Why do diabetics lose limbs?

Most lower leg and foot removals begin with foot ulcers. An ulcer that won't heal causes severe damage to tissues and bone. It may require surgical removal (amputation) of a toe, a foot or part of a leg. Some people with diabetes are at higher risk than others.

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Why does diabetes lead to loss of limbs?

Because of reduced blood flow, wounds may be slow to heal or not heal at all. As a result, tissue can become damaged, and an infection can develop and spread to the bones. Once this happens, amputation is often the only option to prevent more damage.

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Do all diabetics eventually lose limbs?

Over 2,500 limbs are lost every day in the U.S., more than 60% of them by diabetes patients. In fact, one-fourth of all people diagnosed with diabetes will eventually lose part of their lower extremities, says Dr. Nazila Azordegan, clinical pathologist at Henry Ford Health in Michigan.

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How likely is a diabetic to lose a limb?

Foot ulcers are largely the ultimate cause. Ulcers develop in 15 percent of diabetics, and, of that group, 24 percent end up losing a limb. The risk is two to three times higher for black, Hispanic, and Native American patients.

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Why can't diabetics cut toenails?

Myth: People with diabetes can't cut their own toenails

Not true: the general advice on toenail cutting applies to everyone. If you have diabetes you should keep your nails healthy by cutting them to the shape of the end of your toes.

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Diabetes and Amputation: Why It's Done and How to Prevent It

15 related questions found

What are diabetic legs?

High blood sugar (glucose) can injure nerves throughout the body. Diabetic neuropathy most often damages nerves in the legs and feet. Depending on the affected nerves, diabetic neuropathy symptoms include pain and numbness in the legs, feet and hands.

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Do diabetics lose the ability to walk?

Diabetes can affect your walking ability because the excess blood glucose makes it harder for blood to flow and damages the blood vessels that supply the oxygen and nutrients to the nerves. The nerves or tissues can't function optimally without adequate blood flow.

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What does diabetic legs look like?

Diabetic dermopathy appears as pink to red or tan to dark brown patches, and it is most frequently found on the lower legs. The patches are slightly scaly and are usually round or oval. Long-standing patches may become faintly indented (atrophic).

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Why do diabetics not heal well?

If you have diabetes, your body doesn't know how to effectively control your blood glucose, or blood sugar, on its own. If your blood sugar levels are consistently high, it can lead to problems with circulation, nerves and immune system – all of which can get in the way of good wound healing.

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Which food is not good for diabetes?

Worst Choices
  • Fried meats.
  • Higher-fat cuts of meat, such as ribs.
  • Pork bacon.
  • Regular cheeses.
  • Poultry with skin.
  • Deep-fried fish.
  • Deep-fried tofu.
  • Beans prepared with lard.

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How does diabetic foot start?

How does diabetes cause foot problems? Foot problems are common in people with diabetes. They can happen over time when high blood sugar damages the nerves and blood vessels in the feet. The nerve damage, called diabetic neuropathy, can cause numbness, tingling, pain, or a loss of feeling in your feet.

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Do diabetics crave sugar?

In people with diabetes who are susceptible to hypoglycemia, sugar cravings develop as your body looks to get sugar. In this case, the temptation can arise for people to overeat sugar, such is the urge, but a lot of the time sugar cravings can develop out of the blue.

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Can a diabetic leg be saved?

In the last few years, the limb preservation program at UCSF has shown that many diabetes-related amputations can be avoided with a new approach to treatment. They've saved many toes and limbs – including Sammon's feet – from the grip of diabetes.

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What part of the body itches with diabetes?

Localized itching is often caused by diabetes. It can be caused by a yeast infection, dry skin, or poor circulation. When poor circulation is the cause of itching, the itchiest areas may be the lower parts of the legs.

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Can diabetic legs be cured?

Although there is no cure for diabetic neuropathy, use of these treatments can improve painful symptoms and prevent complications. (See "Management of diabetic neuropathy".) Control blood sugar levels — An important treatment for diabetic neuropathy is to control blood sugar levels.

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Should diabetics walk everyday?

Making Daily Walking a Priority

While it helps your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels, walking can also improve your: Weight. Bone and muscle strength. Balance.

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Why do diabetics lose weight and feel weak?

Diabetes and sudden weight loss

In people with diabetes, insufficient insulin prevents the body from getting glucose from the blood into the body's cells to use as energy. When this occurs, the body starts burning fat and muscle for energy, causing a reduction in overall body weight.

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Does drinking water lower blood sugar?

Drinking water regularly may rehydrate the blood, lower blood sugar levels, and reduce diabetes risk ( 20 , 21 ). Keep in mind that water and other zero-calorie drinks are best. Avoid sugar-sweetened options, as these can raise blood glucose, drive weight gain, and increase diabetes risk ( 22 , 23 ).

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How long a Type 2 diabetic patient can live?

Life expectancy can be increased by 3 years or in some cases as much as 10 years. At age 50, life expectancy- the number of years a person is expected to live- is 6 years shorter for people with type 2 diabetes than for people without it.

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How do you get rid of diabetic legs?

Here are nine tips to help manage and relieve diabetic leg pain.
  1. Use exercise to promote overall health. ...
  2. Eat a diabetic-friendly diet. ...
  3. Manage weight. ...
  4. Maintain appropriate blood sugar levels. ...
  5. Practice daily foot and leg care. ...
  6. Build healthier habits for compounded prevention. ...
  7. Try physical therapy.

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When do they amputate for diabetes?

As many as one-third of people with the most common form — Type 2 — develop foot ulcers or a break in the skin that can become infected. Amputations occur after those infections rage out of control and enter the bloodstream or seep deeper into the tissue.

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Why can't diabetics go barefoot?

Diabetes can cause nerve damage, called peripheral neuropathy, that makes you lose feeling in your feet. This can be a disaster if you're walking around without foot protection. Diabetes can also compromise your circulation. Your feet are far away from your heart, and blood flow reduces to your soles, heels, and toes.

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What do diabetics get free?

If you take diabetes medicine, you're entitled to free prescriptions for all your medicines. To claim your free prescriptions, you'll need to apply for an exemption certificate. This is known as a PF57 form.

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Can a diabetic have ice cream?

In case you didn't get the memo: Yes, those of us with diabetes CAN eat ice cream. Even though some outside the diabetes community don't think so, and they try to convince us we can't or shouldn't, the fact remains that an ice cream sundae or vanilla waffle cone every once in a while isn't going to kill us.

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Do diabetics get cold easily?

Diabetes can cause anemia, kidney and circulation problems, which can lead people to feel cold.

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