Diabetic neuropathy is a condition that most often occurs in some patients with diabetes. Neuropathy has a variety of telltale signs and symptoms that can range in severity. For example, this condition affects the nerves, causing numbness, tingling, or muscle weakness. Patients with diabetic neuropathy may also have occasional shooting or stabbing pain in their feet and lower legs. Thankfully, doctors often recommend several natural treatments in combination with conventional medicine to manage neuropathy symptoms:
1. Lavender essential oils
Many people who have diabetic neuropathy understand how excruciating the pain can be. In addition to medication, essential oils can be used to provide pain relief. Lavender oil is one of the most effective essential oils for treating diabetic neuropathy pain. It has been shown to reduce inflammation, soothe itching, and relieve pain caused by the disease. Essential oils are usually available from an aromatherapist or naturopath; it is generally best to find a reputable one (in person or online) who specializes in essential oils for diabetics.
2. B vitamins
B vitamins may be useful in the treatment of diabetic neuropathy. They are a group of water-soluble vitamins and electrolytes that play roles in energy metabolism and nerve cell function. They have several known health benefits, including the treatment of anemia, depression, aging, liver disease, heart disease, and diabetes. What’s more, they can also help treat various symptoms of diabetic neuropathy, including decreasing pain and improving joint function, nerve function, muscle strength, heart rate and blood pressure.
3. Cayenne pepper
Cayenne pepper contains a substance called capsaicin that can help manage diabetic neuropathy (DN) symptoms. Ninety-three percent of patients who added cayenne pepper to their standard-of-care therapeutic regimen experienced a significant reduction in neuropathy symptoms. Consuming more cayenne pepper or applying a topical cream containing capsaicin can help improve sensation, pain, and fasting blood glucose levels in DN patients.
4. Acupuncture
Acupuncture is commonly used to provide relief for chronic and severe pain and is another natural way to manage diabetic neuropathy pain. Multiple studies have documented acupuncture’s anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving effects, including in cases of asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, epicondylitis, CRS1, and vasculitis. In addition to its effectiveness in treating pain, acupuncture has been shown to alleviate derangement in the motor, pre-motor, non-motor, and autonomic nerves, making it useful in treating various nervous system disorders.
5. Warm baths
Warm baths aid in managing diabetic neuropathy by deeply relaxing the lymphatic system. While in the warm bath, lymphatic fluid flows through your body, aiding in removing waste and toxins. This can help to relax your muscles and ligaments, relieving tension, pain, and soreness. The warmth of the bath can also allow blood to flow more freely throughout your body, increasing the circulation of nutrients and oxygen to treat nerve damage.
Failing to diagnose diabetic polyneuropathy can have severe repercussions, such as impairment and amputation, so treatment, natural or otherwise, should always be managed by a qualified doctor.
