Why Does Diabetic Foot Pain Occur?

In diabetes, a high blood glucose level can result in health complications. One of these complications is the diabetic foot pain that patients complain about. The primary reason for this pain is the damage that is caused to the nerve endings in the extremities of the limbs. This nerve damage is called diabetic neuropathy.

It does not come up all of a sudden, but only after a long time of having high blood glucose in the blood stream. That is why it is only chronic patients of diabetes who usually complain about these symptoms.

Why Does Diabetic Foot Pain Occur

Why does this nerve damage occur?

The nerve damage that causes diabetic foot pain occurs due to the high levels of blood glucose. The neuropathy is often associated with patients of diabetes mellitus. In this type of diabetes the body is unable to produce the required amount of insulin in the body. It is one of the more common forms of the disease.

It is also known as a lifestyle disease which can be controlled by proper management of the patient’s lifestyle. If the patient does not manage the blood glucose levels using exercise, diet control or medication the nerve damage will occur. Once the peripheral neuropathy sets in it can be often very difficult if not impossible to cure.

What is the mechanics of diabetic neuropathy?

The micro vascular injury occurs due to the inability of the body to produce enough insulin to digest the high blood glucose content of the blood stream. It affects the small blood vessels that the supply of blood to the nerves at the extremities of the body.

As the blood vessels get damaged they are unable to circulate blood flow to the ends of the limbs. This lack of fresh blood supply means the peripheral nerves are unable to work properly for conducting impulses to the brain which is why the patient feels diabetic foot pain, tingling and numbness in the extremities.

What are the signs of diabetic neuropathy?

While diabetic foot pain is caused by neuropathy or nerve damage, it is not the only sign that shows up. A diabetic person may also have other signs of the nerve damage which include dysesthesia which is an abnormal type of sensation felt in the body part, diarrhea, urine incontinence, muscular weakness and dizziness spells. These are all in part caused by the nerve damage that is caused by having continuous high blood glucose levels in the blood stream.

Care for the body

Another pertinent sign that should be viewed with far more attention than diabetic foot pain is vision changes. The eyes get affected by the high levels of blood glucose as well. If the initial dizziness and blurring are not taken care of it can lead to permanent damage of the eye.

In fact all major organs in the body can get affected if the patient does not manage his diabetes. In order to stay healthy and avoid long term tissue damage it is essential that patients of diabetes take adequate care of their bodies.