What is Diabetic Neuropathy?
Diabetic nerve damage to the feet is clinically described as Diabetic Neuropathy, or diabetic Distal Symmetric Sensory Polyneuropathy. It recurrently causes people with diabetes to lose sensation in their feet—usually described as numbness. This severe foot condition can also present a severe burning pain that is quite unpleasant.
Treatment
Surgical options do not relieve patients from this condition. The most important step for proper pain management is correct diagnosis. Diabetes controlled prescription medication, skin creams, and pain-blockers can help manage pain.
New medications that treat diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain have been approved recently and can only be prescribed by your doctor. The medications are:
Cymbalta (duloxetine hydrochloride) – approved for use in the US in September 2004, and under review in the EU.
Lyrica (pregabalin) – approved for use in the US in December 2004 for the management of neuropathic pain associated with diabetic peripheral neuropathy and postherpetic neuralgia.
