Can you get diabetic neuropathy in your hands?

Ah, the age-old question that has kept people up at night for centuries… Ok, maybe not centuries, but definitely a few nights of tossing and turning. The answer is yes, you can get diabetic neuropathy in your hands.

Before we dive into the nitty-gritty details of this topic (I know, I know – the anticipation is killing you), let’s first define what diabetic neuropathy actually is.

What Is Diabetic Neuropathy?

Diabetic neuropathy is nerve damage caused by diabetes. When someone suffers from high blood sugar levels over an extended period of time (hyperglycemia), it can lead to injury or damage to their nerves throughout their body. This includes nerves that control movement and sensation (motor and sensory nerves) in the feet and legs, as well as other parts of the body like our hands.

There are four different types of diabetic neuropathy:

Peripheral Neuropathies

This type affects mostly patients’ legs and feet.

Autonomic Neuropathies

It occurs when there are issues with involuntary bodily functions such as bladder function or heart rate regulation,.

Proximal Neuropathies

This happens on thigh hip pelvis areas both affecting motor ability .

Focal Neuropathies

Localized numbness or weakness – typically strikes only one nerve group

Signs & Symptoms

You’re probably wondering how does one actually recognize if they have diabetic neuropathy? Well worry no more – Below are some common signs & symptoms:

• Numbness/tingling sensations.
• Weakness/muscle wasting
• Sharp pain/cramps
• Loss of reflexes

Side note: If you are experiencing any combination these symptoms please contact a healthcare professional ASAP! Don’t just rely on WebMD self-diagnoses! Trust me; you won’t regret it.

Can You Get Diabetic Neuropathy in Your Hands?

Now we’ve arrived at the moment you’ve been waiting for (drumroll, please)… YES, you can get diabetic neuropathy is your hands!

Our hands perform countless of daily activities so it’s important to understand early on that any kind of nerve damage could be problematic. However, just like with peripheral neuropathies that affect our feet and legs , symptoms usually progress gradually over time.

This means that it’s crucial for people suffering from diabetes to get their blood sugar levels managed properly through lifestyle changes or medication , especially if they start sensing any unusual sensations in their fingertips or palms.

Side note: The reason why high glucose levels particularly create a greater risk on one’s extremities (hands & feet ) is because these parts of the body are furthest away from the heart – making them more likely targets due to poor circulation .

Diagnosis

Let’s say now you’re experiencing some strange symptoms such as tingling sensations or numbness in your hands after years of living with type 1 diabetes.There’s no need for panic but an immediate test called electromyography will put things into perspective whether you actually have developed diabetic neuropathy currently impacting motor nerves .

MRI and CT scans might also be used depending on how severe your condition appears given a positive diagnosis

Once again, if ever uncertain about anything related to diagnosing yourself (cough WebMD cough), a medical professional should always be consulted 💊💡

Treatment

So far we’ve gone through what diabetic neuropathy is and its symptoms along with when/how to go get diagnosed by experts after noticing something not being normal 🚨🚨But let’s talk about treatment options available shall we? 😌Here are some examples:

• Antidepressants/anti-seizure drugs
• Capsaicin cream
• Painkillers
• Vitamin Supplements

Even with these treatments, it is important to remember that diabetic neuropathy doesn’t have a known cure — at least not yet 🤞 Future research may bring some groundbreaking revelations but the goal for now is always trying to manage your blood sugar levels, maintain healthy eating habits and stay active through everyday exercise activities.

Prevention

Let’s end on a positive note: How can we prevent diabetic neuropathy? Well one word (actually two): prevention and control! Here are some tips:

• Keep blood glucose levels under control
• Refrain from alcohol consumption
• Exercise regularly
• Eat healthier diet focused on fruits vegetables  and protein..

Keep in mind that nerve damage takes time to develop so this means that you should certainly prioritize making such lifestyle changes as soon as possible. You know what they say, better late than never!

Conclusion

So there you have it folks, everything you need to know about diabetic neuropathy affecting our hands.However; I hope with this comprehensive guide / funny tour 😉🌟of information ,we’ve provided insight into how one can steer towards best practices in regards their health while also being entertained along the way. #GoodbyeFarewellAmen