Neuropathy is a broad term describing the many diseases or malfunctions of the nerves themselves. There are many different types of neuropathy, which are usually described by types or locations of the nerves affected. Nerves at any location of the body can potentially be damaged by injury or illness. I want to focus on diabetic neuropathy, caused by diabetes, the most common cause of nerve damage and malfunction.

Diabetic neuropathy is a common disease in which one’s nerves are damaged by the unusual contents of a diabetic’s bloodstream. The risk of developing diabetic neuropathy rises the longer a patient lives with diabetes. It’s usually more severe for people who don’t manage their diabetes well. It can also rear its ugly head on those with diabetes who also have elevated blood lipid counts or high blood pressure.

By now, you’ve probably heard some of the risks of neuropathy and the symptoms, which can be very painful. But I bet you didn’t know these three facts:

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There are Four Types of Diabetic Neuropathy

Peripheral neuropathy causes pain in the nerves of your extremities—your toes, feet, fingers, hands, and arms. Proximal neuropathy can also be used to describe pain in your shoulders, thighs, hips, or buttocks

The second type is called cranial neuropathy, in which at least one of the twelve cranial nerves that exit the brain directly is damaged. Symptoms of this type of neuropathy include difficulty seeing or hearing because the nerves that help with these senses are damaged.

Autonomic neuropathy is damage to the involuntary nervous system or the nerves that control the heart and the circulatory system, digestion, bowel and bladder function, the sexual response system, and perspiration.

Finally, focal neuropathy only affects one nerve, group of nerves or one specific area of the body.

How Physicians Test for Diabetic Neuropathy

There are three main ways for physicians to test for neuropathy. The most common is electromyography (EMG). A thin needle is inserted into the muscle and measures the electrical activity of the nerve with a small electrode. Another common method is a nerve conduction velocity test (NCV), which measures the speed nerves send signals. This test builds off the EMG, using patches containing surface electrodes on the skin at various locations on the body. The electrical activity of the nerves between the electrodes is then measured, which physicians use to calculate the speed of the nerve signals.

In rare cases, physicians might use a nerve biopsy, in which a small piece of tissue is surgically removed and examined under a microscope, which a pathologist can use to determine the cause of the neuropathy.

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Home Remedies for Neuropathy

Surprisingly, there are several home remedies for neuropathy to either ease symptoms or resolve the problems altogether.

Washing your feet in warm water and drying them thoroughly every day can help you regain feeling in your toes and feet. Massaging your feet regularly can help with circulation and revive damaged nerves as well.

How Laser Lipo Weight Loss Options can Prevent or Help with Diabetic Neuropathy

If you’re already experiencing neuropathy symptoms as a result of your diabetes, you can ease those symptoms by losing weight. Getting to a healthy weight will mitigate your diabetic symptoms, which can prevent neuropathy from starting. Maintaining a consistent weight will also help your circulatory system.

Dr. Tred’s Slim Body Laser Spa features a unique, FDA-cleared laser lipo device capable of reducing at least three inches of fat loss from your figure in nine sessions or three weeks. Reducing weight can help you manage your diabetes better, which will prevent many serious neuropathy symptoms and help avoid developing the condition altogether.

To learn more about Dr. Tred’s proprietary weight loss system, contact Slim Body Laser Spa in Stuart, Florida.