"Lately, I've been experiencing a strange feeling, like there's a thin piece of paper stuck to the soles of my feet." If you're in your 40s or older and experiencing symptoms like this, it could be a warning sign from your nerves. Ignoring it as mere numbness could lead to irreversible consequences
This article provides a detailed explanation of the relationship between discomfort in the hands and feet and diabetes, as well as the hope for nerve repair through the latest regenerative medicine
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Why you shouldn't take "just numbness" lightly
Prolonged high blood sugar levels can damage the nerves (sensory, motor, and autonomic) throughout the body. Damage to sensory nerves can cause numbness, pain, and coldness in the extremities. As the condition progresses, it can also affect motor nerves, often leading to muscle weakness and difficulty walking
Furthermore, if the autonomic nervous system is affected, it can cause dizziness, abnormal sweating, indigestion, diarrhea or constipation, urinary problems, and erectile dysfunction. Since abnormalities in the cardiovascular autonomic nervous system can increase the risk of sudden death, caution is necessary. If the condition worsens and blood flow to the extremities and immunity decrease, there is a risk of bacterial infection leading to gangrene. Because pain sensation is reduced, detection is often delayed, and in the worst cases, it can lead to lower limb amputation
Why high blood sugar damages nerves
When glucose in the blood enters Schwann cells (cells that transmit nerve impulses) in peripheral nerves, it is converted into a substance called sorbitol by the action of aldose reductase. Sorbitol is further converted into fructose, but when blood sugar levels are high, this sorbitol accumulates excessively. As a result, the cells are unable to function normally, leading to serious nerve damage
Currently, aldose reductase inhibitors have been developed to inhibit the action of aldose reductase, which helps to slow the progression of symptoms. To ensure the drug takes effect at the time when blood glucose levels are highest after meals, aldose reductase inhibitors are generally taken 30 minutes before meals. In addition to this mechanism, other causes of nerve damage include the narrowing of tiny blood vessels that supply nutrients to nerves and the binding of glucose to proteins that make up nerves
Blood sugar management and self-care to halt the progression of numbness in the hands and feet, and new hope for nerve repair
Numbness in the hands and feet can also be caused by other conditions, such as carpal tunnel syndrome, where the nerves in the fingers are compressed. Therefore, it is important not to self-diagnose, but to undergo tests such as sensory and reflex tests, and tests to measure nerve conduction velocity using weak electrical currents. Compare the test results with your symptoms, get a correct diagnosis, and then proceed to appropriate treatment
The basis of treatment is blood sugar control
If you are diagnosed with diabetic neuropathy, the foundation of treatment is blood glucose management through three pillars: diet therapy, exercise therapy, and medication therapy. Regardless of the treatment you choose, controlling your blood glucose levels is essential as a foundation. If you cannot manage your blood glucose levels on a daily basis, the treatment for neuropathy will not be fully effective
Lifestyle adjustments to improve subjective symptoms
Self-care can also be effective in alleviating the unpleasant symptoms you experience every day
- Numbness or pain in the feet: Massaging or warming the area to promote blood circulation may alleviate the symptoms. Warming the area while being careful not to burn yourself, and walking a little while enduring some pain within a comfortable range, can also be effective
- Constipation: Under the guidance of a doctor, laxatives are used appropriately to regulate bowel movements
- Urinary problems: If you experience difficulty urinating or have a large amount of urine in the morning, you should have a urologist check for other conditions such as benign prostatic hyperplasia
- Dizziness upon standing: It is recommended to avoid standing up suddenly and instead take steps such as raising your upper body, turning to the side, or sitting down in a chair. Using a slightly higher pillow when sleeping can also be an effective measure
However, these are merely symptomatic treatments that alleviate the symptoms, so blood sugar control in cooperation with your primary physician is essential for a fundamental solution
New hope for nerve repair
Until now, it has been considered extremely difficult to repair nerves once they have been damaged. However, in recent years, regenerative medicine involving the transplantation of progenitor cells and stem cells has been attracting attention as a new treatment method
This is because some reports suggest that the secretion of abundant cytokines (intercellular signaling molecules) from transplanted cells may improve nerve function, tissue blood flow, and nerve morphology. However, this is still in the research stage and requires further verification. In fact, improvements were reported in a mouse model in 2012. This treatment method, which aims to repair the underlying nerve tissue, is expected to become a new treatment option in the future
Sources: Japan Society of Clinical Internal Medicine | Easy-to-Understand Disease Series 1 "Diabetic Neuropathy"
; Monthly Diabetes 2011/3 Vol.3 No.3 | Treatment of Diabetic Neuropathy 4 Regenerative Medicine
; Transplantation of Neural Crest-Like Cells Derived from Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells Improves Diabetic Polyneuropathy in Mice.
summary
A feeling of discomfort in the soles of your feet may be a warning sign of diabetic neuropathy. If left untreated, it can lead to serious complications such as gangrene and lower limb amputation, so it is crucial to first address the issue of proper blood sugar management. Furthermore, research is currently underway to repair lost nerve function, including regenerative medicine using stem cells. If you have any concerning symptoms, it is recommended that you consult a medical institution as soon as possible before it is too late