Breaking the Cycle of Pain In Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy

Abstract

An attitude of helplessness pervades both patients and health professionals when dealing with the problems of dia betic peripheral neuropathy. Those afflicted are often over whelmed by the pain and find themselves unable to fulfill the daily requirements of their diabetes regimen. The in consistencies in amounts and timing of meals, levels of ac tivity, and scheduling of insulin injections can result in hyperglycemia, a state that has been found to correlate strongly with the occurrence of nerve damage. Thus the pain perpetrates itself. For the health professional, having to confront this devastating pain without objective factors to assess and few scientific treatment measures to offer con tributes to a sense of inadequacy and ignorance. It is fre quently assumed that "nothing can be done." In reality, health professionals do have something to offer the person suffering from this condition. First, they can provide infor mation about the relationship between control and compli cations, and explain the need for the patient to change those behaviors that may be perpetuating the pain. Sec ond, and most importantly, health professionals can con vey support and confidence, without which many patients will be unable to make the changes in their behavior neces sary to resolve their pain.