Diabetic Foot Pain

Are Your Experiencing Diabetic Foot Pain?

Being a diabetic, many parts of the body get damaged, due to having too much glucose in the blood for extended periods. One of the main complaints of diabetics, I’d say would have to be the feet!  In a nutshell, the cause of diabetic foot pain is mainly brought about by two main conditions

     1.  Diabetic Foot Pain & Nerve Damage

Diabetic neuropathy (damage to the nerves) is a very common complaint that occurs in the legs and feet. Basically, this condition occurs as a result of the normal process of the disease.

This condition can be quite dangerous:

  •  you may not feel any pain,
  •  you may not feel hot or cold
  •  sores, ulcers, and even infection may be present and you’ll never know as you can’t feel it.

How often do we hear the words ‘my feet are killing me’!

Well, those words may well be too true for diabetics, unless good care is taken of your feet and in turn, lessen the diabetic foot pain you are experiencing. There are many home remedies for Diabetic Neuropathy.

Diabetic Foot Pain Treatment

  1. Start by checking the trend of your blood sugar readings over the past few weeks (has it been a little on the high side). You should ask your Health care professional, his opinion regarding an A1c test. This test determines your levels over a time period.  If your blood sugar levels are constantly high, this can contribute to nerve pain.
  2.  A good little gadget is a diabetic foot roller.Just gently massage your feet by running them over the roller. This may help reduce the severity of the pain.
  3. Massaging the feet with some specialized diabetic foot cream, can play an essential role in preventing some of the problems.
  4.  Make sure you always wear good-fitting, comfortable supportive shoes. You could also invest in some inserts for extra comfort.

     2.  Diabetic Foot Pain and Poor Circulation.

Diabetes often also brings about poor circulation to the legs and feet. Once again, this is due to high glucose (sugar) levels in the blood, and the effects this has on the arteries, veins and capillaries. Capillaries tend to stiffen and get thicker with extra fatty deposits – this causes problems with delivering correct amounts of oxygen and vital nutrients to the tissues.  (Peripheral vascular disease). Veins can swell up, when there becomes more blood they can cope with. Blood then pools into the legs and feet, sometimes even leaking out onto the skin.

diabetes foot nerve pain
diabetes and joint pain

I was visiting my Mom recently – she has problems with her feet due to poor blood flow. She bought herself a Circulation Booster and I tell you, the difference for her, was amazing!

How can I help Foot Pain from Poor Circulation?

  1.   It’s a great idea to have a regular check-up with your podiatrist – perhaps once every 6 months.

 

2.   Wear support hose, or get yourself a good pair of ‘diabetic socks’, for when you have long periods of sitting, or when traveling.

3.   If you are a smoker, give up!  If you are suffering from Peripheral vascular disease (bad circulation) you will definitely benefit from giving up smoking.

4.   EXERCISE EXERCISE! Of course, the best way to improve this condition is to make sure you get regular exercise. Walking is great!  If you can manage 20-40 minutes a day, 5 days a week, this will make a significant difference to your circulation. A perfect situation is to make sure that you are walking quick enough to puff a little, but not too much so that you have problems holding a conversation.

To sweat just a little is also good. It means your body is working. You will have to make this a life change – a regular part of your daily life from now on.  If you’re not quite up to 5 days a week, just start with 2 or 3 and build it up over time.

 Once again, massage is great and may also help to reduce diabetic foot pain.

Diabetic Complications

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Top 4 Diabetic Lotions to Help Increase Circulation.

Best Lotions for Diabetic Feet

Diabetes can cause deprivation of oxygen to your skin, leading to poor circulation that might lead to severe, chronic dryness, slow healing, redness, cracking, and itching. This basically means that diabetics can get injured more easily and are more likely to get infections that take longer to heal. Here are some of the best lotions for diabetic feet that can help alleviate these diabetes complications:

  1. Neoteric Advanced Healing Cream

Neoteric advanced healing cream provides treatment for cracked, damaged, and chronic dry skin. One of its main ingredients is TriOxygenc which helps infuse oxygen into your skin. This diabetic skin care cream is proven to speed healing and increase circulation by strengthening the natural defenses of the skin. It provides instant soothing action by quickly restoring your skin to a healthier, smooth soft texture.

Main benefitsbest lotion for diabetic dry skin

  • Especially great for feet and hands
  • Speeds healing by strengthening the natural defenses of the skin
  • Protects and restores chronic dry, damaged, cracked skin
  • Helps increase the skin’s natural collagen production and circulation
  • Promotes, healthier, stronger, more resilient skin
  • Provides therapeutic skin moisturization and protection
  • Non-greasy
  • Absorbs very easily

Best Cream for Diabetic Feet

Neoteric advanced healing cream provides exceptional skin care for people with all types of dry skin conditions including diabetes.

How to use

Apply as often as necessary or as directed by the healthcare expert or physician. Daily use is recommended to help maintain the skin’s soft, healthy appearance.

  1. Gold Bond Ultimate Hydrating Lotion – Diabetic Skin Care Lotions

With diabetes, your skin can become rough, cracked and uncomfortable. Gold bond ultimate hydrating lotion is specifically formulated for dry skin with hydralast and seven intensive moisturizers to hydrate and soothe the skin while adding a strong protective layer of moisture for up to 24 hours. Gold bond ultimate hydrating lotion is ideal for daily use and does not contain any harsh alpha hydroxyl acids that irritate the skin.Foot Creams For Diabetic Neuropathy

  • Ideal for all over body use
  • Contains aloe and essential vitamins that moisturize and nourish dry, flaky skin
  • Keeps the skin feeling and looking noticeably healthy
  • Hypoallergenic
  • Fragrance-free
  • An exclusive formula that is dermatologist tested

Diabetic Cream for Feet

How to use

Apply Gold bond ultimate hydrating lotion liberally to rough, dry and problem skin areas to speed up moisturization.

  1. Eucerin Diabetics’ Skin Relief Body Lotion

Eucerin diabetics’ dry skin relief lotion is specifically designed to leave the skin feeling comfortable, hydrated and healthier all day long. This unique, non-greasy formula is enriched with alpha hydroxyl which repairs and exfoliates dry, flaky skin. Besides smooth ing dry, rough skin, Eucerin diabetics’ skin relief body lotion noticeably improves overall skin condition and appearance just after one use! It is designed to repair, enhance and protect your skin, giving you the confidence that comes from healthy-looking and radiant skin.

BenefitsBest lotion for diabetic dry skin

  • The alpha hydroxyl formula smoothens rough, dry skin after just one use
  • Fast absorbing and lightweight
  • Fragrance-free
  • The clinically proven formula that provides 24-hour moisture
  • Paraben-free
  • Dermatologist recommended brand

Diabetic Lotions to Help Increase Circulation

How to use

Apply liberally over rough, dry skin every day or as recommended by the physician. Apply immediately after showering or bathing for best results.

  1. DiabetAid Pain and Tingling Relief Lotion

Diabetes can cause two main problems that hurt your legs and feet. One complication is damage to the nerves which leads to an infection or a sore. The other problem is blood flow which can make it hard for an infection or sore to heal. However, if you check for sores, cuts and also for sand, wash your feet and hands with mild soap, chances of infections are greatly reduced. Sometimes you may also feel a tingling sensation in your hands and feet. Applying DiabetAid pain and Tingling Relief Lotion will relieve those uncomfortable sensations.

Benefits Diabetic Lotions to Help Increase Circulation

  • Soothing relief for uncomfortable tingling in the feet and hands
  • Contains 4 essential moisturizers to relieve dry, rough skin
  • Does not contain any ingredients that are considered harmful or dangerous to diabetics.

diabetic skin care lotions

How to use

Apply to affected areas daily but you should avoid applying more than 4 times per day. Children under 2 years should consult a doctor for directions and recommendations.

Learn everything you should know about Coronavirus and diabetes HERE!

diabetic foot cream for dry skin

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Do you Suffer from Diabetic Foot Numbness?

What is Diabetic Neuropathy Numbness?

It is a complication caused by nerve damage that occurs in diabetes patients. High blood glucose levels have the potential to injure or damage nerves throughout the body. However, diabetic neuropathy usually injures nerves in the feet and legs.

However, depending on the nerves that have been affected and the level of damage, diabetic neuropathy signs and symptoms can range from numbness to pain in your feet and legs. Therefore, some people can have mild signs but for others, the condition can be disabling and quite painful.

Diabetic neuropathy affects about 50% of all diabetes patients. However, the condition can be prevented or slowed with a healthy lifestyle and consistent blood sugar management.

Symptoms of Diabetic Neuropathy

The symptoms usually depend on the nerves which have been affected and patients may not notice anything is amiss until significant damage occurs.

Peripheral Neuropathy

Peripheral neuropathy is also known as distal symmetric peripheral diabetic neuropathy and it is the most common form of diabetic neuropathy.

It usually affects the legs and feet first before progressing to the arms and hands. Symptoms of peripheral diabetic neuropathy are usually worse during the night and they may include:

Numb feet diabetes

  • Numbness in feet and legs
  • Burning or tingling sensation
  • Diminished ability to feel temperature changes or pain
  • Higher sensitivity to touch (even a blanket’s weight can be uncomfortable or painful for some people)
  • Foot problems such as infections, ulcers, joint, and bone pain
  • Cramps or sharp pains

It is recommended that testing for diabetic neuropathy start immediately after diagnosis with diabetes and annually after that.

Causes

Although the exact cause of diabetic foot numbness is not known, studies show that uncontrolled high blood glucose damages nerves over time and affects their ability to transmit signals, causing diabetic neuropathy. Moreover, high blood glucose weakens the walls of capillaries (small blood vessels) that deliver nutrients and oxygen to the nerves.

Risk factors

Although anyone suffering from diabetes can develop diabetic neuropathy, some factors increase the risk of getting nerve damage.

  1. Diabetes history:

The risk of developing diabetic neuropathy numbness is higher for people who have suffered from diabetes for longer, especially if their blood glucose is not well controlled.

  1. Uncontrolled blood sugar:

Poor blood sugar control increases the risk of all diabetes complications, including diabetic neuropathy numbness.

  1. Being overweight:

If you have a BMI (body mass index) of 25 of more, your risk of diabetic neuropathy is higher.

  1. Smoking:

Smoking hardens and narrows the arteries hence reducing blood flow to the feet and legs. Reduced blood flow causes numbness and damages peripheral nerves making it harder for wounds to heal.

  1. Kidney disease:

Chronic conditions such as diabetes can damage your kidneys. Damaged kidneys send toxins into your bloodstream leading to nerve damage.

Complications of Diabetic Neuropathy

Diabetic neuropathy can lead to various complications, such as:

  • Loss of a leg, foot, or toe

Nerve damage leads to loss of feeling in the feet, so cuts and other minor injuries can turn into ulcers or patients without the patient realizing it. Some cases can gradually become severe and infections can cause tissue death or spread to the bone. Amputation (removal) of the lower leg, foot or a toe may even be necessary.

  • Hypoglycemia unawareness

If your blood sugar level drops below 70 mg/dl, you may experience a fast heartbeat, sweating, and shaking. However, people with autonomic diabetes neuropathy may miss these symptoms of hypoglycemia.

  • Urinary tract infections

If nerves that control the bladder are destroyed, you may not fully empty the bladder. This can lead to the buildup of bacteria in the kidneys and bladder, causing infections of the urinary tract.

  • Sharp drop in your blood pressure

If the nerves that control blood flow are damaged, the body’s ability to control blood pressure may be affected. This can cause fainting and dizziness due to sharp drops in pressure, especially after standing.

Other complications of diabetic neuropathy include digestive problems, decreased or increased sweating, and sexual dysfunction.

How can you Prevent Diabetic Foot Numbness?

Diabetic neuropathy numbness and its complications can be prevented or delayed by managing blood glucose levels properly and taking good care of the feet.Neuropathy shoes

Foot care for diabetics

Good foot care practices include:

  • Checking your feet for cuts, peeling and cracked skin, swelling, redness, bruises, and blisters every day.
  • Keep your feet dry and clean
  • Trim toenails carefully
  • Moisturize your feet
  • Wear dry, clean socks
  • Wear shoes that fit well
  • Use cushioned shoes

Foot problems such as ulcers, sores that don’t heal and amputations are some complications of diabetes and diabetic neuropathy. However, these problems can be prevented by having a foot examination once a year and taking good care of the feet.

Read about diabetic foot swelling HERE!

diabetes toe numbness

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Medication for Diabetic Neuropathy

Diabetes is a lifelong condition affecting your insulin and blood sugar levels. One of the affiliations of diabetes is diabetic neuropathy. This condition often affects nerves in one’s feet or legs.

As with most medical conditions, diabetes and its side conditions have many remedies and medications. Below is a medication for diabetic neuropathy guide.

What is Diabetic Neuropathy?

Neuropathy socks diabetes It is a type of nerve damage occurring if you are diagnosed with diabetes. High glucose (blood sugar) levels can negatively affect the nerves throughout your body.

Medication for Diabetic Neuropathy

Depending on the nerves affected, diabetic neuropathy symptoms range from numbness and pain in the feet to complications in the digestive system, heart, and blood vessels.

The American Diabetes Association recommends immediate screening for diabetic neuropathy once you are diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. For type 1 diabetes, screening is recommended five years after diagnosis.

Unfortunately, diabetic neuropathy has no known cure. Therefore, the goal of seeking treatment and medication for diabetic neuropathy include:

Diabetic Neuropathy Medication

Before starting any medication for diabetic neuropathy, consult with your doctor to discuss the safety and potency of the medication. When managing and treating diabetic neuropathy, you will come across natural and pharmaceutical remedies.

Over-the-Counter Medication for Diabetic Neuropathy

OTC medication provides pain relief, especially if your diabetic neuropathy is in its early stages. However, avoid taking these without first consulting your doctor. For nerve pain relief, you can use topical medications, for example, Capsaicin cream, which is applied directly to the skin to reduce pain.

Some examples of FDA-approved prescription medications that are used to treat diabetic neuropathy include:

  • Lyrica
  • Cymbalta
  • Nucynta.

Prescription medication available for diabetic neuropathy are:

Anti-depressants: These medications block pain messages from getting to your brain

Anti-seizures (anti-epileptics and anti-convulsants): These slow down the nerve signals heading to your brain, subsequently hindering pain messages.

Opioids: These are highly potent analgesics. Opioids provide immediate relief from intense pain. However, opioids can be highly addictive and should be used under a doctor’s strict medication.Can a diabetic use a TENS machine

Topical medication: A common topical prescription medication is a lidocaine patch that relieves pain, especially on the feet.

TENS: This is an FDA-approved non-medication treatment for diabetic neuropathy. The SENSUS Pain Management device

Natural Remedies for Diabetic Neuropathy

Diabetic neuropathy socksGeneral OTC medication focus on reducing pain and discomfort. In addition, several natural treatments and remedies can help reduce symptoms and manage diabetic neuropathy(peripheral neuropathy). These include:

Vitamins

A few cases of diabetic neuropathy are related to vitamin deficiencies. A vitamin deficiency can cause significant nerve damage.

Generally, vitamin B is vital for your nerve health. While you can get vitamin B from supplements, a natural alternative is to consume Vitamin B-rich meals. Another functional vitamin is vitamin D that also hinders nerve pain.

According to the Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy, the vitamins and supplements that can help you manage diabetic neuropathy include:

  1. Vitamin E
  2. B-complex vitamins
  3. Acetyl-l-carnitine (ACL)
  4. Alpha-lipoic acid
  5. Omega-3 fatty acids
  6. Glutamine
  7. Magnesium and calcium
  8. N-acetylcysteine.

Cayenne Pepper

Cayenne pepper contains capsaicin which is used in topical creams for its pain-relieving properties. Capsaicin reduces the intensity of pain signals sent via the body. Adding cayenne pepper into your diet can help manage diabetic neuropathy.

Acupuncture

This ancient treatment method promotes natural healing by stimulating your body’s pressure points. It triggers the nervous system to release chemicals that can alter the pain threshold or experience. Moreover, it promotes an energy balance in your body that affects your emotional well-being.

Dietary Changes to Help Diabetic Neuropathy

Dietary changes that lower your blood sugar levels ease or prevent the symptoms of neuropathy. A fiber-rich diet or one low in simple carbs prevents blood sugar spikes. Moreover, avoiding the following products might help prevent diabetic neuropathy:

  1. Sweets
  2. Processed snacks
  3. White bread products, including pasta.

Alternative dietary changes you can make include:

  1. Reducing or eliminating alcohol intake
  2. Limiting intake of trans or saturated fats
  3. Consuming fewer than 2,300mg of sodium daily
  4. Eating high fiber foods
  5. Eating antioxidant-rich foods such as fatty fish, walnuts, blueberries, and flaxseed oil, which fight inflammation

Bottom Line

There is no known cure for diabetic neuropathy. However, the above medication for diabetic neuropathy can help diabetic patients manage their condition efficiently. Consult your doctors before using any peripheral neuropathy remedy, whether natural or pharmaceutical, to avoid complications.

Medication for diabetic Neuopathy

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What is Extracellular Matrix Replacement?

Extracellular Matrix Replacement is a non-cellular structure that regulates the function, structure, and communication of cells and tissue through a network of macromolecules.

The highly dynamic structural network of the extracellular matrix continuously undergoes changes mediated by various matrix-degrading enzymes during pathological and normal conditions. Interactions of the cell-extracellular matrix are facilitated mainly by heterodimer molecules and are very important to the structure of the tissue.

Deregulation of extracellular matrix structure and composition is associated with the progression and development of many pathologic and psychological conditions. Therefore, it is important to understand the function and structure of the extracellular matrix as well as its role in wound healing and neuronal regeneration in the PNS (peripheral nervous system) and CNS (central nervous system).

What is the function and structure of the extracellular matrix?

ECM (extracellular matrix) comprises of non-cellular constituents that form a scaffold for the cellular components within tissues. Its structure is essentially made up of fibers, proteoglycans, collagen, and multi adhesive proteins.

The main functions of the ECM include:

  • Facilitating communication between cells
  • Forming a support structure for cells
  • Regulating essential cell processes such as differentiation, migration, and growth
  • Segregating tissues
  • Tissue repair

There are two main types of extracellular matrices, each with a different structure;

  • interstitial matrices and
  • pericellular matrices.

Interstitial matrices surround cells whereas the pericellular matrices are cell-associated.

What is Extracellular Matrix ReplacementThe basement membrane which is found between the connective and functional tissue is a good example of pericellular matrices. The structure of the basement membrane provides an important anchoring layer that ensures functional cells are kept together. Cells within the extracellular matrix communicate through integrate signals and surface receptors that are associated with their specific function.

Moreover, cells play a critical role in the formation of the ECM through the secretion of multi adhesive proteins and matrix macromolecules. Therefore, differences in the extracellular matrix structure influence the biomechanical practices of the entire network as well as signals that determine cell response.

What is the relationship between the extracellular matrix and diabetes?

Diabetic neuropathy is one of the serious complications of diabetes. Morphological changes are caused by changes in the extracellular matrix. Therefore, basement membranes thicken and the tubulointerstitial space and the glomerular mesangial matrix are expanded as a result of increased amounts of the extracellular matrix.

In diabetic neuropathy, the proteoglycans in the extracellular matrix exhibit a complex pattern of changes. The proteoglycan in the tubulointerstitial space and the mesangium are increased but decreased in the basement membranes. There are also significant changes in the structures and amounts of heparan sulfate chains.

Such changes affect growth factors that regulate cell-extracellular matrix synthesis and growth factors, whereas cell attachment affects podocytes and endothelial cells.

Enzymes that modulate heparan sulfate structures, including sulfatases and heparanase, are implicated in diabetic neuropathy. Other enzymes also modulate proteoglycans and extracellular matrix proteins, such as serine proteases and metalloproteinases, as well as their inhibitors.

In diabetic neuropathy, changes in the levels of these enzyme classes and their corresponding inhibitors are seen in the kidneys and plasma. Signaling pathways, hyperglycemia, and several growth factors affect extracellular matrix synthesis and turn over in diabetic neuropathy. Whether extracellular matrix components can be effectively used to detect early kidney changes is a very important research topic.

One of the key elements in diabetic neuropathy is changes in the ECM of several components in the kidneys. Therefore, changes seen in the extracellular matrix are critical in diagnostics as well as therapeutic and prognostic purposes.

Tissue Regeneration

The extracellular matrix is the main factor necessary in the process of creating new tissue and networks. Many different factors trigger the growth of extracellular matrix or help form a synthetic extracellular matrix. Currently, extracellular matrix replacement is involved in many mechanisms including wound healing and neurological regeneration capacity associated with neurodegenerative and/or pathological disease.

The wound healing process is largely influenced by the proliferation and migration of fibroblasts in the site of injury. Fibroblast is a part of the extracellular matrix and it determines wound healing outcome. Fibroblasts produce collagen that links to the wound and it also affects the reepithelialization process that closes the wound. During proliferation, fibroblasts produce type III collagen and aid in wound closure.

An important part of the tissues’ holding capacity is the extracellular area which is mainly occupied by the extracellular matrix. Even though the extracellular matrix mainly consists of collagen, the composition varies depending on the ground or developing molecules. However, the extracellular matrix is composed of three main classes of biomolecules. Proteoglycans, linked to glycosaminoglycans and fibrous protein (collagen, laminin, vitronectin, elastin, and fibronectin).

Some of the most important constituents of connective tissue, which is mainly composed of the extracellular matrix, are ground substance and fibroblasts. Ground substance is an integration complex between proteoglycans, glycosaminoglycans, and glycoproteins (mainly fibronectin and laminin). Fibroblasts secrete the matrix constituents in most connective tissues. However, in some specialized connective tissues, like bone and cartilage, matrix components are secreted by osteoblasts and chondroblasts.

In general, each cell needs to attach to the ECM (extracellular matrix) in order to multiply and grow. The extracellular matrix is mainly responsible for providing anchorage and support for the shape of cells, regulating and determining cell behavior and dynamics including cell adhesion, cell survival, cell polarity, cell migration, and cell proliferation. Moreover, the extracellular matrix is involved in the regenerative and growth mechanism, healing process, and it also provides mechanical support for tissues.

The bottom-line

In clinical applications, many different factors that trigger the growth and development of the extracellular matrix are being used to create a synthetic extracellular matrix.

In addition to being involved in wound healing, it is also possible to use scaffold by acellular nerve allografting, a chemical decellularization process, to maintain most of the extracellular components and eliminate antigens that may cause allograft rejection, which effectively guides and enhances nerve regeneration.

In tissue engineering, extracellular matrix replacement and development has been used as a scaffold to enhance direct axonal growth, especially on peripheral nerve injury, as is common in diabetic neuropathy.

Extracellular Matrix Replacement diabetic neuropathy

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