Diabetic neuropathy is the condition where the peripheral nerves are damaged or compressed due to uncontrolled sugar levels in the blood. The high glucose levels exert great damage to the delicate nerve fibers carrying information to and from the brain and the spinal cord to the rest of the body. This damage results in tingling, burning, numbing and pain sensations in the hands and feet. Diabetic neuropathy can be extremely dangerous if not treated instantly.

Undiagnosed and uncared diabetic neuropathy cases have had to suffer huge complications such as foot ulcers, foot infections and amputations.
However, home care and self management techniques can overturn the tables and alter the consequences. Diabetic neuropathy patients have to live with the terror of the risk filled disease everyday and they have a constant urge to look for a better and more effective solution. The compassionate drive to reach for a better living paves a path for better things.

Home remedies for diabetic neuropathy

Warm baths: They are soothing and refreshing for the nerves. A warm bath can greatly alleviate your neuropathy pain and leave you feeling satiated. But check the water temperature before stepping in the bath as too warm water will prove injurious to your feet.
Taking vitamin B supplements: Vitamin B is essential for nerve growth and repair. A research showed that most diabetic neuropathy sufferers were also showing a vitamin B deficiency. This proved that insufficient vitamin B levels promoted the progress of neuropathy in the body.

Vitamin B1, B12, B6 and B3 (folic acid) are a potent treatment for diabetic neuropathy. Check the dosage with your health care advisor before purchasing a supplement. Recent studies have proved that benfotiamine (fat soluble form of thiamine vitamin B1) is very effective in reducing the diabetic neuropathy pain and the symptoms associated with it.
Fish oil: Recently fish oil has been stamped as a diabetic neuropathy friendly food. The natural oil has good fatty acids and anti-inflammatory properties. It aids in improving the diabetic neuropathy condition and reducing the pain.
Avoiding foods that can aggravate your diabetes: Most diabetics believe that drinking diet Coke and diet juices is allowable in diabetes. However, that is not the case. Diet juices and soft drinks use artificial sweeteners such as aspartame which is as harmful as consuming sugar. Junk foods, fast foods, processed foods and other fatty foods are also harmful to the nervous system. You can try incorporating healthy and low fat foods such as whole grains, legumes, beans, low fat milk, fresh fruits and vegetables to get optimal nutrition for supporting healthy nerve function.
Using apple cider vinegar and cayenne pepper: Take ½ cup of apple cider vinegar and combine with it less than ¼ tsp of cayenne pepper. Both have natural healing properties. Dip a cotton ball in the mixture and apply it on the pain site area. You can repeat the procedure 2-4 times a day depending upon your own immunity against the burning hot sensation of the cayenne pepper.

Self care techniques for diabetic neuropathy

Managing your blood sugar levels: This is the first and foremost step in diabetic neuropathy self care and perhaps the most important. If sugar levels in the blood are not controlled, they can cause further damage to the nerves, most of which is irreversible. Controlling diabetic neuropathy at the earliest possible stage lets you harbor hopes of reversing the damage done. Reducing blood sugar levels have also shown to reduce the diabetic neuropathy pain.
Massaging hands and feet: A regular massage at night is perhaps the best self care technique for diabetic neuropathy. It improves blood circulation, reduces muscle tension and improves nerve function. A daily massage will also melt away your depression and will smooth down your anxiety levels. Moreover, while you massage your feet and hands, any blister or wound will not go unnoticed by you. Immediate care and treatment will prevent mild injuries from turning in to major complications.
Wearing comfortable shoes: You can purchase special shoes to prevent getting any aches or blisters on your feet. Avoid wearing heels or tight fitting shoes. Wear slippers and house gloves at home. Avoid treading on uneven or rough surfaces.
Losing extra weight: Obesity is highly damaging for a diabetic peripheral neuropathy patient. A person can effectively lose weight by eating small portions of meal five times a day instead of eating huge meals three times a day.
Regular exercise: Regular exercise is the key to decreasing your risk of diabetic peripheral neuropathy. You can get the advice of your health care specialist on special exercises for your condition. Brisk walks are a great way to lose weight and they work for everybody.

Treating diabetic neuropathy is not the work of a day but it can take a lifetime to witness a reduction in pain. However, every effort in making your life better is a worthwhile effort and every diabetic neuropathy patient should harbor a passion to move ahead each day in life.