Diabetic Polyneuropathy and Benfotiamine
During episodes of hyperglycemia, unlike most other cell types, the neurons and Schwann cells of the peripheral nervous system are unable to successfully prevent the rise of their internal glucose levels and, as a consequence, are damaged. This mechanism was described by Michael Brownlee, in his seminal paper, The Pathobiology of Diabetic Complications. Increased levels of […]
Prediabetic Neuropathy: Diagnosis and Treatment
With estimates of the incidence of prediabetes in the USA at over 84 million people, prediabetes is an epidemic by any definition. It is also one of the leading causes of peripheral neuropathy with some 18% of prediabetics–15 million people in the USA–estimated to be suffering from peripheral neuropathy. Because diabetic and prediabetic peripheral neuropathies are both […]
Prediabetes and Peripheral Neuropathy
Summary: The association between peripheral neuropathy and prediabetes, although not well known by clinicians, is well established in the scientific literature. It is estimated that up to 15 million prediabetics in the US may have peripheral neuropathy–making prediabetes, one of the least recognized and most common causes of peripheral neuropathy in the US. After performing a literature […]
On Treating Alcoholic Peripheral Neuropathy
Summary: Clinicians should consider the diagnosis of alcoholic polyneuropathy in patients who presently use alcohol excessively and patients who, while currently sober, have a history of such behavior. In 2015, according to The National Institutes of Health (NIH), there were approximately 15 million alcoholics in the US–with estimates suggesting that up to 10 million of them suffered from the most common […]
Type 2 Diabetes, Foot Ulcers and Cognition
Summary: Research group finds that type 2 diabetics with foot ulcers possess fewer cognitive resources than a matched group of type 2 diabetics without foot ulcers. The harmful impact of diabetes on peripheral and central nervous system functioning is well documented. Peripherally, approximately 50% of people suffering from diabetes will, over the course of the disease, develop diabetic […]
Benfotiamine and Alzheimer’s Disease
If you are one of the thousands of physicians who use benfotiamine, a high potency lipid-soluble form of thiamine (vitamin B1), in the treatment of polyneuropathy, you are certainly aware of its beneficial effects on the functioning of neurons in the peripheral nervous system. But a neuron is a neuron, whether in the peripheral or […]
Peripheral Neuropathy vs. Polyneuropathy
Which one of the following statements is true?A. Peripheral neuropathy and polyneuropathy are the same things.B. Peripheral neuropathy is a type of polyneuropathy.C. Polyneuropathy is a type of peripheral neuropathy. According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, peripheral neuropathy refers to the many varied conditions that involve damage to the peripheral nervous system. Examples […]
Reversing Thiamine Deficiency in Diabetic Polyneuropathy, an Important Therapeutic Goal
CLINICIAN ALERT: REVERSING THIAMINE (VITAMIN B1) DEFICIENCY IN THE TREATMENT OF DIABETIC POLYNEUROPATHY: AN IMPORTANT THERAPEUTIC GOAL SUMMARY: Thiamine deficiency is endemic in diabetics and an etiological factor in diabetic polyneuropathy. Reversing thiamine deficiency is an important therapeutic goal which has been shown to dramatically improve the symptoms associated with diabetic polyneuropathy. In a seminal paper on thiamine deficiency and diabetes, Thornalley et al. […]
Benfotiamine Shown to Improve Symptoms of Peripheral Neuropathy and Cognitive Function in Alcoholics
CLINICIAN ALERT: PATIENTS SUCCESSFULLY TREATED WITH BENFOTIAMINE FOR ALCOHOLIC POLYNEUROPATHY MAY ALSO EXPERIENCE IMPROVED COGNITIVE FUNCTION Thiamine (Vitamin B1) deficiency is a well-known and well-documented consequence of chronic alcohol consumption. This results in impaired neuronal functioning expressed in the peripheral nervous system as peripheral neuropathy and in the central nervous system as deficits affecting mood and cognition. Thiamine, a water-soluble vitamin, […]
Is Prediabetes a Risk Factor for Neuropathy?
According to the American Diabetes Association, before people develop type 2 diabetes, they almost always have “prediabetes” — blood glucose levels that are higher than normal but not yet high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes. Also known as impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), prediabetes is a hidden epidemic by any definition. In 2015, according to the CDC, 84 […]