Warning signs of diabetes? 4 symptoms you might notice while walking​

From timesofindia.indiatimes.com

Ever felt a restless or weird sensation in the legs while walking?

Walking is one of the simplest and most natural activities we do every day. Whether it's a morning stroll in the park, a quick walk to the store, or simply moving around the house, we rarely stop to think about how our body responds to it. But what if your daily walks start feeling different that wasn't there before? These could be early warning signs of diabetes, a condition that affects millions worldwide.

Diabetes impacts blood sugar levels, circulation, and nerve health, leading to symptoms that can subtly appear while walking. Recognizing these early signs can help you take control of your health before things escalate. Here are a few key symptoms of diabetes that might show up when you're walking. 

Tingling sensation in feet and legs while walking

One of the most common first signs of diabetes is peripheral neuropathy, where high blood sugar damages nerves in your hands and feet. You might have a tingling, burning, or "pins and needles" sensation in your legs and feet when you move around. At first, this can be mild and easy to ignore, but over time, it can progress to widespread numbness.

Leg cramps while walking

Do your legs cramp up when you walk short distances? This could be a sign of diabetic peripheral artery disease (PAD). High blood sugar levels can lead to narrowed and hardened arteries, restricting blood flow to the legs and feet. This reduced circulation causes pain, cramping, or heaviness in your calves, thighs, or buttocks, especially when walking.

Unusual fatigue while walking

Fatigue or weakness after a short walk can be an indication of blood sugar swings. Both high blood sugar (hyperglycaemia) and low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia) can cause intense fatigue. If you are always tired and it seems to be disproportionate to what you've done, it can be an indicator that your body is not managing glucose effectively—a significant warning sign of diabetes.

Swelling in feet and ankle while walking

Diabetes may impact kidney function, resulting in fluid retention causing swelling in ankles and feet. If your shoes suddenly become tighter or your legs appear puffy after a walk, your body may be struggling with excess fluid retention.

Why does this happen?

Diabetes can damage small blood vessels that supply oxygen to the nerves, making it harder for them to function properly. If left unchecked, neuropathy can worsen, leading to loss of sensation.


Since diabetic neuropathy can cause numbness, you may not feel small injuries when they occur. This means a tiny cut or blister from walking could turn into a serious infection without you realizing it. Checking your feet regularly and wearing comfortable, well-fitting shoes can help prevent complications.

What to do if you notice these symptoms?

Diabetes is controlled, particularly if detected early. Monitor the timing and frequency of these symptoms when walking. If you have a glucometer, check your blood sugar level at several times of the day. Proper circulation and regulation of blood sugar is facilitated by regular exercise. Injuries and discomfort can be avoided with supportive footwear.


Taking proactive steps—like regular check-ups, maintaining a balanced diet, staying active, and managing stress—can help you prevent or control diabetes effectively.

Diabetes risk factor to know

Diabetes is caused by the body's inability to properly regulate blood sugar (glucose) levels. This occurs due to insufficient insulin production or the body's resistance to insulin. Type 2 diabetes, the most common form, results from insulin resistance, often linked to obesity, poor diet, and lack of exercise. Genetics, sedentary lifestyle, and high sugar intake also contribute to diabetes risk. Proper diet, exercise, and medication help manage the condition and prevent complications.

Early signs of diabetes

Diabetes often develops gradually, with early signs that can be easily overlooked. Frequent urination and excessive thirst are common as high blood sugar levels force the kidneys to work harder. Unexplained weight loss, increased hunger, and fatigue may also occur due to the body's inability to use glucose properly. Blurred vision, slow-healing wounds, and frequent infections (especially skin and gum infections) are other warning signs. Some people experience tingling or numbness in hands and feet due to nerve damage. If you notice these symptoms, consult a doctor early, as early detection and lifestyle changes can help manage diabetes effectively.

Workouts to control diabetes

Regular physical activity is crucial for managing diabetes effectively. Engaging in exercises such as walking, swimming, or dancing enhances insulin sensitivity, aiding in blood sugar control. The American Diabetes Association recommends 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity weekly, complemented by strength training sessions. Incorporating brief walks after meals can further stabilize blood sugar levels and improve digestion. 

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/health-fitness/health-news/diabetes-symptoms-while-walking-warning-signs-of-diabetes-4-symptoms-you-might-notice-while-walking/photostory/118747277.cms?picid=118747412

Everything you need to know about diabetic neuropathy

From nebraskamed.com

Around 50% of people with diabetes will go on to develop neuropathy, but sometimes its start is barely noticeable. "Not many people recognise it as a complication," says endocrinologist Shubham Agarwal, MBBS. "Many diabetic neuropathy symptoms start with a loss of sensation. Unfortunately, unless a provider asks about it, it can go unnoticed for a long period of time."

Early warning signs

Diabetic neuropathy typically happens in two ways:

1. Negative symptoms: A total loss of sensation in affected areas.
2. Positive symptoms: May include tingling and “pins and needles” sensations, pain, increased sensitivity to touch and muscle weakness.

"The most common symptoms that patients should be aware of is either some kind of loss of sensation in their feet – that is how it typically begins – or symptoms of numbness or tingling," Dr. Agarwal says.

In advanced cases, the loss of sensation may result in balance issues and a higher risk of falls. This occurs because the feet do not effectively send signals to the brain.

Types of diabetic neuropathy

Although often seen in both feet, beginning at the toes and moving upwards, diabetic neuropathy can show up in different forms:

• Peripheral neuropathy: The classic form affecting the feet, characterized by sensation changes on both sides of the body.
• Autonomic neuropathy: Affects internal organs, like the heart and digestive system. "Our organs are supplied by nerves,” Dr. Agarwal says. “The heart gets impulses and information from various nerve receptors to dictate the rate at which the heart should be beating.” This can lead to blood pressure issues and even paralysis of the stomach muscles (gastroparesis).
• Focal neuropathy: A rare type where single nerves are affected. This may cause symptoms like electrical sensations running down a leg or pain or paralysis of the eye muscles.

Prevention and risk factors

The biggest risk factor is – poorly controlled diabetes over time. "The single most important thing is being very proactive in getting diabetes under control sooner than later. That is the best way to prevent it," Dr. Agarwal says.

For Type 1 diabetes patients, screening usually starts after five years of having the condition. Type 2 diabetes patients should be screened when they are diagnosed. This is because the condition may have been “brewing in the background,” Dr. Agarwal says.

Treatment options

“Treatments for diabetic neuropathy are not the usual pain medications like Tylenol," Dr. Agarwal says. Instead, treatment often involves drugs originally developed for depression or mood disorders, such as:

• Duloxetine
• Venlafaxine
• Gabapentin
• Pregabalin

These drugs help by adjusting the brain chemicals that act like traffic controllers for pain signals. By modulating these chemicals, they help block some of the pain messages from damaged nerves from reaching the brain. This makes the pain more manageable.

Essential self-care practices

Daily foot care is crucial once neuropathy develops. Because a lack of sensation can mask injuries or infections, Dr. Agarwal strongly recommends:

• Checking your feet daily.
• Thorough drying between toes.
• Regular nail care.
• Proper footwear (potentially including specialized diabetic shoes).
• Immediate attention to any cuts or injuries.

"The biggest concern with neuropathy is that there is a certain amount of sensory loss," Dr. Agarwal says. "If you stub your toe or step on a nail, or have bacteria or fungus growing in there, not having enough sensation in the feet means you might not know that something's going on and potentially going to spread inwards."

Working with your doctor

Effective management involves clear communication with your providers. To help, you can:

• Record symptoms and onset in detail.
• Share past treatment information.
• Ask about prevention and progression.
• Discuss lifestyle changes.

Early recognition and intervention can help manage diabetic neuropathy effectively and reduce its impact on your quality of life.

https://www.nebraskamed.com/health/conditions-and-services/diabetes/everything-you-need-to-know-about-diabetic-neuropathy

The subtle warning sign of diabetes you might notice when you stand up – YEARS before other symptoms strike

From the-sun.com

IF you catch yourself feeling dizzy or faint when you stand up, you could be a risk of diabetes in the future, a new study suggests.

Dizziness can be triggered by neuropathy, a type of nerve damage that can occur if you have diabetes.

Hungarian researchers estimated that people at risk of type 2 diabetes are up to six times more likely to have neuropathy.

They also found that patients can show subtle signs of this damage years before their diabetes becomes fully developed.

Professor Anna Körei, from Semmelweis University, said: “Our aim is not just to identify individuals with carbohydrate metabolism disorders, but to detect those at risk as early as possible."

The scientists claim their findings could be used to track signs of neuropathy in patients at risk of diabetes and then either slow or prevent the nerve damage from occurring.

Neuropathy is one of the long-term complications of diabetes.

High blood sugar levels associated with the disease can injure nerves throughout your body.

Over the long term, this can lead to nerve damage and different symptoms depending on the nerves affected.

2

Many people have type 2 diabetes for years without realising it because the early symptoms tend to be general

It commonly results in peripheral neuropathy, which causes numbness, tingling, burning sensations, aching, cramps, and weakness in the feet and hands.

This condition can eventually spread to the entire limb. 

More than five million Brits are thought to be living with diabetes, of which an estimated 850,000 are unaware they have the condition. 

And two million Brits are believed to be at high risk of developing the disease in the next five years, according to Diabetes UK.

New research from the charity found that diagnoses of type 2 diabetes have risen at an alarming rate in people under 40, scientists say.

The study, published in the journal Frontiers in Endocrinology,  looked at signs of neuropathy in people with normal blood sugar levels who had a higher risk of developing diabetes.

Those most likely to develop the condition have known diabetes risk factors, such as being overweight or older.

Diabetics are urged to monitor their sugar levels and if you're diabetic it's likely you will have been given a device so you can do this at home.

You will be told what your average blood sugar level is and this is referred to as your HbA1c level.

While they differ for everyone, the NHS says that if you monitor your levels at home then a normal target is 4 to 7mmol/l before eating and under 8.5 to 9mmol/l 2 hours after a meal.

If it's tested every few months then a normal HbA1c target is below 48mmol/mol (or 6.5% on the older measurement scale).

What should my blood sugar be?

They compared the health test results of 44 people at high risk of developing diabetes and 28 healthy controls.

The participants had their heartbeat measured and tested on how their bodies reacted to sensations such as aching, burning pain, and numbness.

They found people at increased risk of diabetes had 5.9 higher odds of having a type called parasympathetic neuropathy when compared to healthy people.

There is no cure for neuropathy linked to diabetes, however drugs are available to combat the symptoms it causes.

What Is Diabetes? Plus The 10 Warning Signs To KnowPlus, the 10 warning signs to know

What is diabetes? Plus, the 10 warning signs to know

Diabetes is a condition that happens when your blood sugar (glucose) is too high

It develops when your pancreas doesn’t make enough insulin or any at all, or when your body isn’t responding to the effects of insulin properly.

There are 2 main types of diabetes:

• Type 1 diabetes – a lifelong condition where the body's immune system attacks and destroys the cells that produce insulin
• Type 2 diabetes – where the body does not produce enough insulin, or the body's cells do not react to insulin properly

Type 2 diabetes is far more common than type 1. In the UK, over 90 per cent of all adults with diabetes have type 2.

High blood sugar that develops during pregnancy is known as gestational diabetes. It usually goes away after giving birth.

The 10 warning signs to know

Visit your GP as soon as possible if you experience the main symptoms of diabetes, which include:

1. Feeling very thirsty/dry mouth
2. Peeing more frequently than usual, particularly at night
3. Feeling very tired
4. Dark skin patches
5. Frequent infections
6. Wounds taking longer to heal
7. Weight loss and loss of muscle bulk
8. Itchy skin
9. Itching around the penis or vagina, or frequent episodes of thrush
10. Blurred vision

Type 1 diabetes can develop quickly over weeks or even days.

Weight loss is common in people with type 1 diabetes when it first develops and before it's treated, but it's less common in people with type 2 diabetes.

Many people have type 2 diabetes for years without realising it because the early symptoms tend to be general or there are no symptoms at all.

How can I prevent it?

There are no lifestyle changes you can make to lower your risk of type 1 diabetes.

You can reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes through healthy eating, regular exercise and achieving a healthy body weight.

You may be more at risk of type 2 diabetes if you:

• Are living with overweight or obesity
• Do not have a healthy diet
• Have a family history of type 2 diabetes
• Are of Asian, Black African or African Caribbean origin
• Take certain medicines such as steroids for a long time
• Have high blood pressure
• Have had gestational diabetes during pregnancy

Metformin is a medicine used to treat type 2 diabetes and gestational diabetes. It's also used to help prevent type 2 diabetes if you're at high risk of developing it.

https://www.the-sun.com/health/11450288/warning-sign-diabetes-neuropathy-standing-up/ 

Type 2 diabetes symptoms: Two sensations in your feet that signal 'irreversible' damage - 'worse at night'

From gbnews.com

Type 2 diabetes can cause nerve damage if left untreated and two sensations in your feet can signal you're in the danger zone.

The signs are a chilling reminder of the devastating effects of high blood sugar levels - a complication that arises when your body does not produce enough insulin.

One of the casualties of consistently high blood sugar levels is nerve damage, otherwise known as diabetic neuropathy.

"Diabetic neuropathy can't be reversed (but the symptoms can be treated). Once the nerves have been damaged they cannot repair themselves," warns Diabetes UK.

Feel that?

According to the health body, "burning or shooting pains" that may be "worse at night" can signal diabetic nerve damage.

                             Burning or shooting pain in the feet can signal high blood sugar damage

       Getty Images

Other signs in your feet include:

Tingling and numbness
Loss of ability to feel pain
Loss of ability to feel changes in temperature
Loss of coordination – when you can’t feel the position of your joints

Can it be prevented?

Keeping blood sugar levels within a healthy range can ward off the threat of diabetic nerve damage or stop it getting worse.

According to the NHS, a healthy diet and keeping active will help you manage your blood sugar level.

"There's nothing you cannot eat if you have type 2 diabetes, but you'll have to limit certain foods," explains the health body.

These include:
Sugar
Fat
Salt

Other foods have been to shown lower blood sugar levels. A recent study suggested a daily supplement of cinnamon has blood-sugar lowering benefits.

Furthermore, sticking to a Mediterranean diet has even been to reverse diabetes by reducing insulin resistance. A study by the Second University of Naples showed that a low-carbohydrate Mediterranean diet was able to achieve significant rates of remission in people with type 2 diabetes.

                           

Low-carb Mediterranean diet may reverse type 2 diabetes, study suggests      

Getty Images

After one year of following the diet, 15 percent of participants achieved remission and, after six years, five percent had achieved remission on the diet.

By comparison, low-fat diets were not as effective in the study. After one year, four percent of participants on a low-fat diet had achieved remission and, after six years, none of the participants had achieved remission.

To manage or prevent diabetes, the American Diabetes Association recommends the Mediterranean diet and other low-carb diets, as long as they minimise added sugars and refined grains and include non-starchy vegetables.

A low-carb Mediterranean diet is moderately high in fat and emphasises vegetables, legumes, fruits, whole grains, olive oil and fish.

https://www.gbnews.com/health/type-2-diabetes-symptoms-feet

Diabetes Progression: Effects of Type 2 Diabetes Over Time

From verywellhealth.com

Type 2 diabetes is a progressive disease; chronically elevated blood sugars can worsen diabetes over time and increase the risk of complications. However, lifestyle changes, medications, and diabetes self-management strategies can help to prevent, treat, manage, and slow the progression of the disease.

This article discusses how and why type 2 diabetes worsens and shares tips to help manage diabetes complications.

vgajic / Getty Images

Insulin Resistance

Insulin is a hormone in the body that regulates blood sugar (glucose). Your body's ability to process and use insulin effectively plays a significant role in developing type 2 diabetes.

Insulin resistance happens when your body's cells do not respond as well to insulin, causing glucose to build up in the blood and raise your blood sugar level. When your body becomes less sensitive to insulin, it tries to produce more, putting you at higher risk for type 2 diabetes.

If you have type 2 diabetes, insulin resistance may worsen over time, especially if you have excess weight in your abdominal area. People who are newly diagnosed with diabetes often try lifestyle changes first (depending on their blood sugar levels at diagnosis). If lifestyle changes are not enough to improve blood sugars, medications to reduce insulin resistance will be prescribed.

Weight loss, healthy eating, and exercise can also combat insulin resistance and should be adopted in addition to taking medications.

Beta Cell Dysfunction

Beta cells are a type of cell in the pancreas that produce and release insulin. After you eat or drink something that raises your blood sugar, beta cells produce insulin to regulate your glucose levels.

Over time, when you have type 2 diabetes, it can become harder for these cells to keep up with your insulin needs. This extra work may cause these cells to stop working as they should or die, sometimes referred to as beta cell dysfunction.

Vascular Cell Complications

As type 2 diabetes progresses, it affects the body in many ways. Below are the most common ways that diabetes affects your health.

Neuropathy

Neuropathy is a sensation of tingling, numbness, or pain, usually in the hands or feet. This occurs due to nerve damage caused by high levels of glucose and fats called triglycerides. High levels of blood glucose can cause damage to small blood vessels that provide nutrients and oxygen to your nerves. If you have type 2 diabetes, neuropathy is more likely to develop as you age and the longer you have the condition. The risk for neuropathy also increases if you have:

• Excess body weight
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Chronically elevated blood sugar
• Vascular disease
• A smoking habit

About half of people with diabetes (all types of diabetes, not just type 2) report neuropathy as a symptom of diabetes.

Medications, physical therapy, and occupational therapy are some ways to help manage neuropathy. Achieving good glycaemic control, exercising, and not smoking can also improve neuropathy.

Retinopathy

The retina, a light-sensitive tissue in the back of the eyes, has tiny blood vessels. Too much glucose in the body can make those blood vessels swell, leak, or even grow new blood vessels. This is known as diabetic retinopathy

In its early stages, retinopathy may have no symptoms. Vision changes or seeing dark spots or streaks are symptoms in later stages. Retinopathy can lead to vision loss and blindness if untreated, so if you have diabetes, it's vital to get a comprehensive eye exam annually or as often as your eye doctor advises.

The most common causes of diabetic retinopathy include chronically elevated blood sugars, duration of diabetes, and high blood pressure. The risk for retinopathy increases over time with the condition and affects more than half of people with diabetes.

Early detection, screening, and treatment is important for eye health. People with diabetes can potentially prevent or delay retinopathy by keeping their blood sugar, lipid (fat) levels, and blood pressure under control. People with diabetes who are planning to get pregnant should have a dilated eye exam and talk to their doctor about eye health, as the risk is greater in pregnancy.

Kidney Disease

Almost 1 in 3 people with diabetes have kidney disease. In fact, it is the most common cause of kidney disease and a leading cause of kidney failure.

In those with diabetes, high glucose can cause damage to blood vessels in the kidneys. High blood pressure, common among people with diabetes, also damages the kidneys.

Risk factors that increase the chance of kidney disease include:

• Excess weight
• Having diabetes for a long time
• High blood pressure
• Smoking

The risk for kidney disease is also higher among Black, American Indian, or Latino populations.

You should check your kidneys once a year if you have type 2 diabetes. This is done through urine and blood tests.

Coronary Disease

The chance of developing heart disease, including coronary artery disease (the most common type of heart disease), doubles when you have diabetes. This risk increases the longer you have diabetes.

High blood pressure, high cholesterol, and too little physical activity are associated with a higher risk for coronary disease. So are smoking and being overweight.

Having diabetes also raises the chances of heart issues, including heart failure and arrhythmias(heart rhythm problems), such as atrial fibrillation(irregular heart rhythm).

Regular blood pressure, cholesterol, and weight checks can help your healthcare provider determine if you need specific heart tests. Staying physically active and eating a healthy diet are two ways to watch out for your heart health.

Stroke

A stroke is an interruption of blood flow to the brain that can cause brain damage, movement problems, and emotional issues. If not treated quickly enough, it can be fatal.

If you have diabetes, you're twice as likely to have a stroke as those without the condition. Too much glucose in the blood over time can lead to more fatty deposits, or clots, in your blood vessels; these increase the risk for stroke when you have diabetes.

Your risk for stroke is higher if you:

• Have a family history of stroke
• Have high blood pressure
• Smoke

There is also a higher prevalence of stroke in people with diabetes who are Black or over age 55.

By monitoring your blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol regularly with a healthcare provider—and making lifestyle changes to keep your numbers in the good range—you can lower your risk for stroke.

Improving Your Quality of Life When You Have Diabetes

Here are some ways you can improve your quality of life when you have diabetes:

• Educate yourself about diabetes. Meet with a Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES) for diabetes self-management education and individualized medical nutrition therapy. This is a benefit usually covered by insurance.
• Know your numbers. Knowing your haemoglobin A1C, cholesterol, and blood pressure numbers can help you better control them, reducing the chances of more serious side effects.
• Monitor your blood sugar as often as your health provider advises. Make any changes needed to get your glucose into a healthy range.
• Ask for help if you're having trouble coping. It's OK to feel stressed or upset by a diabetes diagnosis. Talking to a trusted friend, support group, or counsellor may help you find solutions to better manage your diabetes.
  

End-Stage Diabetes

"End-stage diabetes" is a phrase sometimes used to refer to advanced diabetes complications. This may include kidney failure, heart disease, and vision loss caused by diabetic retinopathy. End-stage diabetes may occur after living with poorly-controlled diabetes for many years.

It's not common to die from diabetes. However, it is more common to have diabetes-related complications, like coronary heart disease or stroke, that could lead to death.

Slowing the Progression

Fortunately, there are steps you can take when you have type 2 diabetes to prevent complications and lower your risk for heart disease, kidney disease, and other health issues.

• Maintain regular checks with your healthcare provider. These checks may include completing and reviewing lab tests and asking any questions you may have.
• Use your diabetes medications as prescribed by your healthcare provider.
• Engage in physical activity. If you're new to exercise, talk to your healthcare provider about the best way to get started.
• Eat a healthy diet. Consume more fruits, vegetables, and other high-fibre foods.
• Aim to get enough sleep. For most adults, that's about eight hours a night.
• Maintain a healthy weight. Even a 5% reduction in your weight from healthy lifestyle changes can help with cholesterol, high blood pressure, and overall health.

Summary

Type 2 diabetes is a progressive disease that can cause damage over time, especially when blood sugars are poorly controlled and chronically elevated. This can lead to damage throughout the body, including the eyes, kidneys, and other areas, and multiple complications. Having type 2 diabetes also increases the risk of heart disease and stroke.

If you have diabetes, you can help lower your chances of diabetes progression by eating a high-fibre diet, getting regular physical activity, and using diabetes medications as prescribed by your healthcare provider.

A Word From Verywell

Having diabetes is not a guarantee that you will have serious health problems. If you keep your blood sugar under control and monitor other health numbers, such as blood pressure and high cholesterol, that can go a long way toward staying healthy. By following recommended appointments with healthcare providers, you can catch potential issues early on and get treated for them.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

• Can you stop diabetes from getting worse?

  Yes, people with diabetes live longer and have fewer complications with good diabetes management. Lifestyle changes such as healthy eating, weight management, adequate sleep, regular exercise, and stress management make a difference. While it's still possible to have diabetes complications if you're making healthy choices, they usually go a long way toward preventing diabetes from worsening.

• What are the stages of type 2 diabetes?

  With type 2 diabetes, your body becomes resistant to its own insulin. As a result, the body's beta cells produce more insulin to compensate for this resistance. However, beta cells can't keep up with the body's insulin needs. This leads to a type 2 diabetes diagnosis.
• What is the life expectancy for a person with type 2 diabetes?

  Type 2 diabetes is associated with a six-year loss in life expectancy compared to those without the condition. Healthy lifestyle choices can help increase life expectancy when you have type 2 diabetes. Keep in mind that everyone's journey with diabetes is different, and predicting generalised life expectancy is nearly impossible.

  https://www.verywellhealth.com/diabetes-progression-6741465