Understand How Diabetes Circulation Problems Affect Feet

Diabetes circulation problems are common. Blood glucose levels that are too high raise the risk of conditions affecting your circulatory systems. High blood glucose can damage the lining of blood vessels, restricting blood flow.

Diabetes also increases the risk of peripheral arterial disease (PAD), which produces fatty deposits that narrow blood vessels, generally in legs and feet.  Data from the American Diabetes Association indicates that 1 in 3 people over 50 with diabetes has PAD.  The condition can increase the chances of having a stroke or heart attack. [1]

Over time, diabetes circulation problems can result in:

·         Cold hands and feet

·         Leg pain when walking (a sign of PAD)

·         Increased risk of developing foot infections or ulcers. Poor circulation can make your foot less able to fight infection and hinder wound healing.

·         Dry, cracked, itchy skin. Poor circulation causes itching on lower legs and feet.

·         Nerve damage (neuropathy), which usually affects the feet and leg but also can affect other extremities

·         Hair loss in affected areas

·         Brittle toenails

·         Pale or slightly blue skin on the affected area

Swelling particularly in the legs, ankles and feet also is the result of poor circulation. The condition known as edema results from fluid building up in parts of the body.

Neuropathy from diabetes circulation problems

Diabetic neuropathy or nerve damage is a very common complication affecting as many as half the people with diabetes.[2] Over time, high blood glucose levels or blood sugar, and high levels of fats in the blood from diabetes can damage nerves. When this happens, the nervous system’s signaling can no longer work correctly.

Diabetes circulation problems in feet can result in peripheral neuropathy. Peripheral neuropathy is the most common type of diabetic neuropathy. It affects the peripheral nervous system, resulting in pain and numbness in the extremities, including arms, hands, legs, feet, and toes. Since peripheral neuropathy can cause numbness, someone with diabetes might not feel a foot injury, cut or even a blister that could result in an ulcer. Foot ulcers are a considerable problem for people with diabetes, often leading to hospitalization.

If you have diabetic neuropathy, you may feel:[3]

• A pin and needles feeling or prickly feeling in your legs and feet
• Very cold or very hot feet
• Soreness or sensitivity
• Numbness
• No feeling of pain even with the presence of sores and cuts
• Injured feet have decreased pain level and discomfort (loss of protective sensation)

Healthy eating helps prevent diabetes circulation problems in feet

Healthy eating can help control high blood glucose levels that can lead to poor circulation. The key to managing blood glucose is to eat healthy foods in the right amounts at the right time to keep blood sugar in your target range as much as possible. Work with your health care team to create a meal plan that works for you.

A good diabetes meal plan will help manage the carbohydrates you eat. Carbohydrates can contribute to an increase in blood sugar.  However, a diet plan for a diabetic still should include making sure to get adequate amounts of carbohydrates.  That is why it is important to understand that not all carbohydrates are the same, which will help you in making the right food choices. Some foods that contain carbohydrates also include other key nutrients that, if taken in the right amount, can be a benefit to someone with diabetes. Carbohydrates with foods that have protein, fat, or fiber slow down how quickly your blood sugar rises.

Diabetes meal planning also involves watching portion sizes. Read labels and use measuring cups to understand what an appropriate amount consists of. And talk to your health care team about the best time to eat or drink. That may depend on: [4]

• What medicines do you take for diabetes
• What level of physical activity or your work schedule is
• Whether you have other health conditions or diseases

Other steps to improve diabetes circulation feet problems

Other steps you can take to avoid diabetes circulation feet problems:

Control your blood pressure: See your doctor if it is not under control. High blood pressure stunts circulation, narrows and hardens arteries.

Wear compression socks: If you have swelling in your legs from poor circulation, compression socks improve circulation by gently squeezing foot and calf muscles.  They move fluids back up your legs and into torso to prevent blood pooling. Talk to your doctor to see if compression socks could help and discuss proper use.

Keep your cholesterol within range: Find out what your numbers are and work with a registered dietitian to get your cholesterol in range.

Regularly exercise: Exercise stimulates blood flow to your hands, feet, legs, and the rest of your body. Exercise also helps manage your weight, which can lead to better blood glucose control. Set a goal of 30 minutes of moderate-intensity activity five days a week such as walking or biking.

Avoid sitting too long: Avoid crossing your legs, since blood flow is further impeded if your body is cramped a lot and you do not move.

You want to keep up with regular checkups to stay ahead of diabetes circulation feet problems. It also is a good idea to see a podiatrist once a year.