Diabetes and Joint pain: What you should know
We all know that diabetes affects blood sugars, eyes, kidneys and nerves. But do you know that diabetes can also affect your joints also? Joint pain is common in people with diabetes, but is often overlooked. This article will help you understand how diabetes leads to joint diseases and what the ways are to prevent and manage them.
How does diabetes affect your joints?
High blood sugars are the main reasons behind stiffness and joint pain. They may lead to chronic inflammation, which can affect the joints and connecting tissues.
Neuropathy, which affects the nerves, can change your gait, balance and pressure with which you walk. Most of the time, it places more stress on certain joints.
Glycation of collagen: High glucose levels react with collagen, which helps to hold the bones together. This is responsible for making tendons and ligaments stiff and less flexible.
Common joint conditions:
- Diabetic arthropathy: It is also known as diabetic joint disease. In this condition, patient feels pain, swelling and limited movement in shoulders, hands and feet.
- Frozen shoulder: In medical terms, people call it adhesive capsulitis, which is more common in people with diabetes. Patients often feel stiffness, pain and reduced mobility of the shoulders.
- Osteoarthritis (OA): Osteoarthritis is common in old age. People who have diabetes are at high risk for developing OA due to inflammation and obesity.
- Charcot foot: This is one of the severe complications of the foot and ankle caused by nerve damage. Bones get weak and are prone to break,ing leading to deformity.
Symptoms to watch out for:
- Pain and swelling in joints
- Stiffness early in the morning
- Crackling or popping sound in joints
- Difficulty in moving or bending joints
- Redness or warmth around joints
Consult your doctor early when you experience these kinds of complaints.
Managing and preventing joint pain:
- Keep blood sugars under control: Good glycaemic control is the prerequisite to prevent joint diseases. Chronic high sugars worsen inflammation and can damage the tissues.
- Stay physically active: Regular physical activity helps to lubricate joints, improve flexibility and decrease stiffness. Try to do low impact exercises like walking, yoga and swimming.
- Reduce excess body weight: Excess weight puts more pressure on the knee and hip joints. Weight reduction relieves joint pain and reduces inflammation.
- Eat an anti-inflammatory diet: Have foods that are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, fibre and antioxidants. Examples are green leaves, nuts, seeds, fish and whole grains.
- Physiotherapy: Personalised and customised stretching and strengthening exercises can relieve joint pain.
When to see a doctor:
- If there is any continuous pain that is worsening every day
- When any evident deformities can be seen
- You are not able to move at all or do mild daily activities
- Your medications are not relieving your pain
Joint pain in diabetes is real and can significantly affect the quality of life. By finding out the symptoms early and managing your blood sugars, you can protect your joints and stay active. Regular check-up, blood sugar control and a healthy lifestyle are the best ways to prevent these conditions.
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