You’ve been diagnosed with diabetes-related nerve damage (neuropathy). You're probably wondering, "now what?"To start, your doctor will put you on a treatment plan. The main goals of the plan will be to relieve pain and reduce complications that might come from diabetes and neuropathy.Luckily, there are many treatment options available to you. We'll walk through some of them below. Just make sure you consult your doctor or your care team to choose the right one for you!

Control Your Blood Sugar

Monitoring your blood sugar will slow down the overall progression of diabetic neuropathy and can also lower your risk for nerve damage.

• Eat well - Enjoy a balanced diet that focuses on fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. You might want to find a Certified Diabetes Educator to guide you if you need help choosing the best foods to eat and how to incorporate them into your diet.
• Exercise - Aim to move for at least 30 minutes a day. Find an activity you enjoy, like walking, hiking, or swimming. Exercise is not only good for your body but will also help with any stress or mental health issues you may also be experiencing.
• Quit smoking - Smoking can worsen nerve pain by reducing blood supply. If you’re having trouble quitting, talk to your doctor about different strategies you might try to help.

Medication

There are various medications available that your doctor may suggest in order to reduce pain symptoms. Here are some of the different kinds you can try:Over-the-Counter

• Topical creams or ointments like capsaicin
• Familiar painkillers like Tylenol, Aspirin, or Ibuprofen

Prescriptions

• Antidepressants can help if you're feeling sad or depressed
• Anti-seizure drugs can also help with any nerve pain you're experiencing from neuropathy

Know Your Feet

Nerve damage caused by diabetic neuropathy can cause serious pain in your feet. Follow these tips to proactively keep an eye out for any injuries or ulcers:

• Check your feet daily for signs of redness or injury
• Keep track of your foot health in a mobile app or journal so that you can compare how your feet feel every day with any activities that might be causing problems
• Wash and dry feet carefully and regularly
• Wear the right socks and footwear for protection - make sure you ask your doctor about your footwear!

Disclaimer: Diabetic neuropathy symptoms may vary from individual to individual. Please consult with your doctor before pursuing any of the actions listed above. [comment]