What would be considered a serious complication in a patient with diabetes who develops damage to their feet?
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Autonomic neuropathyThe autonomic nervous system controls blood pressure, heart rate, sweating, eyes, bladder, digestive system and sex organs. Diabetes can affect nerves in any of these areas, possibly causing signs and symptoms including:
Proximal neuropathy (diabetic polyradiculopathy)This type of neuropathy often affects nerves in the thighs, hips, buttocks or legs. It can also affect the abdominal and chest area. Symptoms are usually on one side of the body, but may spread to the other side. Proximal neuropathy may include:
Mononeuropathy (focal neuropathy)Mononeuropathy refers to damage to a single, specific nerve. The nerve may be in the face, torso, arm or leg. Mononeuropathy may lead to:
When to see a doctorCall your health care provider for an appointment if you have:
The American Diabetes Association (ADA) recommends that screening for diabetic neuropathy begin immediately after someone is diagnosed with type 2 diabetes or five years after diagnosis with type 1 diabetes. After that, screening is recommended once a year. Sign up for free, and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips and current health topics, like COVID-19, plus expertise on managing health. To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, and understand which information is beneficial, we may combine your email and website usage information with other information we have about you. If you are a Mayo Clinic patient, this could include protected health information. If we combine this information with your protected health information, we will treat all of that information as protected health information and will only use or disclose that information as set forth in our notice of privacy practices. You may opt-out of email communications at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link in the e-mail. CausesThe exact cause of each type of neuropathy is unknown. Researchers think that over time, uncontrolled high blood sugar damages nerves and interferes with their ability to send signals, leading to diabetic neuropathy. High blood sugar also weakens the walls of the small blood vessels (capillaries) that supply the nerves with oxygen and nutrients. Risk factorsAnyone who has diabetes can develop neuropathy. But these risk factors make nerve damage more likely:
ComplicationsDiabetic neuropathy can cause a number of serious complications, including:
PreventionYou can prevent or delay diabetic neuropathy and its complications by closely managing your blood sugar and taking good care of your feet. Blood sugar managementThe ADA recommends that people living with diabetes have a glycated hemoglobin (A1C) test at least twice a year. This test indicates your average blood sugar level for the past 2 to 3 months. A1C goals may need to be individualized, but for many adults, the ADA recommends an A1C of less than 7.0%. If your blood sugar levels are higher than your goal, you may need changes in your daily management, such as adding or adjusting your medications or changing your diet or physical activity. Foot careFoot problems, including sores that don't heal, ulcers and even amputation, are common complications of diabetic neuropathy. But you can prevent many of these problems by having a thorough foot exam at least once a year. Also have your health care provider check your feet at each office visit and take good care of your feet at home. Follow your health care provider's recommendations for good foot care. To protect the health of your feet:
What is the most serious complication of diabetes?Take a closer look at these major diabetes complications: Heart disease and stroke: People with diabetes are two times more likely to have heart disease or a stroke as people without diabetes. Blindness and other eye problems: Damage to blood vessels in the retina (diabetic retinopathy)
What complications can develop from untreated diabetic foot wounds?What Are The Common Complications of Diabetic Ulcers on the Foot?. Skin Infections. Diabetic ulcers on the feet are prone to skin infections, resulting in swelling around the wound site, foul-smelling drainage, fever and chills. ... . Abscess Formation. ... . Sepsis. ... . Foot Deformities. ... . Gangrene. ... . Foot Amputation.. What can diabetes do to your feet?They can happen over time when high blood sugar damages the nerves and blood vessels in the feet. The nerve damage, called diabetic neuropathy, can cause numbness, tingling, pain, or a loss of feeling in your feet. If you can't feel pain, you may not know when you have a cut, blister, or ulcer (open sore) on your foot.
What are 3 major complications of diabetes?Common diabetes health complications include heart disease, chronic kidney disease, nerve damage, and other problems with feet, oral health, vision, hearing, and mental health. Learn how to prevent or delay these diabetes complications and how to improve overall health.
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