Chia vs. Coriander Seed Water: Which Is Better for Your Gut, Digestion, and Heart?
High in fibre, calcium, and iron, both of them are a powerhouse of good health and well-being Starti...
Read More
High blood sugar levels affect your blood circulation and nerve health , both of which get affected when you take a walk
While walking is among the best activities and one of the ways you can keep yourself fit and healthy, if you notice some difference in your daily walks that were not before, you must be a little worried. According to experts, it could either be nothing or early warning signs of diabetes, a condition that affects millions worldwide.
Type 2 diabetes causes a person’s blood sugar levels to become too high. And not only does it affect your daily life, but over time, high blood sugar levels can create havoc with your overall health and well-being.
Not only does it make you tired all the time, but high blood sugar levels affect your blood circulation and nerve health—both of which get affected when you take a walk. So, it is important to understand and recognize these early signs so that you can take control of your health before it becomes too late.
Here are a few key signs of diabetes that may concern you when you go out for your next walk.
Tingling, numbness, or pain in your feet
According to experts, high blood sugar levels affect blood circulation and damage the nerves. In those with type 2 diabetes, it leads to pain or a sensation of tingling or numbness in the hands and feet, in a condition known as neuropathy.
Apart from tingling, you may also have burning or a pins and needles sensation in your legs and feet when you move around. At first, this can be mild and easy to ignore, but over time, it can progress to widespread numbness.
Experts say if ignored, it worsens over time and leads to more serious complications if proper diagnosis and treatment for diabetes is not done.
Leg cramps
Cramps in your leg can often occur as a result of diabetes-related nerve damage. According to doctors, the condition is a direct result of long-term high blood sugar levels, or hyperglycemia.
Even mild leg pain and cramps should be discussed with your doctors, as even if you do not have neuropathy, these can be symptoms of peripheral arterial disease, or PAD, a serious condition characterized by blocked blood vessels in your legs. PAD also increases your risk for heart attacks and strokes.
Unusual fatigue
If you have been regular with your walks but start feeling fatigue or weakness even after completing a short distance, it could be an indication of blood sugar swings.
Experts say both high blood sugar and low blood sugar levels can lead to intense tiredness. Also, if you are always feeling tired, despite being well-rested, it could be an indicator that your body is not managing glucose effectively.
Swelling in feet and ankles
If you notice you get swelling in your feet and ankles after you come back from your walk, it is a sign of blood sugar imbalance.
According to experts, diabetes impacts kidney function, which results in fluid retention that causes swelling in your ankles and feet. So, if your shoes feel tight or your legs appear puffy after a walk, your body may be struggling with excess fluid retention, which needs to be checked immediately.
What is the importance of early diabetes diagnosis?
Recognizing the early signs of type 2 diabetes can allow you to get a diagnosis and treatment sooner. Getting appropriate treatment, making lifestyle changes, and controlling blood sugar levels improve your health and quality of life.
What are the risk factors for type 2 diabetes?
Anyone can develop type 2 diabetes, but there are a few factors that just increase your risk of this ailment. A few of these include:
- Being 45 years of age or older
- Living a sedentary lifestyle
- Being obese or overweight
- Eating an unbalanced diet
- Having a family history of diabetes
- Having polycystic ovary syndrome
Get Latest News Live on Times Now along with Breaking News and Top Headlines from Health and around the world.
Our Blog
Read Our Latest Blog
CDC Sounds The Alarm As Measles Spreads Across The US — Are You At Risk?
CDC Sounds The Alarm As Measles Spreads Across The US (Image Credits: iStock) Measles, a highly cont...
Read More