Type 2 diabetes warning as a 'sneaky' sign in your feet can become 'impossible to treat'
Loss of sensation in your foot can become 'impossible to treat'
Getty Images
Type 2 diabetes can inflict permanent damage on the body if you do not heed the warning signs as soon as they appear.
Unfortunately, many of the signs can be subtle at first so it's easy to sleepwalk into disaster.
Your feet can provide clues of future problems because high blood sugar levels - a hallmark of diabetes - can damage your nerves.
And the first nerves to be affected tend to be the smallest ones furthest from the spinal cord—those that stretch to the toes and feet. This process is called diabetic neuropathy.
A constant burning feeling in the feet is a telltale sign of diabetic neuropathy
Getty Images
What should I look for?
According to Harvard Health, diabetic neuropathy can be "sneaky" and "completely rob the feet of their ability to sense pain".
This is deceptively dangerous because you may not notice minor injuries, for example you could step on something sharp while barefoot or get a blister from badly-fitting shoes.
And if a cut or a blister goes untreated, it could get infected.
"Infections that cause tissue to die (gangrene) and that spread to the bone may be impossible to treat with cleansing and antibiotics," warns Harvard Health.
Other signs to spot include:
- A constant burning feeling in the feet
- A tingle in your toes
Can diabetic neuropathy be reversed?
No, diabetic neuropathy can't be reversed, but the symptoms can be treated.
As Diabetes UK explains, once the nerves have been damaged they cannot repair themselves.
You can reduce your risk of diabetic neuropathy by keeping blood sugar levels within a healthy range and eating a healthy, balanced diet is key.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS
A low-carb diet has been shown to rapidly bring blood sugar levels back down to a healthy range
Getty Images
Various studies advocate eating a low-carb diet to banish high blood sugar levels.
According to a study published last year in JAMA Network Open, a low-carb diet could quickly bring elevated blood sugar levels back to a healthier range.
Researchers recommend getting plenty of proteins and healthy fats by eating non-starchy vegetables, fish, poultry, lean meat, eggs, olive oil, avocados, nuts and seeds, Greek yogurt, low-carb milk, and small amounts of cheese.