The foot pain related to diabetes, which is also known as foot neuropathy, is a widespread complication that occurs to numerous people with diabetes. It happens to those suffering from diabetes type 1 and 2. The less controlled your blood sugar is, and the longer you have diabetes, the more likely it is you will develop discomfort or foot pain at some point.
How is the Health of Your Feet Affected by Diabetes?
The foot pain related to diabetes is usually caused by high blood sugar levels. Over time, blood vessels and nerve endings throughout the body are damaged by high levels of sugar in the blood. This combination causes poor circulation and nerve pain.
Since the feet are so far away from the heart, they are especially prone to poor circulation. Diabetes and joint pain can appear in the hands, but most people experiencing it feel it in their feet first.
Other factors that may amplify your risk of developing foot pain related to diabetes, including smoking, kidney disease, and being overweight.
What does Foot Pain from Diabetes Feel Like?
The most prevalent symptoms of foot pain related to diabetes comprise:
- Increased sensitivity or pain: This is pain or sensitivity to things that are not painful in normal circumstances. It could be feeling like certain socks are painful to wear or uncomfortable, or pain from bedsheets brushing against your feet.
- Tingling: This is a kind of ‘pins and needles’ sensation.
- Weakness or numbness: Nerves help your muscles to work, and they help you feel. When people bring up that their legs usually feel weak when they stand up or say, “I don’t feel when I cut my feet or step on things,” nerve damage is often suspected.
- Wounds and cuts heal slower: The immune cells are carried to wounds by healthy blood vessels. These cells help fight infections, repairing the damaged tissue. If blood circulation isn’t good, which is usually the case in diabetes, those wounds take more time to heal.
What Should I Do if I Have These Symptoms?
If you start to notice pain in your hands or feet, or an unusual sensation, schedule an appointment with your doctor. They’ll perform a quick test to check if your feet can feel properly. It includes your doctor brushing a soft piece of monofilament (or nylon) along different parts of your feet as you keep your eyes closed, saying ‘yes’ every time you think you feel it.
If you have diabetes, your doctor will usually perform this test at least once every year to catch nerve problems early, helping them stop before they get worse. They may also suggest that you meet with a podiatrist or a foot doctor. If your doctor believes that you have nerve damage, they could ask you to have more tests done to see how severe it is, but these are not recommended on a frequent basis due to their invasiveness.
What are Some Risks If I Don’t Get Treated?
The foot pain related to diabetes is more than just pain; it’s a sign of warning from your body. If you don’t see a doctor and get treated, this type of nerve pain can lead to complications. The untreated diabetes nerve pain can cause the following problems:
- Amputations
- Calluses
- Cracked, dry skin
- Ulcers
If you’re looking for diabetes relief and pain treatment in Layton, Utah, contact Peak Health & Wellness now. We’ll be happy to discuss the best treatment options for you.