Luckily, there are many natural diabetic neuropathy treatments that work. These treatments can help you alleviate pain and other symptoms.
Cayenne pepper
Among the many health benefits of cayenne pepper is its ability to alleviate diabetic neuropathy. It can also help you get rid of pain caused by arthritis.
Cayenne pepper is full of antioxidants and flavonoids. These antioxidants fight free radicals and boost your immune system. They also play a role in maintaining healthy vision and neurological function.
One study found that capsaicin, the active ingredient in cayenne pepper, may help to shrink dilated blood vessels in the nose. This may prevent the formation of blood clots that restrict blood flow. Other studies have shown that capsaicin can also help prevent heart disease.
Capsaicin may also help to reduce inflammation in the body. It may also help to improve the health of the lining of the stomach. When the stomach lining is damaged, it can result in gastric ulcers. This may be why it is recommended to avoid cayenne pepper if you have a history of ulcers.
Capsaicin may also have an effect on arthritic pain. Some individuals apply a topical ointment containing capsaicin to the affected area to help relieve pain. These creams can be found in many stores. But be sure to use them according to the directions. They may burn your skin.
In addition, capsaicin may have a role in fighting skin infections. Creams containing capsaicin can also be used to relieve muscle pain and tension. These creams may also help to reduce swelling and improve wound healing.
Vitamin D
Various studies have examined the association between vitamin D levels and diabetic neuropathy. One study found that lower levels of vitamin D may increase the likelihood of developing diabetic neuropathy.
Another study found that supplementing with vitamin D can help alleviate neuropathic symptoms. Vitamin D is an important part of bone health and can improve inflammatory markers and neuropathic symptoms. Taking the right supplements can help you get a better handle on your diabetes.
Another study found that a high dose of vitamin D can reduce pain in diabetic neuropathy. A non-randomized study of 51 type 1 diabetic subjects found that vitamin D repletion improved pain scores by 50%. However, there is no FDA-approved supplement for diabetic neuropathy.
One study found that a high dose of cholecalciferol (the vitamin D-like substance found in animal fat) can lead to normal levels of 25-OH vitamin D. This may result in better skin microcirculation and reduce the severity of neuropathic symptoms.
Another study found that vitamin D deficiency can increase the likelihood of developing painful diabetic neuropathy. Vitamin D supplementation can help relieve neuropathic symptoms and improve balance. In addition, it may help improve the inflammatory markers and symptoms of peripheral neuropathy.
A study found that a combination of vitamin D and training can improve symptoms of sensory-motor neuropathy. However, the study had limitations such as a small sample size and the study did not have a control group.
Exercise
Getting exercise is one of the best ways to fight diabetes-related neuropathy. Not only will it help to reduce symptoms, it can also preserve the function of the nerves. Exercise can improve circulation, insulin sensitivity, and muscle tone. Exercise can also improve balance and reduce your risk of falls.
Exercise has been shown to reduce pain and improve nerve conduction velocity. Exercise training has been shown to improve neuropathic pain in patients with HIV-related distal symmetric polyneuropathy, and a body of observational research suggests that exercise can lower your risk of neuropathic pain.
A number of experimental studies have examined the benefits of exercise training for diabetic peripheral neuropathy. These studies used two different types of exercise training. One of these types involved low-intensity aerobic exercise and resistance exercises. The other type of exercise training included a high-intensity aerobic exercise program and some resistance exercises.
The low-intensity aerobic component was a 5-minute warm-up, followed by 20 minutes of aerobic exercise on three days a week. The resistance exercises were performed at 50% of the 10-repetition maximum. A vitamin D supplement was added to the resistance training program.
A more complex type of exercise training, called HIIT (high-intensity interval training), included 8 s of vigorous-intensity sprinting followed by 20 minutes of low-intensity cycling. This program was followed by two weeks of adapting to the full exercise protocol.
A 12-week program consisting of two days of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise, followed by two days of resistance exercise was studied in adults with type 2 diabetes. Female adults with DPN were randomly assigned to either exercise training or vitamin D supplementation.
Capsaicin
Several studies have shown that capsaicin has an effect on neuralgia and diabetes. In particular, capsaicin can provide pain relief.
In one study, subjects with painful diabetic neuropathy (PDN) were randomly assigned to receive either a placebo or a high concentration capsaicin patch. After 60 minutes, the patch was applied to the skin, and removed in about three months. In the capaicin group, patients reported a more significant decrease in pain intensity than in the control group. The reduction in pain intensity was documented using a visual analog scale that ranges from 0 to 100 mm. The results also showed a significantly higher percentage of patients who reported that their pain had decreased by at least 30%.
Researchers have also studied the effect of capsaicin on postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) patients. In one study, patients were treated with NGX-4010, a high concentration capsaicin dermal patch. The patches were applied for 8 weeks, and pain was recorded using a physician’s global evaluation scale. The primary efficacy end point was a decrease in the visual analog scale for pain intensity. The secondary efficacy end point was a reduction in the Neuropathic Pain Scale.
Researchers have also studied the effects of capsaicin on sensory function. For example, Tandan R, Lewis GA, and Badger GB evaluated the effect of topical capsaicin on pain and sensory function. Other researchers include Malmberg AB, Martin WJ, and Julius D.
Various studies have shown that low doses of capsaicin may slow the regeneration of epidermal nerve fibers (ENF) in patients with diabetes. In contrast, the rate of reversible neurite degeneration in healthy volunteers was not significantly different after capsaicin treatment.
Over-the-counter pain relievers
Medications are available to help alleviate the pain associated with diabetic neuropathy. Choosing the right pain reliever for diabetic neuropathy depends on your symptoms, your doctor’s advice and your body chemistry.
Over-the-counter pain relievers can provide a short-term remedy for mild-to-moderate pain. They are safe and effective for short periods of time, but they are not a permanent solution. You may need to try more than one medication.
Some pain relievers are specifically formulated to treat nerve pain. These include tricyclic antidepressants, which treat nerve pain by increasing the chemical messengers in the brain that affect pain. Some antidepressants have fewer side effects than other pain relievers, such as amitriptyline.
Anti-seizure medications are also used to treat pain. These medicines stop the damaged nerve signals from sending pain messages to the brain. Anti-seizure drugs can cause side effects, including swelling and dizziness. They also increase the risk of heart attack.
Anti-inflammatory drugs are also used to relieve mild-to-moderate pain. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) reduce inflammation, reduce fever, and reduce swelling. They can be taken by mouth or intravenously. They are less effective than opioids, but they can help relieve pain. They may also cause liver damage, bleeding, and other side effects.
Acetaminophen is another type of pain reliever. It helps relieve mild-to-moderate pain by elevating your pain threshold. Although acetaminophen is effective, it can cause liver damage and increase the risk of heart attack.
Diet
Managing your blood sugar levels is the best way to prevent diabetic neuropathy. Getting rid of processed foods and sugar-contained products can make a big difference. You may also want to consider taking a plant-based diet. These types of diets have been shown to reduce pain in patients with diabetic neuropathy.
Plant-based diets are not only good for your overall health, but they can also improve glycemic control. Fruits and vegetables contain antioxidants that fight inflammation. They also help heal damaged nerves.
Plant-based diets are also easy to prepare. They are high in fiber and contain healthy fats. They can also improve blood flow.
Plant-based diets are often combined with exercise to reduce the pain of diabetic neuropathy. They also improve glycemic control and may reduce the medication burden in diabetic neuropathy patients.
In addition to plant-based diets, people with neuropathy should also avoid processed and high-sodium foods. Eating too much sugar can also aggravate symptoms.
Nuts and seeds are also good sources of healthy fat. They also provide antibacterial protection.
You should also avoid too much alcohol and smoking. Alcohol can expand the disease. Smoking can also increase your risk of neuropathy.
You should also get plenty of vitamins. Vitamins like vitamin B-12 are important for healthy nervous system function. They can be found in fortified cereals and poultry. You can also get vitamin D naturally from fatty fish and mushrooms.
You should also replace refined grains with whole grains. Refined grains have a high glycemic index and make it harder to control your blood sugar. Whole grains contain fiber, which can also help control overeating.
