Diabetic Neuropathy is a group of neurological disorders caused by nerve damage resulting from the effects of type one and type two Diabetes. There are several types of neurological diseases, each affecting the individual differently. Each disorder presents with it's own symptoms, prognosis, and risks. It is important for the diabetic patient to receive adequate education from their physician on the basic signs and symptoms of neuropathy. Early identification and frequent check ups can impact the effects of neuropathy greatly.
The most common type is Peripheral Neuropathy. It is also referred to as distal symmetric neuropathy or sensorimotor neuropathy. In this type, the legs, feet, toes, arms, and hands experience pain and loss of sensation. Typically, the lower extremities are involved before the upper extremities and a loss of reflexes is common. It is with this type of neuropathy that ulcers, wounds, infections, and in severe cases, amputation is most common (Dyck, Feldmen, & Vinick).
Autonomic Neuropathy affects the internal organs primarily. It can affect the cardiovascular system by hampering its ability to regulate pulse, blood pressure, and body temperature. It can affect the digestive system with gastroparesis, dysphagia, and uncontrollable weight loss and malnutrition. Frequent urinary tract infections are common, as well. Sexual responses, other than drive and desire, are also affected in this type. It can affect the individual's ability to recognize symptoms associated with low blood sugar, thus putting the individual at risk for further nerve damage and diabetic risks (Dyck, Feldmen, & Vinick).
Proximal Neuropathy has many names. Often referred to as lumbosacral plexus neuropathy, femoral neu...
... middle of paper ...
...nd recommendations from healthcare providers is key in preventing severe damage. Smoking, alcohol use, and poor diet all contribute to worsening symptoms of neuropathy. Therefore, support systems and constant education should be a part of any treatment plan for the patient at risk or the patient suffering from diabetic neuropathy.
Works Cited
American Diabetes Association. (2013, June 07). Additional Types of Neuropathy. Retrieved from http://www.diabetes.org/living-with-diabetes/complications/neuropathy/additional-types-of-neuropathy.html
Dyck, P., Feldman, E., & Vinick, A. (2013, November 26). Diabetic Neuropathy: The Nerve Damage of Diabetes. Retrieved from http://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/dm/pubs/neuropathies/#types
NINDS (2008, September 16). NINDS Diabetic Neuropathy Information Page. Retrieved from http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/diabetic/diabetic.htm
Impairment and sometimes loss of motor control of the body and its extremities is one of the many effects of this disorder. Patients may complain of headaches, neck pain, coughing, sneezing, dizziness, vertigo, disequilibrium, muscle weakness, balance problems, and loss of fine motor control (1). The senses (hearing, sight, smell etc.) may also be affected in deleterious ways. On can have blurred vision, decreased sensation of limbs, unable to locate them without looking, decreased sense of taste, ringing of the ears etc. (2).
Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus is also referred to as insulin-dependent as the secretion of the hormone insulin by the pancreas is reduced to minor levels due to the destruction of the pancreatic beta cells by immune system of the body. Therefore, Type 1 Diabetes is an autoimmune condition due to the fact that the body is harming the pancreas with antibodies so beta cells cannot make any insulin for bloodstream to take in glucose. The fact that the cells in the body cannot take in glucose means that it builds up in the blood and hyperglycaemia occurs. This abnormally high level of blood glucose is able to harm the nervous system, tiny blood vessels in the kidneys, heart and the eyes. Type 1 Diabetes is fatal when left untreated as it then causes heart disease, kidney disease, damage to the nerves, stroke and
The pathophysiology of diabetes mellitus in is related to the insulin hormone. Insulin is secreted by cells in the pancreas and is responsible for regulating the level of glucose in the bloodstream. It also aids the body in breaking down the glucose to be used as energy. When someone suffers from diabetes, however, the body does not break down the glucose in the blood as a result of abnormal insulin metabolism. When there are elevated levels of glucose in the blood, it is known as hyperglycemia. If the levels continue to remain high over an extended period of time, damage can be done to the kidneys, cardiovascular systems; you can get eye disorders, or even cause nerve damage. When the glucose levels are low in one’s body, it is called hypoglycemia. A person begins to feel very jittery, and possibly dizzy. If that occurs over a period of time, the person can possibly faint. Diabetes mellitus occurs in three different forms - type 1, type 2, and gestational.
Other times I have heard her say that she has a burning sensation or tingling like the feeling when your feet fall asleep. It can be very painful. Autoimmune can be seen in anyone with conditions such as Guillain-Barre syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, and systemic lupus. Neuropathy can also been see individuals that have certain infections such as HIV, AIDs, Lyme disease, syphilis, and leprosy. Postherpetic neuralgia is one I see I working at a dermatology clinic. It occurs in patient’s that have a complication of the shingles virus. Alcoholic neuropathy is obviously seen with alcoholics. The exact reason for this type is unclear. It may be due to the alcohol’s affect on the body. Alcohol can also cause vitamin deficiencies in alcoholics. Certain genetic or inherited diseases such as Friedreich’s ataxia and Charcot Marie Tooth disease affect the nerves as well. Amyloidosis is the condition where abnormal protein fibers are found in the organs and tissues, causing damage which can lead to neuropathy. Uremia is seen with kidney failure that may cause neuropathy. Certain drugs or medications can have side effects that lead to neuropathy as well. Any trauma or injury depending on where and how severe can cause damage to the nerves. Benign or malignant tumors can also cause nerve damage to the surrounding organs. Idiopathic neuropathy is seen in people that the cause of the neuropathy is unknown. Motor neuropathy
... affecting the peripheral nervous system. Ascending paralysis, weakness beginning in the feet and migrating towards the trunk, limbs and the head, is the most common symptom, and some subtypes cause change in sensation or pain, as well as dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system. It can cause life-threatening complications, in particular if the respiratory muscles are affected or if the autonomic nervous system is involved. The disease is usually triggered by an infection. The diagnosis is usually made by nerve conduction studies and with studies of the cerebrospinal fluid. With prompt treatment by intravenous immunoglobulin’s or plasmapheresis, together with supportive care, the majority will recover completely. Guillain Barré syndrome is rare, at one to two cases per 100,000 people annually, but is the most common cause of acute non-trauma-related paralysis.
Peripheral nerves are categorized as both sensory and motor which means they help provide sensations and move ligaments. These nerves attach to the spinal cord and run throughout the human body. Damaging these nerves may result in peripheral neuropathy. This condition is the degenerative state of the peripheral nerves. During this state, nerves may lose the ability to function therefore, causing multiple problems with one’s body. There are multiple causes to this condition and many can be avoided.
Journal of Continuing Education in Nursing, 44(9), 406. doi:10.3928/00220124-20130617-38. Torpy, J. M. (2011). The 'Standard' Diabetes. Jama, 305(24), 2592 pp.
The most common types of topographical types are diplegia, hemiplegia, double hemiplegia, and quadriplegia. The basal ganglia are part of the extrapyramidal system and work in conjunction with the motor cortex in providing movement and serve as the relay center. Damage to this area results in Athetoid Cerebral Palsy, the second most common form of cerebral palsy. Involuntary, purposeless movements, particularly in the arms, hands, and facial muscles, characterize athetosis. In addition, the individual can become “stuck” in abnormal positions or postures and require specific positioning to maintain normal tone and movement.
Peripheral and central mechanisms involving nerve lesions and their input are substantial when perceiving phantom pain. Due to the impairment of peripheral nerves in the process of amputation, regenerative sprouting of damaged axons occurs and the activity rate of inflamed C-fibres and demyelinated A-fibres spontaneously increases (Flor, 2002). As a consequence of this nerve injury, a neuroma, which is a mass of pruned and tangled axons, may form in the residual limb producing abnormal (ectopic) activity (Katz, 1992). Flor, Nikolajsen and Jenson (2006) proposed that ectopic discharge from a neuroma in the stump illustrates abnormal afferent input to the spinal cord, which is a possible mechanism for unpro...
When a person begins to suffer from Guillain- Barre Syndrome their myelin sheath of their nervous system is being attacked and destroyed by the immune system (NINDS, 2011). The myelin sheath begins to lose its ability to transmit signals rapidly and affectively. Since signals are not getting transmitted to the brain fast enough, a person begins to notice fewer sensory responses from the rest of the body (NINDS, 2011). A person wouldn’t be able to tell right away or at all if an item they are touching is hot, cold, or causing pain. There also wouldn’t be good signal transmission from the brain to the rest of the body (NINDS, 2011). There would be signs of the muscles being unable to respond to the weakened or distraught signals they were receiving. Since the myelin sheath is responsible for transmitting the signals from a long distance, the upper and lower extremities would be the first to show signs of muscle dysfunction.
In each zone, impulses and reflexes travel until they reach nerve endings in the feet and the hands. These zones are believed to be meridians along which energy flows. Placing pressure on the nerve endings in the hands and the feet will affect the organs found in that particular zone (http://www.reflexology.org/aor/refinfo/healart.htm). As well as longitudinal zones throughout the body, there are also cross-reflex points. These cross-reflex points are corresponding points on the opposite side of the body which can be useful in administering reflexology treatment when pressure is not able to be placed on the reflex point....
Unfortuantely, diabetes mellitus can create further health complication that can be life threatening. The most common complication is cardiovascular disease. MI is the leading cause of death among diabetes patients. Diabetes damages the arterial circulation of the brain, posing a greater risk for a stroke. Most common sign of intermittent claudification.
Diabetes is a common disease, which can be a serious, life-long illness caused by high levels of glucose in the blood. This condition is when the body cannot produce insulin or lack of insulin production from the beta cells in the islet of Langerhans in the pancreas. Diabetes can cause other health problems over time. Eye, kidneys, and nerves can get damaged and chances of stroke are always high. Because of the serious complications, the purposes of teaching a plan for diabetes patients are to optimize blood glucose control, optimize quality of life, and prevent chronic and potentially life-threatening complications.
The autonomic neuropathy leads to altered blood flow regulation and diminished sweating which is responsible for dry skin and fissures, consequently patient’s feet will be prone to infection and ulcers.
middle of paper ... ... Retrieved from EBSCOhost.com. Nazarko, L. (2009). The 'Standard'. Causes and consequences of diabetes.