You get given a lot of information when you are diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes - and some of it may seem unexpected. For many people, being told that they should pay extra attention to foot health may have been among these surprises. How does Type 2 diabetes affect your feet? This article will give you all the information you need to understand Type 2 diabetes feet symptoms: why they happen, what they mean, and what you should do about them.

What Causes Foot Problems in Type 2 Diabetes?

Insulin, a hormone secreted in the pancreas, helps to keep blood sugar levels normal. When you have Type 2 diabetes, your body doesn’t respond to insulin as it should, and blood sugar levels rise beyond healthy levels. High blood sugar level can damage nerves and blood vessels, and the extremities of your body, especially your feet, are the first places where you might notice this.

Type 2 Diabetes and Your Feet: Symptoms

Although you can’t see how well your blood is circulating or whether the nerves in your feet are healthy, Type 2 diabetes feet symptoms tell their own tale.  

Feet Pain, Numbness, Burning, or Tingling Sensations

Odd sensations in your feet, which include numbness, pain, burning, or tingling, are caused by nerve damage. This is also called peripheral neuropathy. Neuropathy can’t be reversed, but it can be managed, and you prevent its progression by managing your blood sugar levels well.

How Type 2 Diabetes Affects Your Feet: Concerns and Complications

The symptoms of nerve and blood vessel damage in your feet can be uncomfortable or painful on their own, but they’re a warning to look out for further complications. For example, a lack of sensation and numbness may mean that you hardly notice minor sores like blisters. Poor wound healing combined with a greater likelihood of infections can lead to diabetic foot ulcers, which can be difficult to notice.

Looking after your feet is crucial in preventing serious complications. Be alert to seemingly minor details. For example, foot calluses increase your chances of developing foot ulcers and infections. Keep calluses clean, and if doctors feel that callus removal would be a wise course of action, follow their recommendations. If you do notice sores on your feet, keep them disinfected, and monitor them carefully, even if they look very minor. If you see signs of infection, get medical help as soon as possible.

How Can Diabetes-Related Foot Problems Be Prevented?

Most people rarely think about their feet - it’s a case of “out of sight, out of mind.” But when you have Type 2 diabetes, that should definitely change! Here are some tips to help keep you (and your feet) healthy.

  • Try to maintain healthy blood sugar levels by following your treatment plan.
  • Give your feet a daily check, looking for any sores, inflammation, or visible changes.
  • Wash your feet in warm water daily and carefully dry them. If you use lotion, don’t apply it between your toes since this can promote infections.
  • Avoid injury by wearing shoes or slippers at all times.
  • Wear comfortable shoes that fit well and won’t chafe. If you have new shoes, break them in slowly.
  • Trim your toenails in a straight line, smoothing off any sharp corners - you can get a podiatrist to help you with this if you’re struggling.
  • See a doctor or podiatrist about any corns or thick calluses on your feet. Trying to remove them yourself could lead to injury.
  • When you go for checkups, make sure that your feet are checked too.
  • Improve blood flow by wiggling your toes at odd times throughout the day and elevate your feet when sitting if possible.
  • Get your blood pumping with some exercise - but discuss your programme with your doctor first.

When to See Your Doctor

Of course, you should never miss a scheduled checkup, but there are times when you should see a doctor sooner - and foot complications are among the reasons to visit your doctor. Don’t wait for them to become serious. The sooner you get treatment, the better!

Signs that you should see your doctor include signs of swelling, skin colour changes, sores that won’t heal, changes in sensation, ingrown toenails, fungal infections or any other sign of infection, and even cracked, dry skin. In short, any injury to your feet has the potential for becoming a serious risk. Get help.

You Can Manage Your Health And Your Future Effectively

It’s easy to feel depressed after reading about Type 2 diabetes and its many complications. However, knowing what the risks are helps you to manage them and enjoy a long and comparatively healthy life. But, no matter how healthy you are, and how careful, accidents can happen.

Most people use life insurance to safeguard their family’s financial health, but difficulty in obtaining life insurance can be an unexpected complication of Type 2 diabetes. At Blueberry Life, we believe that you deserve a fair deal. And we don’t believe in making you wait for months just to get a life insurance policy. You can get a quote in 5 minutes and be covered in as little as 10 minutes, without spending hours filling out an application or requiring a GP report.

Looking for specialised life insurance for chronic conditions? You just found it! Want to know more? Begin by completing the simple application form and get life insurance cover fast.

‍

Reviewed by Dr. Kingshuk Pal