the nervous system
In the following article, let us learn about the most prominent methods used to prevent diabetics from damage to the nervous system, and to know the relationship between diabetes and the nervous system.
Through the following article, we will learn about the most prominent methods that can help prevent diabetics from damaging the nervous system, in addition to knowing what the relationship between diabetes and the nervous system may be:
Diabetes and the nervous system
To find out what is the relationship that may link diabetes and the nervous system, and to know the methods used to prevent diabetic patients from damage to the nervous system, continue reading the following:
High blood sugar for many years can damage the blood vessels that supply nerves. Damaged nerves can stop sending messages, or they may send messages too slowly or at the wrong times. Nerve injury due to diabetes is called diabetic neuropathy.
Learn about the effect of diabetes on nerves in the following
1. Sugar and peripheral nerves
Peripheral nerves go to the arms, hands, legs, and feet. Damage to these nerves causes tingling and numbness in the hands, arms, legs, or feet.
These patients may not feel pain, heat or cold, and the patient may feel burning or tingling pains such as pins and these pains often worsen when sleeping.
These pains are mostly on both sides of the body, for example: in the feet, and it is possible to be on one side, and it is worth knowing that peripheral nerve damage can change the shape of the feet Because the muscles of the feet become weaker and the tendons become shorter, and that is why special shoes must be worn that fit and protect the feet.
2. Sugar and autonomic nerves
Autonomic nerves come from the spinal cord to the lungs, heart, stomach, intestines, bladder, and genitals, and damage to these nerves can lead to disruption of the passage of food through the digestive system, and this may cause nausea, vomiting, constipation, or diarrhea.
Sugar and the autonomic nerves of the stomach
Damage to the nerves of the stomach leads to gastroparesis, in which the stomach muscles become sluggish and don''t work well. This keeps food in them for a long time. Gastroparesis may contribute to making it more difficult to control blood sugar.
Sugar and the autonomic nerves of the penis
Damage to the autonomic nerves going to the penis prevents a normal erection during sex and this is what we call impotence, which is a common problem for many men with diabetes.
Sugar and the autonomic nerves of the vagina
Damage to the autonomic nerves going to the vagina may lead to vaginal dryness and dyspareunia.
Sugar and the autonomic nerves of the bladder
Injury to the autonomic nerves of the bladder leads to difficulty knowing when to go to the bathroom and difficulty knowing that the bladder is empty, and this leads to urine retention for a long time, which prepares for the occurrence of urine leakage.
It is also possible for the autonomic nerves going to the blood vessels to be injured, and this leads to making the blood move very slowly when changing the position of the body, and thus the inability to maintain a stable blood pressure when standing from a lying position, and this causes a feeling of dizziness and sometimes a fall.
3. Sugar and cranial nerves
Damage to the cranial nerves going to the eye muscles leads to the affected eye not moving in line with the healthy eye, and this causes double vision.
How to prevent diabetics from damage to the nervous system
After we got acquainted with the relationship that may link diabetes and the nervous system, we must now discuss ways to prevent diabetics from damage to the nervous system, if possible:
Maintaining blood sugar as close to normal as possible.
Refrain from drinking alcohol.
Pedicure.
Refer to the doctor when feeling that there is a problem in the body that may cause damage to the nervous system.
