Numbness of the legs in type 2 diabetes mellitus: treatment and diagnosis

Numbness of the toes in diabetes is the most common problem among diabetics. The insidiousness of this process is that numbness does not appear immediately, or is characterized by an indefinite character. At the same time, the lower limb retains one hundred percent functionality to the last.

With the development of a complication, the patient may feel a slight tingling sensation in the lower extremities, goose bumps run over the skin, sometimes painful sensations, burning sensations are felt. In some situations, cold passes in the lower extremities, or the heel becomes “hot”.

In the vast majority of cases of clinical pictures, numbness of the legs with diabetes develops over a couple of years. However, under the influence of certain negative factors, events can accelerate.

It is necessary to consider why the legs go numb in diabetes mellitus, and what to do in this situation? Will treatment with folk remedies help, and which method is most effective?

Etiology of the development of numbness

Do many diabetic patients often complain that their toes are numb? But why is this happening? The fact is that diabetics have impaired functionality of blood vessels, and they cannot cope with their work.

In this regard, all internal organs, including the human skin, are insufficiently supplied with blood and oxygen. In addition, damage to the nerve roots is usually observed, as a result of which nerve impulses are blocked.

As a result, all this leads to the fact that the sensitivity of the lower limbs disappears. And susceptibility can decrease at once for both feet or at one foot, or any specific area of ​​the leg.

There are a number of circumstances that can lead to the development of numbness in the legs in diabetes mellitus:

  • The patient wears too narrow or simply unsuitable shoes for his leg, as a result of which full circulation is impaired, as a result, numbness in the legs.
  • Excessive physical activity or a sedentary lifestyle lead to the fact that complete blood circulation is disturbed. It is from here that the numbness of the limbs arises. In addition, they are constantly cold to the touch.
  • Numbness of the feet may be the result of pathologies of blood vessels. For example, atherosclerotic changes in the body disrupt full blood flow, blood vessels become narrower, which leads to an uncomfortable state.
  • Diseases of a neurological nature can provoke not only numbness of the fingers, but also of all lower limbs. Against this background, painful sensations occur in the legs, injuries that do not heal for a long period of time appear.

As for the last point, if a patient has diabetes mellitus, then the sensitivity of his legs decreases, so he may not notice for a long period of time that a wound has formed on his leg.

Diabetes mellitus can lead to the fact that if nothing is done to the wound and not treated at all, it tends to grow, as a result of which it is converted into a trophic ulcer.

The worst thing that can happen later is the development of gangrene, and there, limb amputation is not excluded.

Conservative treatment

When a patient has a diabetic type of neuropathy, characterized by numbness of the lower extremities, then therapy will be effective if it is started at the initial stage of the development of the complication.

A diabetic who closely monitors his health, noticing negative symptoms, will be able to prevent serious complications, and increase his chances of saving the central nervous system and nerve roots.

The main therapy for diabetes is controlling the level of glucose in the body, and it is also necessary to restore the functionality of the nervous system, and the full functioning of nerve impulses.

As a rule, it does not come to surgical intervention, in many cases it is enough to free the human body from toxic and harmful substances, prescribe vitamins for diabetics and a special health-improving diet.  

Therapy may include the following items:

  1. A preparation containing a B vitamin is recommended.
  2. Manipulations characterized by an analgesic effect are performed.
  3. An anticonvulsant drug is prescribed.
  4. In type 2 diabetes, procedures are performed that are aimed at stimulating nerve endings.

If a patient’s leg or legs become numb, then physiotherapy procedures should be performed every day. In some situations, the doctor may recommend an individual course of physical therapy.

In the case when against the background of diabetes mellitus and numbness of the lower extremities there is no increased swelling of these, therapeutic massage may be recommended.

Many patients are interested in whether therapy with folk remedies will help? As for the alternative treatment, there are many recipes for numbness of the extremities, but for a diabetic they will prove to be ineffective, since the reason lies precisely in high sugar.

The basis for successful treatment, as with many complications of diabetes, is the normalization of glucose in the body.

Preventive actions

Knowing that the feeling of numbness significantly reduces sensitivity, and a diabetic simply may not notice minor damage to the skin, it is necessary to adhere to a certain schedule and preventive measures every day.

It should be recalled that diabetes mellitus fundamentally changes people’s lives, the basis for reducing the likelihood of complications is the diet with high sugar, physical activity, regular visits to the doctor. 

The main rule of every diabetic is to examine their feet every day for damage to the skin. If even a very slight wound or a scratch is found, it must be immediately treated, a bandage applied.

When it does not heal for a long period of time, you do not need to try to cope with the problem on your own, you need to quickly and promptly consult a doctor.

Prevention for diabetics consists of the following measures:

  • Closely monitor your nails, it is not recommended to trim under the root to exclude the possibility of injury to the skin.
  • Constantly examine the interdigital space for wounds, fungus.
  • If there is no swelling, then you can massage the lower extremities at home, using massage or essential oil for this, which accelerates blood circulation.
  • Wash the lower limbs several times a day. You cannot wipe them with a towel, it is permissible to only get slightly wet, and then treat with a special powder.

Shoes should always be in size, comfortable and comfortable. Socks made of natural fabrics only. If calluses appear, you do not need to use a special adhesive plaster. Normal pumice will help remove rough skin areas.

Numbness of the legs and the development of other complications associated with diabetes mellitus can be more likely to be prevented if you control your blood sugar, eat properly, monitor the condition of the lower extremities, and pay special attention to your shoes.

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