Diabetes is a condition that affects millions of people across the globe, with a series of symptoms that can affect the lives of patients. From tiredness to blurred vision, the noticeable symptoms of diabetes vary from one person to the other. One of the less common symptoms that is associated with the condition is cold feet which is often surprising.
There is hope if you’ve ever felt as though you are not the only person in the world who can’t make sense of their inflated toe temperatures which are often more like ice within a freezer. Learning about the striking link between diabetes and cold feet can help relieve the pain caused due to such conditions while providing patients with large amounts of hope.
What are cold feet?
The term refers to the condition in which coldness is felt in the toes with some remaining numb and tingling. This kind of discomfort can be annoying at best and makes one unable to relax or fall asleep.
It can occur in a flash or develop more slowly over time. Temperature and circulatory issues due to the body’s warmth can greatly influence how users feel the amount of warmth in their fingers and toes.
In fact, people do not need to raise their toes right higher in the freezing temperature to feel the extreme cold even when the mind alludes to it. The cold feet are mainly due to the malfunction of the circulatory system or peripheral nerves.
A great many people are accustomed to writing off cold feet as merely a symptom of cool weather, but that is not always the case. If these signs do not reduce, it is wise to look for other explanations apart from just cold weather. A diagnosis of what causes cold feet can prove useful in applying appropriate management and care for the entire foot region.
The link between diabetes and cold feet
Diabetes has a myriad of effects on the body, one of them being poor circulation. Cold feet can be a result of blood flow being reduced to certain body parts, especially an individual’s feet, which are located at the periphery of the body.
Neuropathy is another complication associated with diabetes. Since elevated blood glucose levels can be sustained for a long period as in the case of diabetes, they can destroy nerve cells. Damage of the nerves in this way often results in abnormal sensation, or even no sensation, and can therefore contribute to feeling cold.
Diabetes patients may also have variation sweating patterns as a result of autonomic neuropathy, which can affect temperature regulation for the feet. The feet may lose their insulating effect from irregular sweating and become more sensitive to varying temperatures.
These symptoms require further investigation for a person with diabetes. Cold feet can indicate the presence of more serious issues that ought to be looked at on medical grounds and should not be simply viewed as discomfort.
Other possible causes of cold feet
Cold feet are quite often a temporary discomfort but they can however indicate some serious health problems. One such reason is poor circulation. If an individual has compromised blood flow to the extremities, chilblains appear on the toes and fingers.
As diabetes causes damage to nerves, it can be considered a likely suspect. When normal nerve function is absent such conditions as peripheral neuropathy discomfort and cold feet sensations will be noted.
It is also useful to note that, hypothyroidism has a part in this. When thyroid glands function below the optimal level, a shut metabolic rate may be seen, which leads to the body temperature being lower than normal.
Furthermore, depression and anxiety are more likely to modulate the sensitivity of our response to temperature changes. During a stressful event, the fight-or-flight Event inhibits blood flow to the extremities resulting in colder feet.
Due to altered circulation, certain drugs can either cause side effects or take sides which will lead to colder feet. If you experience any new or unrelated issues with your health that are either ongoing or have persisting effects, always speak to a doctor.
How to diagnose and treat cold feet caused by diabetes
For therapeutic interventions for cold feet related to diabetes, they have to see a doctor for appropriate management. As a brief overview, this may include assessing the patient’s history, physical examination, and further tests including blood sugar level or nerve function test.
If diabetes turns out to be the reason the cause, the simplest treatment often aims at controlling blood sugar to normal levels. The achievement of glucose levels within the relevant ranges can greatly enhance circulation and relieve some better physical activity.
Moreover, besides drug regimens, lifestyle changes are also important. While appropriate nutrition contributes to general health regular physical activity enhances blood circulation.
To ease the sensation of coldness in cold feet, people can also try to ease the tension by putting on warm socks and taking warm baths for their feet. Also, a note to self – moisturize the feet regularly to prevent any dryness as the outcome only leads to increased feelings of coldness.
Tips for managing diabetes
Arising from the above, it follows that managing diabetes is something that is continuous and only ends when the disease is gone. First and foremost, one should begin with regular measurements of blood glucose. This method allows one to know the consequences of ingested food or performed actions.
Of course, a proper diet is the most important. It is recommended to eat whole grains, low‐fat meat, vegetables, and monounsaturated or polyunsaturated oils. Lollipops and confectionaries should be avoided as they emphasize blimping blood glucose.
Do not forget to consider physical activities – it is recommended to perform intense physical activity 150 minutes per week. Everyday tasks like walking or swimming are supposed to change the approach to the metabolism of carbohydrates.
Water does wonders! Do not be careless regarding drinking plenty of water as it can improve most functions in the body and boost general well-being.
One can maintain stress levels through the practice of meditation or yoga. In fact, this step is quite necessary in order to keep a person’s average blood sugar level constant within the desired range in the long run.
Summary
There are several signs related to diabetes and one of those could be cold feet. It is very important to realize the correlation between diabetes and that feeling in order to be able to take care of yourself in the best way possible. Of course, cold feet may indicate some other problems that a diabetic has, like blood circulation issues or nerve damage, but still other causes should also be taken into account.
If you notice that your hands or feet feel cold most of the time, then it is wise to see a specialist. They will assist in establishing what is behind the condition – diabetes or something else – and recommend the most suitable treatment therapy.
One’s lifestyle changes like diet and physical activity are necessary for the management of diabetes and even more for the prevention of symptoms such as neuropathy which often have cold feet as one of the symptoms. It is needless to say being active while trying to maintain general health will provide dividends far more than just relief from the discomfort.
Hearing friends or relatives say, Please do not hesitate to see a doctor if I notice any worrying changes in the body can be quite comforting. Cold feet are just one of the many symptoms out there, but understanding them in the context of more serious health issues helps you in your quest for better health.
