Dealing With Chronic Foot Pain After Your Diabetes Diagnosis? What You Should Know.
If you've recently been diagnosed with insulin resistance or Type II diabetes, you may already be taking steps to change your lifestyle and minimize the physical impact of this disease. Unfortunately, diabetes can often exacerbate or aggravate existing foot problems, and going without treatment (or at least monitoring) could set you up for ulcers, diabetic neuropathy, or other serious comorbidities in the future. Read on to learn more about treating foot pain after a diagnosis of diabetes and how often you'll want to visit a podiatrist to ensure continued good health.
How often should you visit a podiatrist after a diabetes diagnosis?
The feet are often the figurative canary in the coal mine when it comes to your diabetes — they may be the first sign something is amiss with your blood sugar. Because of this, it's important to see a podiatrist on a regular basis, and you may want to schedule visits as frequently as you schedule dental checkups. A podiatrist will be able to carefully examine your feet for any ulcers or other slow-to-heal spots that could indicate infection or other issues. He or she will also be able to fit you for custom orthotic insoles that can reduce the friction on your feet from your shoes and minimize any pressure or pain you're feeling in your feet.
What are some treatment options for foot pain?
In many cases, foot pain that doesn't have a clear biological origin (like a pinched nerve, ulcer, or too-tight shoes) may be the result of diabetic neuropathy, or damage to the ultra-sensitive nerves in the soles of your feet as a result of uncontrolled high blood sugar. Diabetic neuropathy can be more common among those whose diabetes symptoms ran unchecked for some time before diagnosis — in fact, foot pain can sometimes be the first issue severe enough to send someone to the doctor for a diagnosis of diabetes.
If you do suspect you have diabetic neuropathy, there are a few ways to help manage the pain and numbness you may be experiencing. The first is to get an immediate handle on your blood sugar — whether this means closer monitoring or a higher dose of insulin, keeping your blood sugar within the recommended range is the only way to prevent further nerve and tissue damage.
You may also want to investigate an antidepressant regimen or even swimming therapy. Antidepressants have been shown to have some impact on nerve signals, which can potentially reduce pain for those dealing with diabetic neuropathy. Low-impact exercises like swimming are also able to reduce your chronic pain while providing you with other cardiac benefits.
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