irritation
• Alpha-lipoic acid – is a powerful antioxidant found in some foods and may relieve symptoms of peripheral neuropathy.
• Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) – prevents pain signal from reaching the brain by delivering tiny electrical impulses. Though safe it does not work for everyone.
• Acupuncture – It could relieve the pain of diabetic neuropathy and has no known side-effects. Multiple settings may be needed.
• Counseling may be needed