Are you Diabetic?
We have been listening to many stories from our friends and relatives that they have been a diabetic for sometime and was diagnosed by accident recently, fortunately just on time. These kind of news always hooks a doubt deep into our heart about your own self. It’s true that diabetes can be silent and sneaky, causing damage without any obvious symptoms. But can be deducted on time if we adhere to the following things
If you have a family history of diabetes, it’s obvious that your probability of becoming diabetic is high. So if your grand parents, parents, sibling or anyone in your immediate family is a diabetic then your risk factor seems to be high and needs constant checkup.
Being over weight is another major risk factor which significantly raises your probability of becoming a diabetic. Type 1 usually occurs in children and Type 2 develops after 35, which is lowering year after year due to various reasons as well as our changing lifestyle.
Watch out for the undermentioned diabetic symptoms which normally becomes significant only as the diabetes progresses unattended
1. Excessive thirst
2. Frequent urination
3. Frequent infections
4. Blurred vision
5. Increased appetite
6. Sexual dysfunction
It’s always best to see a doctor for a full evaluation to nail down your doubt. If you are not in a condition to go to your family doctor due to various reasons, still cannot control your anxiety then just approach a nearby hospital or a diagnostic center and get yourself tested for diabetes. If found diabetic, reach out to your doctor and take his advice and prescription.
You don’t need to panic as early deduction helps you to control diabetes and live the way you want just by exercising some control and daily workout.
How can diabetes cause foot problems?
Both type 1 and type 2 diabetes cause damage to blood vessels and peripheral nerves that can result in problems in the legs and feet. Two main conditions, 1) peripheral artery disease (PAD), and 2) peripheral neuropathy are responsible for the increased risk of foot problems in people with diabetes.
- Peripheral artery disease (PAD), sometimes referred to as peripheral vascular disease (PVD), means that there is narrowing or occlusion by atherosclerotic plaques of arteries outside of the heart and brain. This is sometimes referred to as “hardening” of the arteries. Diabetes is a known risk factor for developing peripheral artery disease. In addition to pain in the calves during exercise (medically known as intermittent claudication), the signs and symptoms of peripheral artery disease relate to a decreased delivery of oxygen to the lower legs and feet. In severe cases, the lack of oxygen delivery to tissues can result in ulcers and even gangrene (tissue death).
- Peripheral neuropathy refers to damage to the peripheral nerves directly as a result of diabetes. Symptoms of peripheral neuropathy include decreased sensation in the nerves of the legs and feet, making it difficult to perceive injuries due to lack of feeling. Peripheral neuropathy also causes a tingling, pain, or burning in the involved areas. It can also cause the muscles of the feet to work improperly, leading to misalignment of the foot that can put pressure on certain areas of the foot.
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 with diabetes 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).