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Swollen feet due to diabetes is one disease that is triggered by high blood sugar levels. This condition is usually called edema, where fluid accumulates in the legs, making them swell.
Apart from the feet, edema can also occur in other parts of the body such as the wrists. In people with diabetes, edema occurs more often in the feet.
What causes swelling in the feet during diabetes?
Edema occurs due to damage to capillaries. This can be caused by pressure which causes fluid in the capillaries to leak into the surrounding tissue, causing the body part to swell.
When you have diabetes, you have circulation problems in your body so that wounds have difficulty or cannot heal. This condition also means that fluid can easily become trapped in one part of the body, one of which is the legs.
Swollen feet due to diabetes are usually influenced by several factors as follows:
- Obesity
- Poor circulation
- Veins that don’t work properly
- Problems in the heart
- Kidney problems
- Side effects of the treatment being undertaken.
Signs of swollen feet due to diabetes
Like edema in general, signs of swelling in the legs due to diabetes also have the following symptoms:
- Visibly stretched and brightened skin on swollen legs
- Swelling in the legs
- Weight gain
- Hypertension.
Is swelling in the legs due to diabetes dangerous?
Basically, edema that is not treated properly will have the following impacts:
- Painful
- Difficulty moving and movement becomes limited
- Depression
- Excessive spending, for example to buy shoes or footwear in a new size.
How to treat swollen feet due to diabetes?
The following are tips that you can rely on if you experience swollen feet due to diabetes:
1. Use compression socks
Using compression socks can maintain pressure on your feet. Thus, these socks can increase blood circulation in the feet and reduce swollen feet due to diabetes that you suffer from.
Try to use compression socks that are not too tight to provide pressure that is not too tight to get used to. After that, the pressure level can be increased if necessary.
Make sure not to wear socks that are too tight, because they can block circulation. You also have to make sure that the socks don’t cover open wounds.
Wear these compression socks throughout the day and take them off before you sleep.
2. Raise your legs
Elevating your feet can be one way to reduce swelling in your feet due to diabetes. So this method can return fluid buildup in the legs to the body.
You can lift your legs when sitting on the sofa or when lying in bed. Use a pillow to support your legs, or a special pillow to elevate your legs, or a stack of thick books.
If you are sitting in a chair and cannot lift your legs higher than heart level, using a backrest can also relieve the sensation caused by swollen legs.
You can also practice the following yoga poses:
- Lie on your back and place your buttocks as close to the wall as possible
- While lying down, raise your legs and let him lean against the wall
- Hold this position for about 5-10 minutes
3. Lots of movement
Lack of movement can increase swelling in the feet due to diabetes, you know! Therefore, add more intention and enthusiasm to move as much as possible every day.
Increasing physical activity and exercise not only helps the body regulate weight, but also to regulate blood sugar levels. This will have an effect on increasing blood circulation and reducing swelling in the legs.
If you want to exercise, choose sports that don’t put a lot of stress on the body, such as swimming, cycling and walking. Aim for 30 minutes of movement or exercise every day.
4. Lose weight
Losing weight can help you reduce swelling in your lower body. Apart from that, other benefits of maintaining a healthy body weight are reducing pain in the joints, reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease and maintaining normal blood sugar levels.
5. Stay Hydrated
Make sure we stay hydrated throughout the day, because the body needs water to function properly. Then avoid drinking too much caffeine, sweet drinks and fizzy drinks.
That’s everything about swelling in the feet during diabetes that you need to understand. Always maintain blood sugar levels to avoid other diseases.