Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
Suggest Treatment For Diabetes And High Cholesterol
Question: Hello - my mom is 56 years old and is diabetic with high cholesterol.
For the past 7-10 days, she has been experiencing couple of symptoms: (1) cramps in both hands (palm/fingers) and feet (ankle/toes) for approx. 1 minute or so a day; and (2) cramp/tingling/moving sensation in the left thigh - again for approx. 1 minute or so a day.
She did start walking a little more extensively in the past couple of months (around 5-6 km each day). But apart from that, there has been no change in pattern. Could you please advise what could be the reason? Could there be anything to do with food/climate/or any other reason?
For the past 7-10 days, she has been experiencing couple of symptoms: (1) cramps in both hands (palm/fingers) and feet (ankle/toes) for approx. 1 minute or so a day; and (2) cramp/tingling/moving sensation in the left thigh - again for approx. 1 minute or so a day.
She did start walking a little more extensively in the past couple of months (around 5-6 km each day). But apart from that, there has been no change in pattern. Could you please advise what could be the reason? Could there be anything to do with food/climate/or any other reason?
Brief Answer:
diabetic neuropathy
Detailed Answer:
hi
Thanks for the query
I can understand your concern.
Diabetes can cause long-term problems throughout body, especially if you don’t control your blood sugar effectively, and sugar levels remain high for many years. High blood sugar can cause diabetic neuropathy, which damages the nerves that send signals from your hands and feet.
Diabetic neuropathy can cause numbness or tingling in your fingers, toes, hands, and feet.
Treatment
Damaged nerves can’t be replaced. However, there are ways that you can prevent further damage and relieve your pain.
First, control your blood sugar so the damage doesn’t progress. Talk to your doctor about setting your blood sugar goal, and learn to monitor it. You may be asked to lower your blood sugar before meals to 70 to 130 mg/dL and your blood sugar after meals to less than 180 mg/dL.
Medication
capsaicin cream and lidocaine patches (Lidoderm). Studies suggest that nitrate sprays or patches for the feet may relieve pain. Studies of alpha-lipoic acid, an antioxidant, and evening primrose oil suggest they may help relieve symptoms and improve nerve function in some patients.
Tips
1 low-fat, high-fiber, plant-based diet with B12 supplementation or to B12 supplementation alone, especially those on metformin, tend to be deficient in B12.
2 small frequent meals
3 do not skip meals
4.on time medication
4. daily exercise/ walking 30 min daily, 5 days in a week.
thank you
take care
Dr Priyanka Raj
diabetic neuropathy
Detailed Answer:
hi
Thanks for the query
I can understand your concern.
Diabetes can cause long-term problems throughout body, especially if you don’t control your blood sugar effectively, and sugar levels remain high for many years. High blood sugar can cause diabetic neuropathy, which damages the nerves that send signals from your hands and feet.
Diabetic neuropathy can cause numbness or tingling in your fingers, toes, hands, and feet.
Treatment
Damaged nerves can’t be replaced. However, there are ways that you can prevent further damage and relieve your pain.
First, control your blood sugar so the damage doesn’t progress. Talk to your doctor about setting your blood sugar goal, and learn to monitor it. You may be asked to lower your blood sugar before meals to 70 to 130 mg/dL and your blood sugar after meals to less than 180 mg/dL.
Medication
capsaicin cream and lidocaine patches (Lidoderm). Studies suggest that nitrate sprays or patches for the feet may relieve pain. Studies of alpha-lipoic acid, an antioxidant, and evening primrose oil suggest they may help relieve symptoms and improve nerve function in some patients.
Tips
1 low-fat, high-fiber, plant-based diet with B12 supplementation or to B12 supplementation alone, especially those on metformin, tend to be deficient in B12.
2 small frequent meals
3 do not skip meals
4.on time medication
4. daily exercise/ walking 30 min daily, 5 days in a week.
thank you
take care
Dr Priyanka Raj
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Priyanka G Raj
Thanks for the detailed response doctor. The sugar levels over the past several months have been reasonably controlled (to the levels that you mentioned) but I will remember to keep this in control. Couple of other questions:
- By any chance, is walking a little too much a reason this could happen? Been walking ~60 min each day, is this OK?
- Is there any other lab test that can be done for this? Or regular blood glucose level and A1C once in 3-6 months sufficient?
- For B12, would you recommend a supplement or through regular diet.
Thanks again.
- By any chance, is walking a little too much a reason this could happen? Been walking ~60 min each day, is this OK?
- Is there any other lab test that can be done for this? Or regular blood glucose level and A1C once in 3-6 months sufficient?
- For B12, would you recommend a supplement or through regular diet.
Thanks again.
Brief Answer:
hi
Detailed Answer:
hi
thanks for writing again
1 Minimum time is 30 min,walking more than that is good only. no need to worry.
2 no need of any other tests, only blood sugars and HbA1C is enough, if required you can get done doppler scan for blood flow detection.
3 vit B12 , she can take tablets daily once day.
If you have any doubt you can ask any time
thank you take care
Dr Priyanka XXXXXXX
hi
Detailed Answer:
hi
thanks for writing again
1 Minimum time is 30 min,walking more than that is good only. no need to worry.
2 no need of any other tests, only blood sugars and HbA1C is enough, if required you can get done doppler scan for blood flow detection.
3 vit B12 , she can take tablets daily once day.
If you have any doubt you can ask any time
thank you take care
Dr Priyanka XXXXXXX
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Priyanka G Raj
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
