Diabetes Foot Pain, Common Symptom, Huge Impact


If you or someone close to you suffers from diabetes, then you probably already know first hand how debilitating it can be if the patient starts to develop diabetic neuropathy.  Diabetes foot pain, a common symptom of neuropathy, can have a huge impact on the patient's quality of life.

Basically, neuropathy occurs when the nerves to various extremities of the body have been damaged.  Some of the resulting symptoms include numbness, pain, weakness and the result is minor or extreme disability.  Diabetes is one of the most common causes of neuropathy, but other causes include chemotherapy and alcohol abuse.  Some people also inherit the condition.

Diabetes foot pain doesn't occur in every person with diabetes.  In fact, there are many people who have diabetes and don't even know about it, their symptoms are so mild.  However as many as 50% of diabetes sufferers end up developing neuropathy to some degree, and around 25% of diabetics develop foot pain that can be described as significant.

Not every patient experiences diabetes foot pain in the same way.  For some it is only minor, causing a tingling or prickling sensation similar to pins and needles.  Others feel a throbbing pain, and some experience shooting pains that come and go.  It can also occur at different times, with some experiencing more severe symptoms during their daily activities, and others noticing the pain more when they're falling asleep.

It's important to diagnose diabetes foot pain earlier, as there is a better chance of preventing it from getting worse if it's recognized early.  The main treatment is actually to manage the diabetic condition effectively.  Doing that will often halt the development of neuropathy and diabetes foot pain almost completely.

Still, for those who find their diabetes foot pain is worst at night, sleeping pills may be required for them to get to sleep.  Others may prefer to use painkillers to manage the condition effectively.

Cryosurgery is another possible solution that is being trialed at present.  This involves freezing the nerve which is causing the problem, and the results for curing diabetes foot pain have been encouraging.  Many patients find that they can return to their previous activities, or discontinue the use of strong medications.

The important thing to remember is that any recurring pain or discomfort is a good reason to visit your doctor for a checkup.  Because diabetes is already so widespread and becoming more common, it's inevitable that many people already have the condition but are unaware of it.  The earlier it is diagnosed, the better your chance of avoiding complications such as diabetes foot pain.  Although permanent cures are unlikely, the earlier the neuropathy is diagnosed and dealt with, the better your chance of avoiding permanent disability.