The American Academy of Neurology (AAN) recently issued a new
guideline for the treatment of diabetic neuropathy, also called
diabetic nerve pain. The condition is the result of nerve damage
caused by high blood-sugar levels associated with diabetes.
According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive
and Kidney Diseases, 60 to 70 percent of people diagnosed with
diabetes also have neuropathy, with the level of risk rising
with age and the longer one has diabetes. The experts
interviewed by Neurology Now say the AAN guideline adequately
summarizes most of the current treatment options, although some
believe it is too heavily weighted towards pharmaceutical
remedies. “The first thing I still do is tell my patients with
diabetic neuropathy to start exercising. After all, what's
better than having your own body remodel your nerves?” says
Thomas Chelimsky, M.D., professor of neurology at Case Western
Reserve University School of Medicine in Cleveland, OH, and
Director, Autonomic Division, University Hos