Category Archives: Neuropathy

For diabetic neuropathy, R-ALA is an important nutrient.

20 of the Best Diabetes Websites

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For managing diabetes, information can be a lifesaver. If you’ve recently been diagnosed with diabetes, then it’s important to start educating yourself immediately. If you’ve been managing symptoms of type-1 or type-2 diabetes for years, then it’s helpful to check up on recent medical breakthroughs in glucose management and diabetic neuropathy.

Listed are 20 influential websites that provide a wealth of tips, resources, and medical advice for all aspects of diabetes. These include advocacy groups, community support forums, links databases, and medical information.

Tip: If you take metformin, then you may be at risk for severe vitamin B12 deficiency!  Here are some excellent B12 Patches for diabetics, and a vitamin B12 cream. 

Nervex is also very helpful for diabetic neuropathy, as it helps to provide natural nutritional support for nerve cell integrity.

20 of the Best Diabetes Websites

  1. SelfGrowth– Our company’s mission is to provide informative, quality Self Improvement and Natural Health information to help people improve their lives. We provide information ranging from Goal Setting and Stress Management to Natural Health and Alternative Medicine.
  2. Diabetes Self Management– Diabetes Self-Management is a publisher of authoritative, reliable health information for the growing number of people with diabetes who want to know more about controlling and managing their diabetes.
  3. Healio Diabetes Page– Designed as an in-depth specialty clinical information website, Healio.com features the industry’s best news reporting, dynamic multimedia, question-and-answer columns, CME and other educational activities in a variety of formats, quick reference content, blogs, peer-reviewed journals and a full line of popular book titles.
  4. Physician’s Briefing- Diabetes– By HealthDay, informational website with a large database of medical articles on diabetes and other illnesses.
  5. Pawluk– Board-Certified Family Physician, has training in Acupuncture, homeopathy, hypnosis and bodywork, is a national expert in the medical use of electromagnetics and energy medicine for more than 22 years.
  6. Healing Diabetes– Finding how to cure my diabetes is one of my missions in life and in this blog I share my experiences, research and advice on how to better control glucose and/or cure diabetes.
  7. T Minus Two– Personal blog on diabetes and mental health.
  8. endocrineweb– EndocrineWeb’s goal has been to provide patients with accurate and current information about endocrine disorders. In clear, straightforward language, we explain the causes and symptoms of these disorders and how they can be treated.
  9. Diabetes Developments– blog page for David Mendosa, freelance medical writer, advocate, and consultant specializing in diabetes.
  10. com Diabetes Health– About.com health section, administrated by diabetes expert Barbie Cervoni, RD, CDE.
  11. Healthline Diabetes– Healthline’s mission is to make the people of the world healthier through the power of information. We do this by creating quality health information that is authoritative, approachable, and actionable.
  12. butyoudontlooksick– Creator of the Spoon theory, online magazine about living life to the fullest with any disability, invisible disease, or chronic pain and features a collection of articles, personal stories, book and product reviews, health resource.
  13. American Diabetes Association– Advocacy network with a large selection of information, tips, and awareness campaigns for diabetes.
  14. Neuro Talk- Diabetes/Insulin Resistance / Metabolic Syndrome– Neuropathy community forum, this section focuses on all topics related to diabetes.
  15. Six Until Me– Personal blog about life with type 1 diabetes.
  16. The Girl’s Guide to Diabetes– Personal blog with resources, links and articles for diabetes among women.
  17. The Diabetes Resource– Very large database with hundreds of links to resources, medical articles, and parenting tips for diabetes.
  18. Diabetes Digest– Easy-to-read, up-to-date articles about all aspects of managing your diabetes, including weight control, blood glucose monitoring and medications.
  19. We Are Diabetes– We Are Diabetes is an organization primarily devoted to promoting support and awareness for the eating disorder diabulimia. We are dedicated to providing support, hope and resources to those who suffer from diabulimia, as well as to their families and loved ones.
  20. Children With Diabetes– The online community for kids, families and adults with diabetes.

Do you have any diabetes pages that you’d like to suggest? Please feel free to comment below!

For diabetic neuropathy, R-ALA is an important nutrient.

Alpha Lipoic Acid for Diabetes- R-ALA Benefits

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R Lipoic Acid, an over-the-counter antioxidant, is a powerful supplement for people suffering from neuropathy. Using Alpha Lipoic Acid for diabetes is a proven method for enhancing nerve cell functioning and relieving common symptoms of numbness, pain, itching and burning in the hands and legs.

What is R-ALA?

Alpha-lipoic acid is a nutrient that contains antioxidant properties. The R form, R-ALA, is the only type of alpha lipoic acid that your body is able to absorb thoroughly through the skin.

R-ALA is a superior form of antioxidant, as it helps to maintain healthy levels of other antioxidants, such as vitamin E, vitamin C, and Coenzyme Q-10. It also has therapeutic properties in helping to prevent signs of aging and sustaining a normal response to inflammation.

Alpha Lipoic Acid for Diabetes

Alpha lipoic acid has been the focus of numerous placebo-based studies on diabetic neuropathy, autoimmune disorder, and insulin resistance. For peripheral neuropathy, R-ALA destroys free radicals that trigger common symptoms of painful numbness, tingling, burning, and itching. Alpha lipoic acid may also be helpful for autonomic neuropathy symptoms that occur with diabetes, as well.

For diabetes, R-ALA increases antioxidant action and also promotes good circulation in the blood vessels adjacent to your nerve endings.

In a famous study, diabetic patients saw improvement after only a few weeks of alpha lipoic acid treatments.

“But it didn’t act only as a pain medication,” says neurologist Peter Dyck, MD. “Alpha lipoic acid seems to actually change the metabolism of the nerve or blood supply to the nerve, and we noted some relief in symptoms.”

Where the placebo group reported little change by the end of the study, the participants who received alpha lipoic acid treatments reported a dramatic decrease in pain symptoms by six points.

 

How does R-ALA help?

Alpha lipoic acid helps in many ways:

  • R-ALA helps to maintain healthy levels of antioxidant vitamins such as vitamin C and vitamin E.
  • It promotes good nerve cell functioning with diabetes.
  • Alpha lipoic acid is essential for breaking down of carbohydrates and producing energy.
  • R lipoic acid helps to protect your nervous system from harmful free radicals in pollution and chemicals.
  • People suffering from nerve pain have found optimal results with daily use of alpha lipoic acid supplements.

Where can I find R-ALA?

Alpha lipoic acid occurs naturally in many food items such as meat, but for neuropathy sufferers, it’s important to get more. In many studies, R-ALA is most helpful when dispersed directly into the bloodstream.

Nervex Neuropathy Pain Cream contains rich amounts of R-ALA, plus other helpful nutrients that promote good neurological health and relief from common aches and pains.

Buy Nervex neuropathy cream now

 

Buy Nervex Now! $19.95

Also read: Capsaicin Cream for Nerve Pain

Sources:

Antioxidant Soothes Diabetic Neuropathy: WebMD

University of Maryland Medical Center

NCBI: Alpha-Lipoic Acid and Diabetic Neuropathy

The Sensory Symptoms of Diabetic Polyneuropathy Are Improved With α-Lipoic Acid

35 Signs of Neuropathy to Watch

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The most common signs of neuropathy are chronic pain and numbness in the extremities (hands and feet), but there are many other important symptoms that sufferers don’t know to look out for. See this list of the most common signs of neuropathy.

35 common symptoms of neuropathy

If you experience any of the symptoms listed below frequently, then it’s important to tell your doctor immediately.

Neuropathy can occur from vitamin B12 deficiency, autoimmune illness, diabetes, alcoholism or several other underlying conditions.

35 signs of neuropathy

In a survey conducted on nearly 1,000 people diagnosed with some type of neuropathy, the majority reported experiencing some of the following symptoms moderately or severely:

  1. Tingling, stinging in the hands and feet
  2. Crushing fatigue
  3. Weak muscles
  4. Burning  sensations
  5. Chronic pain
  6. Painful numbness in the hands and feet
  7. Hypersensitivity in pain points on body
  8. Difficulty standing or sitting for long stretches
  9. Difficulty walking, gait disturbances
  10. Balance problems, dizziness
  11. Sensitivity to very cold and very hot temperatures
  12. Muscle spasms, twitching
  13. Fluctuating body temperature
  14. Pain that worsens in the evenings
  15. Itching in the extremities
  16. Lightheadedness when getting up
  17. Eye problems
  18. Crawling sensation
  19. Constipation
  20. Reduced reaction to pain stimulus
  21. Scalp irritation, itching
  22. Changes in perspiration
  23. Vertigo
  24. Diarrhea
  25. Increased heart rate
  26. Urinary Incontinence
  27. Reduced sensitivity to changes in temperature
  28. Nausea
  29. Head pain
  30. Reduced appetite
  31. Impotency
  32. Frequent urinary tract infections (UTI’s)
  33. Unhealthy weight loss
  34. Frequent vomiting
  35. Facial swelling

Neuropathy treatments

Treatment for neuropathy depends on the cause. For diabetic neuropathy, it’s important to wear tight socks and check your hands and feet frequently for cuts and bruises. Also, if you take metformin, then you may need to supplement with vitamin B12 regularly, as this diabetes drug prevents proper absorption of vitamin B12 in food, leading to vitamin B12 deficiency.

Peripheral neuropathy is a typical symptom of pernicious anemia (autoimmune vitamin B12 deficiency), so again vitamin B12 is rated as a crucial supplement for preventing symptoms.

Other treatments that help with neuropathy are pain relief creams, alcohol avoidance, exercise, smoking cessation, prescription medications for neuropathy.

What other signs of neuropathy have you experienced? If you found this helpful, then please share with others who suffer from neuropathy or are involved in neuropathy awareness groups.

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What Causes Peripheral Neuropathy?

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Peripheral neuropathy is caused by damage to the nerves outside of the central nervous system. Autoimmune disorder is one of many conditions linked to peripheral neuropathy, resulting in chronic neuropathic pain, reduced mobility, and organ failure.

What Causes Peripheral Neuropathy?

The peripheral nervous system

The peripheral nervous system connects the central nervous system (spinal cord and brain) to the rest of your body. Everything you touch, taste, smell, and see is filtered through your peripheral nerves. Even your controlled breathing, heart rate, and digestive functions are dependent on having a healthy peripheral nervous system.

With impaired peripheral nerve cells, you may suffer any of a number of debilitating  painful ailments. Diabetes, pernicious anemia from vitamin B12 deficiency, and alcoholism are a few examples of conditions that cause severe peripheral neuropathy. If treated in time, nerve damage can be minimized or prevented altogether.

Nerve damage is often preventable and treatable, only if caught on time.

What causes peripheral neuropathy?

Listed are some illnesses, lifestyle factors, and medical treatments that are risk factors for peripheral neuropathy.
Autoimmune disorders

If you have a history for immune system dysfunction, then your chances of developing neuropathy are higher than others. Intrinsic factor antibody disorder is one such example that occurs when your immune system continuously attacks intrinsic factor, a necessary enzyme for digesting vitamin B12.

Vitamin B12 is absolutely crucial for protecting the nervous system, as it helps to promote production of myelin, an insulating substance that protects each individual nerve cell. Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an illness that breaks down myelin and causes peripheral neuropathy- many doctors believe there is a link between long-term vitamin B12 anemia and MS.

As vitamin B12 levels plummet, your risk for developing neuropathic pain and damage increases incrementally.

Tip: If you have a family history for autoimmune disorder, then get tested for serum vitamin B12 regularly, and learn how to recognize the symptoms and causes of peripheral neuropathy.

Illnesses

Other illnesses and conditions that may cause peripheral neuropathy are:

  • Diabetes
  • Bell’s palsy
  • Kidney failure
  • Liver failure
  • Rheumatoid arthritis
  • Hepatitis B

Lifestyle choices

Alcoholism, smoking cigarettes, and sedentariness can also lead to peripheral neuropathy just by increasing your odds for cancer, organ dysfunction, and diabetes.

If you follow a vegan diet, then it’s essential to supplement with daily vitamin B12, in order to prevent peripheral neuropathy caused by vitamin B12 deficiency.

Medicine and surgery

Certain medications indirectly cause peripheral neuropathy by making you a high risk factor for vitamin B12 anemia. If you have been taking any prescription medication for several months, then ask your doctor to list all possible side effects that can occur over a long period of time.

Read List of Medications that Trigger Vitamin B12 Deficiency

If you have elected for gastrointestinal surgery, either for treatment of Crohn’s or for weight loss (gastric bypass), then it’s vitally important to take highly-digestible forms of vitamin B12 in order to prevent peripheral neuropathy.

Cancer treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation treatments often result in peripheral nerve damage.

Sometimes, during surgery, a doctor may accidentally strike a nerve, causing nerve damage that can be difficult to treat later.

What else causes peripheral neuropathy?

Please feel free to post questions or comments below.

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Neuropathy Awareness Week 2014- What is Dysautonomia?

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What is Dysautonomia? A disorder of the autonomic nervous system (ANS), and for Neuropathy Awareness Week 2014 (May 13-17), let’s find out more about this disabling condition affecting  millions of people, and linked to so many debilitating illnesses. Neuropathy Awareness Week 2014- What is Dysautonomia? If you suffer from dysautonomia, then get out your purple ribbon. Neuropathy Awareness Week 2014 (May 13-17) has begun, and it’s important to educate people about the signs and risk factors associated with dysautonomia, which represents a breakdown of the autonomic nervous system- sympathetic and parasympathetic.

What is dysautonomia?

Dysautonomia defines a host of illnesses that occur as a result of autonomic nervous system malfunctioning, or as a secondary side effect. Your ANS controls all your major bodily functions that occur in the background- things like heart rate, digestion, blood pressure and body temperature are all examples of round-the-clock tasks that our autonomic nervous system regulates while we’re busy working, sleeping, or eating. Neuropathy (nerve damage) in the autonomic nervous system results in symptoms of dysautonomia.

What are symptoms of dysautonomia?

Many conditions are linked with dysautonomia, such as diabetes, POTS, and Sjogren’s Syndrome. These occur when your body reacts inappropriately to trigger, such as weather, stress, or food. Metabolic disorder and thyroid disorder are also forms of dysautonomia that many people struggle with. Common symptoms of dysautonomia include dizziness, weakness, brain fog, erratic blood pressure, and stomach ailments. Neurocardiogenic syncope (fainting), the most common type of dysautonomia, affects nearly 22% of all people.

Treatment

Dysautonomia can be primary or secondary.  According to Dysautonomia International, there’s no cure for the disorder itself. Still, secondary illnesses that occur (such as diabetes, hypertension, Sjogren’s Syndrome) can be treated through medications, lifestyle changes, and supplementation of vitamins and minerals that increase energy and promote healthy nervous system functioning.

Have you been diagnosed with a form of dysautonomia? What do you do to control symptoms?