6 Emergency Complications of Type 2 Diabetes
Uncontrolled diabetes can control your health. Help prevent these serious diabetes complications by learning the warning signs.
People with type 2 diabetes are at increased risk of many serious health problems, including heart attack, stroke, vision loss, and amputation. But by keeping your diabetes in check — that means maintaining good blood sugar control — and knowing how to recognize a problem and what to do about it should one occur, you can prevent many of these serious complications of diabetes.
Heart Attack
Heart disease and stroke are the top causes of death and disability in people with diabetes. If you experience any of the following heart attack warning signs, call 911 immediately:
• Chest discomfort that feels like pressure, squeezing, fullness, or pain in the center of your chest, lasting for a short time or going away and returning
• Pain elsewhere, including the back, jaw, stomach, or neck; or pain in one or both arms
• Shortness of breath
• Nausea or lightheadedness
Heart attack symptoms may appear suddenly or be subtle, with only mild pain and discomfort.
Stroke
Stroke warning signs may include:
• Sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arm, or leg, especially if it occurs on one side of the body
• Feeling confused
• Difficulty walking and talking and lacking coordination
• Developing a severe headache for no apparent reason
If you suddenly experience any of these stroke symptoms, call 911 immediately. As with a heart attack, immediate treatment can be the difference between life and death.
Nerve Damage
People with diabetes are at increased risk of nerve damage, or diabetic neuropathy, due to uncontrolled high blood sugar. As a result, various foot and skin problems can occur, including:
• Foot problems. Nerve damage associated with type 2 diabetes can cause a loss of feeling in your feet, which makes you more vulnerable to injury and infection. You may get a blister or cut on your foot that you don't feel and, unless you check your feet regularly, an infection can develop. Untreated infections can result in gangrene (death of tissue) and ultimately amputation of the affected limb.
• Skin problems. Diabetes can make it more difficult for your body to fight infections, causing skin problems. Various skin conditions are linked to diabetes, and even the most minor cuts or sores can turn serious fast. Any bumps, cuts, or scrapes should be cleaned and treated with an antibiotic cream and monitored carefully.
If you notice any of the following symptoms, see your doctor:
• Inflammation and tenderness anywhere on your body
• Red, itchy rash surrounded by small blisters or scales
• Cuts, sores, or blisters on your feet that are slow to heal and are not as painful as you would expect
• Numbness, tingling, or burning sensations in your hands or feet, including your fingers and toes
• Sharp pain that gets worse at night
• Muscle weakness that makes walking difficult
• Bladder infections and problems with bladder control
• Bloating, stomach pain, constipation, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
• Erectile dysfunction in men and vaginal dryness in women
Kidney Disease
Type 2 diabetes increases your risk of kidney disease, or diabetic nephropathy, a condition in which the blood vessels in your kidneys are damaged to the point that they cannot filter out waste properly. If left untreated, dialysis (a treatment to filter out waste products from the blood) and ultimately a kidney transplant may be needed.
Typically, you won’t notice symptoms of kidney disease until it has advanced. However, if you experience any of the following symptoms, tell your doctor:
• Swelling in your ankles and legs
• Leg cramps
• A need to go to the bathroom more often at night
• A reduction in your need for insulin
• Nausea and vomiting
• Weakness and paleness
• Itching
The best way to prevent type 2 diabetes-related kidney problems is to have your urine, blood, and blood pressure monitored regularly and to keep your blood sugar and blood pressure under control.
Eye Problems
People with type 2 diabetes are at risk of several eye conditions, including diabetic retinopathy (which affects the blood vessels in the eye), glaucoma, and cataracts. If left untreated, these conditions can cause vision loss.
Call your doctor if you notice any of these warning signs:
• Blurry vision that lasts for more than two days
• Sudden loss of vision in one or both eyes
• Floaters, black or gray spots, cobwebs, or strings that move when you move your eyes
• A sensation of seeing "flashing lights"
• Pain or pressure in one or both eyes
Hyperglycemia
Hyperglycemia means you have too much sugar in your blood. High blood sugar doesn't always produce symptoms; therefore, it is important to check your blood sugar regularly, as indicated by your doctor. When symptoms of hyperglycemia occur, they may include:
• Frequent urination
• Extreme thirst
• Feeling tired and weak
• Blurry vision
• Feeling hungry even after eating
If you frequently have high blood sugar, tell your doctor. He or she may need to make changes to your medication and suggest diet and lifestyle modifications to help you gain and maintain better blood sugar control.
The key to preventing many of the complications of diabetes is to keep your blood sugar at a healthy level. To do this, eat right, exercise, monitor your blood sugar as recommended by your doctor, and don't smoke.
Report any unusual signs or symptoms to your doctor immediately. Together you can work to prevent these diabetes-related health complications.
By Hedy Marks, MPH
Medically reviewed by Pat F. Bass III, MD, MPH
Showing posts with label nerve pain. Show all posts
Showing posts with label nerve pain. Show all posts
Friday, December 31, 2010
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Foot Care Is Essential With Diabetes
From inspecting your feet for sores to keeping your skin dry, proper foot care is essential when you have diabetes. Practice these tips to reduce the risk of infection and protect your feet.
You may think of diabetes as a blood sugar problem, and it is. But the nerve and blood vessel damage caused by diabetes can also become a problem for your feet if you develop neuropathy and lose feeling in your feet or hands or get an infection. To ensure the best possible foot health, follow these 11 easy tips to avoid injury, and your feet will be healthy longer.
1. Nerve damage is a complication of diabetes that makes it hard to feel when you have sores or cracks in your feet. “Patients with diabetes are looking for any changes in color, sores, or dry, cracked skin,” says Dr. Weaver. Place a mirror on the floor to see under your feet or ask a friend or relative for help if you can’t see all parts of your feet clearly.
2. When people with diabetes develop nerve damage or neuropathy, it’s hard to tell if the bath water is too hot. “They won’t realize they are actually scalding their skin,” explains Dr. Weaver. Stepping into a bath before checking the temperature can cause serious damage to your feet, and burns and blisters are open doors to infection. Use your elbow to check the water temperature before getting into the tub or shower.
3. Shoe shopping for people with diabetes requires a little more attention to detail than you may be used to. At CKPA we advise looking for shoes with more depth in the toe box, good coverage of both top and bottom, and without seams inside the shoe that can rub on your foot. Likewise, seek socks without seams, preferably socks that are padded and made from cotton or another material that controls moisture.
4. Wearing shoes with good coverage outside to protect your feet makes sense to most people, but even inside your house, puttering around without shoes puts your feet at risk for small cuts, scrapes, and penetration by splinters, glass shards, and the misplaced sewing needle or thumbtack. If you have neuropathy, you might not notice these dangerous damages until they become infected. It’s best to wear shoes at all times, even in the house.
5. Make sure that drying your feet is part of your hygiene routine. “The space between the toes is very airtight,” When the skin has excess moisture it will break down, leading to infection.” Prevent this by toweling off thoroughly after washing your feet and by removing wet or sweaty socks or shoes immediately. You can use Ameriglel lotion to moisturizer and help prevent dry, cracked skin — just avoid putting it between your toes.
6. Attend to bunions, calluses, corns, hammertoes, and other aggravations promptly, so they don’t lead to infection due to pressure sores and uneven rubbing. Even seemingly harmless calluses may become problems if you ignore them. See a podiatrist, a doctor who specializes in foot care, instead of heading to the pharmacy for an over-the-counter product for feet — some products are irritating to your skin and can actually increase the risk of infection even while they treat the bunion, callus, or corn on your foot.
7. Wearing the correct shoes is so important, orthotic footwear is a great investment in protection and comfort. Shoes made especially for people with diabetes are available at Central Kansas Podiatry Associates, or you can visit with Dr. Weaver for advice. Medicare will cover one pair of diabetic shoes a year, with the addition of three inserts to reduce pressure on your feet. Your doctor may recommend this type of diabetic shoe if you have an ulcer or sore that is slow healing and to help prevent..
8. People with diabetes benefit from exercise, but you still must go easy on your feet. Many fitness classes and aerobics programs include bouncing, jumping, and leaping, which may not be the best activities for your feet, especially if you have neuropathy. Instead, look into programs, such as walking, that don’t put too much pressure on your feet. Just make sure you have the right shoe for whatever activity you choose.
9. The dangers of smoking run from your head to your feet. “The nicotine in a cigarette can decrease the circulation in the skin by 70 percent,” says Dr. Weaver. So if you smoke, you are depriving your feet of the nutrient- and oxygen-rich blood that helps keep them healthy and fights infection. “Diabetic patients already have risk factors that compromise their blood vessels. It’s never too late to stop smoking,”
10. “There’s a direct relationship between blood sugar level and damage to the nerve cells,” says Dr. Weaver. Out-of-control blood sugar leads to neuropathy, which will make it hard to know when your feet are at risk or being damaged. The better you are at controlling your blood sugar, the healthier your feet will be over the long term. Finally, if you already have an infection, high blood sugar levels can make it hard for your body to fight it.
11. Your doctor and your diabetes team are great sources of information if you need ideas and inspiration for taking care of your feet, quitting smoking, or staying on top of your “numbers” — your weight, blood sugar, and other measures of health, such as blood pressure. Of course, if you notice any changes in your feet that concern you, it’s a good idea to call us and come see Dr. Weaver before your next regularly scheduled check-up.
You may think of diabetes as a blood sugar problem, and it is. But the nerve and blood vessel damage caused by diabetes can also become a problem for your feet if you develop neuropathy and lose feeling in your feet or hands or get an infection. To ensure the best possible foot health, follow these 11 easy tips to avoid injury, and your feet will be healthy longer.
1. Nerve damage is a complication of diabetes that makes it hard to feel when you have sores or cracks in your feet. “Patients with diabetes are looking for any changes in color, sores, or dry, cracked skin,” says Dr. Weaver. Place a mirror on the floor to see under your feet or ask a friend or relative for help if you can’t see all parts of your feet clearly.
2. When people with diabetes develop nerve damage or neuropathy, it’s hard to tell if the bath water is too hot. “They won’t realize they are actually scalding their skin,” explains Dr. Weaver. Stepping into a bath before checking the temperature can cause serious damage to your feet, and burns and blisters are open doors to infection. Use your elbow to check the water temperature before getting into the tub or shower.
3. Shoe shopping for people with diabetes requires a little more attention to detail than you may be used to. At CKPA we advise looking for shoes with more depth in the toe box, good coverage of both top and bottom, and without seams inside the shoe that can rub on your foot. Likewise, seek socks without seams, preferably socks that are padded and made from cotton or another material that controls moisture.
4. Wearing shoes with good coverage outside to protect your feet makes sense to most people, but even inside your house, puttering around without shoes puts your feet at risk for small cuts, scrapes, and penetration by splinters, glass shards, and the misplaced sewing needle or thumbtack. If you have neuropathy, you might not notice these dangerous damages until they become infected. It’s best to wear shoes at all times, even in the house.
5. Make sure that drying your feet is part of your hygiene routine. “The space between the toes is very airtight,” When the skin has excess moisture it will break down, leading to infection.” Prevent this by toweling off thoroughly after washing your feet and by removing wet or sweaty socks or shoes immediately. You can use Ameriglel lotion to moisturizer and help prevent dry, cracked skin — just avoid putting it between your toes.
6. Attend to bunions, calluses, corns, hammertoes, and other aggravations promptly, so they don’t lead to infection due to pressure sores and uneven rubbing. Even seemingly harmless calluses may become problems if you ignore them. See a podiatrist, a doctor who specializes in foot care, instead of heading to the pharmacy for an over-the-counter product for feet — some products are irritating to your skin and can actually increase the risk of infection even while they treat the bunion, callus, or corn on your foot.
7. Wearing the correct shoes is so important, orthotic footwear is a great investment in protection and comfort. Shoes made especially for people with diabetes are available at Central Kansas Podiatry Associates, or you can visit with Dr. Weaver for advice. Medicare will cover one pair of diabetic shoes a year, with the addition of three inserts to reduce pressure on your feet. Your doctor may recommend this type of diabetic shoe if you have an ulcer or sore that is slow healing and to help prevent..
8. People with diabetes benefit from exercise, but you still must go easy on your feet. Many fitness classes and aerobics programs include bouncing, jumping, and leaping, which may not be the best activities for your feet, especially if you have neuropathy. Instead, look into programs, such as walking, that don’t put too much pressure on your feet. Just make sure you have the right shoe for whatever activity you choose.
9. The dangers of smoking run from your head to your feet. “The nicotine in a cigarette can decrease the circulation in the skin by 70 percent,” says Dr. Weaver. So if you smoke, you are depriving your feet of the nutrient- and oxygen-rich blood that helps keep them healthy and fights infection. “Diabetic patients already have risk factors that compromise their blood vessels. It’s never too late to stop smoking,”
10. “There’s a direct relationship between blood sugar level and damage to the nerve cells,” says Dr. Weaver. Out-of-control blood sugar leads to neuropathy, which will make it hard to know when your feet are at risk or being damaged. The better you are at controlling your blood sugar, the healthier your feet will be over the long term. Finally, if you already have an infection, high blood sugar levels can make it hard for your body to fight it.
11. Your doctor and your diabetes team are great sources of information if you need ideas and inspiration for taking care of your feet, quitting smoking, or staying on top of your “numbers” — your weight, blood sugar, and other measures of health, such as blood pressure. Of course, if you notice any changes in your feet that concern you, it’s a good idea to call us and come see Dr. Weaver before your next regularly scheduled check-up.
Monday, April 19, 2010
Advice to High Heel Wearers
The doctors at CKPA offer the following advice to those who insist on wearing sky high heels. We suggest not wearing heels that are higher than 2 inches. It’s very difficult, not only on the foot, but the knees and low back. The way the shoes put pressure on the front part on your feet, it applies compression on your toes and irritation to the nerves in the toes.
The bones in the ball of the feet, called sesamoids, can be damaged or broken. Constant pressure on the feet can result in thickening of tissues around the nerves of the toes, called Morton’s Neuroma, causing pain, stinging or numbness in the toes.
The bones in the ball of the feet, called sesamoids, can be damaged or broken. Constant pressure on the feet can result in thickening of tissues around the nerves of the toes, called Morton’s Neuroma, causing pain, stinging or numbness in the toes.
Monday, March 1, 2010
Foot Pain.…Make it STOP!!
Patients often ask, “How much pain will I have after surgery?” This is a very difficult question to answer because everyone experiences pain differently. This also makes testing someone for pain difficult. Everyone experiences pain at different levels and have different thresholds for tolerating pain. Pain is often difficult to locate. When our bodies experience a pain, it sends the signal through our brain through nerve fibers. Small nerve fibers called delta fibers send 90% of the pain signals to the brain to specific locations in the cortex of the brain. Testing these fibers shows us where the pain is coming from. Small nerve fiber testing is a painless test that can show where the pain is coming from in about 20 minutes. An EMG tests for nerve damage. Pain occurs before the nerve is damaged. By testing the small nerve fibers, it locates accurately with 95% sensitivity where the pain is before there is permanent damage. This leads to earlier and more effective treatment. If you are experiencing pain that is not responding to traditional treatment, consult with your physician to see if you are a candidate for small nerve fiber testing.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
