Introduction
Diabetic neuropathy is an overwhelming complication associated with diabetes mellitus (Veves and Malik, 2007). This is because it has the tendency to cause incapacitating symptoms. It affects the peripheral nerves and results to development of foot complications. According to Kaur (2013), epidemiological data shows that the incidence of diabetic peripheral neuropathy is higher in patients with type 2 diabetes than in type 1diabetes. Certain risk factors are associated with the incidence of diabetic neuropathy. Some of these factors include the duration of the diabetes, high blood pressure, increased height, obesity, smoking, renal failure and low social economic status (Kaur, 2013).
Pathogenesis of Diabetic Neuropathy
Diabetic neuropathy because of diabetes may result based on certain diabetic states that develop causing impaired neurotropism, axonal transport and gene expression via a number of pathways. One of these pathways is through the alteration of excess glucose away from glycolysis by the polyol pathways, which depletes the cellular antioxidant capacity (Kaur, 2013). Additionally the glucose may be oxidized resulting to the alteration of the extracellular matrix and the intracellular proteins. The processes that develop the complex mechanisms may lead to damage, which results diabetic neuropathy.
Treatment of Diabetic Neuropathy
Several treatment approaches can be applied in the management of diabetic neuropathy. According to Holt (2013), blood glucose control is essential in the prevention of development of diabetic neuropathy. Therefore, patients with diabetic neuropathy need to achieve optimal blood glucose control. Since the condition is painful, recommended antidepressants used to manage the pain are the tricyclic antidepressants. However, because of their side effects, which include dry mouth and constipation, anticonvulsant gabapentin is recommended for the neuropathic pain (Holt, 2013).
References
Holt, P. (2013). Assessment and management of patients with diabetic foot ulcers. Nursing Standard, 27(27), 49-55.
Kaur, J. (2013). An Overview of Diabetic Neuropathy. Annual Review & Research in Biology, 3(4), 994-1012.
Veves, A., Malik, R. A., & Veves, A. (2007). Diabetic neuropathy: Clinical management. Totowa, N.J: Humana Press.
