A lack of insulin production in the pancreas is one of the causes of diabetes.Cells need Insulin to take up glucose.If left unaddressed, persistently high bloodglucose can cause damage to organs and nerves, especially the small peripheral nerves.70% of people with diabetes have some form of nerve damage, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.The feet are often the first to show symptoms of diabetes, so learning what the symptoms are and checking for them on a regular basis will help prevent irreversible damage.
Step 1: You should be aware of the numbness in your feet.
One of the most common symptoms of peripheral neuropathy is that feet lose sensation and become numb.In a stocking-like distribution, it can start in the toes and move to the rest of the foot and leg.One side of the feet may be more noticeable than the other.A reduced ability to feel pain from excessive temperatures is related to the numbness.Because of this, people with diabetes are more likely to get scalded from a hot bath in the winter.A person with diabetes can't know when their foot is injured or cut because of chronic numbness.In people with diabetes, this phenomenon is very common and can result in foot infections.Sometimes, the foot is so bad that the person doesn't realize it, and the infection can get deep into the tissue and even affect the bone.This can require a long course of antibiotics and can be life threatening.The symptoms of peripheral neuropathy are worse at night.
Step 2: Be alert to burning sensations.
Tingly, pins and needles and burning pain are some of the most common symptoms.When circulation returns to your foot after a sleep, you can feel similar sensations.The sensations of paresthesia range from mild to severe and don't affect both feet equally.The sensations begin on the bottom of the feet and progress up the legs.These strange sensations can be similar to an insect bite or an athlete's foot.There's too much sugar in the blood which can cause peripheral neuropathy.
Step 3: Sensitivity to touch is called hyperesthesia.
A minority of people with diabetes have an increase in sensitivity to touch.Reducing sensation and numbness in the feet is the most common outcome, but some people with diabetes become overly sensitive or hypersensitive to touch.The weight of a bed sheet on their feet can be a problem for people with this condition.This type of foot problem can be mistaken for gout attack or severe inflammatory arthritis.Electric in nature or burning pain are the types of pain associated with this increased sensitivity.
Step 4: Pay attention to the sensations of pain.
The peripheral neuropathy can affect the muscles of the feet.Sharp shooting pains in the soles are one of the first signs of muscle involvement in a diabetes.It is possible to prevent a person with diabetes from walking around at night if the pains are severe.When you see a muscle twitch or contract, it's usually visible to the eye.Diabetes does not get better or go away from walking.Diabetes-related foot pain can sometimes be mistaken for a stress fracture.
Step 5: Be aware of muscle weakness.
Water follows high glucose into nerves.The nerves swell up and they lose their blood supply because they are swollen.The muscle doesn't get stimulation from the nerve if it dies.There are atrophies when the muscle is no longer getting nerve stimulation.If you have weakness in your feet, it might affect how you walk, making you a little unstable or wobbly.It's not unusual to see long-term diabetics walking with canes or wheelchairs.In addition to foot and ankle weakness, the nerves that give feedback to your brain for coordination and balance are also damaged, so walking quickly becomes a real difficult task for people with diabetes.Reduced reflexes are caused by the damage to nerves and ankle muscles.Only a weak response (twitch of the foot) can be elicited by tapping the Achilles tendon.
Step 6: Look for toe defects.
If the muscles of your feet are weak, it will cause you to walk with more pressure on your toes.Hammertoes can be caused by additional pressure and weight shifts.A hammertoe is when one of the three toes in the middle of your foot is not straight.This unbalanced balance can cause certain areas of the foot to be under more pressure than normal.This can result in pressure ulcers, which can lead to a host of problems.Sometimes hammertoes can be resolved with time, but usually surgery is needed to correct them.When the big toe is pushed towards the other toes, it can cause a bunion.It's important for people with diabetes to wear shoes with lots of space for their toes.Women should never wear high-heels if they have diabetes.
Step 7: It is very important to be cautious with any signs of injury or illness.
An injury to their feet is the most serious problem a person with diabetes faces.Due to the lack of sensation, diabetics don't often feel minor injuries such as cuts, blisters or insect bites.If not treated in time, these minor injuries can lead to the loss of toes or an entire foot.There are a number of visual signs of an infection, including swelling, redness, and the leaking of fluid from the wound.Infections start to smell bad as soon as the wound heals.As their immune systems are weakened, chronic diabetics have reduced abilities to heal.Minor injuries linger for a long time, which increases the chance of infections.If a minor injury turns into a large canker sore, medical attention is required immediately.It is recommended that people with diabetes check the bottom of their feet at least once a week and that their doctor inspect them at all their medical appointments.
Step 8: Look in your hands for similar symptoms.
The smaller peripheral nerves that innervate the fingers, hands and arms are affected by peripheral neuropathy.It's a good idea to check your hands for the signs and symptoms of diabetes.The upper limbs progress in a glove-like pattern similar to the distribution of diabetic foot symptoms.carpal tunnel syndrome or Raynaud's disease can mimic or be misdiagnosed as diabetes-related symptoms in the hands.Your feet are often encased in socks and shoes, so it's easier to check and be aware of your hands on a regular basis.
Step 9: You need to check yourself for signs of autonomic neuropathy.
The nerves that control your heart rate, bladder, lungs, stomach, intestines, genitals, and eyes are part of the autonomic system.Diabetes can affect these nerves and cause a variety of problems, such as: increased heart rate, hypotension, urinary retention or incontinence, constipation, bloating, loss of appetite, difficulty swallowing, and vaginal dryness.A lack of sweating in the feet or other parts of the body is a sign of autonomic neuropathy.Heart disease and kidneys failure are caused by widespread autonomic neuropathy.
Step 10: Change in your vision is something you should be aware of.
The eyes and small blood vessels are affected by peripheral and autonomic neuropathies.Going blind is often the biggest fear of people with diabetes.Difficulty adapting to low-light conditions, blurry vision, watery eyes, and gradual reduced visual acuity are some of the eye problems related to diabetes.It is the most common cause of vision loss among people with diabetes.Adults with diabetes are more likely to develop cataracts.Cataracts and Glaucoma can be caused by Diabetic eye disease.