Diabetes- Foot Problems Related to Diabetes

• How can diabetes affect my feet?
• What are some common foot problems of people with diabetes?
• Can these foot problems be prevented?
• When should I contact my doctor?

For people with diabetes, having too much glucose (sugar) in their blood for a long time can cause some serious complications, including foot problems.

How Can Diabetes Affect My Feet?

Diabetes can cause two problems that can affect your feet:

• Diabetic neuropathy. Uncontrolled diabetes can damage your nerves. If you have damaged nerves in your legs and feet, you might not feel heat, cold, or pain. This lack of feeling is called "sensory diabetic neuropathy." If you do not feel a cut or sore on your foot because of neuropathy, the cut could get worse and become infected. The muscles of the foot may not function properly because the nerves that make the muscles work are damaged. This could cause the foot to not align properly and create too much pressure in one area of the foot. It is estimated that up to 10% of people will develop foot ulcers. Foot ulcers occur because of nerve damage and peripheral vascular disease.

• Peripheral vascular disease. Diabetes also affects the flow of blood. Without good blood flow, it takes longer for a sore or cut to heal. Poor blood flow in the arms and legs is called "peripheral vascular disease." Peripheral vascular disease is a circulation disorder that affects blood vessels away from the heart. If you have an infection that will not heal because of poor blood flow, you are at risk for developing ulcers or gangrene (the death of tissue due to a lack of blood).

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From the Doctors at MedicineNet.com

Diabetes - Information on Diabetes (Diabetes Mellitus) including types, causes, symptoms of diabetes, medications, and treatment. Produced by the doctors of MedicineNet.com Source:MedicineNet Diabetic Neuropathy - Diabetic neuropathy is a complication of diabetes causing damage to the nerves. Learn how to recognize the warning signs and treatment for diabetic neuropathy on MedicineNet.com. Source:WebMD Medical Reference from The Cleveland Clinic Diabetic Home Care and Monitoring - Learn about diabetic home care and monitoring to keep your diabetes under control. Information includes: diet, exercise, drug therapy, blood glucose strips, glucose meters, urine glucose tests, and tests for urinary ketones. Source:MedicineNet Read 10 more Foot Problems (Diabetes) related articles ... Ill-Fitting Shoes a Danger to Diabetics

Last Editorial Review: 5/24/2005