Life is hard enough, and sleep elusive enough, without the added complication of unremitting physical pain. Despite all the advances in medicine, there is often not an effective solution for chronic intractable pain. People with diabetes who suffer from a condition called PDN (painful diabetic neuropathy) may be so uncomfortable that they can’t perform normal day-to-day activities or fall asleep at night. When they finally do get to sleep, the pain often wakes them. There are an estimated five million diabetes patients with PDN, and more than half of them report serious sleeplessness due to pain.

To get an idea of what they may be feeling, people with PDN variously describe burning, stabbing, shooting or persistent aching sensations in their legs and feet; tingling and numbness in their extremities; pain on walking; increased sensitivity to touch; and a great deal of associated stress, anxiety and depression. The pain is typically greater at the end of the day.

PDN has historically been difficult to treat, which can frustrate both health providers and patients. The wide range of treatments offered to patients includes many prescription medications, but relief is often fleeting and pain medications can be addictive.

This condition indicates why a new way of dealing with PDN, the SENSUS™ Pain Management System, may be welcomed by patients and doctors alike. SENSUS is the innovation of NeuroMetrix, Inc., a medical device company based in Waltham, Massachusetts that develops and markets point-of-care and home use devices for the treatment of diabetic neuropathies. SENSUS utilizes transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, and is the first such device to receive 510(k) clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use during sleep. 

SENSUS is lightweight, wearable under clothing, and offers non-narcotic pain relief alone or as a complement to medications. It has an easy-to-use one-button control.

For more information, visit www.NeuroMetrix.com/sensus.