Diabetes mellitus is a dangerous disease that provokes many different complications associated with the functioning of blood vessels and blood flow through them. Violation of carbohydrate metabolism leads to the development of various kinds of diseases and pathologies.
With insufficient oxygen supply to muscle tissue, diseases of the lower extremities begin to develop. It is very important to determine why diabetes causes pain in the legs, and what to do with this problem in order to get rid of it in a timely manner, as this can provoke many complications. Problems in the limbs are triggered by high blood sugar. It is he who worsens the condition of blood vessels and microcirculation of blood through them.
Causes of Leg Pain
When legs have pain in diabetes, what to do and how to eliminate the existing discomfort? These questions are of interest to so many patients, since such a condition can provoke the occurrence of dangerous complications. In some patients, the lower limbs completely fail. The main causes of this condition are:
- disorders in the nervous system;
- high glucose
- atherosclerosis.
A constant increase in blood sugar affects the damage to nerve fibers. As a result of this, impulses are not transmitted to the lower limbs. The patient begins to progress neuropathy, that is, loss of sensation in the legs.
Elevated sugar can lead to atherosclerosis. A similar disease is associated with circulatory disorders. It is characterized by the fact that the walls of the vessels are strongly compressed and the movement of blood through them is rather difficult. As a result of this, blood clots form.
The lack of oxygen in the tissues of the legs provokes a very strong pain. Pain in the lower extremities with diabetes is often observed in people who do not follow a diet.
Stages of the disease
There are 3 degrees of complications that can develop in the lower extremities with diabetes. At the initial stage, there are no characteristic signs, only a slight pulsation of the arteries is observed.
With a course of 2 degrees, the first signs and severe symptoms appear, but there is no strong oxygen starvation of the cells. At stage 3, a critical state sets in. In this case, the cells experience very strong oxygen starvation. The blood pressure in the arteries of the limbs is greatly increased.
Diabetic foot syndrome
If the leg is very sore with diabetes, then this may be a sign of the development of a diabetic foot. This complication very often accompanies the course of pathology. With the progression of the disease, this syndrome is detected in approximately 90% of patients. The mechanism for the development of the syndrome is quite complex and includes many different processes that occur throughout the body.
At the initial stage, small capillaries begin to break down, and over time, arteries and veins are affected. In addition, the pathology is characterized by the fact that the nutrition of tissues is disrupted, then the nerve endings die and trophic ulcers form. At the same time, due to the slow tissue repair, the infection quickly joins and purulent processes form.
Symptoms that are observed during the course of this disease, largely depend on its type. With a polyneuropathic form of pathology, the nerve endings die off quickly, tactile and temperature sensitivity is lost. Additionally, the skin of the foot thickens, and corns and corns form on the sole. The shape of the limb is gradually changing.
Often, at this stage, the leg does not hurt, and the temperature and skin color does not change. However, in some patients in an advanced stage, gangrene of the foot begins to develop. The ischemic form of the disease is characterized by the presence of such signs:
- blanching of the skin;
- temperature and pain are observed;
- muscle discomfort appears;
- pains that are observed even at rest.
After some time, lameness joins all these signs. The skin of the foot turns red and cold. On the skin of the extremities, point hemorrhages are observed. Gradually, with the occurrence of dystrophy of the subcutaneous tissue, the foot begins to decrease in size.
Against the background of ischemia, necrotic processes develop that provoke the formation of dry gangrene of the foot. In addition, there is a separate form of the diabetic foot, which combines the symptoms of these two types of disease. In diabetics, a similar complication occurs mainly.
Diabetic Angiopathy
Do legs hurt with diabetes? It interests so many people who suffer from this disease. The defeat of large arteries and small blood vessels leads to angiopathy. With the progression of atherosclerosis, cholesterol plaques accumulate in the vessels, the lumen of the arteries decreases, and blood clots can form and separate, which lead to blockage of the bloodstream.
Blood supply to the limbs ceases, and the tissues begin to gradually die. This provokes the occurrence of soreness, numbness, tingling in the legs, redness of the skin, convulsions. In addition, the shape of the nail plates changes and the nails break. If treatment is not done in a timely manner, gangrene can begin, which threatens to amputate the limb.
Ulcers and swelling of the legs
If the legs are very sore with diabetes, then this can be a sign of dangerous damage to the limbs. Additionally, ulcers can form on the skin. This happens for reasons such as:
- vascular diseases;
- violation of trophic tissue;
- neuropathic pathologies.
The risk of ulceration increases significantly with damage to the nervous system, vascular lesions, atherosclerosis. Men often suffer from a similar problem. The occurrence of such complications is facilitated by injuries, scratches, abrasions, burns.
Peptic ulcer develops gradually and is the result of various kinds of negative changes that occur in the body for a long time. Swelling of the lower extremities occurs against the background of the course of nephrotic syndrome provoked by diabetes. In addition, such a violation may be due to atherosclerosis.
Neurological manifestations
Does the leg hurt with diabetes? This question worries many people, because sometimes, against the background of the course of the disease, severe discomfort is observed. This disease always occurs with damage to the nervous system and the degree of progression of the pathology largely depends on the characteristics of the human body. Among the main signs of a violation in the nervous system, it is necessary to highlight such as:
- decrease or complete loss of sensation in the toes or foot;
- sensation of goosebumps;
- heaviness in the legs.
Patients do not understand at all why diabetes causes pain in the legs, what causes such problems, and what to do about it. Limb pain in diabetes is a dangerous condition that cannot be ignored. Proper treatment will help stabilize a person’s well-being.
Main symptoms
If the leg hurts and the leg is swollen with diabetes , it is important to choose the right method of therapy. This manifestation of hyperglycemia occurs after the progression of complications with damage to nerves and blood vessels. Among the main features you need to highlight such as:
- weakness when walking;
- itchy skin;
- swelling;
- change in the skin;
- violation of trophism in soft tissues and skin.
Basically, during the course of pathologies, weakness is observed when walking. The main reason for such a violation is dystrophic processes, which are accompanied by a deterioration in all functions.
Swelling mainly occurs in patients with type 2 diabetes. The reason for this is stagnation of fluid and blood in the tissues due to the strong vascular permeability. Diabetes is characterized by the release of biochemical substances in the affected area, which provokes the occurrence of itching of the skin.
At the same time, muscles, skin, and other structures are involved in the pathological process, which determines the severity of the course of painful manifestations. To stabilize well-being, you need to see a doctor for treatment.
Diagnostics
If your legs hurt with diabetes, what should I do? The doctor can answer this question only after the diagnosis. Initially, the doctor after examining the patient performs palpation of the legs, determining the peculiarity of the pulsation of the arteries. It also requires the use of hardware techniques. They help calculate the pressure in the shoulder and lower leg, and also deduce their ratio. In older people, finger pressure is additionally measured.
General laboratory tests of urine and blood are shown. A biochemical blood test and blood sugar may also be required. If there is soreness of the lower extremities, then transcutaneous oximetry is required.
A similar technique allows us to assess the degree of tissue oxygen saturation. The result is read using a special sensor. This allows us to assess the degree of oxygen starvation of tissues.
Ultrasound of arteries is used to determine their condition and a feature of systemic blood flow. Using this method, you can find the place in the vessel where the blood clot formed. After the diagnosis, the doctor selects a treatment methodology that helps get rid of the existing problem.
Treatment features
If you have leg pain in diabetes, what to do is necessary to know, as such a problem can lead to dangerous violations and consequences. First of all, you need to compensate for the disease. To do this, you need to normalize the level of sugar, by following a special diet, to give up smoking and consumption of alcoholic beverages. It is also important to avoid stress.
When legs are sore with diabetes, treatment involves the use of two methods to get rid of this problem, namely, conservative and surgical. In the first case, the patient is prescribed antibacterial ("Abactal", "Tsiprolet", "Gentamicin") and analgesic ("Spazmalgon", "Etodin Fort", "Nalgesin", "Nise") drugs. Antiseptics and antibiotics for local treatment are also required (Baneocin, Levosin, Triderm, Levomekol tetracycline, erythromycin and zinc ointments). If soreness of the legs is observed, then funds that normalize blood circulation in the vessels are required (Detralex, Verapamil, Ascorutin).
In some cases, the patient is prescribed an operation during which manipulations such as:
- necrosis removal;
- excision of blood vessels that cannot be restored;
- the resumption of vascular function.
If necessary, amputation of the affected part of the leg is prescribed. During therapy, it is necessary to strictly monitor the blood sugar. When your legs hurt with diabetes, what to do, you need to know exactly and follow all the doctor's recommendations in order to get rid of the pathology as soon as possible.
Folk remedies
If the legs hurt with diabetes, how to treat it and whether discomfort can be eliminated with the help of folk remedies, is of interest to many patients, since they believe that unconventional methods are safer, but no less effective. Well established flaxseed decoction. For this, 2 tbsp. l dry seeds pour 0.5 liters of boiling water. Boil the product for 20 minutes over low heat. Then leave to stand for 2 hours. The finished product is filtered and drunk for 5 days 2 times a day for 2/3 tbsp.
Nettle cream can be rubbed into problem areas. To do this, bring 150 ml of vegetable oil to a boil, add the finely ground nettle root and cook for 15 minutes. Means to cool and apply for treatment.
The diseased area of the leg should be greased with honey, sprinkled with chopped aspirin and covered with burdock. Wrap it all up with a blanket and leave it overnight.
Feet care
Quite often, patients with diabetes have sore feet. What to do with emerging pathologies? It is important not only to conduct timely comprehensive treatment, but also to ensure proper limb care. To stabilize well-being and prevent complications, doctors recommend conducting activities such as:
- cold and hot shower;
- gentle care;
- selection of comfortable shoes;
- regular changes in stockings and socks;
- refusal of self-medication.
Diabetics in the presence of pain in the legs are recommended to iron socks, as this allows you to maintain warmth and normalize blood circulation.
Prophylaxis
If the soles of the feet hurt in diabetes, the attending doctor can recommend how to anesthetize. It is necessary not only to understand how treatment is carried out, but also what preventive measures are available. In order to avoid problems with extremities in diabetics, experts recommend that you immediately go to the hospital if the first signs of skin numbness occur. To help prevent problems from occurring:
- active lifestyle;
- foot massage;
- physiotherapy.
It is necessary to carefully monitor the condition of the legs. To prevent the occurrence of dangerous diseases, you need to refuse to wear rough shoes and not walk with bare feet. Medication and physiotherapy should be carried out regularly.
If your legs hurt with diabetes, what to do and how to cope with discomfort, you need to know for sure, as this will help maintain normal limb health.