What Causes Diabetic Feet
Long-term high blood sugar can cause a type of nerve damage called diabetic neuropathy. Diabetic neuropathy can occur throughout the body, but most often in the legs and feet.
The condition might make you lose feeling in your feet. If your feet are numb, you might not notice a blister, cut or sore. You might not even feel a pebble in your sock that is cutting your foot, for example. Wounds that go unnoticed and untreated can become infected.
Diabetes can also affect blood flow to your legs and feet. People with diabetes are more likely to develop peripheral artery disease . This condition causes arteries to become narrowed or blocked. Reduced blood flow can make it difficult for a diabetic foot ulcer or infection to heal.
Limit Your Salt Intake
Did you know that the recommended guidelines state that an adult should not intake more than 2,300 mg salt per day? And yet statistics show that the average American eats around 3,400 mg salt per day. Diabetic patients and those with high blood pressure issues should always consume less salt through their diet. Salt will cause the leg swelling to worsen.;
Instead of salty foods, choose foods that are naturally low in salt. Fresh fruits and veggies and unprocessed foods are great examples. Avoid fast and processed foods. These are the foods that are usually carrying the highest amount of salt within them-instead of salt, using spices such as rosemary, thyme, paprika, and garlic powder to give your meals a better taste.
Invest In Quality Compression Socks
One of the best investments for a diabetic patient is compression socks. Compression socks make sure to exert pressure from the swollen ankle area, thus eliminating fluid retention. By doing so, they are reducing leg swelling and improve blood circulation. While being the tightest around the ankle, the socks are gradually less constrictive as they move up to the knee.
Usually, patients with varicose veins are recommended to use compression socks. It is important to know that these socks are worn during the day while being removed at night. They are no different than regular socks. Some patients wear them on one leg, and others wear them on both legs. This depends on the severity of the edema and the doctors opinion.;
You can easily purchase compression socks in your local pharmacy or even your favorite grocery store. Keep an eye on the level of compression that these socks are offering. It can variate from light, medium, to heavy. Which level you should choose is a decision that you and your doctor will make together.;;
Also Check: Can Diabetics Eat Macaroni And Cheese
Tingling Sensation In Feet
Increased sugar level can cause nerve damages in the nerves of hands and feet, and further results to a condition called Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy. One of the earliest signs of this complication is the feeling of tingling sensation in fingers and toes. If you have diabetes and if you start experiencing tingling followed by numbness or even burning sensation, get a screening test done a neurologist to confirm the underlying cause.
Wear Shoes And Socks At All Times
Wear shoes and socks at all times. Do not walk barefoot or in just socks even when you are indoors. You could step on something and hurt your feet. You may not feel any pain and may not know that you hurt yourself.
Check the inside of your shoes before putting them on, to make sure the lining is smooth and free of pebbles or other objects.
Make sure you wear socks, stockings, or nylons with your shoes to keep from getting blisters and sores. Choose clean, lightly padded socks that fit well. Socks with no seams are best.
Wear shoes that fit well and protect your feet. Here are some tips for finding the right type of shoes:
- Walking shoes and athletic shoes are good for daily wear. They support your feet and allow them to breathe.
- Do not wear vinyl or plastic shoes, because they do not stretch or breathe.
- When buying shoes, make sure they feel good and have enough room for your toes. Buy shoes at the end of the day, when your feet are the largest, so that you can find the best fit.
- If you have a bunion, or hammertoes, which are toes that curl under your feet, you may need extra-wide or deep shoes.1 Do not wear shoes with pointed toes or high heels, because they put too much pressure on your toes.
- If your feet have changed shape, such as from Charcots foot, you may need special shoes or shoe inserts, called orthotics. You also may need inserts if you have bunions, hammertoes, or other foot problems.
Recommended Reading: How Long Do Type 1 Diabetics Live
Tips For Diabetics To Reduce Swollen Feet
When you have diabetes, swollen feet may make things quite difficult. It is therefore important to take steps to prevent swollen feet in the first place. Here are some steps to take.
1.;; Exercise Regularly
You should exercise regularly when you have diabetes because this improves joint and bone health in your legs and feet. Staying active will also help improve blood circulation and stabilize blood sugar levels. Just be sure to talk to your doctor before starting an exercise program. You may want to avoid rigorous exercise because it may lead to edema.
2.;; Keep Your Legs Elevated
To prevent swollen feet, it really helps to keep your feet elevated. All you have to do is place a pillow under legs to elevate your legs a bit for 10-15 minutes every day. This improves circulation and reduces swelling by draining out excess fluid.
3.;; Try Compression Stockings and Bandages
You really need to do something to improve blood circulation in your legs, and compression stockings really help in this case. By exerting pressure on the affected area, they prevent fluid retention by returning the fluid to the lymphatic system. Similarly, using compression bandages may also help improve circulation and prevent edema in the foot and calves.
4.;; Limit Your Salt Intake
5.;; Wear Comfortable Shoes
6.;; Massage Your Feet
7.;; Maintain a Good Posture
Outbreak Of Small Reddish
When these bumps appear, they often look like pimples. Unlike pimples, they soon develop a yellowish color. Youll usually find these bumps on the buttocks, thighs, crooks of the elbows, or backs of the knees. They can form anywhere though.
Eruptive-xanthomatosis
These bumps appear suddenly and clear promptly when diabetes is well-controlled.
When these bumps appear, they often look like pimples. Unlike pimples, they soon develop a yellowish color. Youll usually find these bumps on the buttocks, thighs, crooks of the elbows, or backs of the knees. They can form anywhere though. No matter where they form, they are usually tender and itchy. The medical name for this skin condition is eruptive xanthomatosis.
Take action
- Tell your doctor about the bumps because this skin condition appears when you have uncontrolled diabetes.
- Talk with your doctor about how to better control your diabetes.
Recommended Reading: A1c Range For Type 1 Diabetes
Relief For Swollen Legs
If youre experiencing swelling in the legs and feet this summer, you may find that it is not only embarrassing but uncomfortable and impractical. Leg swelling or edema affects many older adults due to a variety of reasons. Luckily there is relief for patients who suffer from vascular conditions affecting the legs and feet.
Heart Vascular and Leg of Bakersfield, CA can help to identify and treat symptoms of vascular conditions.
What are some of the causes of foot and leg swelling?
Lifestyle Factors:
- Sitting or Standing Too Long: A common reason for leg swelling is prolonged sitting or standing. Heat can also make the swelling worse.
- Obesity: Being overweight can decrease blood circulation, causing fluid to build up in the legs, ankles, & feet.
- Diet: A diet with excessive salt can increase swelling.
Medications:
- Certain medications such as those containing steroids, hormones, antidepressants and anti-inflammatory drugs can cause leg, foot & ankle swelling.
- Peripheral Arterial Disease is a condition in which the arteries that carry blood to the arms or legs become narrowed or clogged, interfering with normal flow of the blood.
Call;661-324-4100;today to find relief for swollen legs, feet and ankles.
You Might Also Enjoy…
When Should You Call A Doctor If You Have Diabetes And Foot Problems
Write down the patient’s symptoms and be prepared to talk about them on the phone with a doctor. Following is a list of common reasons to call a doctor if a person with diabetes has a diabetic foot or leg problem. For most of these problems, a doctor visit within about 72 hours is appropriate.
If time and the patient’s condition permits, write down the patient’s symptoms, a list of medications, allergies to medicines, and the doctor’s name and phone number prior to coming to the hospital’s emergency department. This information will greatly assist the emergency physician in the evaluation and treatment of the patient’s problem.
Following are some common reasons to seek immediate medical attention for diabetic foot and leg problems.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
Recommended Reading: What Happens If You Stop Taking Diabetes Medication
However Not Only This But Several Other Reasons Also Play A Huge Role In Causing Swollen Feet In Diabetics
- Risk of infections
- foot ulcers
- gangrene
can increase in diabetics with swollen feet. Hence, one should not ignore even a minor swelling in the feet. In most cases, when the swelling has just started, simple lifestyle changes can reduce swelling and provide relief to a great extent. Here are 7 tips for diabetics to reduce swelling in the feet.
What Can Lead To Leg Swelling
For any diabetic patient, it is a must to consult a doctor in case you notice any changes in the body. A patient whos been living with diabetes for several years needs to be extra careful because this disease comes with so many attached risks.
If you are diabetic and have noticed some leg swelling recently, the following could be a few reasons for it.
Don’t Miss: Which Jonas Brother Is Diabetic
How Are Diabetic Feet Diagnosed
To diagnose diabetic foot, a healthcare provider will:
- Ask about your symptoms and how well youre controlling blood glucose.
- Examine your toes, feet and legs.
- Touch the toes, feet and legs with various tools to check whether you have numbness.
If a diabetic ulcer or blister is present, the healthcare provider will likely:
- Examine it for any signs of infection, such as redness, swelling, warmth, discoloration or discharge.
- Order tests to take pictures deeper than the skin, such as X-ray or MRI.
- Take a sample of the skin or discharge to test for infection.
The 10 Ultimate Tips For Swollen Feet Due To Diabetes
In the case of diabetes swollen feet, the patient will be examined by a podiatrist. A podiatrist is a doctor that specializes in taking care of any issues linked to the lower extremity, with a focus on the feet.
While they can recommend treatment, there are other methods that you can use to relieve some of the edemaa. Here we have ten excellent tips that will eliminate some of that swelling and improve your overall condition and quality of life.;
Read Also: What Is A Normal A1c For A Non Diabetic
Type 2 Diabetes Can Be A ‘devastating Diagnosis’ Says Expert
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info
This doesn’t mean you have to be overweight to develop type 2 diabetes, although it can be a contributing factor. High levels of visceral fat can be stored around the organs of so-called “skinny” people. When the cells become insulin resistant, the intake of sugar doesn’t get to fuel the body’s tissues. Instead, the excess sugar floats around the bloodstream causing internal damage.
Swollen Feet It Might Be A Sign Of Diabetes
Expert-reviewed by;Ashwini S.Kanade, Registered Dietician and Certified Diabetes Educator with 17 years of experienceFact-checked by;Aditya Nar, B.Pharm, MSc. Public Health and Health Economics
Diabetes is a silent killer that has the potential to damage every part of your body. It also increases the risk of a host of serious health problems that can be life-threatening if not addressed at the right time.
Therefore, apart from keeping a check on the diet, exercise and sugar levels, being aware of these warning signs of some serious complications of diabetes can help you better manage the condition.
Don’t Miss: What Should Blood Sugar Be At Bedtime For Non Diabetic
Yellowish Scaly Patches On And Around Your Eyelids
These develop when you have high fat levels in your blood. It can also be a sign that your diabetes is poorly controlled.The medical name for this condition is xanthelasma.
Take action
- Tell your doctor about the yellowish scaly patches around your eyes.
- Talk with your doctor about how to better control your diabetes. Controlling diabetes can clear the scaly patches.
Give Yourself An Epsom Soak
Epsom salt has been shown to help relieve swelling-associated pain and reduce inflammation in the body. For best results, put a sufficient amount of Epsom salt in a foot bath of cool water. If you have diabetic neuropathy in your feet, make sure that you double check the water temperature to avoid exposure to extreme temperature. Proceed to soak your feet and ankles for about 15 to 20 minutes.
Don’t Miss: Regular Insulin Patient Teaching
Are You Suffering From Swollen Feet Due To Diabetes Here Are A Few Tips To Help You Deal With It
Written by Shraddha Rupavate | Updated : June 5, 2015 3:10 PM IST
Most patients suffering from diabetes complain of swelling in the feet and legs. The main reason for this problem is improper blood circulation due to damaged blood capillaries as a result of increased pressure. Damaged capillaries cause peripheral oedema, leakage of fluids into surrounding tissues, which causes swelling. But, there can be several other reasons that could cause swelling in the feet. Therefore proper diagnosis is important.
Poor circulation is also one of the reasons why wounds in diabetic patients don’t heal quickly. Mr Bhushan Hemade of Diaped, a chain of multi-disciplinary foot clinics says ‘Foot problems are common in people with diabetes and can quickly become serious.’ They increases the risk of infections and severe complications like foot ulcers and gangrene that can even lead to limb amputation. That’s why, you should not ignore even minor swelling in your feet. In most cases, when the swelling has just started, simple lifestyle changes can reduce swelling and provide relief to a great extent.
1. Exercise regularly: Mr Hemade says ‘Regular exercise will improve bone and joint health in your feet and legs, improve circulation to your legs, and will also help to stabilize your blood sugar levels. But you should consult your doctor prior to beginning any exercise program.’ Do not practice rigorous exercises as it can lead to exercise-induced oedema.
Smooth Corns And Calluses Gently
Thick patches of skin called corns or calluses can grow on the feet. If you have corns or calluses, talk with your foot doctor about the best way to care for these foot problems. If you have nerve damage, these patches can become ulcers.
If your doctor tells you to, use a pumice stone to smooth corns and calluses after bathing or showering. A pumice stone is a type of rock used to smooth the skin. Rub gently, only in one direction, to avoid tearing the skin.
Do NOT
- use corn plasters, which are medicated pads
- use liquid corn and callus removers
Cutting and over-the counter corn removal products can damage your skin and cause an infection.
To keep your skin smooth and soft, rub a thin coat of lotion, cream, or petroleum jelly on the tops and bottoms of your feet. Do not put lotion or cream between your toes because moistness might cause an infection.
You May Like: High Blood Sugar At Night
Best Tips To Treat Swollen Feet From Diabetes
Living with diabetes is more than taking insulin when your blood sugar levels are too high. It requires ongoing management to avoid potentially life-threatening complications, mindful eating, and doing what you can to find support and improve your mental health. When diabetes management isnt upheld properly, it leads to problems such as neuropathy, diabetic ketoacidosis, kidney disease, high blood pressure, skin complications, changes in eyesight, and problems with your feet. If you notice any changes to your body or start to lose sensation in your limbs, contact your doctor immediately. Certain complications can be fatal when not addressed immediately. When facing issues with your lower extremities, here are some of the best tips to treat swollen feet from diabetes.;;