Diagnosis of diabetic neuropathy.

Been diagnosed?

The diagnosis of diabetic neuropathy is rather simple. Many people have already had the diagnosis by the time they come in to our clinic. Usually it consists of complaining to your doctor that your feet are numb and tingly, and having your doctor say “It’s probably neuropathy, since you’re diabetic”. This is most likely correct.

Any time that there is a loss of sensation in the feet and toes, and you have diabetes, it’s typically diabetic neuropathy. While this makes diagnosis simple, it’s important to make sure there aren’t any other issues that could be causing it. Lumbar radiculopathy, and disk issues, and several other health problems can lead to numbness and tingling in the feet. It’s important to rule these out, before assuming the diagnosis of Diabetic Neuropathy.

There are multiple other causes of neuropathy, including statin (cholesterol) drug use, blood pressure medication, smoking, and chemotherapy. It’s important to note that whatever the cause, the mechanism is the same – damage to the small fiber nerves.

Diabetic neuropathy typically starts in the feet, usually in the toes. Sometimes the pads of the feet (right behind the toes) feel strange. They can give a sensation like your socks are bunched up or you are walking on bubble wrap.

Off to Toronto

For people in clinic, we do testing (using a modified version of the Toronto Clinical Scoring Method) This gives us a score out of 40 points, to help us identify whether you have a diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy, or other condition. This method of testing indicates how severe the neuropathy is. This allows us to redo the testing later on in care, and measure improvement. This scoring consists of testing how a patient feels vibration, light touch, and pin prick on their foot and toe, compared to the back of the hand or arm. It’s very subjective, but that is the only simple way of testing for neuropathy. And since neuropathic pain is very subjective, this method works well.

The only objective method is to do a biopsy, and look at the “c” fibres under a microscope. It’s invasive, and not really very much fun for the patient.

Home Doctoring

Naturally, since you have found NeuroWellness online, you won’t be able to come in to have testing done, and be diagnosed (Unless you live in central Alberta) It’s always best to know what you are dealing with, so you should see your doctor, and find out the cause of your numb, tingling, burning feet. Then you can make informed choices about what to do to stop, and even reverse your neuropathy.

Once you know, there are many scientifically proven, natural things you can do to stop, and reverse your neuropathy. That’s what we are all about here at NeuroWellness.