The primary treatment for diabetic nerve pain is to bring down your glucose levels. They need to be within normal range to prevent any further nerve damage. Meal planning, blood glucose monitoring, physical activity and insulin or other diabetes medicines will help control your blood glucose levels. However, your symptoms may get a bit worse when blood glucose comes within normal range. But after a while, maintaining blood glucose levels within normal range will minimize symptoms and nerve pain. Blood glucose control can also help you prevent or delay any further complications. Many studies and researches are being conducted on a daily basis. As medical professionals learn more about causes of neuropathy, you may encounter some new treatments to prevent or treat nerve pain.
Pain Relief Medications
Usually, doctors treat diabetic nerve pain with oral medications. However, some people need other types of treatments. In most cases, people with severe pain may benefit from a combination of treatments and medications. You need to talk with your doctor about various options for treating neuropathy. Most doctors recommend anticonvulsants and antidepressants. It is important to understand that you don’t have to be depressed to take antidepressants. You also need to understand that almost every medication has certain side effects. Thus, some medications are not suitable for older people or individuals with heart disease.
Gastrointestinal Problems
In order to eliminate mild symptoms of diabetic nerve pain related to gastroparesis, like belching, indigestion, vomiting or nausea, doctors recommend eating frequent, small meals. Doctors also suggest avoiding fats and eating foods with less fiber. If your symptoms are severe, the doctor may prescribe erythromycin. It speeds your digestion. Your doctor may also prescribe metoclopramide, which can relieve nausea and speed digestion. There are also some other medications to regulate digestion and reduce stomach acid. To treat diarrhea or some other bowel problems, your doctor may even prescribe an antibiotic like tetracycline.
Dizziness and Weakness
If you want to relieve diabetic nerve pain related to dizziness and weakness, you should sit or stand slowly. This can help you prevent dizziness, light-headedness and fainting. Such problems are associated with your blood pressure and blood circulation. You can even raise the head of your bed or wear elastic stockings. Some people may benefit from increased salt in their diet. Salt-retaining hormones can also help with pain. Other people benefit from medications which control high blood pressure. Physical therapy can also help with loss of coordination and muscle weakness.
Urinary, Sexual and Foot Problems
In order to clear a urinary tract infection, your doctor may prescribe an antibiotic. You should also drink a lot of fluids to prevent infection. It is also better if you try to urinate at regular intervals. If you are suffering from erectile dysfunction, the doctor may perform some tests to rule out any hormonal cause. There are various methods to treat erectile dysfunction caused by nerve pain. For women, the doctor may prescribe vaginal lubricants to manage vaginal dryness. People suffering from diabetic nerve pain need to take special care of their feet. Nerves in your feet are the longest and most affected by neuropathy.