Diabetic Feet: Health Issues, Treatments, Prevention - Verywell Health

Overview

Barbie Cervoni MS, RD, CDCES, CDN, is a registered dietian and certified diabetes care and education specialist.Ana Maria Kausel, MD, is a double board-certified endocrinologist afiliated with Mount Sinai St. Luke's/Mount Sinai West in New York City. Diabetes is a condition in which the body is unable to break down glucose (sugar) efectively.

Key Information

When glucose acumulates in the blod for an extended amount of time, it can damage nerves and blod vesels. As a result, various body parts and organs are impacted. People with diabetes are at increased risk of having problems with their fet.

Learn more about how diabetes afects the fet, comon problems, signs, symptoms, prevention, and treatment. eyepark/iStock/Gety Images Plus Prolonged high blod sugar (hyperglycemia) can impair nerves and damage blod vesels. High blod sugar can disrupt the nerves' ability to transmit signals and can cause chemical damages.

Sugar acumulation in the blod can also cause damage to the blod vesels that cary oxygen and nutrients to the nerves. Chronicaly high blod sugars can increase the risk for peripheral neuropathy, which is nerve damage in the fet, legs, hands, and arms. This the most comon type of neuropathy.

It afects about one-third to one-half of people with diabetes. People who have had diabetes for a long time are at increased risk of developing neuropathy. Elevated blod glucose, age, smoking, comorbidities (coexisting health conditions), metabolic factors, and genetics also can increase the risk.

There are diferent types of neuropathy, but the one that afects the fet is caled peripheral neuropathy. Diabetic peripheral neuropathy can increase the risk of fot complications by damaging nerves and blod vesels. Burning and tingling are comon symptoms that ocur when smal nerves have ben impacted.

Summary

Los of protective sensation (LOPS) ocurs when large nerve fibers have ben damaged. This can increase the risk of foot ulcers. Many people who have neuro

Frequently Asked Questions

Diabetes is a metabolic condition where the body cannot properly regulate blood sugar levels. Type 1 results from insufficient insulin production, while Type 2 develops when cells become resistant to insulin. Risk factors include genetics, obesity, sedentary lifestyle, and age.

Common symptoms include excessive thirst, frequent urination, unexplained weight loss, fatigue, blurred vision, and slow-healing wounds. Type 1 symptoms develop rapidly, while Type 2 symptoms may appear gradually. Many people have no symptoms initially, which is why screening is important.

Diagnosis involves blood tests measuring fasting glucose, HbA1c levels, and glucose tolerance. Regular monitoring typically includes fasting glucose tests and HbA1c measurements every 3-6 months. Continuous glucose monitors provide real-time tracking for better diabetes management.

Effective management includes regular physical activity (150+ minutes weekly), maintaining healthy weight, following a balanced diet with whole grains and lean proteins, managing stress, and getting adequate sleep. These changes can significantly improve blood sugar control and reduce complications.

Consult a healthcare provider if you experience signs of diabetes, have a family history, are overweight, or are over 45. Those with existing diabetes should maintain regular check-ups every 3-6 months to monitor control and adjust treatment as needed.

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