The Factors That Increase the Risk of Diabetes Leg Pain
Diabetes leg pain issues emanate from diabetic neuropathy, which is one of the most common complications arising among diabetic patients. However, severe factors increase the risk for this condition.
To prevent further complications, it is important for the diabetic patients to get informed of the major factors that can increase risks associated with diabetes leg pain.
6 Factors Contributing to Diabetes Leg Pain
- Advanced age
- Hypertension
- Obesity
- Alcohol abuse
- Smoking
- Poor glucose control
1. Advanced Age
One of the major contributing factors in diabetes-related leg pain is age. With an increase in age, a great deal of elasticity is lost within the blood vessels. This makes the flow of blood through the blood vessels quite hard, and this may affect blood circulation within the body.
Poor blood circulation may damage nerves; hence, it causes pain, a feeling of numbness, or even tingling sensations in the legs. Apart from that, elderly people take longer to heal from injuries and infections, thus might prolong pain in the legs. In addition, diabetes with the decline of the vessels due to aging, increases the chances of diabetes leg pains.
2. Hypertension
Another major factor in the increasing diabetic leg pain is high blood pressure, or hypertension. Hypertension creates undue stress on vessels within the body. This action and response will eventually narrow vessels and constrict proper blood flow throughout the body.
Poor circulation prevents the legs from getting adequate oxygen and nutrients required to keep the nerves and tissues healthy. This results in further complications, such as heightened diabetes leg pain.
3. Obesity
Obese individuals have a higher risk of getting diabetes leg pain. Excess weight contributes to stress on the blood vessels and thus finally causes poor circulation. Poor circulation may then cause the patient’s legs to be deprived of oxygen and nutrients thus resulting in nerve damage.
Besides circulatory issues, obesity opens doors for atherosclerosis – a situation where arteries get blocked due to deposits of fat, which restricts the flow of blood even further. Because of this impeded flow of blood coming from fat deposits, obese people with diabetes can develop leg pain, tiring nerves and tissues.
4. Alcohol Abuse
Excessive alcohol consumption results in malnutrition, causing the deficiency of some of the most essential vitamins in the nervous system, like vitamin B12. This type of deficiency can contribute to neuropathy which may further enhance pain in the legs.
Alcohol abuse also contributes to blood sugar control issues in diabetic patients. The poor blood sugar control may then result in diabetes leg pain.
5. Smoking
Smoking is a very dangerous habit, more so for people with diabetes. This practice leads to damage to blood vessels thus reducing blood circulation within the body. On the other hand, chemicals found in cigarettes lead to inflammation of the blood vessels resulting in blocked blood vessels.
For smokers with diabetes, serious complications like foot ulcers and infections may lead to amputations if not treated appropriately. Refraining from smoking can help patients avoid such serious complications.
6. Poor Glucose Control
Glucose or rather blood sugar control is a very important factor in the prevention of complications such as leg pain related to diabetes. Poor management of blood sugar exposes the patient to vulnerability and conditions that affect the lower extremities. Additionally, a prolonged period of high blood sugar tends to destroy vessels and nerves, thus resulting in diabetic neuropathy.
Neuropathy can result in painful, tingling, or numbness of the limbs. It might also result in infection because high sugar levels weaken the immunity of the body, hence rendering it unable to fight off bacteria, which could cause leg wounds and ulcers.
Conclusion
Diabetes leg pain can lead to further complications, such as rendering the patient unable to walk. However, patients can minimize the risk of diabetes leg pain through lifestyle modification and engaging in activities that can promote quality of life.
