Chronically elevated blood sugars can also damage nerves that tell muscles how to move. This can lead to muscle weakness. You may have difficulty walking or getting up from a chair. You may have difficulty grabbing things or carrying things with your hands.
Diabetes can affect your walking ability because the excess blood glucose makes it harder for blood to flow and damages the blood vessels that supply the oxygen and nutrients to the nerves. The nerves or tissues can't function optimally without adequate blood flow.
Older individuals with diabetes were twice as likely to be unable to walk a quarter of a mile, climb stairs, or do housework compared with older individuals without diabetes.
Patients with type 2 diabetes have muscle weakness in more areas of the leg than previously thought, according to new research. It is well known people with diabetes can suffer from muscle weakness of the lower limbs, such as the calf muscle, which increases the risk of falling.
Type 2 diabetes, a common metabolic disease in older people, is a major risk factor for functional limitation, impaired mobility, and loss of independence.
Not getting enough physical activity can raise a person's risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Physical activity helps control blood sugar (glucose), weight, and blood pressure and helps raise “good” cholesterol and lower “bad” cholesterol.
Humans with diabetes, especially those with DN, show several motor dysfunctions, such as an increased risk of falling, altered gait and balance, and increased body sway [2,3,4]. Diabetes is also associated with a significant increase in the risk of physical disability [5,6].
Peripheral neuropathy is the most common form of diabetic neuropathy. Your feet and legs are often affected first, followed by your hands and arms. Possible signs and symptoms of peripheral neuropathy include: Numbness or reduced ability to feel pain or temperature changes, especially in your feet and toes.
Diabetes can cause leg soreness and pain. Over time, high blood sugar damages the nerves around your muscles. This nerve damage is called “diabetic neuropathy.” Diabetic neuropathy causes diabetic leg pain and soreness, which can make it hard for you to walk and stay active.
What are the symptoms of diabetic neuropathy? The most common symptoms of diabetic neuropathy are numbness, tingling, a burning feeling, aching, cramps and weakness. Symptoms often begin in their feet or hands. These symptoms may later spread to their legs and arms.
High blood sugar (glucose) can injure nerves throughout the body. Diabetic neuropathy most often damages nerves in the legs and feet. Depending on the affected nerves, diabetic neuropathy symptoms include pain and numbness in the legs, feet and hands.
Nerve damage can affect your hands, feet, legs, and arms. High blood sugar can lead to nerve damage called diabetic neuropathy. You can prevent it or slow its progress by keeping your blood sugar as close to your target range as possible and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
Avoid soaking your feet, as this can lead to dry skin. Dry your feet gently, especially between the toes. Moisturize your feet and ankles with lotion or petroleum jelly. Do not put oils or creams between your toes — the extra moisture can lead to infection.
Try to work your way to 10,000 steps per day or at least 30 minutes a day to cut your risk of type 2 diabetes. If you have trouble walking 30 minutes at a time, try walking in smaller amounts throughout the day, such as 10 minutes in the morning, afternoon, and evenings.
Individuals who have diabetes have an increased risk of vestibular dysfunction. The condition was found in 53.6% of individuals with diabetes versus 33.2% of individuals who don't have diabetes. In addition, the individuals with diabetes had: A loss of balance.
Diabetes is a global health concern that can lead to mobility limitations necessitating a wheelchair.
Diabetes is linked to two other conditions that raise the chances of foot amputation: peripheral artery disease (PAD) and diabetic neuropathy. PAD can narrow the arteries that carry blood to your legs and feet and make you more likely to get ulcers (open sores) and infections.
A lack of this B vitamin can happen to anyone, but the risk is higher on metformin, especially over time. When you don't get enough, it can cause peripheral neuropathy, the numbness or tingling in your feet and legs that's already a risk with diabetes.
On the hands, you'll notice tight, waxy skin on the backs of your hands. The fingers can become stiff and difficult to move. If diabetes has been poorly controlled for years, it can feel like you have pebbles in your fingertips. Hard, thick, and swollen-looking skin can spread, appearing on the forearms and upper arms.
Diabetic Blisters
They're usually white with no red around them. The blisters might look scary, but they usually don't hurt and heal on their own in about 3 weeks. They could be a sign that you have diabetes or that your blood sugar levels aren't controlled.
When you have diabetes, high glucose levels in the blood can damage nerves and blood vessels. Because the nerves and blood vessels supplying the feet are so long and delicate, the feet — and especially the toes — often get affected first.
In people with diabetes, the pancreas does not produce enough insulin, or the body does not use insulin effectively. This causes excess glucose in the blood. Fatigue and weakness may result when the cells do not get enough glucose.
Diabetic striatopathy is a rare disorder that usually presents with a variety of hyperkinetic movement disorders, and is associated with poor glycaemic control. 1 It is more prevalent in elderly diabetic women with poor glycaemic control (mostly type 2 DM but can occur in type 1 DM).
Caution! Very strenuous activity, heavy lifting or straining and isometric exercise. Most moderate activity such as walking, moderate lifting, weight lifting with light weights and high repetitions, stretching.