SEO title: Leg Pain in Diabetics: Causes and Treatment Options
Meta Description: What causes leg pain in diabetics? Explore the causes and learn effective treatment options on managing diabetic leg pain in this post.
You went to the grocery store, picked up your favorite snacks, and even grabbed a few treats for your fur baby.
A couple hours later, you’re in bed watching your comfort shows. Suddenly, a sharp, electrifying pain shoots up from the left side of your toes and spreads throughout your leg.
The pain is so intense that you can barely reach for your phone to call for help. Why is this happening out of the blue? All you did today was run a simple errand.
Two weeks later and the pain still lingers. Now, you’re starting to get concerned? Should you call your doctor? Is there any way you can find relief?
Leg pain is a common problem for many diabetics and it often strikes when you least expect it.
In this blog post, we’ll explore the causes of diabetic leg pain and share effective ways to help you find relief. By the end, you’ll learn how to manage the pain and maintain your health.
Leg Pain in Diabetics: Common Causes
There are several different reasons why someone with diabetes may be suffering from leg pain. Below are some of the common causes.
Diabetic Neuropathy
Over time, high blood sugar levels can lead to more severe conditions. One of these illnesses is diabetic neuropathy.
When your blood sugars are constantly high, it damages the small blood vessels supplying oxygen and nutrients to the nerves.
Also, prolonged exposure to elevated glucose levels leads to oxidative stress. This is a harmful free radical that can further damage the nerve cells.
The damage reduces the nerve's ability to transmit signals throughout the body properly. Once this happens, those with neuropathy diabetes will experience intense pain, tingling, and numbness in their legs and feet.
We know how confusing it can be when you don't know much about a specific disease. This is why we wrote a post on diabetic neuropathy, and you can read more about it here.
Poor Circulation
Diabetes can also lead to poor circulation in the legs, which can lead to a condition known as Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD).
It occurs when plaque builds up in the blood vessels causing them to narrow. After a certain point, the plaque reduces the blood flow to the legs.
The lack of circulation causes cramps, pain, and fatigue, especially during simple activities like walking around the grocery store.
If left untreated, PAD increases the risk of infections, sores, or in severe cases, amputation.
Diabetic Foot Ulcers and Infections
Neuropathy causes reduced sensations for diabetics, putting you at a higher risk for developing foot ulcers.
The sensitivity makes it less likely for you to notice a small cut or blister. Once it becomes infected, the wounds can lead to severe diabetic leg pain.
Joint and Muscle Issues
Diabetes not only affects nerve health but it can also affect joint and muscle health. This increases your risk of developing frequent muscle cramps or arthritis.
Just like with the nervous system, over time high glucose levels can destroy cartilage and joint tissue. It’s another reason why you may be experiencing diabetic leg pain.
Once damage occurs in the joint tissues within the knees, hips, and ankles, it can make movement painful and limit mobility for diabetics.
Treatment Options for Diabetic Leg Pain
No, you don’t have to live the rest of your life in constant pain. There are several options for diabetic leg pain treatment, which we provide down below.
Blood Sugar Management
To prevent further damage to your nerves, it’s best to maintain healthy blood sugar levels.
Keeping your blood sugar levels within healthy ranges can help alleviate the symptoms you’re experiencing. It will also prevent the progression of leg pain.
Benfotiamine Supplements
You may believe that because your doctor provides prescriptions, you don't have to take supplements for nerve pain. This is far from the truth!
A fat-soluble form of vitamin B1 may improve the diabetic leg pain you're experiencing. For example, our Benfotiamine supplement reduces oxidative stress and nerve inflammation.
There are also other key nutrients within them to help support overall nerve health. Read more here about our auto-shipping services for supplements that will help alleviate your pain and improve nerve function.
Medications
Your physician may provide specific medications to help manage neuropathic pain. Two of the most common and effective medications are gabapentin and duloxetine.
A recent study shows that 60% of participants' leg pain improved when taking gabapentin. These types of medications modify how the nervous system processes pain.
If at-home treatments are not alleviating your diabetic leg pain, it’s best to bring this to your doctor’s attention. They can prescribe medications to improve your symptoms.
Nerve Pain Cream
If you do find yourself in need and nothing else is working, consider using a topical nerve pain cream to help with diabetic leg pain.
These creams have ingredients that can numb the pain when applied directly to the affected area.
Before you head to the store, check out our website. Our BenfoCreme includes a special ingredient that can give you fast relief from leg pain: L-Arginine.
L-Arginine is powerful because it helps improve blood flow and reduce pain quickly. For more information and to get your own BenfoCreme , click here.
Finding Relief: Next Steps for Managing Diabetic Leg Pain
Diabetic leg pain affects not only your body but also your way of life. No one wants to suffer from chronic pain and you shouldn’t live your life this way.
Recognizing signs and seeking medical help will prevent severe complications from progressing.
For additional resources and support, have a look around our website. We offer a range of solutions to support nerve health and enhance diabetics overall well-being.