Diabetes and numbness is often caused by neuropathy, or damage to the nerves. About 60 percent of people who have been diagnosed with diabetes have had some form of damage to the nerves. Although there is some contradiction of what the exact cause is, many scientists believe that damage to the smaller blood vessels causes a depletion of the oxygen supply to the nerves. People often describe diabetes numbness as a feeling of a hand or foot going to sleep which does not go away, as it normally would (Diabeticlive.com, 2010).
Diabetes Numbness in Feet
One of the first things a doctor tells a patient that has been found to have diabetes, is to keep a careful eye on their feet. This is largely because of diabetes and numbness. If a person has numbness diabetes problems in their feet, then cuts, scrapes, burn and such may go unnoticed. This leaves them open to infection or other complications. Another big problem with numbness and diabetes is that people don’t notice that they are being hurt, and are often less coordinated with the diabetes numbness in feet hindering their movements, which can lead to more trips, falls, and tumbles.
Diabetes Foot Numbness Treatment
Diabetes foot numbness is often one of the first signs that a person has the disease. If your foot goes numb for an extended amount of time, you should pay a visit to your doctor. Diabetes and numbness in feet normally calls for the patient’s feet to get check annually or bi-annually for sensitivity. Any person with diabetes, but primarily those who have numbness in diabetes, should check their feet on a daily basis for sores, cuts, scrapes, blisters, calluses, corns, or redness. If you find something it is important that you either seek treatment, or treat it yourself with bandages and antibacterial ointment so that it does not cause further complications. Diabetic neuropathy should be taken seriously, as it is the top conditions leading to amputations in the United States.
Diabetes Toe Numbness
Although nerve damage is the direct cause of numbness in a diabetic’s limbs, it usually begins with circulation problems and damage to the small blood vessels. A little diabetes numbness in feet may not seem like much, but it will only get worse if left untreated. Diabetes and numbness in toes should be reacted to by a near-immediate meeting with your physician. Taking vitamin E has been known to improve circulation, so it should be taken as well. To detect this problem early on, look for signs of blood vessel problems, such as thin appearing skin, pain at rest, feet which feel cold, or the absence of foot pulses (Diabetesnet.com, 2010).
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