Diabetes and Diabetic Amyotrophy

There are several types of diabetic neuropathy and diabetic amyotrophy is one of them. The disorder that affects the parts of the nervous system other than the brain and the spinal cord or the peripheral nervous system is called neuropathy. Here are the types of diabetic neuropathy:

1. Autonomic Neuropathy – autonomous parts of the body are affected and are the most commonly internal organs like bladders, intestines, heart, lungs and even the eyes and sex organs.

2. Peripheral Neuropathy – the nerves at the end of the limbs are affected. Effects are usually first observed in the fingers and toes.

3. Mononeuropathy – any nerve in the body can be affected with sudden pain that will eventually go away.

4. Diabetic Amyotrophy – this usually occurs in older patients and with Type 2 diabetics.

Unlike the most common diabetic neuropathy that starts from the ends of the limbs, diabetic amyotrophy starts from the mid section of the body, most commonly in the hip, buttocks or in the thigh. Patients will most likely suffer from severe and sudden pain, usually on one side of the body. The pain will gradually increase in intensity and will start to cover both sides of the body and will travel down the limbs. Patients will also experience slight feeling of numbness, abdominal swelling, and weight loss and weakened or atrophied muscles. The progression usually lasts for six months and the condition of the patient will improve over the next two to three years.

Type 2 diabetics are most prone to diabetic amyotrophy. So what is diabetes? Diabetes is a metabolic disorder. Metabolism is the process of turning eaten foods to glucose to be absorbed by the body to form as energy. With diabetics, they are able to turn the convert food to energy form but are unable to absorb the glucose triggering abnormally high levels of blood sugar. This is either due to insulin deficiency or the failure of the insulin to function.

For Type 1 diabetes, the patient’s body is not producing insulin at all, and this is usually developed young. While for the Type 2 diabetes, the body is not producing enough or the insulin is not effective in absorbing the glucose to the body cells. Type 2 diabetes occurs during adulthood. To address the insulin deficiency of the body, insulin shots are required. Both Type 1 and 2 are incurable but the symptoms can be controlled and managed with insulin shots, other medications and proper type 1 and type 2 diabetes diet.

Both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes diet should be maintained. As all diets, healthy foods rich in carbohydrates, starches and fibers are recommended. Vegetables and fruits should be taken in abundance. To be avoided are processed meats, fatty diary products and sweets.

Maintaining a healthy body is the best way to avoid developing the type 2 diabetes. Excessive alcohol drinking, smoking and other vices should also be avoided. Exercising and living an active lifestyle is also important as obesity is a major factor to Type 2 diabetes. Everyone should regularly be tested for the glucose tolerance test. This is to ensure early detection and prevention of developing the Type 2 diabetes and avoidance from the diabetic amyotrophy.

To learn more about what is diabetes, then visit Douglas Kidder’s site and learn everything you want to know about diabetic amyotrophy.