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.
Diabetic dermopathy appears as pink to red or tan to dark brown patches, and it is most frequently found on the lower legs. The patches are slightly scaly and are usually round or oval. Long-standing patches may become faintly indented (atrophic).
Although there is no cure for diabetic neuropathy, use of these treatments can improve painful symptoms and prevent complications. (See "Management of diabetic neuropathy".) Control blood sugar levels — An important treatment for diabetic neuropathy is to control blood sugar levels.
Long-term numbness or a tingling feeling in the legs and feet may be due to conditions such as multiple sclerosis (MS), diabetes, peripheral artery disease, or fibromyalgia. The sensation may be felt in the whole leg, below the knee, or in different areas of the foot.
It occurs when you have elevated blood sugar for a long period. The most common type of diabetes-related neuropathy affects your legs and feet. There is no cure for diabetes-related neuropathy. You can manage nerve pain with medication, exercise and proper nutrition.
Aims/hypothesis: Walking is recommended as an adjunct therapy to diet and medication in diabetic patients, with the aim of improving physical fitness, glycaemic control and body weight reduction.
In the last few years, the limb preservation program at UCSF has shown that many diabetes-related amputations can be avoided with a new approach to treatment. They've saved many toes and limbs – including Sammon's feet – from the grip of diabetes.
Because of reduced blood flow, wounds may be slow to heal or not heal at all. As a result, tissue can become damaged, and an infection can develop and spread to the bones. Once this happens, amputation is often the only option to prevent more damage.
Take a "brisk" or quick walk every day for 30 minutes or more. Walk for 45 to 60 minutes if you need to lose weight. Stair Exercise: Holding a handrail for support, walk quickly up stairs on the balls or front part of your feet 5 or 10 times. Calf stretch: Keep your legs stiff and feet flat on the floor.
Most lower leg and foot removals begin with foot ulcers. An ulcer that won't heal causes severe damage to tissues and bone. It may require surgical removal (amputation) of a toe, a foot or part of a leg. Some people with diabetes are at higher risk than others.
Diabetes can affect your blood circulation and cause fluid to build up in the lower extremities. This buildup can cause swelling in the feet, ankles, and lower legs.
Diabetes can damage nerve fibers throughout the body, but it most often affects the legs and feet. Neuropathy can be painful, debilitating, and even deadly if not treated. In other words, unmanaged diabetes severely compromises your circulatory and nervous system, which leads to a host of issues in your legs and feet.
Localized itching is often caused by diabetes. It can be caused by a yeast infection, dry skin, or poor circulation. When poor circulation is the cause of itching, the itchiest areas may be the lower parts of the legs.
Warning Signs of Diabetic Foot Problems
Increase swelling of legs or feet. Change of skin color. Burning or tingling sensation. Lack of feeling in the feet.
Not only do T2D patients have both reduced muscle recovery and strength, they also start to lose muscle mass. In fact, the longer you have diabetes, the more muscle mass you tend to lose, especially in the legs (3). InBody results for patients with T2D shows that lower body muscle mass is particularly low.
Myth: People with diabetes can't cut their own toenails
Not true: the general advice on toenail cutting applies to everyone. If you have diabetes you should keep your nails healthy by cutting them to the shape of the end of your toes.
It's not always possible to reverse type 2 diabetes. But even if you can't get your blood sugar levels down with lifestyle changes alone and still need medication or insulin, these healthy habits help better manage your condition and may prevent complications from developing.
Diabetes can cause nerve damage, called peripheral neuropathy, that makes you lose feeling in your feet. This can be a disaster if you're walking around without foot protection. Diabetes can also compromise your circulation. Your feet are far away from your heart, and blood flow reduces to your soles, heels, and toes.
Medications. Your doctor might suggest trying an over-the-counter pain reliever, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), aspirin (Bufferin), or ibuprofen (Motrin IB, Advil), which are available without a prescription but can cause side effects. Use a low dose for a short time to control your symptoms.
Another symptom is a burning, sharp, or aching pain (diabetic nerve pain). The pain may be mild at first, but it can get worse over time and spread up your legs or arms. Walking can be painful, and even the softest touch can feel unbearable. Up to 50 percent of people with diabetes may experience nerve pain.
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.
Rest your leg as much as possible, and elevate your leg with pillows. Take an over-the-counter pain reliever, such as aspirin or ibuprofen, to help ease discomfort as your leg heals. Wear compression socks or stockings with support.
Drink in Moderation
Most people with diabetes can enjoy some alcohol. Rules are the same as for everyone else: one drink per day for women; two for men. But you need to know how alcohol affects your blood sugar. A sugary drink might spike your blood sugar.