There are lots of facets of diabetes where scientists and physicians have yet to know, in addition to emerging aspects of this disease which could be tricky to work with present technology. As an example, there’s still no known connection between sleep apnea and diabetes, even though sleep apnea may place people at a higher risk for cardiovascular disease, as can diabetes. Diabetic foot pain is most common, also well-documented. Specific correlations have to be demonstrated, and new complications appear as scientists identify more people afflicted by this much-dreaded disease.
A renowned diabetic foot pain symptom is gangrene of the feet, which may frequently cause amputations. A new aspect of its disease is its genetic element, and experts such as molecular biologists and diagnosticians are working to understand how people get diabetes from their parents.
How Do People Get Diabetes?
There are three primary types of diabetes; however, the three main forms come about due to the inability of the human body’s insulin-producing cells to exude sufficient levels of insulin. Insulin assists in breaking down sugars and carbs into forms which the body can use for energy. Without it, sugar levels in the blood rise, translating into tissue and organ damage.
Type I diabetes is considered an autoimmune disorder, in which the body’s immune system destroys the pancreatic cells that make insulin. Type II diabetes and gestational diabetes involve resistance by the body’s cells to the effects of insulin; gestational diabetes, or pregnancy-related diabetes, though, will often subside after the baby is delivered.
Diabetes isn’t grabbing, and for individuals who have diabetes continuing education is essential to notify them and their loved ones about therapy regimens, in addition to what factors can lead to diabetes. Obesity is a significant risk factor for Type II diabetes, and so people that have a family history of diabetes should be careful to eat a balanced diet that’s low in sodium and saturated fats.
Knowing the source of diabetes might help doctors design a treatment program which could help patients manage the disease better. Disease management for diabetes may incorporate a rigorous diet, increased physical activity, and physical fitness strategy to lead to fat and weight reduction. Research proves that abdominal fat is a huge factor for diabetes, so people with fatty abdomens are often recommended a more rigorous fitness regimen, in addition to routine checkups to determine if diabetes type II has developed.
Genetics also plays a significant role in diabetes, so the big question is the scientific community today – How is diabetes inherited? Type I and Type II diabetes could be inherited and may be triggered by different stimuli like stress, viral diseases, or even illegal drugs. At present, scientists are analyzing what mutations are needed for diabetes to set in completely, how these mutations are brought around, and if they can be passed from parent to child.
What Does Diabetic Foot Pain Feel Like
Since diabetes can damage the nerves of the toes and impede blood flow, foot pain can be common in people who have diabetes. There are specific shoes for diabetics that are designed for this pain. Individuals who have diabetes have stiff joints, and can sometimes bleed due to decreased clotting ability of the blood. This usually means that wounds will heal slower, and with reduced nerve function in the feet, people with diabetes can often have foot wounds not knowing.
With increased harm to numb feet, a person who has diabetes may not know he or she requires to take antibiotics or apply certain ointments to take good care with diseases of the foot. And since the flow is slowed, wounds at the feet may not cure in any way, leading to foot ulcers or gangrene. At this stage, amputation is the only cure.
Diabetic foot pain is just the beginning of someone’s worries, so deal with it until it gets out of control. Always check your feet for wounds, and then wash your feet daily with soap and warm water. Scrub your feet and dry it carefully. If you see wounds, use an ointment, or consult with your diabetic physician about treatment regimens. You may also need to visit a physical therapist to maintain the muscles of your feet active. Such treatment may be costly, though some packages of health insurance for people with diabetes has it.
The 8 Steps to Fight Diabetic Foot Pain
Neuropathy is the cause of foot pain in diabetics or damage to the nerves in the foot. Often diabetic neuropathy leads to numbness, to the point of not being aware of damage, ulcerations, as well as gangrene (tissue death). For some, the neuropathy causes excruciating pain; they’re incredibly sensitive to anything even lightly brushing the foot. The pain has been described as tingling or burning.
Sadly, having diabetes greatly increases the likelihood of losing feet or even the entire foot. The safest thing to do is avoid damage as far as possible to reduce foot pain caused by neuropathy.
a. The American Diabetes Association discovered that diabetic nerve pain is radically reduced when blood glucose levels are controlled in reasonable limits. It is best to help yourself by monitoring your glucose levels.
b. Protection for your feet. Socks have to be soft, non-restrictive, not too loose as they can bunch up inside a shoe & press on the skin. Shoes should be worn with socks. Nylons don’t protect the foot nicely.
c. Visit a podiatrist for a complete medical exam. You might find some diabetic foot pain relief with custom orthotic devices. Report any kind of sensation. Also, your podiatrist can offer expert guidance regarding footwear. In case you have any foot deformities such as bunions or hammertoes, then it could be beneficial to repair them.
d. Using warm water, wash feet gently and thoroughly. Check the water temperature first. Make sure you dry properly, and inspect between the toes, the back along with the under surface to check for any diabetic foot pain symptoms of infection or pressure.
e. Moisturize skin. Due to high levels of glucose, diabetic foot skin tends to be dry and dryness results in cracks. A skin cracked is easier for bacteria to invade, and foot ailments are painful and more difficult to heal in people with diabetes. Stay away from over-moisturizing between the toes.
f. Proper foot care involves keeping the nails trimmed. Cut them straight across, rather than so short since they might bleed. Get assistance if you aren’t sure. Gently treat calloused areas with a pumice rock. To avoid skin irritation and to help the sock, ensure foot is smooth.
g. Improve blood circulation to the feet with exercise that doesn’t cause issues. Try biking, swimming, and yoga. These are the best exercise to start with. Circulation improves blood flow and helps decrease neuropathy.
h. Ensure you follow up. Diabetic foot pain requires a daily regimen to maintain as comfy as possible and to avoid further issues. Treat your feet like precious possessions.
Why You Should Care About Diabetic Foot Pain and How it Impacts Your Life
If you have diabetes, here is why caring for your feet could save your own life:
Diabetic Foot Pain is only one of many worrying indicators of Diabetes Mellitus Complications – due to what it might foretell. Other diabetes complications may result in many diseases in which (typically), higher blood sugar levels cause damage of the nerves and also nerve-endings, kidneys, blood vessels and eyes, normally developing over very long periods.
Effective Diabetes Management
If your diabetes isn’t carefully handled, permanent organ damage and disability of your immune system are possible too. And like these issues are not bad enough, complications from diabetes lessen the body’s capacity to fight even mild infections. And infection of the feet can be a challenge to have.
Your Diabetic Foot Problem
Diabetic Foot Pain is only one of a vast assortment of diabetic foot problems which are highly prevalent in diabetes patients but keep in mind; even minor diabetic foot problems could quickly become serious indeed.
If diabetes leads about damage to your nervous system, this is usually most obvious in your feet. You might not even be in a position to feel it, and sweat and oil production that’s vital to lubricate the skin of the foot is generally impaired also. These factors can create an abnormal strain on the bones, skin, and joints of the feet. These issues can subsequently result in an entire breakdown of the skin of the foot, and blisters (as well as diabetic ulcers) can eventually grow.
Impaired Immune System
Diabetes can result in a dangerously weakened immune system, which may become subsequently tricky for even small wounds to recover. Again, this is a specific issue for lesions on the legs or feet. This may result in bacterial infection of the skin or connective tissue, including the muscles and the bones. If not promptly treated, these diabetic infections can primarily develop into gangrene.
The Outcomes of Poor or No Circulation
People with diabetes always suffer from poor circulation in their feet. Therefore regular antibiotics cannot necessarily find their way into the location of the infection. In certain extreme cases, this may take the sufferer to the point where the only effective treatment is that the complete amputation – or a foot or worst-case scenario part of the leg.
Worse still, if the infection spreads, it can get into the blood vessels, which causes a broad range of life-threatening issues.
Diabetes Management Becomes a Full-Time Necessity
People living with Diabetes have to be conscious that diabetic foot pain might be an early indication of a looming diabetic severe foot disease and take every possible step to reduce the spread of foot problems. They need to look out for potential issues, and to receive immediate treatment if and when a diabetic foot problem should strike.
Modern treatments for diabetic foot pain and infection continue to improve. However, prevention such as controlling blood glucose levels remains the only best method to stop diabetic foot disease becoming more than a minor nuisance.
Examine Your Feet Regularly
If you have diabetes, you need to learn to effectively examine your feet and identify any early signs of diabetes-related foot problems.
It’s also advisable to undergo a routine for personal foot care and prepare to call in or go to a physician if a problem appears like it can become severe enough to seek professional help.
At The Bridge Recovery Center, we provide a very natural effective diet and exercise program for diabetic foot pain and will help improve this condition. You will work with our personal trainers, therapists, chefs and other staff to make sure your stay is as effective as possible. Our physician and team are well-versed in how to treat diabetic foot pain and will provide excellent support throughout your stay. Contact us and learn how we can assist you.