Tingling in the feet? Burning in the feet? Or is it the hands?
Abnormal sensations such as tingling and burning in the feet or hands should not be taken lightly by diabetics.
Because these could be the first signs of a so-called polyneuropathy. A doctor should be consulted as soon as possible.
"The most noticeable early symptoms of nerve damage are a tingling sensation, numbness, and pain in the feet that occur during sleep," explains Dr. Curt Beil from the Professional Association of German Neurologists.
Up to 30 per cent of all diabetes patients develop diabetic neuropathy sooner or later. This nerve damage progresses rapidly without appropriate treatment, and serious complications can even lead to diabetic foot.
If symptoms have already progressed to numbness, it is essential for those affected to give their feet special attention and care, such as professional foot care. Injuries can easily go unnoticed, become infected, and lead to problematic ulcers.
By the way, smokers should heed the same warnings. After all, it is the legs and arms of diabetics and smokers that are amputated en masse.
Photo: Leg prosthesis
This post title is originally German, as the headline wouldn't translate.
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