Diabetes can make your toes numb and affect walking ability: Quit smoking, have Vitamin B12-rich diet
Toe numbness may also lead to injuries and wounds.
By ET CONTRIBUTORS | Updated:
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Even the mildest symptoms should not be ignored.
By Dr Roopak Wadhwa
The numbness of toes is a symptom that occurs when the patient experiences absence of feeling in his/her toes. This primarily happens when diabetes affects the nerves, which is called Diabetic Neuropathy, or the peripheral vessels, also known as peripheral vascular disease.
This can either be a temporary symptom or a chronic condition. The numbness can affect your ability to walk, and possibly lead to injuries and wounds. It is frequently called as Diasobic Foot. The numbness can also cause the feeling of pins & needles in your toes. This is also one of the leading causes of amputation in the world after the trauma.
Want To Keep Diabetes Away? Eat Walnuts, Apples, Carrots
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While being active, staying hydrated, and checking blood glucose levels can work wonders, it is important to stick to a dietary plan that will ward off diabetes in the long run.
A recent study showed that antioxidant-rich walnuts can nearly halve the risk of developing Type-2 diabetes.
For patients, the ideal diabetic diet plan would be to have 1200-1600 calories per day. It is recommended that diabetics should eat good carbs, fats, and healthy proteins, but in small portions.
Doctors and dieticians share ultimate list of foods you must consume to stay healthy.
While being active, staying hydrated, and checking blood glucose levels can work wonders, it is important to stick to a dietary plan that will ward off diabetes in the long run.A recent study showed ..
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After news of walnuts as you new superfood to keep diabetes away, it's time to look at the other superhero nuts and seeds. They have protective effects for people with diabetes. Flaxseeds/linseeds, almonds, peanuts, pumpkin seeds, macadamia nuts, pistachios, cashew nuts, chia seeds, etc are the best nuts and seeds for diabetics as they reduce and regulate the insulin levels in the body.
After news of walnuts as you new superfood to keep diabetes away, it's time to look at the other superhero nuts and seeds. They have protective effects for people with diabetes. Flaxseeds/linseeds, ..
Read More
They are a good source of high biological value protein. Eggs have good cholesterol, also called as High Density Lipoprotein (HDL), which is good for heart health. Studies have shown that it improves insulin sensitivity. They give satiety and improve blood sugar levels.
They are a good source of high biological value protein. Eggs have good cholesterol, also called as High Density Lipoprotein (HDL), which is good for heart health. Studies have shown that it improve..
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It has an active compound called curcumin which has shown to improve sugar, promote cardiovascular health, and protect against kidney diseases.
It has an active compound called curcumin which has shown to improve sugar, promote cardiovascular health, and protect against kidney diseases.
Salmon have excellent amount of Omega-3 fatty acids (DHA and EPA) which is good for diabetics. The patients need good fat in their diet, and fish reduce inflammation and coronary risks which are common in diabetes.
Salmon have excellent amount of Omega-3 fatty acids (DHA and EPA) which is good for diabetics. The patients need good fat in their diet, and fish reduce inflammation and coronary risks which are com..
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It improves blood sugars and blood pressure in diabetics. It's a herb with many great health benefits.
It improves blood sugars and blood pressure in diabetics. It's a herb with many great health benefits.
It's a potent antioxidant, and works like a hypoglycaemic drug. One should restrict consumption of cassia cinnamon which is poor variety and has coumarin. It is available in most grocery stores in India. If this variant is consumed in excess, it can have side effects. One should go for the Ceylon variant with less coumarin.
It's a potent antioxidant, and works like a hypoglycaemic drug. One should restrict consumption of cassia cinnamon which is poor variety and has coumarin. It is available in most grocery stores in I..
Read More
An apple a day keeps the doctor away! Apart from being great for your overall health, the natural-sugar in the fruit has a relatively low impact on the insulin and blood sugar levels in the body.
An apple a day keeps the doctor away! Apart from being great for your overall health, the natural-sugar in the fruit has a relatively low impact on the insulin and blood sugar levels in the body.
Diabetics can opt for carrots in their daily diet despite its sweet flavour as it can help manage blood glucose levels. Carrot juice may still contain sugar and carbohydrates, it won't spike the blood sugar levels.
Diabetics can opt for carrots in their daily diet despite its sweet flavour as it can help manage blood glucose levels. Carrot juice may still contain sugar and carbohydrates, it won't spike the bloo..
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Whole tomatoes are low in carbohydrates. This fruit has minimal impact on blood sugars and is safe to consume for diabetics. Make sure you consume the fruit, and not the juice.
(Inputs from Dr Tejal Lathia, Consultant Endocrinologist, Hiranandani Hospital, Vashi - A Fortis Network Hospital; Dr Rohan Sequeira, Cardiometabolic Physician at Jaslok Hospital and Research Centre; Dr Mihir Raut, Consultant Physician & Diabetologist, Nanavati Super Speciality Hospital; Dietician Jasleen Kaur; and nutritionust Avni Kaul)
Whole tomatoes are low in carbohydrates. This fruit has minimal impact on blood sugars and is safe to consume for diabetics. Make sure you consume the fruit, and not the juice.
(Inputs from Dr Teja..
Numbness can happen due to various reason. Some of them are:
Smoking
Frequent alcohol intake
Vitamin B12 deficiency
Spinal cord injury
Sciatica
Peripheral vascular disease
Nerve compression syndromes
Some people experience exercise-related toe numbness, especially after a long run or physical activity. However, it tends to recover after resting for some time.
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The numbness can also cause the feeling of pins & needles in your toes. How to manage toe numbness:
Visit your doctor
General physician or clinical examination is enough for diagnosis
Routine blood investigations can reveal the cause of numbness
Nerve conduction study, MRI of brain & spine, USG Doppler, angiography of limbs will also help
Treatment should be done aggressively
Diabetes management is the corner stone of the treatment
Replacement of deficient vitamins gives relief from symptoms
Nerve decompression at spinal or local level with surgery is sometimes only option
Medications altering the nerve excitation is needed for therapy both for temporary numbness and long terms.
Foot hygiene is also important in many cases for healing
Blood circulation is to be ensured surgically or medically for better control of symptoms
Even the mildest symptoms should not be ignored
(The author is Consultant, Diabetes, Endocrinology & Metabolic Disorder Fortis Hospital, Shalimar Bagh)
(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this column are that of the writer. The facts and opinions expressed here do not reflect the views of www.economictimes.com.)
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