Diabetic neuropathy is a type of nerve damage caused by prolonged high blood sugar levels and is one of the most common complications of diabetes. Prevention and treatment focus on managing blood sugar levels, alleviating symptoms, and slowing the progression of nerve damage.
- Foot pain is common in people who have diabetes. It’s commonly caused by damage to the nerves and called diabetic neuropathy.
- Well-managed blood sugar levels can lower the risk of developing diabetic foot pain. Smoking cessation can help lower the risk too.
- Regular foot checks and exams are important for everyone with diabetes. Foot checks can help you avoid complications like foot ulcers and foot injuries.
Diabetes can impact almost every part of the body. Your legs, feet, and even toes are no exception. Many people with diabetes experience diabetes-related foot pain (also called diabetic foot neuropathy). The longer you have diabetes and the higher your blood sugar levels run, the more likely it is you’ll develop foot pain or discomfort in the future.
Why Gabapentin is Effective for Diabetic Neuropathy ?
Gabapentin is commonly prescribed for diabetic neuropathy due to its effectiveness in managing nerve pain. Here’s why it works well:
Mechanism of Action
- Gabapentin binds to the α2δ subunit of voltage-gated calcium channels in nerve cells, reducing calcium influx and decreasing the release of excitatory neurotransmitters (e.g., glutamate).
- This reduces the hyperexcitability of damaged nerves, alleviating pain.
Benefits for Diabetic Neuropathy
- Pain Relief: Gabapentin helps reduce burning, tingling, or shooting pain typical of diabetic neuropathy.
- Improved Sleep: Its sedative effects can help those whose pain disrupts sleep.
- Well-Tolerated: Gabapentin has a lower risk of addiction compared to opioid medications.
What are some risks of diabetic foot pain if you don’t get treatment?
Diabetes-related foot pain is more than just pain; it’s a warning sign from your body. This type of nerve pain can lead to other foot complications like:
- Dry, cracked skin: This may not sound too bad, but when your skin is too dry, your risk of getting skin infections goes up.
- Calluses: This is an area of thickened skin that has less feeling. People with diabetes get calluses faster and more often than those without diabetes.
- Ulcers: These are foot sores that develop due to poor blood circulation. All ulcers (no matter how small) need to be treated. Without treatment, they can become infected.
- Amputations: Foot infections can cause the skin and muscle tissues to die. Once this happens, it can’t be fixed. The only way to stop the infection from spreading to the rest of the body is to amputate part (or sometimes all) of the foot.
Diabetes-related foot pain can’t be cured. But treatment can keep it from getting worse. The best way to prevent or manage diabetic foot pain is by keeping your blood sugar in a healthy range. You can do this with the right diet, exercise, and diabetes medications.
Here are six things you can do at home to help manage your diabetes-related foot pain and prevent complications.
1. Check your feet
Check the bottoms of your feet every morning when you wake up and every night before you go to bed. Look for cuts, wounds, and anything else unusual.
2. Wear shoes around the house
When you have diabetic foot pain, you can’t always feel when you step on things. Wearing shoes helps to prevent cuts and injuries.
3. Follow up with your healthcare provider
It’s important to attend your regular healthcare appointments. Not only will your provider be able to perform foot exams, but they can catch problems early and keep them from becoming more serious.
4. Follow your diet plan
Just because diabetes-related foot pain isn’t reversible doesn’t mean it can’t be improved. The right diet helps keep blood sugar levels within a healthy range. You can work with a diabetes dietician to develop the right meal plans for you.
5. Stop smoking
Smoking damages your blood vessels and can worsen peripheral artery disease. Smoking cessation helps to improve blood flow to your feet.
If you’re having trouble quitting smoking, talk with your primary care provider or diabetes treatment team. They can recommend treatments and support groups that are right for you.
6. Have corns and calluses removed by a professional
Corns and calluses are areas of thickened skin that are less able to perceive pain and sensation. Treatment can help smooth these surfaces so that you can maintain better sensation in those areas. But don’t try to remove them on your own. This can lead to serious infections. Instead, work with a foot doctor (podiatrist) who is trained to care for people with diabetes.
What are treatment options for diabetic foot pain?
You can also take medication to help lessen symptoms from your diabetes-related foot pain. Here are some of the most commonly recommended ones:
- Pregabalin (Lyrica)
- Duloxetine (Cymbalta)
- Gabapentin (Neurontin)
- Amitriptyline (Elavil)
Over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), and naproxen (Aleve) don’t improve nerve pain.