Diabetes can cause many complications when high blood sugar is not properly managed, including diabetic neuropathy. This condition commonly causes pain, numbness, and weakness in the feet, but diabetic foot care can help alleviate your symptoms. Here is everything you should know about diabetic neuropathy.

What Is Diabetic Neuropathy?

Over time, high blood sugar (glucose) can cause nerve damage throughout the body. This most often affects feet, legs, and hands. The exact cause of damage is unknown, but it is thought that high blood sugar levels weaken the walls of small blood vessels that supply oxygen and nutrients to the nerves and hinder their ability to send signals. 

Anyone with diabetes may develop neuropathy, but those with a longer history of the disease, uncontrolled high blood sugar, and kidney disease are at a higher risk, as well as people who smoke or are overweight.

How Does It Affect Feet?

Some people with neuropathy may show no obvious signs until nerve damage becomes severe, while others will have debilitating symptoms. There are a few different types of diabetic neuropathy. The form that affects feet, peripheral neuropathy, is the most common. Those affected may experience:

• Pain, cramps, tingling, or burning
• Numbness or limited ability to feel touch and temperature
• Extreme sensitivity to touch
• Muscle weakness
• Foot problems like ulcers or infections

Peripheral neuropathy tends to affect the feet and legs first, then the hands and arms. Symptoms may worsen at night.

Currently, there is no known cure for diabetic neuropathy. However, a podiatrist that specializes in diabetic foot care can help ease pain and restore function to affected areas. They will recommend a personalized treatment plan based on your symptoms and health history. Common options include medication, orthotics (custom shoe inserts), and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) treatment. TENS therapy uses gentle electrical currents to stop pain signals from reaching the brain.
 

If you are seeking treatment for foot problems stemming from diabetic complications, turn to St. Peters Foot & Ankle: Samuel T. Wood-DPM. Located in St. Peters and Florissant, MO, Dr. Sam T. Wood and his highly trained team treat a wide range of foot and ankle problems, from sprained ankles to foot ulcers. They are dedicated to getting you back on your feet and walking comfortably. Visit their website for more information about diabetic foot care. To make an appointment, call (636) 720-0190 today.