Taking care of your nerves with diabetes

Nerve damage can happen over time with diabetes, decreasing your ability to feel pain. Complications can include:

• Sexual issues (erectile disfunction in men; vaginal dryness in women) 
• Digestive issues (bloating, constipation, diarrhea, vomiting) 
• Urinary infections  
• High blood pressure  
• Damage to joints  
• Eye issues  
• Dizziness or feeling faint 
• Not being able to feel heart attack symptoms

 You can prevent these problems using the following tips.

Keep your blood sugar under control

• Eat a variety of healthy foods.
• Exercise regularly. 
• Take your medicines as prescribed. 
• Test your blood sugar often.

Manage your blood pressure

• Lose weight (if needed).
• Exercise regularly. 
• Reduce salt in your diet.

Quit tobacco

• Body tissue can’t thrive without strong blood flow. One of the effects of diabetes is the narrowing of blood vessels, and tobacco only makes that worse. Your nerves are especially at risk of very serious problems.
• If you need help quitting, talk to your doctor about classes and other resources.

Limit alcohol

• General guidelines are as follows:
  • Men: No more than 2 drinks a day
  • Women: No more than 1 drink a day
• If you need to, cut back gradually. Talk with your doctor for a personalized plan.

Take care of your feet

Check your feet everyday

Do daily checks for the following:

• Blisters
• Sores
• Cracks
• Nail problems
• Redness
• Swelling
• Changes in color

Tips for checking your feet

• Attach a mirror to your bathroom wall down near the floor. It can make it easier to get a good, complete look at your feet.
• If you can’t check your feet well on your own, ask someone to help you.

Keep your feet clean and dry

• Wash your feet every day with mild soap and water.
• Dry well, especially between your toes.

Moisturize

• Apply a thin coat of lotion on the tops and bottoms of your feet to help prevent cracks and injuries.
• Avoid getting lotion between your toes to reduce risk of infections.

Trim your toenails

• Trim your toenails straight across and not too short. Use a nail file to gently smooth the corners.
• If you have little feeling in your feet or your nails are thick or brittle, ask your doctor if you qualify to have a member of your care team safely trim your nails.

Protect your feet with shoes and socks

• Avoid going barefoot, even inside.
• The correct shoes can prevent injury and provide proper support to your feet.
  • Wear good-fitting shoes with enclosed toes and inner cushioning.
  • Leather, cloth, or canvas materials make the best shoes.
  • Always wear socks with your shoes.
• High-quality socks can help cushion your feet and absorb moisture.
  • The best socks are made with well-padded cotton or microfiber.
  • Wear seamless socks.
  • Change your socks daily.
• Be patient as you break in new shoes: Wear them for a few hours each day, then slowly increase the number of hours you wear them each week.

Keep your doctor’s appointments

• Have your feet checked every time you see your doctor and have a comprehensive foot examination by your care team 1 to 2 times per year as instructed. Your care team may notice problems you’ve missed and be able to treat them easily and safely.
• Seek early treatment for minor problems.
• Talk to your care team if you notice any changes in your feet, including:
  
  • Color changes
  • Temperature changes (hot or cold)
  • Swelling
  • Pain, tingling, burning, or numbness
  • Ingrown toenails
  • Calluses or corns
  • Cracks or sores
  • Smell or drainage (blood or pus)
• See your doctor for safe removal of: 
  
  • Calluses
  • Corns
  • Bunions
  • Warts
• Steer clear of home remedies. They can often make things worse.   

Watch for changes in your nerve health

• Pain, swelling, redness, or fever 
• Red streaks or pus draining from any wounds 
• New or worsening numbness, pain, or tingling in any part of your body  
• Problems with your feet: new sores, cuts, ingrown toenails, or bleeding