Diabetic neuropathies are actually a group of nerve disorders that occur due to diabetes. Over time, individuals with this chronic illness can experience nerve damage in their bodies. Moreover, some individuals have nerve damage, but still, don’t have any symptoms.
Other individuals might have signs such as numbness, pain, or tingling in the legs, arms, feet, and hands. Nerve issues might develop in every organ system such as the heart and the digestive tract.
Approximately 60 to 70 % of individuals with the disease have a specific form of neuropathy. They might develop nerve issues at any time. However, the risk increases with the longer duration of the condition and with age.
Highest Rates
The highest rates of this condition are found among individuals who have had the disease for more than 25 years. Also, it seems to be more common in individuals who have issues controlling their blood sugar, also known by the name blood glucose.
In addition, they are common in overweight individuals and individuals with high blood pressure and high levels of cholesterol.
Signs of Nerve Damage
- Weakness;
- Pain, numbness, or tingling in the fingers, toes, arms, feet, hands, and legs;
- Issues with urination;
- Faintness or dizziness because of the drop in the blood pressure after sitting or standing up;
- Constipation or diarrhea;
- Vomiting, indigestion, or nausea;
- Wasting of the muscle in the hands or feet.
Natural Treatments for This Condition
In the past ten years, many individuals have started using omega-3 fish oil supplements. These supplements come with many health benefits. Fish oil comes with vital fatty acids.
These fatty acids are necessary for the body, to grow and develop correctly. Bear in mind that the body doesn’t produce omega-3 naturally, meaning that the only way to get is through diet.
And the best natural source of omega-3 fatty acids is fish oil. But can this fish oil help with diabetic neuropathy?
Study Of Fish Oil 
Web MD and fish oil supplements might help restore the damaged nerves to a healthy state.
Mark Yorek, the lead researcher of the study, said that the fish oil might be easy to take, similar to a vitamin and it might have only a few side effects when combined with other drugs.
The beneficial properties of this supplement lie in its omega-3 fatty acids. These acids can help lower inflammation, improve control of blood glucose, the function of the liver, the health of the eyes, and lubricate the joints.
The researchers did is that they studied how fish oil changed nerve sensitivity in lab mice. These lab mice had diabetes, and they were getting fish oil injections.
They were compared with a group of healthy mice who actually didn’t get any fish oil supplements.
Results of the Study
According to the results of the study, although fish oil wasn’t connected to reduced sugar levels, it was linked to improved nerve health. As a matter of fact, both measures of sensory signal transmission and nerve density improved in those mice who took the injections.
According to the lead researcher, there is a need for more research, such as clinical trials with human participants. But according to animal studies, fish oil might help treat some of the harmful effects which this chronic condition has on the nerves.
These researchers intend to do more studies so they can show that the treatment with fish oil might help treat specific effects of diabetes on the nerves.
They want to show that this is possible even if the disease has been poorly treated for an extended period.
