Diabetic neuropathy. Helping patients cope with their pain.
Diabetic neuropathy may have a metabolic or an ischemic origin, and the pattern of nerve damage varies by cause. Treatment should address the underlying cause. Patient reassurance, relaxation techniques, glucose control, use of tricyclic antidepressants or anticonvulsants, and surgical decompression for entrapment neuropathy are currently the mainstays of treatment. Physicians must reassure these patients that neuropathic pain is temporary.
Department of Neurology, Hennepin County Medical Center, Minneapolis, MN 55415.
M J
MJ
Belgrade
B I
BI
Lev
D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000779:Anesthetics, Local / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003929:Diabetic Neuropathies / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology; D059408:Pain Management
D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D000927:Anticonvulsants; D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic