Know About Diabetic Neuropathy, Cervical Radiculopathy, and Lumbar Radiculopathy

Diabetic neuropathy often originates in a person who has been suffering from diabetes for quite a few years. Diabetes affects the nerves and the patient complains of unbearable burning pain over the lower legs and feet. This pain often occurs in a stocking glove pattern. Discoloration and skin changes might also be noticed as the condition deteriorates. Initial treatment of diabetic neuropathy focuses on medications and glucose control. At times, the condition is so advanced that advanced treatment is required with a spinal cord stimulator. This treatment might be effective for long term pain management.

Cervical radiculopathy and lumbar radiculopathy are caused by irritation or compression of nerves as they exit the spinal column. Radiculopathy symptoms comprise numbness, pain, weakness, or tingling in the legs or arms. Most patients suffering from radiculopathy respond satisfactorily to conservative treatments that include medications, chiropractic treatments, or physical therapy. Radiculopathy can often resolve with six weeks to three months.

Radiculopathy risk factors are activities that put repetitive or excessive pressure on the spine. Those involved in contact sports or heavy labour are more susceptible to developing radiculopathy than people with a sedentary lifestyle.

When radiculopathy occurs in the lower back, the condition is known as lumbar radiculopathy and when it occurs in the neck, the condition is termed cervical radiculopathy. Radiculopathy is a condition caused by a compressed nerve in the spine which may cause pain, weakness, numbness, or tingling along the length of the nerve.

Cervical Radiculopathy- An Injury to the Cervical Spine

The conditions suffered by a human body in which one or more nerves are harmed and do not function properly is called radiculopathy. Injury or damage at the nerve root level causing pain, weakness, numbness, or difficulty in controlling particular muscles is known as a radiculopathy. It is caused mainly due to the compression or irritation of the nerves as they egress the spine.  An injury to the cervical spine leads to cervical radiculopathy; it is a dysfunction of a cervical nerve root. 

It is the damage or hindrance of the nerve function caused due to the compression of one of the nerve roots near the cervical vertebrae. 

You may also suffer from lower back pain that may eventually lead to Lumbar radiculopathy. It is a painful condition suffered by patients when a nerve in their lumbar spine (lower back) is pinched or irritated. If you damage your discs (natural, spongy cushions between your vertebrae allowing your spine to move) then this can lead to a pinched nerve in your lumbar spine. Injury to your disc leading it to get displaced and thus pinch the nerve in your spine.  

If you are diabetic than you are more prone to nerve damage or compression. The damage or injury to your nerves due to diabetes is known as diabetic neuropathy. Most of the people with diabetes suffer from some kind of nerve damage. It is more commonly found in people who have had the diabetes from a long time. This can further lead to various other problems. However, you can help delay or prevent nerve damage by keeping a check on your blood glucose levels. But, if you have already suffered from nerve damage then it will help you to prevent or delay further damage. You can also opt for other treatments to reduce pain and other symptoms.