Diabetes leg pain is one of the complications that could occur. Scientists call it peripheral arterial disease (PAD). What happens with PAD? The arteries become clogged or partly blocked. This is due to atherosclerosis. With atherosclerosis, the arteries that provide blood to the extremities usually to the legs do not get to do their job because of the blockage.
Here’s another perspective on atherosclerosis. Diabetes can do harm to the major arteries. They can do the same thing to the small blood vessels as well. How does this happen? The excess glucose in the blood makes it possible for the fatty deposits to remain in the arteries. This congregation of the fatty acids make the arteries narrower. This results in atherosclerosis which could lead to such conditions as stroke, heart attack and diabetes leg pain.
Now you can see that atherosclerosis is the process in which the walls of the arteries become thick and hard due to the fatty deposits. The slowing down of the blood flow to the other parts of the body all the way to the limb naturally results in the diabetes leg pain.
Here are the signs and symptoms of PAD. In the beginning one may feel the numbness and tingling in the feet. Then the clogged blood vessels can cause pain when walking. The next thing that comes is the pain and tiredness in the legs and buttocks when walking. Sometimes the signs and symptoms go away after some rest. Here they are in a nutshell:
Tingling and burning Loss of coordination and balance Intense sensitivity to light touch Numbness and lack of sensation to changes in temperature and pain
The pain could be worst at night. Due to the damaged nerves, the muscles become weak and some reflexes are lost. Often, the foot becomes wider and shorter. Then the gait changes and foot ulcers may occur. The lack of sensation and the accompanying loss of attention to the situation can make this condition worse.
If not treated on time, amputation could become an option. But doctors all agree that this does not have to happen. Injuries can be controlled if treated in time, thus avoiding amputation. Follow the rules of prevention and you may avoid this problem altogether. Wear well fitted shoes and check the feet every day.
What are the treatment options for this condition? What can be done to ease the pain? What is involved in the treatment? The treatment slows down the progress of atherosclerosis. This will improve the blood flow hence the nutrients will start reaching the other affected areas. The diabetes leg pain will hopefully subside.
Some common recommendations for treatment include the use of medications to control high blood pressure and cholesterol levels. They have also recommended surgery. What will surgery do to help? It will bypass the obstructed blood vessels. This will get the blood flowing to the extremities again and get rid of the diabetes leg pain. There are other treatment options in the sites mentioned in the resource box below.
By: Roger Guzman, M.D.
© 2010 Diabetes Health
