Swelling in diabetes mellitus

Diabetes mellitus is a polysymptomatic disease that can manifest itself in a variety of different ways. Not so terrible is elevated blood sugar, as the effects of its influence. One of the most frequent target organs for this ailment is the legs. The most common pathology of the lower limbs is the diabetic foot, but it is also worth remembering the less dangerous symptom - swelling, which requires adequate treatment.

Why do legs swell?

There are many conditions in which excess fluid can linger in the tissues:

1. heart failure;
2. varicose veins;
3. pregnancy;
4. tight shoes;
5. hormonal imbalance.

But if we talk about type 1 or type 2 diabetes, the main reason for the formation of edema is nephropathy, as well as damage to blood vessels and nerve endings. Since the kidneys are unable to release all the fluid from the body due to the lesion, there is a violation of protein metabolism, then excess moisture, according to the laws of physics, settles in the most remote parts of the heart - the legs.

How to treat a similar problem?

For patients suffering from type 1 or 2 diabetes, it is necessary to know what must be done to prevent and eliminate edema. After all, when wearing shoes, the place where additional liquid accumulates, become loci of enhanced mechanical action. This can cause the formation of small, non-healing ulcers, with progression to a full-fledged diabetic foot, the treatment of which is an extremely difficult and time-consuming process.

To prevent and heal from such a symptom it is necessary to identify the main cause of the problem. If the edema has developed due to diabetic nephropathy, then you need:

1. Normalize the level of glycemia. A high sugar value leads to progression of kidney damage and peripheral nerve endings. The patient does not feel pain even when forming ulcers. This greatly complicates the treatment process;
2. Follow the diet. If a patient suffers from type 2 diabetes, it is extremely important to limit the intake of light carbohydrates and animal fats. They adversely affect the state of the vessels, which additionally stimulates the formation of edema;
3. Quit smoking. Persistent vasospasm provokes congestion in peripheral veins;

Additional measures of influence

In cases where the legs swell for other reasons, it is necessary to try to specifically influence the etiology of the problem:

1. Purchase or sew special sneakers / shoes in which the patient will be most comfortable. Such an element of the wardrobe will serve its owner well and will be useful for preventing the progression of complications.
2. It is advisable to carry out complex treatment of varicose veins in the department of vascular surgery.
3. When pregnant, you need to wait, give birth and continue to adequately treat diabetes.
4. Heart problems are a parallel therapy for heart failure and hypertension, which very often goes hand in hand with impaired glucose levels in the blood. For such recovery are excellent:
   • Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors( Captopril, Lizinopril, Kaptopres).These drugs reliably reduce blood pressure and have a protective effect on the kidneys. Dosage should be discussed with your doctor. Self-medication is unacceptable;
   • Blockers of receptors for angiotensin( Valsartan, Losartan).They act almost the same as the previous medicines, but they are more expensive. Therefore, they are used less often in those patients who do not tolerate ACE inhibitors;
5. Hormonal imbalance - the use of biologically active agents to restore equilibrium.

What to do with kidney failure?

Often the cause of swelling of the lower limbs is a pronounced nephropathy. It slowly progresses to a deficiency of the urinary system and often leads to the disability and mortality of diabetics. In order to prevent this process, it is necessary to diagnose it in time and begin therapeutic intervention.

The basis of treatment remains:

• lowering of blood sugar level;
• metabolic drugs with vasodilating effect;
• antihypertensive therapy.

In critical cases it is necessary to talk about hemodialysis. But this is only in extreme situations, when there is a complete renunciation of the kidneys. Edemas recede into the background, if it is a question of saving life to the patient.

Physiotherapy

Dosed physical exertion can be an excellent way to overcome fluid congestion and swelling of the legs. The activation of blood circulation increases the tone of small vessels. They begin to work more actively and disperse excess moisture. When walking at least 3 km per day with a normal walking pace, a patient with diabetes very soon will note the following positive results:

• decrease in the level of glycemia;
• reduction of edema of the lower limbs;
• increase in the general tone of the body;
• strengthening of immunity;
• improved mood.

The ancient Greeks did not say in vain: "in a healthy body - a healthy mind."This is also true in this particular case.

Swelling of the legs is an unpleasant symptom that can be the result of the influence of hyperglycemia. You can get rid of it. The main thing is to find the cause correctly and to influence it purposefully.