Many of us know that there are numerous complications associated with diabetes, and one of great importance is Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy. This condition can be defined as nerve damage to the body’s lower extremities— the legs, feet, and toes.
Your nerves carry messages between the brain and the body.
If nerves are damaged, the messages will not be able to travel. This lack of communication between the brain and the body might cause you to be unable to notice or feel anything wrong with your feet: feeling hot or cold,
pain or sores, the difference between ill and proper-fitting shoes. Many diabetics
are shocked to learn that they are unable to detect serious injuries to their
feet.
The nerve damage may cause you to feel symptoms such as
tingling, a feeling of pins and needles, burning, loss of sensation, sharp
pain, or numbness. Muscle weakness and balance problems are also commonly
experienced with this type of neuropathy.
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| Ulcer |
Diabetic peripheral neuropathy is a very serious matter
because wound healing is slower in diabetic patients. If a wound heals too
slowly, or fails to heal at all, the initial foot trauma could potentially lead
to amputation. For
example, if an ulcer is unable to heal, and has caused severe damage to
surrounding areas (tissue and bone), the safest form of action would be to
surgically remove the damaged part from the body. This means that any part of
the lower extremity— a toe, foot, or leg, can be amputated.
To prevent diabetic peripheral neuropathy, diabetic patients
should keep their blood sugar levels under control, carefully trim their nails, and
keep feet clean and dry. They should also inspect their feet daily for
blisters, burns, sores, ulcers, cuts and other puncture wounds. If you are a
diabetic patient, please remember to get a diabetic foot exam at least once a
year, or if you have foot issues more frequently, please see your podiatrist
and primary care physician more regularly.
Community Foot Specialists - Podiatrists/Foot & Ankle Surgeons Serving Dayton and Springfield, Ohio Call today to schedule your appointment! (937) 426-9500
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