
- With Mayo Clinic diabetes educators
Nancy Klobassa Davidson, R.N., and Peggy Moreland, R.N.
read biographyclose windowBiography of
Nancy Klobassa Davidson, R.N., and Peggy Moreland, R.N.
Nancy Klobassa Davidson and Peggy Moreland
Nancy Klobassa Davidson, R.N., B.S.N, C.D.E
Nancy Klobassa Davidson is a registered nurse who has worked in diabetes education for 17 years. She is a certified diabetes educator (C.D.E.) and is currently in graduate school working on a Master of Science in nursing (M.S.N.) and health care education.Nancy works with adults who have type 1, type 2 and other forms of diabetes. Nancy is coordinator of the Diabetes Unit's intensive insulin therapy program within the Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, Metabolism, & Nutrition at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. Nancy has worked extensively with insulin pump therapy and continuous interstitial glucose sensing.
Peggy Moreland, R.N., M.S.N.
Peggy Moreland is a certified diabetes educator (C.D.E.) in the Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, Metabolism, & Nutrition at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn.Peggy graduated with a Master of Science in Nursing and Health Care Education from the University of Phoenix and is a member of the American Association of Diabetes Educators and the American Diabetes Association. A certified diabetes educator (C.D.E.), Peggy enjoys working with patients to set and achieve diabetes self-management goals.
Latest entries
- Diabetes etiquette: When you don't have diabetes
May 2, 2013
- Coping with diabetes: Helping your loved one
April 24, 2013
- Types of diabetes
March 16, 2013
- Taking diabetes drugs
Feb. 27, 2013
- Insulin or medication?
Feb. 13, 2013
Living with diabetes blog
-
July 13, 2010
Autonomic neuropathy hits many body functions
By Nancy Klobassa Davidson, R.N., and Peggy Moreland, R.N.
Autonomic neuropathy is a nerve disorder that affects involuntary body functions such as digestion, perspiration, blood pressure, heart rate, body temperature, and changes in the way your eyes adjust to light.
Symptoms include:
- Bladder problems, including frequent urinary tract infections or urinary incontinence
- Digestive problems, such as bloating, belching and abdominal pain
- Constipation, uncontrolled diarrhea or combination of the two
- Slow stomach emptying (gastroparesis), leading to nausea, vomiting and loss of appetite
- Erectile dysfunction, which affects more than half the men with diabetes who are age 60 or older
- Vaginal dryness and other sexual difficulties in women
- Decreased or increased sweating
- Inability of your body to adjust blood pressure and heart rate, leading to sharp drops in blood pressure after sitting or standing (orthostatic hypotension)
- Problems regulating your body temperature
- Changes in the way your eyes adjust from light to dark
- Heart rate irregularities and silent heart attacks (the nerves that warn of a potential heart attack may not be working properly, causing no chest pains)
As you can see from the above list, autonomic neuropathy involves multiple systems in your body's functions, from the top of your head to the tip of your toes. Multiple treatments are generally required.
Make sure you have a good yearly physical exam for your diabetes and that your health care provider assesses you for neuropathies.
What are some of your experiences with autonomic neuropathy?
Regards and have a great week.
Nancy
18 comments posted
March 27, 2013 3:46 a.m.
I am not diabetic but have been diagnosed with Neuropathy. It started in my feet within weeks after shoulder surgery. It has progressively gotten worse as well as high bp and eyesight. At first I thought it was from being immobile but didn't clear up as I started moving again. I believe it is from chemicals used during surgery or the meds right after it. Now have problems with my wrist as well and that is how I was diagnosed. Could it be from something used during the surgery?
- Susan
July 28, 2011 3:14 p.m.
I am not diabetic but I have burning from my head to my rest does anyone else have this was wonder what it is
- christine
June 6, 2011 8:02 p.m.
I have been diabetic over half of my life. In this time I have had 11 PRP surgeries in one eye, 13 in the other eye and 2 vitrectomies in each eye followed by the removal of the right eye and insertion of a glass eye. I also suffer from autonomic neuropathy. My remaining eye does not adjust to light from dark. I wear polarized sunglasses or would be blinded by the white light. I also have gastroparesis(slow emptying of the stomach). This has resulted in issues with insulin reactions. I find it works better to take insulin after eating than before eating. I have no feeling from the knees down in both legs. I originally did have the electrical shock sensations in the shins but this went away. Wearing ompression hose did help with the discomfort. I also have proximal diabetic neuropathy in the right buttock and thigh( a weakening and shrinking of the muscle tissue) and am now being diagnosed with Charcot joint in the right ankle. I am female in my mid forties and am compliant with medications, diet and exercise.
- Ann
January 31, 2011 7:53 p.m.
My mother is 89 yr old and recently diagnosed with neuropathy. Evidently she has had this for some time for now she is unable to walk and cannot feel her feet and legs. She is on a dose of 1000 mg solumedral each week but doesn't seem to have much impact. She has always been active and it is taking its toll. She is diabetic but has always had it under control. The solumedral is making blood sugar go crazy and her coumadin levels too. Any suggestions?
- Pat
January 15, 2011 7:00 a.m.
I am 53, and until 5 months ago, seemed to be in decent health. I am 16 pounds overweight, and could exercise more, but have a decent and well rounded diet. I started to have neuropathy symptoms 4 months ago like intense burning on the bottoms of my feet, numbness in various parts of my face and hands and occasional sharp pains in finger tips. I constantly think about what shoes and socks I'm wearing and miss out on a lot of activities with my family due to foot pain. I was missdiagnosed with broken bones (not) was almost on the table for spinal surgery (not the problem) and all of my blood work (full panel, fasting glucose, 24 hour urine) were normal. I found the A1c test on this site, and asked my promary doc to do the test. the results were 5.9, prediabetes. I have discovered in my research about the Diabetes Prevention Program developed my the cdc/nih and piloted in, I believe 2002, at various YMCA's with great results. I live in the Washington DC area, and no one (hospitals, YMCA, etc) offers this class. I know that with a lifestye change, that I can possibly make a big difference in my situation. Why is there limited support, but lots of classes are available once you have the disease? Our heath care system at its worse. Also, Do you have any other resource suggestions? My neurologist isn't convinced that prediabetes is causing my symptoms. I am on the waiting list to come to the Mayo Clinic
- Susan
January 2, 2011 12:44 a.m.
My husband has nuropathy but not diabetes. He is in misery with burning over his entire body also heavy feeling in his feet. dr has tried nuroton and didnt give any relief. Now is on Lyrica and getting no relief. Any help or suggestions would be appreciated
- karen
November 29, 2010 6:37 a.m.
Your podiatrist can prescribe Dr. Comfort shoes which are designed for diabetic feet. If not Dr. Comfort, there are other brands also. We have the Dr. Comfort in our area. Medicare covers payment of the shoes if prescribed by a podiatrist.
- Barb
August 31, 2010 7:12 p.m.
For help check your local hospital for groups to go to. Many of them post their times and meeting places there. As far as the sweating I have the same thing and have found that Degree works well on it and there is shirts that are moisture wisking that work really well. This is on way for me though to know when my sugar is falling below 60 so I don't want to stop all of that. Is there any shoes that will help with someone that has had a very bad ulcer on the ball of the foot. Have tried all including men's 4E with 2 pads and 2 ball pads along with socks and still get bruising if on feet more than 3 hours at a time.
- Bert
August 30, 2010 6:15 p.m.
i do not have the risk factors for autonomic neuropathy. i do have the symptoms. after hospitalization, i was diagnosed by process of elimination. is there a support group or website that i can join? i have the sweating, blood pressure vertigo, quick elimation after eating, (35 min.), yellow diahrrea, problems with sight at night and rapid heartbeats. does anyone else have this problem?
- cheri
August 16, 2010 1:56 p.m.
I am 21 and a "new" diabetic. I landed myself in the hospital for a week last year on a potassium and insulin drip, given daily blood thinner injection, and oral potassium. I hurt everywhere, I was weak, stiff, patches of skin where numb and my vision changed. I was the youngest one on my floor. Please dont do what I did. I have learned how to manage pretty well now and just happy to be alive. I pushed it too far and i dont want to again.
- Heather
August 1, 2010 2:53 p.m.
Diabetes causes dry skin, which causes itching. Use a washing liquid like Aveeno Skin Relief body wash. If heat is causing the itching, I have found witch hazel to be an instant cure. Re-apply as necessary. If she isn't getting dirty, don't bathe her daily - it, too, dries out the skin & hair. Older people aren't as moisturized. Another thing: Heat, skin folds & diabetes often cause a yeast infection on the surface of the skin (under breasts, crotch, etc.). I use a clear spray for athletes foot as a deodorant to prevent it, and monostat-type cream to treat any that slips by me. I don't want that awful fat-old-person smell that's caused by fungal infections.
- Edee
July 31, 2010 2:31 p.m.
Is intense itching a symptom of diabetes? My 95-year-old mother is in agony. No doctors have been able to help her but a dermatologist said since she is diabetic, it is her diabetes. No meds have helped her. She is desperate and unable to stop the itching. Any suggestions besides relaxants?
- Lee
July 26, 2010 1:01 p.m.
Zhao- Sorry. We wish that there was a cure for diabetes. At this time, diabetes is controlled through lifestyle changes and medication or insulin.
- Nancy and Peggy
July 26, 2010 12:59 p.m.
Shelley-Check with your local diabetes clinic for available diabetes support groups in your area. You might also check with your local public health nurse for any information about support groups.
- Nancy and Peggy
July 22, 2010 4:34 a.m.
I want to know the instant way of curing diabetes. My father suffered from this disease because of excessive driking and smoking. He is very suffering now and has to take medicine every day. I saw the website online and I want to seek solutions to cure him and make him happy. Hope you can give me a reply.
- zhao
July 21, 2010 12:37 p.m.
This is the first summer that I've had problems tolerating any kind of heat and/or humidity. My body responds with a full on flush and soaking sweat. I've been trying to figure out if it's from the medications I've been taking but maybe it's from the diabetes.
- Patricia
July 20, 2010 8:09 p.m.
My husband is not a diabetic. He has had chemo and is experiencing lots of these problems as well and numbness in the feet and hands. Is there anything that can help these conditions.
- Lynn
July 19, 2010 8:46 p.m.
Just sending out a yell for help...I don't have diabetes but my husband of 28 years does (type 1 for 53 years). I find his illness to be one that affects the whole family and am becoming overwhelmed as he is now facing a kidney transplant as well. IS THERE A SUPPORT GROUP OF ANY KIND available to family? I try very hard to not be the "police" but also want to do what is best for him in the midst of his depression and anger. I would be so appreciative of any help....thank you.
- Shelley
Share on:


18 comments posted