How to Help

Talk to Your Loved One

For some people with Diabetic Nerve Pain, talking about the pain can be almost as uncomfortable as the pain itself. Your loved one may feel alone. He or she may think no one cares or understands what it’s like to have Diabetic Nerve Pain. Try to get your loved one to open up and share his or her feelings about Diabetic Nerve Pain. Tell your loved one that you are there and that you care.

Support Your Loved One’s Wellness

Help your loved one stay on track with medicines and doctor visits. It is important that he or she takes all prescribed medicines just as the doctor says. If your loved one is not improving or if side effects become an issue, encourage your loved one to discuss these issues with his or her doctor. 

Help your loved one manage diabetes. Diabetes is a very serious condition. People with this condition need to do certain things to keep themselves as healthy as possible. Good diabetes management may delay or even help prevent the onset of complications from diabetes.

Exercise is very important for people with diabetes. Exercise can help insulin work better and lower blood sugar. It can reduce blood pressure and improve cholesterol levels. Exercise also increases blood flow and keeps joints flexible. Encourage your loved one to get more exercise. But first, make sure his or her doctor says it’s OK.

Foot checks are very important for people with diabetes. If your loved one has symptoms of blood vessel or nerve damage in the feet, he or she should be under a doctor’s care. In addition to getting foot exams in the doctor’s office, make sure your loved one checks his or her feet often at home and reports any changes to the doctor. He or she may want to ask the doctor about orthopedic shoes. 

Eye exams are very important for people with diabetes. These exams will help to detect possible diabetic retinopathy or glaucoma. These are serious eye conditions that are common complications of diabetes. Make sure your loved one gets regular eye exams and tells the doctor about any vision changes.

Eating right is very important for people with diabetes. People with diabetes must be concerned about keeping their blood sugar in check. Diet plays an important role in this process. Losing excess weight is also important. Support your loved one in making healthy food choices. Make sure he or she is following the dietary plan recommended by a doctor or diabetes educator.