HOMOEOPATHY FOR DIABETIC NEUROPATHY

Diabetic neuropathy describes the nerve damage that is caused by the persistently raised blood sugar found in diabetic individuals. The risk of diabetic neuropathy increases the longer a person has diabetes and neuropathy affects up to 50% of individuals with the condition.

Diabetic neuropathy is a complication of diabetes that results in damage to the nervous system. It is a progressive disease, and symptoms get worse overtime.

In some diabetics, the onset does not cause any symptoms. Some , however may develop  pain, tingling, or numbing across the extremities such as the fingers, hands, arms, legs, and feet. These symptoms may be mild at first and not cause concern until the condition has progressed to a more advanced stage. However, with some types of neuropathy the onset of pain may be sudden and severe. Nerve damage may also affect other organs such as the heart, digestive tract and sex organs.

Causes

The persistently high levels in the blood seen in diabetes eventually leads to narrowing of the small blood vessels that supply nerve endings with vital nutrients and oxygen. Without this supply of nutrients and oxygen , nerve fibers become damaged or even disappear.

Types   & Symptoms

The term neuropathy is used to describe several types of nerve damage. In people with diabetes, there are four main types of neuropathy.

Peripheral diabetic neuropathy. It is the most common type of diabetic neuropathy and causes pain and numbness in peripheries such as toes, feet and hands.

Signs and symptoms may include:

·         Numbness or reduced ability to feel pain or temperature changes

·         Tingling or burning sensation

·         Sharp pains or cramps

·         Increased sensitivity to touch- for some people even a bed sheet’s weight can be painful

·         Serious foot problems, such as ulcers, infections, and bone and joint pain

Automatic neuropathy. Automatic neuropathy affects systems that are regulated by autonomic nervous system , causing changes in bowel movements, bladder control, sexual function and blood pressure for example.

Signs and symptoms may include:

·         A lack of awareness that blood sugar levels are low (hypoglycemia unawareness )

·         Bladder or bowel problems

·         Slow stomach emptying ( gastroparesis), causing nausea, vomiting and loss of appetite

·         Changes in the way the eyes adjust from light to dark

·         Decreased sexual response

Proximal neuropathy. This type of neuropathy often affects nerves in the thighs, hips, buttocks, or legs. It can also affect the abdominal and chest area.  It causes pain in the thighs, hips, or buttocks, and leads to leg weakness.

Signs and symptoms may include:

·         Severe pain in the hip and thigh or buttock

·         Eventual weak and shrinking thigh muscles

·         Difficulty rising from a sitting position

·         Severe stomach pain

Focal neuropathy or mono neuropathy .  There are two types of focal neuropathy-cranial and peripheral .  Focal neuropathy or mononeuropathy  describes damage to a specific nerve. This type of neuropathy often comes on suddenly and usually causes pain in the face, leg, or torso.

Signs and symptoms may include:

·         Difficulty focusing or double vision

·         Aching behind one eye

·         Paralysis of one side of face-Bell’s palsy

·         Numbness and tingling in hands and fingers, except little finger

·         Weakness in hand that may cause to drop things.

HOMOEOPATHIC REMEDIES

Homoeopathy today is a rapidly growing system and is being practiced all over the world. It strength lies in its evident effectiveness as it takes a holistic approach towards the sick individual through promotion of inner balance  at mental, emotional, spiritual and physical levels. When diabetic neuropathy  is concerned there are many effective medicines available in Homoeopathy , but the selection depends upon the individuality of the patient , considering mental and physical symptoms.

ARSENICUM ALBUM:  Burning pain in hands and legs. Paralysis of lower limbs with atrophy. Tingling in fingers. Fingers cannot be extended. Feet weak, weary and numb. Ulcers on soles and toes. Restless feet. Wooden feeling in soles. Cramps in calves. Creeping sensation in hands and feet with numbness.

CADMIUM SULPH: Sensation or feeling of ants crawling in the extremities deep in the muscles. Numbness of limbs. Crawling sensation in paralyzed parts.

CAUSTICUM:  Numbness and trembling of hands. Paralysis of limbs. Paralytic feeling in right hand with paralysis of tongue. Unsteady walking and easily falling. Cramps in calves, feet toes and Achilles tendon.

CONIUM MACULATUM: Muscular weakness, especially of lower limbs. Fingers and toes numb. Hands weary, heavy, trembling, and unsteady.

HELONIAS DIOICA:  Feet feel numb, when sitting. Severe pain in right hip joint, worse during motion. Sore pain in outer side of thigh. Sensation as if cool wind streamed up calves.

HYPERICUM PERFORATUM:    Crawling in hands and feet. Sharp pain in upper and lower limbs. Tingling, numbness, and burning.

KALI PHOSPHORICUM:  Paralytic weakness of legs. Prickling in hands and feet. Pain with depression and subsequent exhaustion.  Numb finger tips. Paralytic lameness in back and limbs, worse from exertion. Foot feels frost –bitten.

OXALIC ACID:  Numbness and tingling in hands and feet. Numbness extends from shoulder to fingertips. Weak, trembling hands and feet. Hands cold as if dead.  Drawing and sharp pains shooting down limbs.

PHOSPHORIC ACID:  Great weakness and debility of limbs. Pain at night as if bones were scraped. Formication in limbs. Cramps in upper arms and wrists. Numbness along radial nerve. Great sexual weakness.  

PICRIC ACID:  Great weakness, tired, heavy feeling all over the body, especially hands and legs. Acute ascending paralysis.  Pins and needle sensation in hands and legs. Feet cold. Cannot get warm.

PLUMBUM METALLICUM:  Paralysis of lower limbs with muscle wasting. Pain in atrophied limbs. Weakness and  painful lameness  of arms and hands. Pain in muscles of thigh come in paroxysms. Cramps in calves. Stinging, tearing, twitching, tingling, numbness and tremor of limbs.

SULPHUR:  Cold feet in day timewith burning soles at night, wants to find a cool place for them, put them out of bed to cool them off. Cramps in calves and soles at night.

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