For people in pain, a nerve block offers a safe, minimally invasive alternative to pain relief when other treatments have failed. Here’s what you should know.

What is a nerve block? 

Nerve blocks use a numbing medication and sometimes a steroid to prevent nerves from sending pain signals to the brain. This is a minimally invasive treatment that is most often used when your pain is unresponsive to other treatments, but it’s not yet time to consider a surgical response. It’s also a good treatment option for people who are not eligible for surgery.

In addition to treating acute pain, pain after surgery, and chronic pain, a nerve block can be used as a diagnostic tool.

If your doctor suspects that pain signals are originating from a certain nerve or group of nerves, they may recommend this procedure. And, if your pain is successfully relieved after this, you might be a good candidate for radiofrequency ablation (a more long-term pain treatment). If the pain is unrelieved, this means that those nerves are not the origin of your pain.

Benefits

There are a variety of nerve blocks that benefit many pain conditions. Some of the conditions treated with a nerve block include:

• Pre- and post-surgical pain
• Phantom limb pain
• Chronic headache
• Migraine
• Joint pain
• Sciatica
• Complex regional pain syndrome

They’re also often used as a treatment option when poor health or other conditions do not allow you to undergo surgery. In other cases, a nerve block can function as a diagnostic tool, confirming a diagnosis or prompting your doctor to look for other causes of your pain.

Research

Regardless of use, there is good support for nerve blocks in the research.

A 2019 study found that peripheral nerve blocks resulted in at least a 50% reduction of pain in the vast majority of study participants with chronic pain. Importantly, these patients also reported an improved quality of life after their nerve block.

For trigeminal neuralgia, a 2018 study reported that all participants were immediately pain-free following the block, and many remained that way for eight months following their block.

The outcomes for hip and knee replacement patients are even more promising. After looking at over a million patients, study authors concluded that patients who used nerve blocks during hip and knee replacements resulted in better outcomes than patients who opted out of this treatment. Complications were fewer, and hospitals stays were either decreased or eliminated entirely.

What are the different types of nerve blocks?

There are different types of procedures that usually correlate to the location of pain in the body. There is one major exception to this in the form of a peripheral nerve block, used in a more widespread manner.

These are the most common types of nerve blocks.

1. Occipital nerve block

Your occipital nerve originates in the cervical spine. Damage or injury to this nerve can cause migraine headaches as well as pain on the sides of your head and around the eyes.

An occipital nerve block, usually administered between the third and fourth vertebrae, can help ease this pain.

2. Genicular nerve block

The genicular nerves are located in the area in and around your knee joint. These nerves send pain signals when the knee joint is damaged, either through injury, trauma, or simple wear and tear. A genicular nerve block treats many different types of pain, including knee pain that occurs after knee surgery.

This type of nerve block is also especially effective for people with chronic knee pain who are not eligible for knee surgery. A genicular nerve block allows you to undergo other treatments like physical therapy to reduce overall pain.

3. Trigeminal nerve blocks

Your trigeminal nerve is located just in front of the ears on both sides of the head. Its branches innervate the skull, forehead, cheeks, nose, and jaw. Damage to the trigeminal nerve is responsible for some of the hardest-to-treat facial pain, often referred to as trigeminal neuralgia.

Pain originating from the trigeminal nerve can be triggered by something as light as a breeze. A trigeminal nerve block can offer relief while underlying causes are explored and treated.

4. Pudendal nerve block

The pudendal nerve begins at the back of the pelvis and then branches out in three directions from the sacrum. One branch innervates the rectum, and the other two bring sensation to the perineum and genitals.

For people experiencing pelvic pain, a pudendal nerve block can help. This pain may be caused by a catch-all condition called pudendal neuralgia, or it can occur due to injury to the region during childbirth or other trauma. Tumors or cysts pressing on this nerve can cause pain as well. A pudendal nerve block may also be administered during surgery to this area of the body.

5. Intercostal nerve block

Intercostal nerves are located in and around the spaces between the ribs. These nerves provide sensation to the entire diaphragm, including your upper chest, belly, muscles, and skin. Pain may be caused by conditions such as a shingles infection or surgery (including mastectomy) and any other post-operative pain.

For many, an intercostal nerve block injection offers relief after just one treatment. This allows the body to heal and recover with less pain.

6. Peripheral nerve block

Peripheral nerves innervate the entire body, allowing for movement, sensation, and motor control. A peripheral nerve block can block pain sensations from a larger region of the body.

Peripheral nerve blocks focus specifically on the nerves responsible for pain in a particular area of the body. The sciatic nerve is a good example of a peripheral nerve. It is the longest and widest nerve in the body, starting at the lumbar spine and traveling all the way across the buttocks, down the hip and leg and ending in the foot. A peripheral nerve block in the sciatic nerve can ease pain and other discomfort.

Peripheral nerve blocks may also be used for surgical procedures. Research indicates that you may recovery more quickly from certain surgeries in the short-term when your anesthesia plan includes a peripheral nerve block.

For chronic pain in the peripheral nerves, your doctor may offer you a continuous catheter nerve block. Instead of a single injection, they’ll place a catheter under the skin next to the affected nerves to deliver continuous medication.

7. Stellate ganglion block

Stellate ganglion nerve blocks diagnose but can also provide pain relief. This nerve group supplies sensation to the head, neck, chest, and arms and can be used to diagnose (and sometimes treat) any pain in the area.

This injection is administered into the stellate ganglion nerve through the front of the neck, just to the side of the voice box.

There are a variety of other nerve blocks, including celiac plexus blocks for stomach pain and brachial plexus blocks for pain the hands, arms, and shoulders.

What can I expect with a nerve block procedure? 

A nerve block procedure is conducted on an outpatient basis. Many people use only a local anesthetic, but if you are feeling anxious about the procedure, talk to your doctor about a mild sedative beforehand. This can be in the form of an oral medication, or you may receive light IV sedation.

When you are comfortable, you will position yourself on the exam table so that the injection site is easy to access. This will vary. For example, a stellate ganglion block is administered in the front of the neck, and the occipital block is performed through the back.

Your doctor will clean and sterilize the site. Regardless of sedation, your doctor administers a local anesthetic to numb the area. You might feel a pinch or a sting initially, but that will quickly go away as the area becomes numb.

Using X-ray guidance, your doctor positions a small needle in the area above the nerve being targeted. They first inject a small amount of contrast dye to make sure the needle is correctly placed. Once the placement is verified, your doctor injects a numbing medication, a steroid, or both, depending on your treatment plan.

You may receive more than one injection, but the entire procedure takes well under an hour.

Nerve block procedure recovery

After your nerve block, you will move to a recovery area to rest for a short period of time. If you did not receive IV sedation, this period is usually between 15 and 30 minutes.

If you received IV sedation, you are required to get a ride home from your procedure, but it’s a good idea to arrange that regardless.

Take the day off after your procedure. Your doctor will give you specific nerve block recovery instructions, but here are some general guidelines:

• Rest on the day of your nerve block procedure
• Resume regular activity as you feel able the following day
• Take all regular medications unless otherwise directed by your doctor
• Eat a normal diet

You may have some soreness and bruising at the injection site. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can help with both. An ice pack can also provide comfort and ease both swelling and pain.

Nerve block side effects

Nerve blocks of all kinds are minimally invasive and generally recognized as safe. As with all medical procedures, there is the risk of side effects.

Potential nerve block side effects include:

• Bleeding
• Injury to the nerve
• Muscle weakness
• Increase in pain
• Spinal headache
• Infection

These side effects and risks are minimized when the block is performed under X-ray (fluoroscopic) guidance. Following your doctor’s instructions for nerve block recovery can also help ensure few, if any, complications.

If you experience a sharp, sustained increase in pain, or you experience signs of infection at the site of the block, call your doctor for guidance.

Nerve block pros and cons

These procedures are minimally invasive and can help you reduce the need for surgery. Most people have few, if any, side effects. Side effects that do occur are usually brief and mild. And many people experience long-term pain relief after just one block.

But not everyone responds positively. Relief may only last for hours, or it may not happen at all. Some people need multiple injections over many different nerve sites (especially those who have had chronic pain for more than ten years).

Additionally, if your nerve blocks include a steroid, there are limits to how often you can receive an injection (usually no more than four times per year).

Talk to your doctor about all of the nerve block pros and cons.

What to do if a nerve block does not work

It can be hard to accept this, but if this procedure does not work, that could also be good news.

When a nerve block is used as a diagnostic tool, no pain relief means that the targeted nerve is not the cause of your pain. If this happens, you and your doctor will discuss your next steps towards a diagnosis.

How long does a nerve block last?

Every person in pain is an individual. Because of this, the effects of a nerve block vary. For most people, pain relief occurs immediately after the first nerve block, with a return to pain after the local anesthetic wears off (no more than 24 hours after the nerve block). This is normal and to be expected.

After the local anesthetic wears off, you may feel pain relief in the next few days. A nerve block is considered successful when your pain is reduced by at least 50%, and it can take up to two weeks to achieve that mark.

As for how long pain relief lasts, that, too, depends on the person receiving the block.

Some patients find relief for just a few hours; others are close to pain-free for months. Talk to your doctor about what you can expect given the underlying cause of your pain and any other conditions you have.

Toward a life with less pain 

A successful nerve block (or diagnosis) can help you move toward a life with less pain. Using this treatment option, your pain doctor can begin to implement other pain-relieving tools like radiofrequency ablation for more long-term relief.

Ready to talk about how nerve blocks can help you? Get in touch to schedule an appointment with the specialists at Arizona Pain today!

For healthy people, navigating the day doesn’t take much planning other than determining the order of things. Lunch first or grocery shopping, they might wonder. Either way, it doesn’t matter and both will get done on most days. And if choosing is required, it’s usually not for lack of energy.

But for the five million people with fibromyalgia who live with near constant pain and fatigue, energy becomes a precious resource and daily life tasks must be prioritized because there simply isn’t enough for everything.

The fibromyalgia spoon theory explains how people with chronic illnesses ration energy

The fibromyalgia spoon theory was developed by a woman named Christine Miserandino who has lupus. Lupus is an autoimmune disease that is closely related to fibromyalgia, a disorder involving widespread pain, fatigue, and trouble sleeping, among other symptoms.

The two syndromes are so closely related that doctors frequently have difficulty distinguishing between them, according to Arthritis Today. In any case, the fatigue associated with the disorders makes completing basic life tasks difficult.

The fibromyalgia spoon theory goes something like this: A person starts the day with a certain number of spoons. Each spoon represents a burst of energy. Showering in the morning might require a spoon. Getting dressed is another spoon.

Miserandino wrote about this theory, recalling her meeting with a friend in a diner. The friend wondered what living with lupus was like—not from a physical perspective, but from a psychological one. What does it feel like on the inside, the friend wondered.

Miserandino serendipitously thought of the spoon theory, which has since spawned the term “spoonie” to describe fibromyalgia warriors, while trying to help her friend understand the rigors of living with a chronic illness.

On a whim, Miserandino grabbed a dozen spoons in sight and handed them to her friend. “Here, you have lupus,” she told the friend. The friend counted the spoons, realized she had 12, and jokingly asked if she could have extra.

“No,” Miserandino told her, suddenly realizing that she has hit upon a good way of explaining the unexplainable—what it’s like on a psychological level to evaluate your day, every day, and know that you do not have the energy for everything.

Miserandino and her friend went through the day. Showering? That’s a spoon. But wait, Miserandino says, the implications of chronic illness begin even before you rise. She describes:

“You don’t just get up. You have to crack open your eyes, and then realize you are late. You didn’t sleep well the night before. You have to crawl out of bed, and then you have to make yourself something to eat before you can do anything else, because if you don’t, you can’t take your medicine, and if you don’t take your medicine, you might as well give up all your spoons for today and tomorrow too.”

Getting dressed cost another spoon, but Miserandino tells her friend about the decisions that go into getting dressed. If a particular part of the body hurts, or is bruised from the disease, that influences the day’s outfit choice.

Already down multiple spoons and not even out of the house yet, the friend began to understand that not all the day’s desired activities would be completed. Miserandino writes:

“The difference in being sick and being healthy is having to make choices or to consciously think about things when the rest of the world doesn’t have to. The healthy have the luxury of a life without choices, a gift most people take for granted.”

The fibromyalgia spoon theory continues to dinner. While a healthy person has an array of choices for dinner, a person experiencing pain, fatigue, or nausea from a chronic condition must approach mealtimes a little differently. With one spoon left, Miserandino explains:

“If she cooked, she wouldn’t have enough energy to clean the pots. If she went out for dinner, she might be too tired to drive home safely. Then, I also explained that I didn’t even bother to add into this game that she was so nauseous that cooking was probably out of the question.”

Life at a slower pace is a key for living with chronic illness

Learning to slow down is the hardest thing Miserandino says she’s had to learn. Learning to feel left out, be okay with saying no, and prioritizing so the most important activities get done early enough in the day when there’s still spoons available—these are the things people without chronic illnesses can’t understand but the fibromyalgia spoon theory helps explain.

People with fibromyalgia must manage pain, fatigue, and other symptoms while attempting to live a full life, but unfortunately, most people find their lives changed in one or more aspects.

A survey conducted by the American Pain Foundation and National Fibromyalgia Association found these symptoms impact everything from relationships to parenting to important life decisions.

The results were compiled from online questionnaires answered by more than 2,550 people with fibromyalgia and hundreds more with other chronic pain conditions.

Fibromyalgia symptoms influenced people’s decisions to have children because patients feared about their ability to take care of a child or go through the experience of childbirth. Meanwhile, 95% of respondents with children under the age of 18 said pain made parenting difficult because it diminished their ability to enjoy highlights in their children’s lives and shepherd kids to school, events, and social activities.

Nearly all of those who responded said they altered their daily routine to simplify it or make it easier, similar to Miserandino’s fibromyalgia spoon theory.

Nearly 70% said fibromyalgia impacted their ability to take care of relatives.

Another study, commissioned by health news site HealthyWomen, found that 85% of patients with fibromyalgia consider the disease a burden on their lives, and 64% are concerned their condition is not taken seriously enough. Nearly half of survey respondents reported stunted careers while 67% said keeping up with household chores was no longer an option.

Other impacts included the ability to spend time with friends and family and lessened intimacy with partners.

How has fibromyalgia impacted your daily life?

Image by Nicki Mannix via Flickr

Diabetes is a complex chronic condition that comes with a host of symptoms if not properly managed. One of the most complicated and challenging symptoms to treat is diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Also referred to a peripheral neuropathy or diabetic foot pain, this complicated condition requires thoughtful diagnosis and comprehensive treatment. What is peripheral neuropathy, and what does diabetic nerve pain feel like? Here’s what you need to know.

What is diabetic nerve pain, or diabetic neuropathy?

Neuropathy is an over-arching term that means nerve pain. There are four types of neuropathy, including:

• Peripheral neuropathy
• Autonomic neuropathy
• Radiculoplexus neuropathy
• Mononeuropathy

Peripheral neuropathy refers to nerve pain that is experienced on the periphery of your body, like the hands and feet. This area is enervated by the peripheral nervous system (instead of the central nervous system, which deals only with the brain and spinal cord).

There are many conditions that can result in nerve pain in the farthest reaches of the body, including:

• Vitamin deficiencies
• Alcoholism
• Autoimmune diseases
• Certain medications

The most common cause of peripheral neuropathy, though, is poorly controlled diabetes.

The hallmark of diabetes is a nearly constant fluctuation of the blood sugar, with spiky highs and cavernous lows. This constant fluctuation damages the capillary walls (small blood vessels) responsible for delivering blood to the nerves, especially in the hands and feet. As the capillaries become more damaged, diabetic neuropathy symptoms begin to appear.

What does diabetic nerve pain feel like?

So what does diabetic nerve pain feel like? There are many symptoms, including early onset symptoms that may be mild and challenging to diagnose. Diabetic neuropathy symptoms usually begin in the toes and work their way towards the head.

The first symptoms you may experience are tingling and numbness in the toes or fingers. This may resemble the feeling of “pins and needles” when a foot that has fallen asleep begins to wake up. You may also experience cramping in the feet, poor reflexes, and poor balance or coordination. Some people experience hypersensitivity and feel painful sensations with the slightest touch (even of the bedsheet grazing your toes at night).

In one of the few visual symptoms of diabetic peripheral neuropathy, a person may develop what is known as a hammertoe. This foot deformity causes the toes to begin to curl under and develops as a result of unconscious modification of the gait due to pain or other symptoms.

As the condition progresses, symptoms become more pronounced and more challenging to treat.

11 common diabetic neuropathy symptoms

Left untreated, diabetic neuropathy symptoms increase in intensity as the condition worsens. Wondering what does diabetic nerve pain feel like? Here are 11 symptoms to watch out for.

1. Increased numbness

This feeling can worsen to the point where a patient is unable to feel their feet as they walk. This becomes especially dangerous when feet lose all feeling.

The patient is then unable to tell if their feet have been injured or if the bathwater they are about to step into is too hot. Serious scalds, burns, and cuts can result from this numbness.

2. Burning in the feet

Diabetic foot pain is often accompanied by tingling and burning in the feet.

Ranging in intensity from barely perceptible to full-blown unbearable, this is the nerves’ way of communicating distress even further.

3. Sharp, shooting pain

This is the type of pain that can leave a person breathless. Almost like an electrical shock, this pain can occur without any particular stimulus or prompt.

4. Increased pain at night

Whether it’s because you are no longer distracted by the concerns of the day or the hypersensitivity and pain caused by even the sheet touching your feet, diabetic nerve pain is often much worse at night, making sleep impossible.

Because poor sleep and increased pain are bidirectional, one makes the other more intense in a cycle that is hard to break.

5. Slow-healing wounds

An adequate blood supply is important for good circulation that helps heal wounds.

For patients with peripheral neuropathy, even the slightest wound may be slow to heal (or may not fully heal).

6. Muscle weakness

As peripheral neuropathy progresses, muscle weakness may develop.

The peripheral nervous system is not just responsible for sensory information. Signals for movement and coordination are also delivered via these nerves. Nerves that are damaged rely on inadequate or incomplete information to the muscles and may result in poor coordination and weakness.

7. Gastrointestinal issues

Most people don’t think about the gastrointestinal system when considering peripheral neuropathy, located as it is in the center of the body.

However, as peripheral neuropathy continues to progress, this system can also be affected. Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation can all occur.

8. Sexual dysfunction

Men with peripheral neuropathy may experience erectile dysfunction related to decreased blood flow and poor nerve signaling.

Women may experience increased vaginal dryness and a lack of desire.

9. Urinary tract infections

Men and women both may experience urinary tract infections.

The body may be overwhelmed with infections elsewhere in the body, and other gastrointestinal issues can lead to issues in the urinary tract as well.

10. Postural hypotension

Also known as orthostatic hypotension, this condition occurs when a person’s blood pressure drops dramatically, even when sitting, causing them to faint.

This can be potentially serious if it occurs while driving or even when simply standing up.

11. Amputation

Diabetes is responsible for approximately 70,000 amputations of the lower limbs annually in the U.S.

When feeling leaves the lower extremities and wounds or sores go undetected, they can become infected and even gangrenous. In these cases, amputation must be performed to prevent further damage or even death.

Can diabetic neuropathy go away?

Without treatment, diabetic neuropathy will not resolve itself and can, in extreme cases, lead to death from infection. It is crucial to get a proper diagnosis first and then proceed with treatment.

In the beginning stages of diagnosis, your doctor will conduct bloodwork and lab tests to rule out other potential causes of your symptoms.

Once your doctor eliminates other conditions, they may perform additional tests, including:

• Nerve conduction studies: Measures nerve response to electrical stimulation
• Electromyography (EMG): Measures electrical discharge from the nerves
• Filament tests: Looks for hypersensitivity that is the hallmark of peripheral neuropathy
• Quantitative sensory testing: Measures the nerve response to sensory changes including vibration and temperature

How to treat diabetic peripheral neuropathy

Once you have a diagnosis, there are many treatment options to ease symptoms and prevent worsening of nerve pain.

1. Manage diabetes

Since diabetic nerve pain is caused by poorly managed diabetes that causes damage to the blood vessels, the first thing to do is to get your blood sugar under control.

Talk to your doctor about changes to diet, exercise, and insulin administration that can help.

2. Keep an eye on your feet

Early warning signs occur most often in the feet. Check your feet daily for blisters, cracks, ingrown toenails, or wounds that are slow-healing or getting worse.

The American Diabetes Association recommends an annual foot exam, but daily foot checks are crucial for early detection and treatment. If you are unable to bend down to see the soles of your feet, use a mirror or ask a family member to help.

3. Practice proper foot care

In addition to daily checks, taking care of your feet can help improve health.

Daily foot massage improves circulation and feels relaxing at the end of a long day. Keep feet clean, dry, and moisturized to maintain skin health, too.

4. Stop smoking and limit or avoid consumption of alcohol

Health begins with what you put in your body. Tobacco products in any form inhibit the body’s healing response and narrow already challenged blood vessels. Alcohol has a similar effect on the immune system, dampening the body’s response to infection.

Some people are able to consume a daily glass of red wine or two, but talk to your doctor. In acute stages of infection, avoid alcohol.

5. Get active

The prime risk factor for both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes is obesity. Extra weight places a huge burden on your joints and feet, which can make self-care challenging.

To combat this, exercise maintains a healthy weight, slows nerve damage, and naturally manages blood sugar, all of which can help alleviate symptoms of peripheral neuropathy.

6. Investigate medication

There are some medications that can assist in pain relief. Anticonvulsant drugs and tricyclic antidepressants, although not well understood in how they work on this condition, do seem to help relieve diabetic foot pain by changing the way the brain senses pain.

Tricyclic antidepressants include:

• Amitriptyline
• Clomipramine (Anafril)
• Desipramine (Norpramine)
• Doxepin
• Imipramine (Tofranil)
• Nortriptyline (Pamelor)

Finding the right medication may take some time, so be patient with this treatment approach.

Non-opioid pain relievers may also help for acute cases, but opioids are not generally recommended for peripheral neuropathy.

7. Use topical creams and supplements

Capsaicin is the compound found in spicy peppers that can provide topical pain relief.

Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) is a supplement that may help lessen the advance of diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

8. Try physical therapy

Physical therapy exercises for diabetic peripheral neuropathy can help provide relief from tingling, burning, and pain in the feet. These exercises also improve muscle strength and physical coordination. They may also help with sexual dysfunction by improving blood flow and circulation.

For patients who have injured their feet by changing the way they walk, consciously or unconsciously, gait training is a type of physical therapy that helps people learn how to walk again. It is also used for people who have a prosthesis to help them walk properly so as not to transfer injury or pain to another part of the body (e.g., the hips).

Some physical therapy is combined with electrical nerve stimulation, which may help with stiffness in the feet and speed healing of ulcers or other wounds on the feet.

9. Manage other conditions

If you are experiencing gastrointestinal side effects including nausea, constipation, or diarrhea, managing these is important. Focusing on a supportive diet can help.

Similarly, it is important to treat urinary tract infections promptly, as increased nerve damage may result eventually in urine leakage.

For patients with sudden drops in blood pressure, compression stockings for the abdomen and legs can help, as can simply taking care when changing position.

10. Research advanced care

Other pain-relieving injections and therapies can help with more advanced cases, such as TENS unit therapy or nerve blocks.

This complex condition also remains the focus of much research and study. For example, a recent non-viral gene therapy study offered promising results in the dramatic pain relief of diabetic peripheral neuropathy with low doses of medication, well into a year after the treatments.

Diabetic peripheral neuropathy is a challenging condition that needs a comprehensive approach to treatment. If you are experiencing this side effect of diabetes or another pain condition, give Arizona Pain a call today. We can help.

Diabetes is a world-wide health issue. It can lead to a host of conditions, including diabetic nerve pain. Here’s what you should know about diabetes, how to avoid your own diabetes risk factors, and reduce your chances of future pain.

What is diabetes? 

Sugar is a compound found in many foods nowadays that can cause extreme problems for diabetics. The human body processes glucose, or blood sugar, and converts it to energy. Glucose is found in many natural food sources and makes things sweet such as fruit or desserts. It is also a product of starchy carbohydrates such as potatoes and pasta. Glucose is regulated in the body by insulin, a hormone produced by the pancreas. It stimulates cells to process glucose and turn it into the right amount of energy needed to function daily.

Healthy insulin levels should rise and fall according to the amount of glucose in the body. When eating, glucose levels rise as should insulin. When blood sugar drops, natural insulin should also drop.

Diabetes is an incurable disease caused when the body does not produce insulin in the correct way. The body is then unable to process blood sugar naturally which can lead to medical emergencies resulting from extreme highs and lows of glucose in the system.

Some statistics about diabetes include:

• In 2015, 30.3 million people in the U.S. (or 9.4% of the population) had diabetes
• China has the most diagnosed cases of diabetes, with 98.4 million cases in people between the ages of 20 and 79.
• There were 382 million people globally living with diabetes in 2013. That number is projected to rise to 592 million people by the year 2035, an increase of 55%.
• North America will spend 263 billion annually on health costs related to diabetes. Diabetes is the 7th leading cause of death in the U.S.

Diabetes symptoms

Worldwide, 46% of diabetes cases go undiagnosed, so it is important to raise awareness and recognize the signs and symptoms of this disease. For Type 1 diabetes, symptoms usually come on swiftly and are extreme, while Type 2 symptoms may occur gradually over time.

Some diabetes symptoms to watch out for include:

• Excessive thirst and frequent urination
• Extreme fatigue
• Blurry vision
• Numbness or tingling in the extremities (hands and feet)
• Increased infections
• Wounds that heal more slowly than usual
• Weight loss not associated with a change in diet
• Increased appetite
• Difficulty staying focused
• Loss of interest
• In severe cases, nerve pain

Types of diabetes

There are two common forms of diabetes, type 1 and type 2. There is also a form known as gestational diabetes. This type of diabetes occurs in approximately one in 25 pregnancies across the globe. Although generally resolved post-partum, women who experience gestational diabetes are more prone to developing Type 2 diabetes later in life, as are their children.

Type 1 diabetes

Also known as juvenile diabetes, this is an autoimmune disorder where the body attacks the healthy cells of the pancreas and essentially shuts down the body’s natural production of insulin. Most people are diagnosed with this condition before the age of 40, although in rare cases it may occur later in life. The exact cause is uncertain but genetics plays a significant role in the disease. It is also possible that exposure to certain viruses can cause the onset of the disorder.

Since the disease is most likely to occur in children it is important for parents to watch out for the signs. Symptoms can include:

• Excessive thirstiness
• Frequent urination
• Bed wetting for children without a history of it
• Unexpected weight loss
• Mood swings
• Blurred vision
• Fatigue
• Weakness

However, it is also important to note that none of these experiences are unique to diabetes, so there may be a variety of potential causes. If you notice these symptoms in your child you may wish to consult a doctor for an accurate diagnosis.

Since type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disorder, there isn’t much that can be done to prevent it from occurring, and diabetes risk factors are harder to control. Family history plays a role and individuals with parents or siblings with the disease have an increased risk.

Type 2 diabetes

Frequently called adult-onset diabetes, this is a chronic condition that affects how the body metabolizes sugar and produces insulin. When we talk controlling diabetes risk factors, this is typically the type of diabetes we’re referring to.

For type 1 diabetics the body may continue to produce insulin but still not process sugar correctly or the pancreas might not be making the right amounts of insulin to properly metabolize the glucose. Type 2 diabetes mainly affects adults, although childhood obesity rates are increasing the cases in younger people. The condition is incurable but can be managed in most cases by maintaining a healthy lifestyle although some people still need to take insulin.

Type 2 diabetes develops slowly and many people have the condition for years without knowing it. Excessive thirst and hunger may be symptoms of the condition along with frequent urination, slow healing infections, and patches of darkened skin which may be a sign of insulin resistance. Genetics may be a cause of type 2 diabetes, but it is most prevalent in individuals with unhealthy habits including obesity and inactivity.

What are the major diabetes risk factors?

Diabetes risk factors are different for different people. Although heredity plays a large part in Type 1 diabetes, there are other risks factors for Type 2, some of which can be controlled.

Major diabetes risk factors

The major diabetes risk factors include:

1. Lack of physical activity. People who are inactive and do not get a minimum amount of physical exercise daily are at an increased risk. Sedentary lifestyles also contribute to other risk factors such as drinking and smoking, which, in combination, increase the risk of diabetes exponentially
2. Unhealthy diet. Diets high in fat, sugar, and processed foods increase the chances of developing diabetes.
3. Obesity. Obesity is the number one risk factor for developing diabetes. With a few notable exceptions, people who are obese tend to have a lower level of physical activity and an unhealthy diet. A higher BMI generally indicates a higher risk
4. Age. The older you are, the more likely you are to develop Type 2 diabetes.
5. High blood pressure. High blood pressure can be caused by a number of different conditions, which can then lead to diabetes.
6. Race and socio-economic status: People of Southeast Asian, Middle Eastern, African, and Latino descent have a higher incidence of diabetes than their caucasian counterparts. Low-income minorities are more at risk for diabetes for all of the above reasons but also due to limited access to fresh food, medical resources, and education

These are the major risk factors that we have a lot of research behind. While some risk factors for diabetes are not within a person’s control, scientists are always studying what other actions people can take to reduce their chance of having diabetes. Four recent risk factors have come to light.

1. Watching TV

What is the easiest way to increase your risk for diabetes? Spend more time in front of the television.

A new study published in Diabetologia found that every hour spent watching television increases the risk of developing diabetes by 3.4%. This result was part of a Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) lifestyle intervention that was looking at how increasing physical activity helped prevent or treat diabetes. Researchers were not expecting to find that TV watching itself was a substantial lifestyle risk factor.

2. Low vitamin D levels

A new study published in the Endocrine Society’s Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism found that even more than obesity, low vitamin D levels indicated an increased risk for developing diabetes. Considering that over one billion people worldwide may have low levels of vitamin D, this is a troubling finding.

One of the study’s authors, Mercedes Clemente-Postigo, MSc, of Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga (IBIMA) at Complejo Hospitalario de Málaga (Virgen de la Victoria) and Universidad de Málaga in Malaga, Spain, noted that the strength of the study was its variety of participants, saying:

“The major strength of this study is that it compares vitamin D levels in people at a wide range of weights (from lean to morbidly obese subjects) while taking whether they had diabetes into account.”

Another of the study’s authors, Manuel Macías-González, PhD, of Complejo Hospitalario de Málaga (Virgen de la Victoria) and the University of Málaga, proposed that even if the findings were troubling, the solution may be simple, saying:

“Our findings indicate that vitamin D is associated more closely with glucose metabolism than obesity. The study suggests that vitamin D deficiency and obesity interact synergistically to heighten the risk of diabetes and other metabolic disorders. The average person may be able to reduce their risk by maintaining a healthy diet and getting enough outdoor activity.”

3. Fat choices

Diet is a primary treatment protocol for both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. Most treatment plans recommend low-fat dairy products, presumably to help manage weight gain and BMI, but new research from Lund University shows that full-fat dairy products are the best choice when it comes to reducing the risk of Type 2 diabetes. It appears that it is not necessarily the level of fat in the diet that increases risk, but rather the type of fat. While consuming full-fat dairy products reduced the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, meat consumption increased the risk.

Study author Ulrika Ericson noted that the composition of fat in foods may be the key to why some fat appears to lower risk while other fat raises it:

“When we investigated the consumption of saturated fatty acids that are slightly more common in dairy products than in meat, we observed a link with a reduced risk of type 2 diabetes. However, we have not ruled out the possibility that other components of dairy products such as yoghurt and cheese may have contributed to our results. We have taken into account many dietary and lifestyle factors in our analysis, such as fermentation, calcium, vitamin D and physical activity. Our results suggest that we should not focus solely on fat, but rather consider what foods we eat. Many foodstuffs contain different components that are harmful or beneficial to health, and it is the overall balance that is important.”

4. Less added sugar

The number of people with Type 2 diabetes worldwide has more than doubled from 153 million in 1980 to 347 million in 2008. One of the reasons for this increase may be the increased consumption of fructose. Current nutritional guidelines indicate that a diet can have up to 25% of added sugars daily, but researchers have called for a drastic reduction of that in a recent write-up in Mayo Clinic Proceedings.

Lead author James J. DiNicolantonio, PharmD, a cardiovascular research scientist at Saint Luke’s Mid America Heart Institute in Kansas City, Missouri, plainly stated the causes and consequences of this increased consumption, saying:

“At current levels, added-sugar consumption, and added-fructose consumption in particular, are fueling a worsening epidemic of type 2 diabetes. Approximately 40% of U.S. adults already have some degree of insulin resistance with projections that nearly the same percentage will eventually develop frank diabetes.”

Recommendations for appropriate levels of added daily sugar consumption vary widely and include the following:

• 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans: 19%
• Institute of Medicine: 25%
• World Health Organization: 10% (with a goal of 5% for “optimal health”)
• American Heart Association: No more than six teaspoons for women and nine for men

Fructose naturally occurs in fruit, which is fine to consume and does not count towards a daily total of added sugars. This study specifically looked at processed foods with added sugar (e.g., spaghetti sauce, salad dressing, cereals, etc.). The study authors believe that dietary guidelines should be further edited to include more consumption of fruits and vegetables, a lifestyle change that can prevent Type 2 diabetes.

How to prevent diabetes

Type 1 diabetes cannot be prevented at this time, but Type 2 diabetes can be prevented or the progression of the disease slowed if corrective action is taken.

To reduce your diabetes risk factors and chances of developing diabetes, follow these simple guidelines.

Reduce your sitting time

Getting up and moving around every 20 minutes or so increases blood flow to the brain and muscles and generally improves circulation. Simply stretching at your desk or walking around during commercial breaks when watching TV can reverse the effects of too much sitting.

Increase exercise

It doesn’t matter where you start an exercise plan as long as you start one. Walking for one hour three times a week can reduce the progression of diabetes by up to 58%, and 30 minutes of any type of daily exercise (walking, biking, swimming, etc.) reduces the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes by 40%. Start an exercise plan by walking five minutes a day, even if that is all you can do, and gradually add on to that until you are walking for at least 30 minutes daily.

Fix your diet

Malnutrition or inadequate food sources are a problem that is at the root of diabetes around the world. Some blame urbanization and the accompanying food deserts that exist in city environments for the shabby state of nutrition in city dwellers. In some cases, it may be possible to remedy this with CSA (community-supported agriculture) deliveries. In others, it may be harder to remedy than simply telling people to eat better.

Whatever the case may be, adding as many fresh fruits and vegetable to your diet, along with whole grains and lean proteins is a step in the right direction. Eliminate sugar and processed foods as much as possibly and substitute in healthy snacks and meals when possible. Global poverty, regional conflicts, and food shortages due to weather make this step more difficult for some areas of the world, but it is a necessary change to help curb diabetes.

Get enough sleep, but not too much

Sleeping less than six hours a night or more than nine hours can increase your chances of Type 2 diabetes. Sleeping less interferes with the way the body processes food, and sleeping more can indicate depression, another risk factor for diabetes. Develop good sleeping habits and stick with them.

Stop smoking

In addition to increasing your cardiovascular healthy instantly, stopping smoking is an excellent way to reduce your risk of developing diabetes. Smoking is associated with weight gain in the abdomen and high blood pressure, both of which are risk factors for Type 2 diabetes.

To find out your risk for developing Type 2 diabetes, fill out this quick questionnaire.

Every 19 seconds, someone is diagnosed with diabetes, according to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), adding to the 30 million adults and children already living with the disease.

November is American Diabetes Month, and the high numbers of people living with the disease, in addition to the significant health complications it can cause, make diabetes an active area of research.

Scientists are busily investigating the biology of the disease, causes, and potential treatments, both pharmacological and all natural. To highlight American Diabetes Month, we’ve collected a roundup of the latest news and research.

1. Diet sodas may increase diabetes risk

The dangers of full-flavor soft drinks for diabetics have long been known, but the ADA’s official stance has always been that diet sodas do not present the same risk because they do not contain sugar.

New research from the journal Nature shows that artificial sweeteners like aspartame do pose health risks because they interfere with gut bacteria and consequently make it more difficult for the body to process sugar.

The body doesn’t directly digest fake sugar, and so aspartame and similar sweeteners encounter gut bacteria head-on, frequently resulting in a microbial imbalance known as dysbiosis and metabolic syndrome, which is a warning sign for diabetes.

Non-caloric artificial sweeteners are widespread, not only in sodas, but also in low- or no-calorie desserts or other “light” products. Researchers said the study highlights the need to conduct more in-depth research about the health effects of these artificial sweeteners, noting they’re presumed to be safe although little research has been conducted.

2. Artificial pancreas for diabetes patients on horizon

For Type 1 diabetes patients, their body’s inability to regulate blood sugar levels means a life of blood testing and insulin injections. But an artificial pancreas has the potential to change all of that.

Researchers from the American Chemical Society are developing an artificial pancreas that can be implanted into patients’ bodies, measure blood sugar levels, and automatically release insulin. These types of devices have been available for several years, but ACS researchers have developed a special algorithm that makes the process faster and better for patients.

Although the research is moving forward only for patients with Type 1 diabetes, which is typically diagnosed in children and young people, the advances in medicine could also one day benefit patients with Type 2 diabetes.

3. Zebrafish embryos contribute to development of diabetes drugs

Researchers at Johns Hopkins University have begun using zebrafish embryos to identify effective diabetes drugs with great success. Already scientists have used the zebrafish to identify 24 medications that could be used to help restore pancreas functioning by creating more insulin-producing cells. Study author Dr. Jeffrey Mumm says:

“More studies need to be done, but we think there’s potentially no limit on the diseases this screening technique could be applied to other than the human imagination.”

Zebrafish make especially good research participants because they’re transparent, allowing scientists to easily see the results of experiments they’re conducting. The fish also share a great number of human genes.

Researchers say they’re excited about the process, which they believe will help speed new drug discoveries for other medical ailments.

4. Meditation proves beneficial for people with diabetes

Meditation and mindfulness, defined as an elevated, non-judgmental awareness of inner and outer states, has been discovered helpful for diabetes patients who need help fostering a greater sense of self-determination, according to research published in the journal Behavioral Medicine.

Learning meditation techniques helped research participants accept their limitations so they could in turn identify the possibilities that remained. Patients who meditated also experienced improved sleep, a greater feeling of relaxation, and an improved ability to accept illness.

In addition to the mental and emotional benefits, many patients experienced improved health. Some people reported lower blood sugar after the six-week course, and one participant noted the practice helped reduce chest pain.

5. Improvements in injectable insulin give hope to diabetes patients

Scientists at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have created a type of modified insulin that stays active in the bloodstream for ten hours. It also has the ability to respond to fluctuations in blood sugar levels, according to research published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Currently, diabetes patients must track blood sugar levels and take insulin multiple times each day. Study author Dr. Daniel Anderson says:

“The real challenge is getting the right amount of insulin available when you need it, because if you have too little insulin your blood sugar goes up, and if you have too much, it can go dangerously low.”

To alleviate the problem, MIT researchers created a type of insulin that is only activated by excessively high levels of blood sugar, making it smart insulin that reduces the need for constant vigilance. The idea is still in the conceptual phases, but researchers hope to continue studying the possibilities and one day get this type of insulin into the hands of patients.

6. Commonly used chemicals may increase diabetes risk

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) such as bisphenol A (BPA) are commonly found in packaging and personal care products. Some researchers have sounded concern that these chemicals increase the risk of cancer, but a review of studies from the Endocrine Society highlights concerns for an increased risk of diabetes, too.

The chemicals are dangerous to humans because they interfere with the body’s natural production of hormones, including insulin. Pharmacology professor Andrea C. Gore says:

“The evidence is more definitive than ever before—EDCs disrupt hormones in a manner that harms human health…Hundreds of studies are pointing to the same conclusion, whether they are long-term epidemiological studies in humans, basic research in animals and cells, or research into groups of people with known occupational exposure to specific chemicals.”

Animal studies have found that select EDCs interfere with the pancreas, which can result in insulin resistance or excessive insulin, which are both risk factors in Type 2 diabetes. Scientists called for additional research and stricter regulations for these potentially harmful chemicals.

Which study do you find most interesting?

Image by Oskar Annermarken via Flickr.

Until recently, fibromyalgia research had uncovered only limited information about this condition of widespread pain, fatigue, and sleep disruption despite the condition’s prevalence—five million U.S. adults have it.

Many fibromyalgia patients have suffered from those in the medical establishment not understanding their condition or thinking the symptoms were psychosomatic. Other patients have found themselves running to doctor after doctor trying to figure out what was wrong with them.

There is no definitive test for fibromyalgia. Instead, doctors diagnose patients based on how they feel, according to the American College of Rheumatology.

Now, heightened awareness and increased fibromyalgia research is beginning to shed light into this once mysterious disease, in its causes, physiology, and potential treatments.

Fibromyalgia research uncovers clues about cause

Researchers have uncovered abnormalities in both brain functioning and in the palms of patients’ hands that hold clues to the causes of fibromyalgia. Meanwhile, additional fibromyalgia research has linked childhood chronic pain with the disorder.

Scientists at New York’s Integrated Tissue Dynamics found something unique in the palms of patients with fibromyalgia’s hands. The blood vessels in their palms have an abnormally large number of sensory nerve fibers that lead to an increased sensitivity of pain.

Blood vessels help store blood, promote its flow, and regulate body temperature. When temperatures drop, blood vessels become more active in an attempt to warm the body, which researchers say may explain why fibromyalgia patients sometimes feel more pain during cold weather.

The next step for researchers is to learn why this happens. Answers could help scientists learn how to prevent the extra sensory nerve fibers from developing or prevent them from causing pain.

In other fibromyalgia research news, scientists have uncovered abnormalities in the brain common to patients with fibromyalgia. Researchers at the University of Colorado, Boulder scanned the brains of people with the disorder and found highly sensitive reactions to stimuli that others wouldn’t consider painful.

People with fibromyalgia not only experience heightened processing of traditional pain signals, but also misprocess neutral signals as painful ones, researchers said. Spanish Dr. Pedro Montoya, who was not a part of the study, says:

“When you are in pain, it is probably that you are more concentrated on your own pain than on the tasks you have to pay attention to.”

This fibromyalgia research and others makes scientists believe that the disorder is not just a condition of pain, but one that involves a broader issue of processing stimuli throughout the body. Professor Michael E. Geisser at the University of Michigan says:

“It’s as if the volume control for sensation in persons with fibromyalgia is turned up, or louder, for many types of sensation compared to persons without the disorder.”

Future medications may attempt to quiet pain response in overactive areas to turn down the volume.

The biological underpinnings of fibromyalgia may help explain research from the American Pain Society that uncovers a link between childhood chronic pain and later development of fibromyalgia.

The study evaluated more than 1,000 patients and found that one in six adult patients had experienced chronic pain earlier in life. The patients reporting lifelong pain were mostly female, the gender most commonly affected by fibromyalgia, and they were more likely to report pain that was widespread and related to peripheral neuropathy, a form of nerve pain, which researchers said was likely fibromyalgia.

Fibromyalgia research identifies common, co-existing conditions

Many patients with fibromyalgia have other disorders occurring on top of the pain disorder. One of the more common ones is restless leg syndrome, according to research published in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine.

Restless leg syndrome is a neurological condition that involves uncomfortable sensations such as throbbing or creeping in the legs that lead to a near unstoppable urge to move them. The symptoms commonly appear at night, making it difficult to get a good night’s rest.

Fibromyalgia and restless leg syndrome have some common aspects, namely they both involve abnormal sensory patterns. Researchers believe the part of the brain regulating dopamine, a neurotransmitter, may be implicated in both disorders, according to the study.

About 10% of the population has restless leg syndrome, and people with fibromyalgia are ten times more likely to experience it, according to the study. A symptom of fibromyalgia is disturbed sleep, and people with restless leg syndrome experience an even greater difficultly finding a sound night’s rest.

Treating restless leg syndrome may help patients achieve better sleep, scientists said. Existing treatments typically involve some sort of medication, but may also include lifestyle modifications such as reducing caffeine, tobacco, and alcohol intake, adopting regular sleep habits, increasing exercise, or using a combination of hot or cold therapy, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.

New fibromyalgia research uncovers possible treatment

Fibromyalgia researchers are busily learning about the disorder’s underlying physical causes, but new treatments—some of them medicine-free—are on the horizon.

One of those is a whole-body vibration exercise discovered by scientists at Indiana University. Although the exercise doesn’t cure fibromyalgia, it did reduce pain and improve quality of life for participants in the study.

The technique is new, and researchers said they weren’t sure whether the benefits were related to this specific exercise or as a result of increased activity, which is a well-known way to help reduce pain.

Whole-body vibration is a technique that involves the use of a vibrating platform on which people stand, sit, or lay down. As the machine vibrates, muscles contract and then relax, helping to reduce pain.

Although vibration machines aren’t yet widely available—they’re still largely limited to the realm of research—some fitness centers have them. They’re also available for purchase.

For those without vibration machines, researchers say exercise is one of the best ways to manage fibromyalgia-related pain even though many patients avoid activity from fear of exacerbating symptoms. Leading a sedentary lifestyle not only tends to worsen fibromyalgia, but can lead to weight gain and other health issues, such as diabetes, scientists said.

What fibromyalgia research finding has your interest most piqued?

Image by Idaho National Laboratory via Flickr

A plant-based diet holds promise for helping people with fibromyalgia manage pain and other symptoms, several studies show.

Fibromyalgia is a disorder characterized by widespread pain, disturbed sleep, and other symptoms. Although it’s relatively common, affecting about five million U.S. adults according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, few effective treatments are available. That leaves patients searching to create a cocktail of lifestyle modifications and holistic remedies to improve their lives and manage pain.

Fortunately, eating a plant-based diet full of fruits and vegetables may hold the promise of relief for some fibromyalgia patients.

Jan Chambers, president of the National Fibromyalgia and Chronic Pain Association (NFCPA), says:

“I believe that food is medicine… Everything we eat has an effect on us.”

Plants and vegetables are high in antioxidants and other micronutrients. Including these foods in as many meals as possible helps flood the body with anti-inflammatory substances that are beneficial to health.

In addition to eating a diet rich in plants, abstaining from meat or other animal products helps people with fibromyalgia maximize wellness, according to research published in the Scandinavian Journal of Rheumatology. Although not many studies examining the effects of a vegan diet on fibromyalgia have been conducted, many of the trials that have been completed have focused specifically on the raw vegan diet.

Patients with fibromyalgia who ate vegan experienced less pain and joint stiffness, and a better night’s sleep, a study found.

The study conducted by Scandinavian researchers was one of those focusing on raw foods. The trial examined 18 people with fibromyalgia who ate a low-sodium, raw vegan diet, and compared them with a control group of 15 patients who continued eating their usual diet, which included meat.

Traditional veganism refers to a diet based on vegetables, fruits, seeds, and nuts, while avoiding any meat or animal products, such as eggs or cheese. This is separate from vegetarianism, which is a diet that doesn’t include meat, but does include eggs, cheese, and milk.

A subset of vegans, known as raw vegans, eat only—or mostly—raw, uncooked food. People subscribing to a raw vegan diet wouldn’t even eat pasta. Instead, they might julienne zucchini, for example, so it resembles noodles. The premise of this diet is the belief that cooking vegetables chemically alters the healthy micronutrients and antioxidants, diminishing their benefits.

Studies show fibromyalgia patients can benefit from a raw vegan diet.

In addition to the Scandinavian research, a study published in BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine also examined a set of fibromyalgia patients who adopted a raw diet.

The study surveyed 26 patients with fibromyalgia who ate a diet of raw fruits and salads, grain products, nuts, seeds, carrot juice, and dehydrated barley grass juice. After up to four months, patients reported a 46% improvement in mean Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire scores, which measure the impact of disease through categories such as emotional function, energy levels, and ability to prepare a meal.

Patients eating raw vegan food also experienced improvement in overall quality of life, based on answers from a separate questionnaire, and levels of fatigue. Researchers speculated on the reasons behind the subjects’ improved fibromyalgia symptoms, noting:

“There is likely a synergy of both physiological and psychological factors. The change in diet gave the subjects motivation to take control of their symptoms, to overcome their disabilities and inactivity.”

A raw vegan diet could unlock health benefits for people living with fibromyalgia.

Some experts caution against adopting a raw vegan diet, however. Health journalist and author Christopher Wanjek, who has a master’s from the Harvard School of Public Health, says:

“If you are already vegan or vegetarian, you have nothing to gain and much to lose by going totally or even mostly raw.”

Wanjek says eating raw vegan vastly limits a person’s meal options, making it more difficult to ingest all the necessary nutrients. He also questions the validity of the raw diet’s ultimate premise, that raw foods have vital life energy that’s quashed through cooking.

While overcooking foods can diminish the nutrients they contain, Wanjek says the answer is to steam or lightly sauté or stir-fry, essentially heating without overdoing it.

Carefully consider all the potential health impacts before starting a fully raw diet.

Raw vegans are particularly at risk for dietary deficiencies in vitamins B12 and D, omega 3 fatty acids, iron, selenium, and zinc—all vital nutrients that play a significant role in disease prevention and routine body maintenance. Vitamin B12, for example, helps build DNA and red blood cells.

Many raw vegans also rely too much on fruit, Wanjek adds, and all the acidity may lead to tooth decay.

Even though there’s controversy over the ability of a raw diet to provide the full complement of required nutrients, many experts continue to promote careful dietary choices for those living with fibromyalgia.

Dr. Ginevra Liptan, medical director at the Frida Center for Fibromyalgia in Portland, Ore., says:

“There aren’t many good studies that have looked at how diet can affect fibromyalgia symptoms. But I think we can gather a lot from anecdotal evidence.”

Anecdotally, she adds, food offers powerful ways to give the body the foods it best responds to while avoiding those that trigger pain or other symptoms. Each person is different, and carefully observing how particular foods make you feel is the first step to customizing a diet.

Eliminating a food from your diet for six to eight months helps you determine if it worsens fibromyalgia symptoms.

NFCPA’s Chambers, for example, realized that nightshade vegetables, including tomatoes, potatoes, and peppers worsened her fibromyalgia symptoms, as did high glycemic foods, which increase the body’s blood sugar levels. Experts caution against cutting healthy foods such as tomatoes out from your diet unless you, too have noticed adverse health impacts from them.

In addition to dietary changes, Chambers adopted lifestyle interventions, making sure to eat meals regularly and take a multi-vitamin. However, every person is different, she says, cautioning that the changes she made might not benefit everyone.

Have you ever tried a vegan diet for fibromyalgia?

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People with neuropathy looking for relief may want to try a vegan diet, according to a study completed by doctors with the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM).

Vegan diets not only exclude meat, they are also devoid of eggs, cheese, chocolate, and other foods containing animal byproducts such as milk. Unhealthy vegan diets do abound—doughnuts and French fries cooked in vegetable oil technically follow the rules—but eating a balanced vegan diet rich in vegetables and fruits could help reduce pain from neuropathy, the study found.

People with neuropathy benefit from meat-free diet, study says.

Keep in mind that strict vegan diets are separate from vegetarian diets, which typically include eggs, milk, and cheese. However, both vegan and vegetarian diets have been found to be helpful for people with neuropathy.

Neuropathy involves nerve pain that may develop as a consequence of an underlying condition, including diabetes. About 50% of people with diabetes have the condition, and unfortunately effective treatment is extremely limited. Existing treatments only attempt to mitigate pain and aren’t able to offer a cure.

To uncover the benefits of a vegan diet on diabetic neuropathy, PCRM doctors assigned two groups with a total of 15 patients to a meatless diet low in fat and high in fiber. Diets included at least 40 grams of fiber each day and no more than 30 grams of fat, even if the fat came from healthy oils or nuts.

The foods also had to have a low glycemic index, which means they don’t lead to spikes in blood sugar. Examples of low glycemic foods include barley, grapefruit, and chickpeas, according to Harvard Medical School.

One group of study subjects received B12 supplements, and the other did not. In the groups, patients were a mean age of 57, and males and females were equally represented.

Transitioning to a vegan diet often requires support, and so the patients were required to attend weekly classes over the course of 20 weeks where they learned about nutrition and watched cooking demonstrations. They also sampled healthy vegan cuisine and connected with others living on a vegan diet.

Social support and learning new recipes helps people stick to a vegan diet.

The results showed strong support for the vegan diet’s potential for managing neuropathic pain, particularly those patients who took B12 supplements.

Researchers plan to continue studying the patients for one year to examine the long-term health effects of meat-free eating and its impact on neuropathy.

The PRMC research came on the heels of an earlier study conducted by doctors at California’s Weimar Institute. Scientists found that 81% of patients who abstained from meat experienced dramatic pain relief from neuropathy in as little as four days. Patients also lost on average 11 pounds.

Most patients in the study were also able to reduce the amount of medicine for diabetes and blood pressure they were taking. Patients’ cholesterol levels also dropped.

After four years, 71% of 17 patients studied continued to eat a vegan diet, and most experienced lasting relief from neuropathic pain. Researchers attributed the improvement to the meat-free diet, and not the better controlled glucose levels that also occurred.

Following a vegan diet can have wonderful health benefits, but risks include not ingesting the proper amount of required nutrients.

The American Dietetic Association (ADA) says “appropriately planned” vegan or vegetarian diets can provide health benefits or even prevent certain diseases.

Benefits of eating a meat-free diet, according to the ADA, include:

• Lower cholesterol
• Decreased risk of heart disease
• Lower blood pressure
• Lower risk of type 2 diabetes
• Lower risk of cancer
• Healthier weight

The key, according to ADA, is making sure that vegan or vegetarian diets are low in saturated fat and cholesterol while staying high in fiber and vital nutrients such as magnesium and potassium. Risks of eating a meat-free diet include lower levels of vitamins B12 and D, calcium, zinc, and omega 3 fatty acids, found in fish, which help protect the heart in addition to offering benefits for those experiencing neuropathy.

A potential B12 deficiency is especially important for those with neuropathy to stay aware of since deficiencies have been identified as a cause of the condition. The vitamin is integral to basic bodily functions, such as making DNA and red blood cells. Taking supplements or eating fortified foods is the best way for vegans to avoid deficiencies.

Soy or rice milk comes in B12 fortified options, as do some health food formulas developed specifically to meet vegan and vegetarian nutritional needs. Vegetarians can eat eggs, yogurt, or other dairy products to meet intake requirements of B12.

Fortified foods also help vegans take in enough calcium. An Oxford study cited by ADA found vegans were at a 30% greater risk of fracturing a bone, possibly because of lower calcium levels. To ingest enough calcium, some vegans take supplements or eat calcium-fortified foods, such as soy milk. Plants high in calcium include kale, bok choy, broccoli, and collard greens. Dried figs and sunflower seeds are also high in the important mineral.

Eating enough protein is another factor to consider during meal planning for vegans or vegetarians. However, the ADA says plant-based diets can provide enough protein for even athletes.

Protein from soy products, including tofu, is as effective at meeting the body’s requirements as animal products, according to ADA, although people eating protein solely from vegetables and grains may need to increase their daily intake to meet recommended levels.

No. 1 tip for a healthy meat-free diet? Mix it up. Eat a variety of fruits, vegetables, and grains.

If you’re looking to try a vegan diet, but are nervous to try, start small. Consider declaring one day each week meat-free. Knowing which foods to eat is also half the battle. Consider investing 30 minutes on a weekend and researching new recipes or buying a vegan cookbook.

Vegan meals can be tasty, healthy, and affordable. By using hearty foods like beans and experimenting with fun, colorful vegetables, your dinner plate will never be the same.

And hopefully, the diet will help you reduce pain from neuropathy.

Have you ever tried a vegan diet?

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Arizona Pain, the premier pain management clinic in Phoenix, AZ, has been selected as the only Arizona pain center to participate in a novel study on chronic nerve pain. This FDA-approved study may unveil a potentially groundbreaking treatment with the use of a peripheral nerve stimulator, and patients who enroll today will be compensated.

September 20th, 2012, Scottsdale, AZ. — Those who suffer from debilitating chronic nerve pain will now have the chance to try a new, cutting-edge treatment that may rid them of their pain. Arizona Pain, (www.arizonapain.com) a comprehensive pain management clinic in the Phoenix area, is now enrolling patients for a breakthrough study involving the use of a new nerve stimulator to treat peripheral neuralgia — the Bioness StimRouter.

“The treatment we are testing in this study may finally provide lasting relief for patients suffering from intractable nerve pain,” says Arizona Pain’ Research Director, Dr. Ted Swing.

It is estimated that 20-million Americans suffer from peripheral nerve pain. Peripheral neuralgia refers to chronic pain of the arms, legs or trunk caused by damage to the nerves themselves. This condition can be the result of various causes, including physical trauma or surgical procedures, and is often difficult to treat. Current treatments include non-localized therapies such as spinal cord stimulation and the use of pain medication.

Bioness Inc., an award winning medical device company, is sponsoring this double blind, randomized study, which will enroll 126 patients at up to ten study sites throughout the United States. Patients who suffer from persistent nerve pain in their arms, legs or trunk, and who have been treated for more than three months without relief, may qualify for this study. It is free to participate, and all those who enroll will be financially compensated.

The study tests one method that has been previously effective for treating peripheral neuralgia — peripheral nerve stimulation. Through peripheral nerve stimulation, pain is reduced by delivering non-painful electrical stimulation to the nerve that is the source of an individual’s pain. This stimulation interferes with the pain signals from the affected nerve, resulting in a reduction in perceived pain.