Type 2 diabetes: The worrying sign in your feet signalling the chronic condition

Type 2 diabetes is the direct result of either not producing enough insulin or not producing any at all. Insulin, which is produced by the pancreas, plays an essential role in regulating the body’s blood sugar levels and unregulated blood sugar levels poses a number of health concerns. If left untreated, uncontrolled blood sugar levels hike the risk of developing potentially irreversible complications, such as heart disease.

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If a person has type 2 diabetes, they’re at increased risk of various bone and joint disorders.

Certain factors, such as nerve damage, arterial disease and obesity, may contribute to these problems but often the cause isn’t clear.

A certain foot condition that can affect the feet of people with diabetes is a warning sign and shouldn’t be ignored.

Charcot foot is a series condition that can affect the feet of people with diabetes.

Hull University Teaching Hospitals said: “Diabetic Charcot foot occurs in people who have neuropathy.

“An injury happens which causes the bones in the foot to either break or dislocate.

“The injury can happen without any knowledge to the patient.”

What is charcot joint?

The Mayo Clinic explained: “Charcot joint, also called neuropathic arthropathy, occurs when a joint deteriorates because of nerve damage, a common complication of diabetes.

“Charcot joint primarily affects the feet.”

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What are the symptoms?

Hull University Teaching Hospitals said: “The symptoms that occur include swelling, heat and occasionally some redness to the foot.

“Some patients experience some pain whilst some patients experience no pain at all.

“Charcot foot is more likely to happen if you have diabetes for a long time, have nerve damage to your feet, injure your foot or have an existing foot ulceration.”

Charcot foot can cause changes in the shape of the foot which can happen very rapidly and can take a very long to heal. Once the foot has changed shape it will not return to normal.

If a person has nerve damage in the feet they may not feel any pain from the damage and may continue to walk on the foot without realising there is a problem.

Charcot foot needs immediate treatment and any delay may mean that any change in the shape of the foot is much worse.

If you suspect you may have charcot foot speak to your GP immediately.

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