Many of you may not know this, but diabetes has a direct connection with neurological disorders. This is because high blood sugar levels can directly affect your nerves, causing several complications. Proper diabetes management, such as maintaining blood sugar levels, adopting a healthy lifestyle, and regular medical check-ups from a top endocrinologist or diabetes specialists in Bhubaneswar & Cuttack can help.
8 Neurological Diseases Caused by Diabetes
Diabetic Neuropathy
Possible Causes: Poorly controlled blood sugar, duration of diabetes.
Symptoms: Numbness, tingling, pain, weakness in feet and legs.
Treatment: Blood sugar management, pain relief medications, nerve-stimulating medications, and lifestyle changes.
Focal Neuropathies
In Focal Neuropathies, where diabetes can cause localized peripheral nerve disorders affecting isolated parts of the body instead of the entire body. This includes the face, legs, arms or torso. Common examples include carpal tunnel syndrome, and radial nerve palsy, which is triggered by inflammation, compression or entrapment of a single nerve due to persevered higher glucose levels.
Possible Causes: Diabetes duration, blood sugar fluctuations.
Symptoms: Weakness, and pain in specific nerves (e.g., carpal tunnel syndrome).
Treatment: Blood sugar control, physical therapy, pain management, surgery in severe cases.
Autonomic Neuropathy
Diabetes can damage the nerves that control your involuntary bodily functions such as the digestive system, heart rate control, pupillary reflex and bladder functions. This disorder is known as Autonomic Neuropathy. High blood sugar deprives blood flow and makes your Nerve fibres of the autonomic system prone to dysfunction and degeneration.
Possible Causes: Long-term diabetes, and poor blood sugar control.
Symptoms: Gastroparesis, cardiovascular issues, bladder dysfunction.
Treatment: Blood sugar management, medications for symptom relief, lifestyle modifications.
Finding the best diabetologist in Kendrapara is made easier with BCure’s comprehensive database of healthcare professionals. Discover experienced diabetologists from Bhubaneswar, and Cuttack and fix an appointment in Kendrapara, who offer personalized care and effective management strategies to address your diabetes-related concerns.
Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD)
Although it doesn’t fall exclusively within the category of neurological disorders, Peripheral Artery Diseases (PAD) can commonly be seen in people with diabetes. It happens when arteries get narrowed and restrict blood circulation typically in the legs, but can also affect your arms, stomach, kidneys, and head.
The reduced circulation can cause neuropathy, and increase the risk of foot ulcers and amputations.
Possible Causes: Diabetes, smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol.
Symptoms: Reduced blood flow to legs and feet, leg pain while walking.
Treatment: Blood sugar control, medications (e.g., antiplatelet drugs), exercise, lifestyle changes, angioplasty or surgery in severe cases.
Diabetic Neuropathic Pain
Diabetic neuropathic pain is characterized by debilitating pain caused by nerve fibre damage caused by diabetes. The nerve fiber abnormalities and dysfunction are caused by the mechanism known as Hyperglycemia which shoots pain signals. Some people may experience severe pain that may be widespread or to a specific part of the body.
Possible Causes: Long-term diabetes, poorly controlled blood sugar.
Symptoms: Severe, debilitating pain.
Treatment: Medications (e.g., antidepressants, anticonvulsants), topical treatments, physical therapy, and lifestyle changes.
Whether you’re seeking pain management treatment for neurological conditions or diabetes management, BCure empowers you to make informed decisions about your healthcare journey. Trust BCure to connect you with the best neurologist or diabetologist near you, ensuring optimal care and support at every step.
Stroke
Diabetes significantly raises the likelihood of experiencing a stroke, which is a serious neurological event resulting from the disruption of blood flow to the brain. It can cause various abnormalities in the blood vessels by damaging it over time. This increases the patient’s chance of developing atherosclerosis, and plaque builds up within the arteries.
Atherosclerosis impedes blood flow to the brain. If a blood clot is formed within these vessels, it can completely blood flow to the brain, causing ischemic strokes. Furthermore, diabetes weakens and damages the blood vessel walls, making it susceptible to rupture. This increases the risk of hemorrhagic strokes, where bleeding occurs directly into the brain tissue due to a ruptured blood vessel.
In short, Individuals with diabetes have an increased risk of both ischemic strokes (caused by blood clots) and hemorrhagic strokes (caused by bleeding in the brain).
Possible Causes: Diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking.
Symptoms: Sudden weakness or numbness, difficulty speaking or understanding speech, vision problems, severe headache.
Treatment: Emergency medical care, clot-busting medications, rehabilitation, lifestyle changes.
Cognitive Impairment
Some studies suggest a link between diabetes and cognitive decline, including conditions such as mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s disease. The underlying mechanisms associated with diabetes and dementia remain unclear but likely involve insulin resistance, blood vessel abnormalities and glucose toxicity damaging neurons.
Possible Causes: Diabetes, age, genetic factors.
Symptoms: Memory loss, difficulty concentrating, confusion.
Treatment: Blood sugar management, cognitive therapy, and medications for symptom management.
Hypoglycemia-Related Neurological Complications
Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) can lead to neurological symptoms such as confusion, dizziness, and seizures if severe. While hypoglycemia can occur in anyone using insulin or certain medications to manage diabetes, people with diabetes are at increased risk.
Possible Causes: Insulin use, certain diabetes medications.
Symptoms: Confusion, dizziness, seizures.
Treatment: Immediate intake of fast-acting carbohydrates, glucagon injection if unconscious, adjusting insulin or medication dosages.
Book the Best Neurologist and Diabetologist in Odisha
Bhubaneswar and Cuttack, two prominent cities in Odisha, India, are home to esteemed neurologists and diabetologists who can provide expert care tailored to your needs. Utilize BCure’s online platform to explore a curated list of top-rated healthcare providers, complete with patient reviews and detailed profiles highlighting their expertise and experience.
When searching for the best neurologist or diabetologist near you, BCure simplifies the process by considering factors such as proximity to your location, specialization, and patient satisfaction ratings. By leveraging BCure’s resources, including recommendations from your primary care physician and insights from local healthcare communities, you can confidently choose a healthcare provider who meets your specific requirements.
