Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder that prevents our body from properly using the energy from the food we eat. It usually happens when the pancreas (an organ in our body) produces little insulin or no insulin at all or when the pancreas produces insulin, but the insulin made does not work as it should.
Diabetes can cause long-term complications in your body, especially if you do not control your blood sugar levels effectively, and sugar levels remain high for many years. High blood sugar can cause neuropathy which damages the nerves that send signals from your hands and feet. The higher the blood sugar levels and the duration for which it stays high, more is the chance of developing peripheral neuropathy.
Diabetic nerve damage can result in numbness or tingling in your fingers, toes, hands, and feet. Numbness in the feet is a symptom of neuropathy or nerve damage and is one of the commonest long-term complications of Diabetes. Neuropathy is a result of uncontrolled or poorly controlled blood sugar that lasts for a long period of time.
Basic principles like eating right, moderate physical activity, maintaining healthy body weight and stress management can help control diabetes and prevent its various complications.
7 best ways to prevent diabetic foot numbness without any medication
Nerve damage due to Diabetes causes pain and can also affect your ability to feel pain, so it’s important to maintain your foot health.
- Examine your feet every day for any cuts, sores, swelling or other problems, even if you don’t feel any pain. If you are suffering from Diabetes, your feet can get infected, and untreated infections can lead to serious complications, including gangrene and amputation.
- Wash your feet daily with lukewarm water, and dry them completely with a cotton towel. Then apply lotion to keep them moisturized. Do not leave lotion in between your toes.
- Wear comfortable, flexible shoes that give your feet enough room to move. Consult your doctor about customized shoes if regular shoes do not fit well. Diabetic shoes are available in the market and are known to be effective in treating many foot pain ailments. Diabetic shoes and shoe inserts can significantly reduce discomfort by enhancing support to the heel and arch of the foot to counter discomfort. Diabetic insoles are specifically designed to alleviate foot pain and related numbness. The shoe inserts are designed to be lightweight and resilient to provide optimal cushion effect to the feet.
- Cover your feet with shoes, slippers, or thick socks to cushion them and prevent injuries. Diabetic socks are extremely safe for Diabetic patients with poor circulation as they allow for extra cushioning and support without making the footwear feel tighter. The use of soft hi-tech fiber keeps the feet moisture and bacteria-free.
- Physical therapy treatments, such as swimming, can help treat diabetic neuropathy and numbness. Low-impact exercises are the most effective, as high-impact exercises can quickly cause nerves to go numb.
- Consult a trusted physician who understands neuropathy to help you work through physical therapy methods in order to prevent further nerve damage.
- Physical activity under the guidance of an expert can help maintain weight and prevent any further complications.
Foot care is extremely essential for Diabetic patients and special shoes and accessories designed to meet the need for foot comfort and health can go a long way in managing Diabetic nerve damage and numbness.
