Diabetic Amyotrophy: Facts You Should Know 
The Brun-Garland Syndrome, radiculoplexus neuropathy and proximal neuropathy all refers to diabetic amyotrophy. This is a diabetic neuropathy condition wherein extreme pain originating from the hips, buttocks or thigh areas of the patient can be experienced. Lancing and burning pain is concentrated on one side of the body. This usually occurs to patients with Type 2 diabetics and with advanced age. Unlike most common types of diabetic neuropathy wherein pain starts from the extremities, pain with diabetic amyotrophy starts from the middle part of the body and eventually goes down the limbs. The pain also starts asymmetrical, concentrating in one side at first and will progress to both sides. Below are the most common symptoms of diabetic amyotrophy: 1. Difficulty in movement – Sitting up, walking or climbing stairs and other movements with the legs are made painful with the condition. 2. Weakened limbs – Pain will force patient to favour the limb that will eventually weaken it over extended period. 3. Stomach or abdominal swelling 4. Slight numbness – Senses of affected fingers or toes are slightly lessened. 5. Weight loss – Patients suffering extreme and consistent pain unintentionally loss weight and this is also due to lowered glycemic control. 6. Limb atrophy – Limbs left idle for a long time risk of being atrophied The condition could last to over six months and recovery would entail exercising and rehabilitation of the affected limb. Total recovery could take an average of two years. Diabetes is incurable but the symptoms can be easily managed with insulin, medications, proper diet and eating habits and active lifestyle. The recommended Type 2 diabetes diet should derive energy content from carbohydrates and starches. Good sources of daily supply of starch are cereals, bread, potatoes, corn, rice and peas. Your diet should also be high in fibers, coming from fruits and leafy vegetables. Eat a lot of vegetables like cabbage, lettuce, spinach, broccoli, tomatoes, celery, carrots, peppers, chillies and beans. Recommended fruits are mangoes, berries, bananas, raisins, apples and peaches. Fats and meats should be avoided. Processed meat products are high saturated fats and cholesterol. This is also true to eggs and whole milk and other diary products. Avoid frying your foods. You can also replace fatty and oily spreads with healthier choices. You food choices should help you maintain a healthy level of cholesterol in the body and your ideal weight as well. Eating the right food is not enough for the type 2 diabetes diet. Proper timing of meals also matters. Patients should properly time their meals to better maintain blood sugar level. Missing and skipping meals could be dangerous to the patient. Type 2 diabetes is acquired in adulthood. It is the result of the excessive lifestyle of the person. Prone to develop Type 2 diabetes are those who are obese, rarely exercises, smokes and indulges in alcoholic drinks. Regular glucose tolerance test can also help in monitoring the sugar levels and likelihood of developing diabetes. This could also effectively prevent the occurrence of diabetic amyotrophy altogether.