I Have Diabetes And My Feet And Legs Are Very Swollen What Could Be The Cause?

Leg and foot problems can arise in people with diabetes due to changes in blood vessels and nerves in these areas. Peripheral vascular disease is a condition in which blood vessels become narrowed by fatty deposits, reducing blood supply to the legs and feet. Diabetes also can dull the sensitivity of nerves. Someone with this condition, called peripheral neuropathy, might not notice a sore spot caused by tight shoes or pressure from walking. If ignored, the sore can become infected, and because blood circulation is poor, the area may take longer to heal.

Proper foot care and regular visits to a doctor can prevent foot and leg sores and ensure that any that do appear don't become infected and painful. Helpful measures include inspecting the feet daily for cuts or sore spots. Blisters and sore spots are not as likely when shoes fit well and socks or stockings aren't tight. A doctor also may suggest washing feet daily, with warm, not hot water as well as filing thick calluses and using lotions to keep the feet from getting too dry. Shoe inserts or special shoes can be used to prevent pressure on the foot.

Diabetic neuropathy, or nerve disease, dulls the nerves and can be extremely painful. A person with neuropathy also may become depressed. Scientists aren't sure whether the depression is an effect of neuropathy, or if it's simply a response to pain. Treatment, aimed at relieving pain and depression, may include aspirin and other pain-killing drugs.

Any sore on the foot or leg, whether or not it's painful, requires a doctor's immediate attention. Treatment can help sores heal and prevent new ones from developing. Problems with the feet and legs can cause life-threatening problems that require amputation-surgical removal of limbs if not treated early.

Diabetes can make your legs swell because of poor peripheral
circulation. If you do not have very good circulation, fluid will
accumulate in your lower extremities due to gravity. Exercise will
help this problem because it will increase circulation and keep your
blood sugar down, which in turn promotes health veins. High blood
sugar weakens the blood vessels and causes tiny, insufficient vessels
to grow in efforts to compensate for the weakened ones. These tiny
substitute vessels break easily and do not have the tone necessary to
pump the blood back up to the heart, resulting in a pooling effect.
Poor circulation and decreased exercise also puts you at greater risk
of developing peripheral neuropathy, (which is often times painful and
always irreversible).

You need to alert the doctor that is managing your diabetes of your
edema (swelling) because it can also be a sign of kidney damage, which
is a prevalent and severe complication of diabetes.

My wife has diabetes and her legs and feet are swollen. What causes this?

My husband has had diabetes for 10 years. He also has Neuropathy. His left foot is severely swollen and has a split in the heel. His leg also has a purple coloured area. He has been sitting for 3 days with his foot elevated and there is no change. Please help!!!

YOUR DIABETES DOES THAT. MY MOM LOST A LEG FROM HERS. AND HER LEG AND FOOT IS ALWAYS SWELLING. IT IS CASED BY DIABETES. CALL YOUR DOCTOR AND SEE IF THEY CAN GIVE YOU ANYTHING FOR THE SWELLING. MY MOM DIDN'T KNOW SHE HAD DIABETES.UNTIL SHE HAD A HEART ATTACK TWO YEARS GO. SO PLEASE BECAREFUL. CALL YOUR DOCTOR.SCOBBY-DOO.

You need to  consult with diabetes doctor and don't take any online suggestion or any risk.