Home Remedies For Leg Pain
Leg pain is a common problem, experienced by people of all ages. Pain can range from a dull ache to severe stabbing sensations. It can occur in one or both legs. Some leg pain may be simply uncomfortable and annoying, whereas severe pain can affect your mobility or make it difficult to put weight on your leg. Other symptoms may include weakness, numbness or a tingling sensation. There are various causes of leg pain. Most commonly, pain is due to a cramp, muscle spasm, muscle fatigue, nutritional deficiencies, dehydration or standing for a long time. At times, pain can be a sign of muscle strain, tendonitis or stress fractures (overuse injury). Certain medical conditions, such as deep vein thrombosis, restless leg syndrome, diabetes, arthritis, gout, varicose (spider) veins, and nerve damage can also cause this problem. Dull or minor pain in aleg often disappears within a few days. You can ease the pain with proper rest, keeping the affected leg elevated, and other simple home treatments. However, for severe pain that may be hampering your daily activities, consult your doctor. Here are the top 10 home remedies for leg pain. 1. Cold Compresses When leg pain occurs after strenuous physical activity, you can simply apply cold compresses. This will help reduce the pain by numbing the affected area and control swelling and inflammation. Apply this pack on the affected area for 10 to 15 minutes, while keeping the leg(s) elevated. Do this a few times a day. Note: Do not apply ice directly on the skin, as it may cause frostbite. 2. Massage Massage promotes faster recovery from muscle damage that causes leg pain. In a 2012 study published in the Science Translational Medicine journal, researchers concluded that 10 minutes of massage therapy attenuates inflammatory signaling afte Continue reading >>
Tips For Treating Diabetic Nerve Pain
Diabetes can cause long-term problems throughout your body, especially if you don’t control your blood sugar effectively, and sugar levels remain high for many years. High blood sugar can cause diabetic neuropathy, which damages the nerves that send signals from your hands and feet. Diabetic neuropathy can cause numbness or tingling in your fingers, toes, hands, and feet. Another symptom is a burning, sharp, or aching pain (diabetic nerve pain). The pain may be mild at first, but it can get worse over time and spread up your legs or arms. Walking can be painful, and even the softest touch can feel unbearable. Up to 50 percent of people with diabetes may experience nerve pain. Nerve damage can affect your ability to sleep, decrease your quality of life, and can also cause depression. Damaged nerves can’t be replaced. However, there are ways that you can prevent further damage and relieve your pain. First, control your blood sugar so the damage doesn’t progress. Talk to your doctor about setting your blood sugar goal, and learn to monitor it. You may be asked to lower your blood sugar before meals to 70 to 130 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) and your blood sugar after meals to less than 180 mg/dL. Use diets, exercise, and medications to decrease your blood sugar to a healthier range. Monitor other health risks that can worsen your diabetes, such as your weight and smoking. Ask your doctor about effective ways to lose weight or quit smoking, if necessary. Your doctor might suggest trying an over-the-counter pain reliever, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), aspirin (Bufferin), or ibuprofen (Motrin IB, Advil), which are available without a prescription but can cause side effects. Use a low dose for a short time to control your symptoms. Other options exist for stronger Continue reading >>
6 Best Fixes For Pain And Swelling In Your Feet And Ankles
Have you ever looked down at your ankles and feet, first not recognizing them as your own, then, realizing they are swollen? Whether from long days on your feet, travel or surgery, it happens. For pregnant women, it is almost inevitable. Swelling in your ankles and feet is uncomfortable, and sometimes it keeps you from moving freely. But, there are several ways to relieve swelling from everyday causes — and sometimes you can even prevent it, says podiatric physician and surgeon Georgeanne Botek, DPM, Head of the Section of Podiatry and Medical Director of the Diabetic Foot Clinic at Cleveland Clinic. She says swelling (or what doctors refer to as edema) happens when your body retains fluid in the lower legs, ankles and feet. It most often occurs on both sides of the body, and it’s not an emergency situation. “When it comes to swelling, it’s about management and getting through the day,” she says. “There’s nothing that’s necessarily curative.” RELATED: Lymphedema: What You Should Know About Your Risk, Treatment Options How to relieve swollen, painful feet and ankles You can often treat the symptoms of swelling that occurs on both sides of your body yourself, Dr. Botek says. Here are some ideas that can help: 1. Compression socks. Available at your local drug or grocery store, compression socks provide pain relief and prevent fluid collection in your legs, ankles and feet. They come in light, medium and heavy weights, so be sure you select a pair that isn’t too tight for your body. Dr. Botek suggests starting with lightweight ones that measure between 12-15 mm or 15-20 mm of mercury. 2. Elevation. Prop your legs up on an ottoman to help decrease swelling. Various yoga poses, such as lying on the floor with your legs raised and pressed against the wall, Continue reading >>
Patient Comments: Diabetic Neuropathy - Effective Treatments
Please describe what treatments have been effective for your diabetic neuropathy. These comments seem to address prevention or symptomatic relief of neuropathy. For cure, by addressing the underlying neuropathy, I was advocated alpha-lipoic acid and parenteral C-peptide, amongst others. I am a late-onset (age 67) type 1 diabetes mellitus patient and I have adopted these recommendations for about 10 years now (I am 85). This seems to have halted my neuropathic deterioration and maybe effected some improvement. I feel this is a research field well worth further study. I have been dealing with diabetic neuropathy for more than four years. I have been a diabetic since 1996 and I suffer also with gastroparesis, and also chronic intestinal pseudo obstruction. However, I take Lyrica 300 mg twice daily for the neuropathy. I have had an increase in weight of almost 25 pounds within 6 to 8 months. But the Lyrica seems to be the only thing that has helped. I also have a feeding tube for which I have had so many replacements, which my doctor says is due to the gastroparesis. I have had idiopathic neuropathy for 18 months. It is triggered by certain foods and drinks, and exacerbated by stress. Daily use of Forskolin, ALA (alpha lipoic acid), ALCAR (acetyl L-carnitine), evening primrose oil, and fish oil have gotten it under control. A lot of money and time spend researching and experimenting because neurologists and their drugs have been worthless. I've had periodic neuropathy nerve pain in my hands and feet for 9 months now. I control the pain by decreasing my sugar intake and using oregano oil with P 73 at bedtime and it works well. Wipe down hand and feet with rubbing alcohol and apply the oregano oil. The best and just about only effective treatment for my diabetic neuropathy ha Continue reading >>
Diagnosis
Print Diabetic neuropathy is usually diagnosed based on your symptoms, your medical history and a physical exam. During the exam, your doctor is likely to check your muscle strength and tone, tendon reflexes, and sensitivity to touch, temperature and vibration. Your doctor may also conduct tests that include: Filament test. Sensitivity to touch may be tested using a soft nylon fiber called a monofilament. Nerve conduction studies. This test measures how quickly the nerves in your arms and legs conduct electrical signals. It's often used to diagnose carpal tunnel syndrome. Electromyography (EMG). Often performed along with nerve conduction studies, electromyography measures the electrical discharges produced in your muscles. Quantitative sensory testing. This noninvasive test is used to assess how your nerves respond to vibration and changes in temperature. Autonomic testing. If you have symptoms of autonomic neuropathy, your doctor may request special tests to look at your blood pressure in different positions and assess your ability to sweat. The American Diabetes Association recommends that all people with diabetes have a comprehensive foot exam — either by a doctor or by a foot specialist (podiatrist) — at least once a year. In addition, your feet should be checked for sores, cracked skin, calluses, blisters, and bone and joint abnormalities at every office visit. Treatment Diabetic neuropathy has no known cure. Treatment for diabetic neuropathy focuses on: Slowing progression of the disease Relieving pain Managing complications and restoring function Slowing progression of the disease Consistently keeping blood sugar within a target range can help prevent or delay the progression of diabetic neuropathy and may even improve some of the symptoms you already have. Continue reading >>
Ten Ways To Treat Diabetic Neuropathy At Home
Millions of people suffer with diabetic neuropathy. Millions of people suffer with diabetic neuropathy. Medicines treating this condition can only decrease the nerve pain to about 50 percent. Because of this and the fact that many people do not like the side effects of the drugs, people are finding alternative methods for treating neuropathy. Experts say the trend toward self-care is a good thing and there are many things that you can do at home to help yourself decrease nerve pain. THE CAUSE OF DIABETIC NEUROPATHY Diabetic neuropathy is the result of nerve damage caused by the toxic effects of high blood sugars and poor circulation. As the condition progresses, numbness occurs in the feet, hands, and legs. Damage to the nerves can also cause them to misfire, causing extreme pain during simple touch responses or for no reason at all. People describe the pain as burning, electrical shocks or pins and needles. About 25 percent of diabetics report pain ranging from annoying to debilitating. Diabetic peripheral neuropathy is a complication of diabetes and the people dealing with the pain from this condition need to try other remedies than just medicines to help them manage the pain. Here are the top ten strategies for managing diabetic neuropathy at home. Some you may have heard about, some are new surprises. CONTROLLING BLOOD SUGAR When it comes managing the pain of diabetic neuropathy, nothing beats controlling the blood sugar. Doctors would agree that this is the No. 1 strategy and is probably the whole top ten. After all, it is the toxic effects of high blood sugar that brings on the pain associated with neuropathy. Studies have shown that diabetic patients who religiously control their blood sugar levels stop the nerve damage and improve the pain from neuropathy. In fa Continue reading >>
10 Home Remedies For Neuropathy
Neuropathy is the catch all term referring to nerve damage and pain with a number of different causes. Some types of nerve pain can improve with treatment and others get worse with time. Neuropathy is commonly caused by illness; some 50% of those suffering from neuropathy are diabetic – it is also a common side effect of certain medication, chemotherapy or the result of injury. The resultant nerve damage can cause nerves to misfire and send pain signals even where there is no reason for pain. Peripheral neuropathy can lead to pain, carpal tunnel symptoms or a feeling of numbness in the extremities such as the hands, feet and fingers and while researchers are making some strides regarding its treatment, the majority of sufferers continue to experience pain even with medical treatment. As a result, many sufferers of nerve damage are looking towards natural remedies as a feasible and safer alternative to pharmaceuticals and as a way to promote their general health. Home remedies vary from nutritional to herbal and while there is no guarantee that any one natural remedy will be successful in each case, experimenting with a variety of these natural treatments is safe and highly unlikely to cause adverse effects. While a complete cure will not be easy to come by and a visit to the clinic is often necessary, pain management through certain lifestyle changes can help to ease the symptoms of neuropathic pain. 1. Alpha Lipoic Acid Readily available online or at most health stores, Alpha Lipoic Acid is an essential fatty acid present in every one of the body’s cells. It produces energy and is essential to a variety of bodily functions. It acts as a potent antioxidant which rids the body of destructive free radicals and also acts to convert blood sugars into energy. There is ev Continue reading >>
Ayurvedic Medicine For Diabetic Neuropathy
Do you feel numbness and tingling in your hands and legs often? If these symptoms are followed by tiredness, muscular cramps and indigestion, it is time to seek medical help. These signs indicate diabetic neuropathy. Diabetic people have the tendency to develop neuropathy. It is a condition in which the peripheral nerves get damaged in the body due to diabetes. It makes you experience tingling or pain in your feet or hands generally. Although it commonly affects feet and hands, it can potentially afflict any part of your body. Almost half the people with diabetes are susceptible to developing diabetic neuropathy with time. It can occur either due to type 1 or type 2 diabetes. Most of the people with nerve damage are unaware of this condition, till it is diagnosed by the doctor during routine checkup. Symptoms of Diabetic Neuropathy The symptoms of diabetic neuropathy vary from person to person. The damage to the nerves may happen in any part of the body. These symptoms generally come up in cases of diabetes that are more than 25 years old. Here are some of common signs of nerve damage due to diabetes: Pain, numbness, tingling in hands, feet, arms, thighs and legs Weakness Degeneration of muscles in feet or hands Constipation or diarrhea Nausea, vomiting or indigestion Erectile dysfunction in men Vaginal dryness in women Urinary problems Dizziness due to drop in blood pressure after suddenly standing up Sharp pain or cramps in the body These symptoms of diabetic neuropathy are not comprehensive. There are different types of diabetic neuropathy with varying symptoms. What causes Diabetic Neuropathy? Diabetic neuropathy is basically caused by prolonged high blood glucose levels in the body. However, the nerve damage happens due to the combinations of other factors too. The Continue reading >>
Peripheral Neuropathy And Diabetes
Pain. Tingling. Numbness. If you have a type of nerve damage from diabetes called diabetic peripheral neuropathy, chances are you've experienced these symptoms, especially in your hands and feet. The discomfort can affect your mood, sleep, and overall quality of life. Prescription medications can help. But research shows that they only ease the pain by about 30% to 50%. How can you bridge the gap? Learn how you can get relief now -- and prevent the condition from getting worse down the road. If don't manage your diabetes, your blood glucose levels get too high. Over time, excess blood sugar can damage your peripheral nerves. These connect your brain and spinal cord to the rest of your body. That could set the stage for diabetic neuropathy. If you bring your blood sugar into the healthy range (a hemoglobin A1C reading of 7% or lower), you'll reduce your risk of nerve damage by 60%, according to research from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. "Healthy blood sugar levels can slow the process and ease the pain of diabetic neuropathy," says Aaron I. Vinik, MD, PhD, the director of the research and neuroendocrine unit at Eastern Virginia Medical School. How can you keep your blood sugar in check? First, talk to your doctor. "A rapid drop can actually make the pain worse," Vinik says. Your doctor can suggest changes to gently bring your levels down into the healthy zone, like: Eat a diet high that's in fruits, vegetables, low-fat dairy, and whole grains; contains a moderate amount of fish, poultry, nuts, and beans; and has a very low amount of red meat. Manage your stress levels. Exercise for at least 30 minutes, 5 days a week. If your doctor prescribes medication for your blood sugar, take it as recommended. Acetaminophen, aspirin, ibuprofe Continue reading >>
20 Best Home Remedies For Neuropathy Pain In Hands, Legs & Feet
Neuropathy describes a problem with the human nerves, often the “peripheral nerves” as opposed to the “central nervous system”. The term neuropathy mentions to a wide area and a large number of nerves, but the problem caused will depend on the kind of nerves which are impacted, including motor nerves, sensory nerves, and autonomic nerves. Your peripheral nervous system connects the nerves from your spinal cord and brain, to the rest of the body, including your arms, hands, legs, feet, internal organs, face and mouth. Peripheral neuropathy is an ailment happening when the nerves malfunction because they are destroyed or damaged. This will disrupt the normal functioning of our nerves. They may send signals of pain when there is something harming you or even nothing causing pain. It could be because of systemic illness, an injury, an inherited disorder, and an infection. Peripheral neuropathy is uncomfortable. Some basic information about neuropathy you should acknowledge before learning home remedies for neuropathy pain in hands, legs and feet will be mentioned right below. Do not skip them if you want to get rid of neuropathy symptoms once and for all! What Are Symptoms Of A Neuropathy? No matter the cause of neuropathy, this condition is associated with some characteristic symptoms. Despite some people with neuropathy might not have symptoms, some specific symptoms are still common. Each nerve in your peripheral system has a particular function, so the symptoms will depend on the kind of nerves impacted. Nerves are divided into: Sensory nerves receiving sensation, like pain, temperature, vibration or touch from the skin. Autonomic nerves controlling functions like heart rate, blood pressure, bladder and digestion. Motor nerves controlling your muscles. The sympt Continue reading >>
Diabetes Leg Pain And Cramps: Treatment Tips
Diabetes can lead to a variety of complications. Leg pain and cramps often occur as a result of nerve damage called diabetic neuropathy. If diabetes damages nerves in your arms or legs, it’s called diabetic peripheral neuropathy. This condition can be a direct result of long-term high blood sugar levels (hyperglycemia) in those who have diabetes. Pain, burning, tingling, and numbness are common symptoms. Peripheral neuropathy can also result in serious foot and leg conditions. Catching nerve damage early is important in preventing symptoms. This can help prevent lower leg amputations. You have options for alleviating leg pain and cramps due to diabetic neuropathy. Managing leg pain and cramps may also help prevent the condition from progressing and improve your quality of life. Diabetic neuropathy is most common in the legs and feet. Without treatment and management, it can become debilitating. The most important thing you can do to lower your risk of all complications, including diabetic neuropathy, is to keep your blood sugar level within the target range. If you have neuropathy, controlling blood sugar is still very important. But there are some other steps you can take to help control this condition. One of the first courses of action is pain management through medication. Over-the-counter medications, such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen, may help alleviate mild to moderate pain. Two medications are currently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treating diabetic peripheral neuropathy: Other medications and treatment options include the use of opioid medications, such as tramadol and tapentadol, and topical remedies and sprays. Certain dietary supplements may also help ease pain, including leg discomfort associated with diabetes. Some nutrie Continue reading >>
24 Natural Home Remedies For Neuropathy Pain In Feet And Hands
Peripheral neuropathy is a condition which describes damage to the peripheral nervous system, which transmits information from the brain and spinal cord to the rest of the body. This can result in pain, loss of feeling, and inability to control muscles. As with any other condition, there is no “one size fits all” remedy for those suffering from this malady and treatment may vary depending on the cause and severity. However, many individuals find relief using natural remedies. Here are the top 24 Natural Home Remedies For Neuropathy Pain In Feet And Hands I. Overview Of Neuropathy – Symptoms And Causes: Peripheral neuropathy usually leads to anesthesia and pain in the feet and hands. People often describe the peripheral neuropathy pain like burning or tingling, while they can compare to the numbness feeling when wearing thin gloves. Nerve damage is the main cause of peripheral neuropathy. It may be the result of problems such as trauma, infection, exposure to toxic substances, and metabolic problems. One of the most popular triggers of this disease is diabetes. In many situations, symptoms of peripheral neuropathy can be improved by time – especially if it is caused by a curable underlying disease. In this article, I would like to show my readers in Vkool.com some basic knowledge of this disease as well as home remedies for neuropathy which are safe and simple to apply. Firstly, you will need to look at the causes of the disease. 1. Causes: There are many risk factors which can lead people to suffer from neuropathy disease. It is not always simple to determine the causes of peripheral neuropathy, because of the numerous factors which can cause neuropathy (neuropathies). The triggers contain: – Expose to poisons: This exposure can include a number of toxic subst Continue reading >>
Home Remedies For Muscle Cramps
Almost everyone experiences a muscle cramp at some time in their life. It is especially common among people who participate in sports. In fact, muscle cramps afflict 39 percent of marathon runners, 79 percent of athletes and 60 percent of cyclists at one time or another. These sudden and involuntary contractions can occur in different muscle groups. Most commonly affected are the muscles in the back of the lower leg and the front and back of the thigh. Muscle cramps may also happen in the abdominal wall, arms, hands and feet. Intense sharp pain is the most common symptom. It can also be accompanied by swelling, soreness and inflammation. In some cases, a hard lump of muscle tissue develops beneath the skin. A muscle cramp can last from a few seconds to 15 minutes or longer. In many cases, the exact cause isn’t known. However, it often results from overuse of your muscles while doing some kind of exercise. Other causes include muscle injuries, dehydration, poor circulation and a deficiency of a mineral like calcium, magnesium or potassium. It can also be associated with medical conditions like restless legs syndrome, spinal nerve compression, alcoholism, pregnancy, kidney failure, diabetes and hypothyroidism. Medicines are generally not needed to treat an ordinary muscle cramp. However, to speed up the recovery time and lessen the discomfort, you can try some simple home remedies. To begin with, start stretching and massaging the affected muscles. You can also apply heat to relax the tense muscles. 1. Cold Compress After the initial heat treatment or after the pain has improved, use a cold compress on the sore muscles to provide complete relief from a muscle cramp. The cold temperature will numb the pain, reduce inflammation and allow the affected muscle to relax. Plus Continue reading >>
7 Natural Diabetic Neuropathy Treatments That Work
Diabetes itself is extremely common, affecting about one in every three adults in the U.S., and diabetic neuropathy is one of the most likely complications to develop as a side effect because high blood sugar levels affect nerve fibers throughout the body. Neuropathy is a pathological condition that encompasses more than 100 different forms and manifestations of nerve damage, both in people with diabetes and those without. (1) Diabetic neuropathy (also sometimes called peripheral neuropathy) is the term for nerve damage caused by diabetes, a chronic condition that occurs when the body doesn’t use the hormone insulin properly. Neuropathy can form anywhere but is most likely to affect nerves running through the limbs, hands and feet. Not every person with diabetes symptoms develops complications such as neuropathy, but many do. In fact, up to 60 percent to 70 percent of all diabetics experience some form of neuropathy. For some people, only mild symptoms develop from nerve damage, such as tingling or numbness in the limbs. But for others, neuropathy causes a good amount of pain, digestive issues, problems with the heart and blood vessels, the inability to go about life normally, and even death if major organs are affected badly enough. Diabetic neuropathy can trigger a cascade of events that lead to even more serious complications. Just like with diabetes itself, there is no known “cure” for peripheral neuropathy, only ways to manage it and stop progression, similarly to the natural treatments for diabetes. It’s a dangerous problem to have, but fortunately most people are able to keep it under control by regulating their blood sugar levels, changing their diets and adopting healthier lifestyles overall, all of which help control their diabetes. 7 Natural Remedies Continue reading >>
32 Home Remedies For Diabetes
Even though it looks much the same as any other foot, the diabetic foot requires special attention. Why? Nerve damage is common with diabetes, especially in the lower extremities. Blood vessels are damaged as a result of the disease and circulation is decreased. When this happens, feet and legs tend to be cold and sores heal slowly, in some cases taking years to heal. This can easily lead to infection. Nerve damage can also decrease your ability to feel sensations in your feet, such as pain, heat, and cold. That means you may not notice a foot injury until you have a major infection. A common complaint from many people is, "My feet are killing me!" For a person with diabetes, that statement could be all too true. Loss of nerve function, especially on the soles of the feet, can reduce feeling and mask a sore or injury on the foot that, if left unattended, can turn into an ulcer or gangrene. Neuropathy, damage to the nerves, is a common problem for people with diabetes. It occurs most often in the feet and legs, and its signs include recurring burning, pain, or numbness. In addition to being painful, neuropathy can be harmful because if it causes a loss of feeling in the foot, even a minor foot injury may go undiscovered. In extreme cases, this can lead to serious infection, gangrene, or even amputation of the limb. Because of this, people with diabetes must be meticulous in caring for their feet. Moderate exercise, such as walking, cycling, or swimming, are best for people with diabetes. Because people with diabetes have to take some extra precautions while exercising, you will need to work with your health-care provider to design an exercise program that is right for you. For example, since exercise lowers blood glucose, you will need to learn how to maintain the correc Continue reading >>
