Diabetic Proximal Neuropathy

Diabetic proximal neuropathy is also known by a dizzying array of other names such as: diabetic femoral neuropathy, diabetic amyotrophy, neuropathic cachexia, radiculoplexus neuropathy, lumbosacral plexus neuropathy along with several others.
This type of diabetic neuropathy is the result of nerve damage to the thigh and hip area. In many diabetics, it causes an extreme amount of pain and also restricts movement as well as any physical activity. It most often only affects one side of the body but can occasionally spread to both sides.
This complication of diabetes usually impacts the hips, thighs, buttock and legs. Even though it is the legs which are most often affected, this condition can also affect nerves within your arms or abdomen. It is more common in the elderly and in individuals with Type 2 diabetes.
Symptoms of Proximal Neuropathy
Pain is usually the very first symptom of this type of diabetic neuropathy. The pain can come on abruptly but it can also come on gradually, and is followed by considerable weakness of the muscles in the lower limbs. This makes it very difficult or impossible for a person to stand up.
The majority of diabetics get better over time, but the symptoms can go from bad to worse before getting better. The main characteristics of this condition are:
  • Extreme and sudden pain in the buttock, hip or thigh
  • Thigh muscles become very weak and atrophied
  • Great difficulty getting up after sitting
  • Swelling of the abdomen if that is the area affected
Treatment for Proximal Neuropathy
One of the primary causes for the severe pain that accompanies this form of diabetic neuropathy is believed to be high blood glucose. Therefore, treatment usually involves a combination of relieving the pain and stabilizing blood sugar levels. Treatment includes:
Avoiding Further Never Damage
The first step is to reduce the pain resulting from this type of diabetic neuropathy. This is done by eliminating cigarette and alcohol use. This is because these items slow down blood flow throughout the body, and results in restricting the amount of nutrients and oxygen the nerves receive. This further aggravates the nerve damage, causing severe pain.
Supplements and Vitamins
Controlling blood sugar can be helped with Alpha Lipoic acid, which comes in the form of a table. You physician should advise you as to the proper dosage to take. Ginkgo Biloba, B vitamins and Benfotiamine can also be helpful.
Insulin
People injecting insulin three times a day tend to have far less painful symptoms. This is due to the insulin lowering blood sugar levels, which results in less nerve damage and subsequently reduces the amount of the pain.
Medication
The first type of medication doctors usually prescribe, for diabetic neuropathy, are typical pain killers such as ibuprofen or aspirin. You doctor will advise you how much medication you can safely take.
If over-the-counter medication can’t do the job effectively, doctors will typically recommend a prescription medication like Naproxyn. Anti-seizure drugs and antidepressants are other prescription medicines which can also provide relief.
Physical Therapy
Proximal neuropathy can also be treated with physical therapy which has been proven to increase blood flow. This helps in reducing pain by preventing additional damage to the nerves.
Most people with proximal diabetic neuropathy will improve over time, at least partially. Recovery times can range from several months to many years, and depends on the type and severity of the nerve damage

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