Type 2 diabetes can inflict permanent damage on the body if you do not heed the warning signs as soon as they appear.
Unfortunately, many of the signs can be subtle at first so it’s easy to sleepwalk into disaster.
Your feet can provide clues of future problems because high blood sugar levels – a hallmark of diabetes – can damage your nerves.
And the first nerves to be affected tend to be the smallest ones furthest from the spinal cord—those that stretch to the toes and feet. This process is called diabetic neuropathy.
A constant burning feeling in the feet is a telltale sign of diabetic neuropathy
Getty Images
What should I look for?
According to Harvard Health, diabetic neuropathy can be “sneaky” and “completely rob the feet of their ability to sense pain”.
This is deceptively dangerous because you may not notice minor injuries, for example you could step on something sharp while barefoot or get a blister from badly-fitting shoes.
And if a cut or a blister goes untreated, it could get infected.
“Infections that cause tissue to die (gangrene) and that spread to the bone may be impossible to treat with cleansing and antibiotics,” warns Harvard Health.
Other signs to spot include:
Can diabetic neuropathy be reversed?
No, diabetic neuropathy can’t be reversed, but the symptoms can be treated.
As Diabetes UK explains, once the nerves have been damaged they cannot repair themselves.
You can reduce your risk of diabetic neuropathy by keeping blood sugar levels within a healthy range and eating a healthy, balanced diet is key.
A low-carb diet has been shown to rapidly bring blood sugar levels back down to a healthy range
Getty Images
Various studies advocate eating a low-carb diet to banish high blood sugar levels.
According to a study published last year in JAMA Network Open, a low-carb diet could quickly bring elevated blood sugar levels back to a healthier range.
Researchers recommend getting plenty of proteins and healthy fats by eating non-starchy vegetables, fish, poultry, lean meat, eggs, olive oil, avocados, nuts and seeds, Greek yogurt, low-carb milk, and small amounts of cheese.
24World Media does not take any responsibility of the information you see on this page. The content this page contains is from independent third-party content provider. If you have any concerns regarding the content, please free to write us here: contact@24worldmedia.com
Latest Posts
Nigel Farage threatens NatWest with court proceedings to resolve debanking scandal
Amazon delivery driver ‘desperate’ for toilet smashed head on into car
Ricky Norwood set for ITV Dancing on Ice axe as dance expert exposes worrying ‘narrowing down’ trend
HMRC to give hundreds of thousands of households a £300 tax-free payment from today
The culpability for this recession must surely lie with the Bank of England
BBC The Apprentice viewers slam ‘awkward editing’ as contestant cut from spin-off show
BBC to air Steve Wright’s final Top of The Pops appearance amid backlash for treatment of late star
I point the finger of blame far more at the Bank of England than the government on recession
