People with diabetes tend to suffer from several related disorders that can result in joint pain and dysfunction. In fact, diabetes has been associated with serious diseases such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and gout, among others.
Needless to say, these are extremely painful conditions that can significantly lower the patient’s quality of life. Fortunately, proper diabetic care and diabetes pain management can help.
This post will focus on the link between diabetes and joint pain. Let’s find out more about the causes, symptoms, and diabetes relief and pain treatment in Layton.
Diabetes and Joint Pain
Diabetes is a chronic condition that occurs when a person has problems with their insulin and blood sugar (or blood glucose) levels.
Insulin does the crucial job of delivering blood glucose into the body’s cells. People with high blood glucose may experience different kinds of health issues. In some cases, diabetes pain management may become necessary.
For example, they can develop type 1 diabetes if their pancreas fails to produce insulin. Conversely, type 2 diabetes is an acquired condition, where the body produces low amounts of insulin.
Mentioned ahead are a few ways diabetes results in joint pain. Each of these conditions can be managed through diabetes joint pain relief treatment.
1. Rheumatoid Arthritis and Type 1 Diabetes
Rheumatoid arthritis and type 1 diabetes are autoimmune disorders. This means both can lead the immune system to attack an otherwise healthy body part.
People with rheumatoid arthritis tend to experience joint pain as their immune system can attack the tissues in the joints, resulting in pain, swelling, and even deformities. This makes seeking diabetes joint pain relief treatment non-negotiable.
Those suffering from type 1 diabetes may experience hampered production of insulin as their immune system can target their pancreas.
In both conditions, patients will experience inflammation of the joints. Without timely medical intervention and diabetic care, one autoimmune condition can lead to the formation of the other condition.
2. Osteoarthritis and Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes is characterized by an increase in the person’s body weight. Being obese or overweight can heighten the person’s risk of developing osteoarthritis. That’s because all that extra weight can pressurize the joints, especially in the lower body.
The good news is that an overweight person can lower the possibility of developing type 2 diabetes and osteoarthritis. This can be done by bringing the weight to a healthy level, eating nutritious food, exercising regularly, and following the necessary diabetic care practices.
Arthritis Foundation reports that “losing one pound of weight resulted in four pounds of pressure being removed from the knees. In other words, losing just 10 pounds would relieve 40 pounds of pressure from your knees.”
This essentially means that maintaining a healthy weight along with diabetes pain management through proper treatment is key to improving these conditions.
3. Charcot’s Joint
Charcot’s joint or neuropathic arthropathy occurs due to nerve damage resulting from diabetes. In medical terms, it is also called diabetic neuropathy.
A person with Charcot’s joint typically experiences numbness in the extremities, most commonly in the ankles and feet. Diabetic foot pain is a good example of this.
Those affected may lose all sense of sensation in these parts, making them more susceptible to twisting or breaking without the person realizing it.
It doesn’t stop there – even small strains can further pressurize the joints in the feet. Reduced blood supply and other factors can worsen the condition of the joints over time.
However, diabetes joint pain relief treatment can help bring the situation under control. Other diabetic care instructions include avoiding the use of the affected foot until it heals. It is further advised to use additional support (orthotics or cast) in case the feet become numb.
4. Musculoskeletal Issues
Yet another long-term effect of avoiding diabetic care and treatment is the collapse of the musculoskeletal system. As a result, the person may experience joint damage and restricted joint movement.
Musculoskeletal issues among those suffering from type 1 or type 2 diabetes are often related to the duration of and control over the diabetic condition. Some of these conditions include carpal tunnel syndrome, Dupuytren’s contracture (drawing up of the palms), and trigger finger along with hampered joint mobility.
Additionally, they may experience shoulder pain as a result of frozen shoulder or rotator cuff tendinitis. All these conditions make diabetes joint pain relief treatment extremely necessary.
Common Symptoms of Diabetes
When a person’s joints get damaged, the bones tend to rub against each other, causing friction. This, in turn, results in severe pain, inflammation, stiffness, and limited joint mobility.
Further, if a person’s blood sugar spirals out of control, they can experience major health problems along with extreme joint pain. It is, therefore, crucial that timely diabetes joint pain relief treatment be sought.
For optimal diabetes pain management, it’s important to understand the various symptoms associated with joint-related issues. A few common signs that you may be experiencing diabetic joint pain are as follows:
- Tingling or numbness in parts of the body
- Swelling and/or redness
- Areas hot to the touch
- Throbbing joints
- Changes in the way the part of the body with the joints appears
- Deformities
- Stiffness
- Immobility
- Restricted range of motion
- Joint instability
- Thickening of the skin
- A change in height
Treatment Options
Seeking diabetes joint pain relief treatment should never be delayed, especially if you suffer from other serious health conditions or comorbidities. If you’re experiencing any of the above-mentioned symptoms, sign up for certified diabetic care immediately.
Your diabetes pain management team will need to know about all your symptoms and other conditions/comorbidities. This information will help them create a healthcare or treatment plan that suits them best.
As part of your diabetes joint pain relief treatment, you may be advised of the following:
- Avoiding activities that cause weight gain
- Better management of blood glucose level
- Lifestyle changes
- Physical therapy
- Use of orthotic support
- Acupuncture and massage
- Prescription of vitamin supplements
- Prescription of medicines that help prevent bone loss
- Injections
- Joint surgery, if necessary
Conclusion
Diabetes is a serious health condition that has a direct impact on the patient’s life. Without proper diabetic care, it can result in other painful medical issues. Joint pain caused by diabetes needs specialized diabetes joint pain relief treatment from qualified health care providers.
Peak Health and Wellness is ideal for those who require a highly skilled provider to accurately diagnose your diabetes pain and tailor a treatment plan that improves your life. Schedule a detailed evaluation today by calling (801) 689-3389, or fill out our online form to get in touch with us!