What causes numbness in the feet of diabetic patients?
Apr 23, 2023
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Pan Yongyuan
Introduction
Numbness in the feet of diabetic patients may be related to prolonged sitting, diabetic peripheral neuropathy, lumbar disc herniation, or conditions such as acute myelitis and cervical spine tumors. Patients are advised to seek timely medical attention at a hospital and should not self-medicate. Follow doctors' instructions regarding dietary control to avoid delaying treatment.
Numbness in the feet of diabetic patients may be related to prolonged sitting, or could be associated with medical conditions such as diabetic peripheral neuropathy and lumbar disc herniation. Patients are advised to seek timely medical evaluation. The specific causes are as follows:
1. Prolonged sitting: Extended periods of sitting can impair blood circulation in the lower limbs, leading to temporary numbness. This symptom is usually transient and can be relieved by moving the legs and feet; no treatment is generally required.
2. Diabetic peripheral neuropathy: This condition is caused by diabetes and is one of the most common complications of the disease. It is a peripheral nerve disorder primarily affecting sensory and autonomic nerves. The exact cause is not fully understood but may involve abnormal glucose metabolism, cerebrovascular disease, neurotrophic factors, autoimmune factors, inflammatory responses, and genetic factors. Common symptoms include numbness in the limbs, skin pigmentation, urinary incontinence, and more. Patients are advised to take medications such as metformin hydrochloride tablets, gliclazide sustained-release tablets, and acarbose tablets under medical supervision to control blood glucose levels and prevent worsening of the condition.
3. Lumbar disc herniation: Various components of the lumbar intervertebral disc—especially the nucleus pulposus—undergo varying degrees of degenerative changes. Under external forces, the annulus fibrosus ruptures, allowing the nucleus pulposus to protrude (or extrude) posteriorly or into the spinal canal. This compresses or irritates adjacent spinal nerve roots, resulting in lower back pain and a series of clinical symptoms including numbness and pain in one or both lower limbs. Patients are advised to take medications such as ibuprofen sustained-release capsules, diclofenac sodium sustained-release capsules, and meloxicam tablets under medical guidance.
In addition, foot numbness may also be associated with other conditions such as acute myelitis or cervical spine tumors. Patients are strongly advised to seek prompt medical attention at a hospital and avoid self-medicating, which could delay proper diagnosis and treatment.
