Unfortunately, there is no cure available for diabetic neuropathy. For this reason, many people who are diagnosed with this medical condition are encouraged to enroll in a clinical trial. Traditional treatment for diabetic neuropathy focuses on:

Relieving Pain
Inhibiting the progression of the disease
Managing potential complications and restoring normal functions
Relieving Pain

There are several medications which are used to relieve the pain that is associated with diabetic neuropathy, but they don't produce the same effects for everyone and most cause some side effects. However, there are a number of alternative therapies available for patients with this disease. Some people have obtained a measure of pain relief with the help of acupuncture and capsaicin cream (derived from chili peppers). Many health care experts apply these alternative treatments in conjunction with prescribed medications.

Inhibiting the Progression of Diabetic Neuropathy

If you have been diagnosed with diabetic neuropathy, keeping your blood sugar levels within the appropriate but narrow target range can inhibit disease progression and can help improve your symptoms. Research has shown that people who maintain strict control over their blood glucose levels can reduce their risk of diabetic neuropathy by up to 60 percent.

If you would like to protect your body from further damage after being diagnosed with this disease, then remember the following:

Maintain strict control over your blood pressure
Pay attention to what your health care provider advises for proper foot care
Adapt a healthy diet
Maintain a healthy weight for your body type
Get plenty of regular exercise
Quit smoking
Avoid or limit your consumption of alcohol to no more than a single drink per day for women and two per day for men

Managing Complications and Restoring Normal Function

There are a number of complications which can be caused by diabetic neuropathy, but there are specific treatments which are used in these situations:

Digestive Complications: If you are experiencing gastroparesis, the first thing you'll want to do is eat smaller meals more times a day. Mainly, you want to reduce the amount of fiber and fat you are consuming. Dietary alterations and certain medications can help alleviate issues with constipation, diarrhea, and nausea.

Urinary Tract Problems: In order to prevent a loss of bladder control, certain behavioral techniques, antispasmodic medications, and other devices such as a ring that can be inserted into the vagina in order to prevent urine leakage (called pessaries). In more severe cases, a combination of these diabetic neuropathy treatments could be used.

Sexual Dysfunction: Diabetic neuropathy can cause certain sexual dysfunction in both men and women. For men, tadalafil (Adcirca, Cialis), sildenafil (Revatio,Viagra), and vardenafil (Levitra, Staxyn) can help overcome these issues, but these medications won't always work for everyone. Women can make use of vaginal lubricants to overcome sexual dysfunction caused by this disease.

Orthostatic Hypotension: If you have experienced some low blood pressure upon standing, this can be helped with simple lifestyle changes such as drinking more water everyday, avoiding alcohol, and standing up slowly. In some cases, your doctor may prescribe an abdominal binder and compression stockings. There are also several medications which can be used to treat orthostatic hypotension.