Paisith Piriyawat
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Texas, USA
Title: Diabetic Neuropathy
Biography
Biography: Paisith Piriyawat
Abstract
Diabetic neuropathy is one of the most common complications of diabetes mellitus. Presentations may be either focal (asymmetric) or generalized (symmetric); either sensory or motor or sensorimotor; either painful or painless. Autonomic nervous system can also be affected. Foot ulcers may result as a complication from diabetic neuropathy and may lead to amputations due to ischemia or infection. Studies have been conducted to gain better knowledge about pathophysiology of diabetic neuropathy and several hypotheses have been proposed. While tight glycemic control may help delay the progression of the diabetic neuropathy, medical therapy may be used for certain neuropathy-related symptoms such as neuropathic pain, erectile dysfunction and orthostatic hypotension. Patients should have their glycemic control closely monitored. Feet should be inspected daily by patients and on every visit at the physician’s office. Confocal microscopy is another useful tool in assessing the status of neuropathy.