Diabetes mellitus, commonly known as type 2 diabetes, is the product of a confluence of factors including heredity, mental stress, toxic exposure, excessive consumption of unhealthy foods, and insufficient physical activity. Patients with type 2 diabetes typically turn to complementary and alternative medicine in addition to traditional therapy to assist treat their condition. A great strategy to enhance your diabetes treatment is to use natural remedies and food as medicine. However, combining herbs, vitamins, and medications might result in hypoglycemia, which is a dip in blood sugar, if done without the proper expertise or supervision.
Understanding Diabetic Foot Pain
Nerve damage is one of the many consequences that can result from diabetes. Chronically elevated blood sugar is the main cause of leg discomfort in diabetics. The cause is diabetic neuropathy, which is the result of nerve damage brought on by diabetes.
Damaged nerves cease to convey impulses to various body areas, resulting in pain, tingling, and numbness that might interfere with day-to-day activities.
Furthermore, problems may worsen if there is nerve injury and inadequate blood supply. It increases your chance of getting diabetic foot ulcers, which might result in amputation! It is for this reason that controlling your diabetes is crucial. In addition, frequent examinations and early identification might prevent serious consequences.
Why do wounds heal slowly with diabetes?
Diabetes does not always result in persistent diabetic foot ulcers or other slow-healing sores. That being said, there are a few things that increase your risk of experiencing healing issues.
How to Determine Whether A Wound Caused By Diabetes Is Healing Correctly
Even while wounds heal more slowly in diabetics, they should still appear noticeably better in a few weeks. The following are indications that you should see a doctor because your wound might not be healing properly.
Home Remedies for Diabetic Wounds
Here is a list of natural home remedies for diabetic wounds, however, I do not advise beginning any new ones without first speaking with your doctor.
Foot Massage
Reflexology on the foot promotes relaxation on wound care, reduces tense muscles, and improves blood flow. Generally, well-being may be enhanced, and diabetic foot pain can be lessened with circular, mild motions.
Flaxseed oil
Flaxseed oil restores the tissues of the skin. When treating diabetic foot ulcers at home, these seeds work wonders. Flax seeds address vascular damage, one of the underlying causes of diabetic foot ulcers. Omega-2 fatty acids, which are essential for maintaining healthy blood vessels and mending damage to them, are abundant in these seeds. Therefore, flax seeds significantly reduce diabetic foot sores by promoting vascular health.
Warm Water Soaks
A foot soak in warm water promotes blood circulation, eases muscular tension, and provides short-term relaxation. You may enhance the relaxing impact of the water by adding Epsom salt. Keep them off your feet for as little time as possible, though, since they can dry them out. To remove the water, use talcum powder instead of lotion in the spaces between your toes.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Acetic acid, the main ingredient in apple cider vinegar, is thought to be the cause of many of its health advantages. There are several evidence-based methods for applying ACV. Your morning fasting blood sugar levels can be lowered by consuming two teaspoons before bed. Better still, 1-2 teaspoons of ACV eaten with meals can lower a meal high in carbohydrates’ glycemic load. Usually, I advise patients to take ACV on its own, first thing in the morning, or blend it into teas or salad dressings.
Lifestyle Adjustments
Keeping a healthy lifestyle and controlling diabetes are necessary for maintaining excellent foot health. Improved circulation and a decreased chance of issues can be achieved by stopping smoking, maintaining a balanced diet, drinking lots of water, and controlling blood sugar. Additionally, keep your feet free of shoes that are too tight, ill-fitting, or worn out. Instead, put on shoes that are the appropriate size, fit, and have enough room, cushion, and sturdy arch to support your feet.
Techniques for Relaxation and Stress Reduction
Stress has the potential to worsen pain perception. Deep breathing exercises, meditation, and engaging in hobbies are examples of stress-reduction techniques that can help relax the mind and reduce tension.
Additionally, make room for fruits and vegetables that are high in vitamins A and C, since these nutrients can help strengthen your immune system and aid in the healing of wounds. Add spinach, bell peppers, citrus fruits, broccoli, spinach, cherries, and squash to your grocery list.
If you enjoyed this article, you may also want to read this article on Natural Treatments for Diabetic Neuropathy.
*This information is not intended to serve as a substitute for professional medical or dietary advice tailored to individual needs.
Po-Chang Hsu, M.D., received his medical doctorate from Tufts University School of Medicine in Boston. During his medical school training, Dr. Hsu worked with various patients, including adult and pediatric patients with acute and chronic conditions. Dr. Hsu’s interests include neurology, psychiatry, pediatrics, and sleep medicine.
Before medical school, Dr. Hsu finished a master’s degree at Harvard University and wrote a thesis on neuroimaging in schizophrenia patients at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, a Harvard Medical School-affiliated hospital. Dr. Hsu was also a part of the 2008 NASA Phoenix Lander Mission team, which sent a robotic spacecraft to the North polar region of Mars. Dr. Hsu also had research experience on neuroimaging in neonates at Boston Children’s Hospital, another Harvard Medical School-affiliated Hospital.
Since graduating from medical school, Dr. Hsu has worked as a full-time medical writer and consultant. In addition, he has experience writing and ghostwriting books and articles for physicians and health technology start-up companies. Dr. Hsu believes good communication between healthcare providers and patients creates the best results.
Publications
-Peer Reviewed Journal Article:
Kounaves, S.P., Hecht, M.H., West, S.J., Morookian, J.-M., Young, S.M.M., Quinn, R., Grunthaner, P., Wen, X., Weilert, M., Cable, C.A., Fisher, A., Gospodinova, K., Kapit, J., Stroble, S., Hsu, P.-C., Clark, B.C., Ming, D.W. and Smith, P.H. The MECA wet chemistry laboratory on the 2007 phoenix mars scout Lander. Journal of Geophysical Research. 2009, Mar; 114(E3): 10.1029/2008je003084.
-Poster Presentation:
2011 Harvard Psychiatry Mysell Poster Session; Boston, MA
Hsu, P.C., Rathi, Y., Eckbo, R., Nestor, P., Niznikiewicz, M., Thompson, E., Kubicki, M., Shenton, M.E. (March, 2011). Two-Tensor Diffusion Tensor Imaging of Acoustic Radiations in Schizophrenia
