CHECK-UP:Complications are less likely to develop if diabetes is tightly controlled, writes MARION KERR
MY ELDERLY father has recently been complaining of tingling and pain in his right leg and foot. He was diagnosed with diabetes many years ago and I wonder if his new symptoms could be related to this condition?
Nerve damage can be caused by many things, including trauma, inflammation, infection, swelling and pressure. It can also be caused as a side effect of certain drugs or by chemical irritation.
Those suffering from diabetes or chronic renal insufficiency may also experience nerve pain (neuralgia). But in many cases the exact cause of neuralgia may be unknown.
Diabetes mellitus is a disorder where the level of sugar in the blood is abnormally high as a result of the body’s inability to produce enough insulin.
People with diabetes can experience many complications which may develop either within months of the onset of the condition or a few years later. In diabetes nerve damage (neuropathy) can present in different ways.
Where a single nerve is involved then an arm or leg can become suddenly weak. In addition, damage involving nerves in the arms, hands, legs and feet, can result in a distortion to sensation, producing tingling, burning pain or weakness.
When nerves in the skin are damaged, sensation is reduced. This can result in repeated injury to the affected area because the person cannot sense changes in pressure or temperature.
Since my mother’s death a few months ago, my dad has been caring for himself. As a result I’m beginning to think his diabetes is not as controlled as it used to be.
Uncharacteristically he even cancelled his last appointment at the local diabetes clinic saying he could not be bothered.
The more tightly controlled a person’s diabetes is, the less likely complications are to develop. It may have been that a tighter rein was kept on his diet and drug regime by your mum who is sadly no longer around to do this. In addition, your dad may be suffering from depression following his bereavement, which could be affecting his ability to control his diet and take his medication as he did before.
Either way, he really needs to be reviewed by his GP, who may prescribe medication and supportive counselling. He also needs to return to the diabetes clinic to get his condition back under control and to minimise the risk of developing further complications.