Following a diabetes care plan and working with a healthcare provider can help reduce the prevalence of diabetes complications, as well as helping to prevent these complications from occurring at all. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
What is diabetic leg pain? <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Diabetic leg pain can present as pain, burning, tingling, or numbness in the legs. It can also affect the feet and lead to serious wounds such as foot ulcers<\/a> if not properly treated. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Leg pain<\/a> can be a result of several conditions. Most commonly, the culprit is peripheral neuropathy<\/a>, which involves damaging the nerves in the legs and feet from high blood sugar. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Other potential causes of diabetic leg pain include peripheral vascular disease (PVD) and peripheral artery disease (PAD). Peripheral vascular disease and peripheral artery disease are closely related, as PAD is a form of PVD. <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n [bensnaturalhealthIinlineLeadGen id =”1″ event=”15 Food Blood Sugar eBook Download” image=”https:\/\/blog.bensnaturalhealth.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Ipad-15-Foods.png” title=”Get Your FREE Diabetes Diet Plan” content=”##15 foods to naturally lower blood sugar levels ##3 day sample meal plan ##Designed exclusively by our nutritionist”]<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Diabetic peripheral neuropathy affects about 50% of people with diabetes and is the most common form of diabetic complication.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Over time, high blood sugar<\/a> causes damage to the nerves that help control the legs and feet. When the nerves of the legs and feet are damaged, it can result in pain and burning in the legs, as well as leg cramps. <\/p>\n\n\n\n People with diabetes can be more likely to develop the arterial disease than people without diabetes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Peripheral artery disease occurs when the blood arteries, not including those of the heart and brain, become narrowed from plaque buildup. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The narrowing of these arteries causes decreased blood flow, which causes pain. Peripheral artery disease can affect the neck, arms, and abdominal area, but most commonly affects the feet and legs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Other risk factors for peripheral artery disease include: <\/p>\n\n\n\n The prevalence of peripheral artery disease in people with diabetes is estimated to be about 30% in people over the age of 50. <\/p>\n\n\n\n People with diabetes tend to have higher levels of inflammation and are more likely to have constriction of arteries, as well as increased blood thickening, which can increase the risk of arterial blockages. <\/p>\n\n\n\n People with diabetes tend to have higher levels of LDL or \u201cbad\u201d cholesterol, as well as higher rates of hypertension (high blood pressure). High blood pressure and cholesterol levels<\/a> can lead to hardening of the arteries and artery damage, which can result in leg pain. <\/p>\n\n\n\n People with diabetes don\u2019t necessarily get leg pain just because they have diabetes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Instead, another condition is usually causing the pain, such as peripheral neuropathy or peripheral artery disease. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Some symptoms of underlying problems resulting from diabetes include: <\/p>\n\n\n\n When other nerves are also damaged from diabetes, people may experience additional symptoms such as: <\/p>\n\n\n\n To diagnose arterial disease, diagnostic tests such as ankle\/brachial index (ABI), pulse volume recording (PVR), and vascular ultrasounds can be used.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Having leg pain or cramps with diabetes can be very disruptive to normal life. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Aside from being frustrating, uncomfortable, and painful, the issues causing this leg pain can worsen in intensity. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The damage from having high blood sugar usually intensifies the longer someone has diabetes. People with newly diagnosed diabetes<\/a> may \u201cfeel fine\u201d and not have any outward appearance of complications, but these tend to develop throughout a person\u2019s lifetime. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Some complications from nerve or artery damage from diabetes include: Managing blood sugars is the primary goal when treating people with diabetes. Keeping blood sugar levels under control helps minimize the chance of complications occurring. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Having a well-formulated diabetes self-management plan<\/a> is essential for everyone with diabetes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Working together with your healthcare provider and following-up for necessary tests as often as is recommended is a key part of preventing diabetes leg pain. <\/p>\n\n\n\n In addition to practicing healthy lifestyle habits and taking steps to manage blood sugars, other things may help reduce the risk of developing nerve or artery problems from diabetes. Some healthy habits to adopt include: <\/p>\n\n\n\n The tips for prevention of leg pain are also helpful for those with pre-existing diabetes leg pain. However, for those who already have diabetes leg pain, other things may help ease the symptoms. <\/p>\n\n\n\n While the underlying causes of leg pain may not be reversible, such as neuropathy, proper coping techniques may make it easier for the person dealing with leg pain. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Some coping tips for people living with diabetes leg pain include: <\/p>\n\n\n\n When lifestyle modifications and other aspects of managing diabetes aren\u2019t enough to control the symptoms of diabetic leg pain, there are other treatments available to treat the underlying causes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Medications and additional treatments may be prescribed to treat peripheral neuropathy, such as: <\/p>\n\n\n\n Medications for peripheral artery disease include: <\/p>\n\n\n\n For peripheral artery disease, surgical treatments may be needed to help treat the affected blocked arteries. The common surgical treatments for PAD include: <\/p>\n\n\n\n Some people also find relief from: <\/p>\n\n\n\n Leg pain and cramps with diabetes can be very disruptive and interfere with the quality of life. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Symptoms of diabetic leg pain include tingling, burning, loss of sensation, numbness, and many more symptoms that can vary from person-to-person. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Having diabetes doesn\u2019t cause leg pain in itself. However, people with diabetes are more likely to develop complications that can result in leg pain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Common diabetes complications that can cause leg pain include peripheral neuropathy and peripheral artery disease; both of these conditions have increased prevalence in people with diabetes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n A person with diabetes can reduce their risk of developing leg pain and cramps by doing their best to control their blood sugars. Having high blood sugars<\/a> over a prolonged period of time increases the risk of complications such as pain. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Following a care plan, such as taking medications, eating healthfully, checking blood sugars regularly, and exercising are all important aspects of a well-rounded diabetes care plan. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Once diabetes leg pain occurs, diagnosing the underlying cause is necessary for proper treatment. Both peripheral neuropathy and peripheral artery disease can be diagnosed using certain tests, which can be ordered by a healthcare provider. <\/p>\n\n\n\n For those living with diabetes complications resulting in leg pain, additional treatment is available. <\/p>\n\n\n\n These treatments include medications, different kinds of therapy, and surgery, depending on the individual case and severity. Other coping mechanisms can help people living with leg pain, such as being realistic with physical goals and asking for help when needed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n While diabetes leg pain can be treated, the bottom line is that it\u2019s also largely preventable with preventive care. <\/p>\n\n\n\nWhy does diabetes cause leg pain? <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Nerve conduction studies, blood tests, imaging studies, nerve biopsies, and other tests are used to diagnose peripheral neuropathy. <\/p>\n\n\n\nComplications <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Conclusion <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Explore More<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"joint-pain\"](\"https:\/\/blog.bensnaturalhealth.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/large-5-Best-Ways-To-Get-Rid-Of-Joint-Pain.jpg\")
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