Type 2 Diabetes - Foot Pain

For people with type 2 diabetes, foot pain is a common complaint and one of the signs of diabetes. Diabetes causes nerve damage, which can in turn lead to discomfort or pain in the feet. There are several types of problems that can cause painful feet in diabetics.

Diabetic Neuropathy

Nerve problems resulting from diabetes can cause a variety of unpleasant or painful sensations. Some diabetics report a burning, itching, or tingling sensation, or a general feeling of numbness in the feet. Others will be overly-sensitive to touch on the feet, where even a light touch can be painful. Sometimes the muscles in the feet also become affected by nerve damage. This can cause people to walk in an unnatural way, resulting in blisters or callouses from the foot rubbing against the shoe.

Circulation Problems in the Feet

Poor circulation is not uncommon in diabetics. Sufficient blood is unable to flow through to the feet and ulcers can result. This can cause tremendous foot pain since the tissues in the feet are starved.

Wounds or Sores on the Feet

Due to poor circulation, foot injuries or sores take longer to heal because blood isn't flowing to the injury to help it heal. If foot pain is a problem due to other reasons as well (eg. neuropathy), it can cause you to walk in a manner that's "unbalanced", causing the foot to rub against the shoe, once again resulting in wounds, sores, callouses, etc.

Managing Foot Pain

Here are some tips on helping to manage pain from diabetic neuropathy:

Diabetes foot pain can be managed with a good foot care routine. Treat foot problems right away to avoid additional complications. Consult with your doctor to devise a foot care regimen. Foot creams, foot rollers, massage, support hose, and other devices specifically created for diabetes are available and may help to relieve painful feet. Tightly controlled management of blood glucose levels remains important as well, as does the other parts of your overall diabetes treatment plan. A strong immune system can help to fight off foot problems, and a nutritious diet and regular exercise can help tremendously.