Diabetic joint pain is yet another ailment that diabetics must endure.Joint problems may arise due to being overweight, arterial disease, and nerve damage, referred to as diabetic neuropathy. These conditions cause secondary problems such as Charcot joint and DISH. Charcot joint is what happens when there is nerve damage to the feet resulting in numbness and tingling. Diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis, or DISH is caused when ligaments and tendons harden and cause tenderness and stiffness in the neck, back, and spine.
Other conditions of diabetic joint painthat are wellknown and negatively affect diabetics are osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, and frozen shoulder.Osteoarthritis causes inflammation to all joints throughout the body whether from repetitive motion or from a body being at rest too long. Osteoporosis cause bone loss and over time, individuals may endure numerous bone fractures and hunched position. Frozen shoulder is characterized by pain in usually one shoulder only. The individual will suffer from tenderness, limited range of movement, and joint stiffness.
Another extremity affected is the hands as diabetics also experience Diabetic Hand Syndrome and Dupuytren Contracture. Diabetic Hand Syndrome occurs when the hands take on a waxy, thick appearance and there is loss of movement. Similarly, Dupuytren Contracture also affects the hands by thickening the skin. The difference between the diseases is that left untreated, Dupuytren Contracture can leave a persons’ hands disfigured and permanently bent towards the palm.
Diabetic Joint Pain – Treatment Options
There are numerous treatment options for individuals suffering from diabetic joint pain. Exercise is already highly recommended for diabetics, so it is no surprise that physical activity can alleviate symptoms of diabetic joint pain as well. Experts recommend getting daily cardiovascular exercise in addition to performing resistance training and weight bearing exercises. These activities work to keep the muscles that support the joints strong and healthy. In addition, the joints and ligaments become pliable which can reduce movement pain. Finally, exercise helps to stabilize blood sugar level, which may ward off flare-ups.
A second choice for treating these ailments is to take glucosamine, which is a dietary supplement used to reduce inflammation and pain in the joints. It can be purchased without a prescription and many diabetics find it very useful in controlling their pain. Pain medications can also be used to manage pain, if it is unbearable.Some diabetics may find that alternative treatments such as massage, acupuncture, or water therapy will provide relief for achy joints.
Diabetic Joint Pain – Prevention
To help prevent diabetic joint pain before it starts includes simple actions such as controlling blood sugar, eating a nutritious diet, and wearingproperly fitting clothes, shoes, or orthotics. Obviously, the less weight that a person’s frame has to support the less stress joints will have to endure. Therefore, it is essential that diabetics maintain a healthy weight range and if they are overweight, they should try to lose pounds via regular exercise and a modified diet.
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