diabetic complications Archives - Back To Nature Diabetic

Diabetes Affects the Musculoskeletal System

I’ve had neck spurs, plantar fasciitis (heel spurs), trigger finger, and now I have arthritis. If you haven’t already guessed, diabetes affects the musculoskeletal system. The musculoskeletal system supports you and helps you to move. It encompasses your bones and joints. It also includes muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Diabetes can cause bone and joint disorders. As a result, you can have muscle pain, joint pain, swelling, and restricted flexibility.

How Diabetes Affects the Musculoskeletal System

Nerve damage, arterial disease, obesity, and high blood sugar contribute to bone and joint disorders. Uncontrolled diabetes can affect joints and muscles, leading to pain.

NSAIDs and Prescription Medicine

A new study shows that non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may worsen inflammation in the knees. After four years, joint inflammation and cartilage were worse for those taking NSAIDs compared to those who did not take them (https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/nsaids-may-worsen-arthritis-inflammation-301681834.html). Examples of NSAIDs are ibuprofen, naproxen, and aspirin.

My doctor diagnosed me with knee arthritis and prescribed Meloxicam. I have to admit I was secretly happy it did nothing for me. I dislike prescription medicines because they usually give me adverse side effects. The opportunity to find natural remedies made me happy. And I found a ton of them.

Besides prescribed medicine, I’ve also received steroid injections, also known as cortisone shots. While they have eased the pain significantly, they have also raised my blood sugar and it takes a full day for my blood sugar to return to normal. Therefore, be aware that steroids/cortisone will make your blood sugar rise.

Natural Remedies that Have Helped Me

Four things have helped me ease the pain. Now, I have to tell you I am the person who will go to the store and purchase a bunch of remedies if I believe they will help. I bought Aspercreme, Icy Hot, Arnica, and hemp lotion, but nothing worked. What did work is an ointment of Frankincense (Boswellia) and Myrrh. Because they are anti-inflammatory, they ease nerve pain.

Second, I use turmeric supplements. I definitely feel the pain in my heel spurs when I miss or forget to take turmeric. Turmeric’s yellow color is due to curcumin, which is anti-inflammatory. However, you should not take turmeric with other blood-thinning medications such as aspirin, Plavix, or warfarin because it may increase bleeding. Besides taking turmeric, a heel insert and foot roller massager have helped with the heel spurs.

Third, exercising helps and I include physical therapy in this category. Physical therapists have taught me how to exercise and stretch painful muscles. It may seem counterintuitive to move a joint and muscle that hurt. But unlike exercising a sprained or broken bone, exercising and stretching will help with pain and stiffness. Physical movement helps lubricate your joints. It also strengthens muscles, and stretching improves your range of motion and maintains flexibility. You should focus on low-impact exercises like walking, cycling, or swimming.

A study published in Wiley Online Library noted walking could ease the pain for those with knee osteoarthritis. Out of 1212 participants, knee pain was reduced for those who walked for exercise. The research encouraged walking as an exercise for people with knee OA.

I enjoy walking, which is low-impact. I also enjoy use an elliptical machine, which makes me feel like I’m running but is gentle on my knees. The moving handlebars also stretch my neck spurs and reduce the pain.

The fourth and most useful thing to help was what I drank, or rather, what I stopped drinking. I had an “a-ha” moment when I realized the pain in my knee did not hurt as much. Being a diabetic detective, I asked myself what I had done differently. Then I realized my reduced pain is because of the healthier drink choices I made. A few months ago, I decided I would reduce my alcohol intake, drink more water, and stop drinking soda made with artificial sweeteners. While studies reveal artificial sweeteners increase inflammation, I believe cutting down on alcohol is what helped my arthritis. To test the theory, I drank wine and my knee started hurting almost immediately. This is not surprising, considering alcohol causes inflammation and inflammation causes the most bone and joint diseases. Therefore, it makes sense that inflammatory foods and drinks would aggravate the conditions.

Support Devices

Besides the above, I also wear supportive devices, such as a knee brace.

After I had surgery for my trigger fingers, the surgeon casually mentioned it could return and that he had a patient who had surgery on all ten fingers. After hearing this, now I wear a splint that prevents my fingers from bending forward and freezing in that position. I type on an ergonomic keyboard and wear compression gloves when my hands swell. I also have hand grip strengtheners that stretch and exercise my fingers. But you don’t need to buy them, you can find exercises you can do without devices here: https://www.healthline.com/health/fitness-exercise/trigger-finger-exercises#finger-stretches

Manage High Blood Sugar

The most useful remedy as a diabetic is always going to be to manage your blood sugar levels.

A study led by Lund University in Sweden shows that the risk of being affected by trigger finger increases with high blood sugar. High blood sugar increased the risk of trigger finger among both men and women in the groups with both type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

The research also noted a pattern of blood sugar is a crucial factor for an increased risk of having trigger finger (Hands in people with diabetes more often affected by trigger finger — ScienceDaily).

Other Natural Remedies May Help

You can also try the natural remedies below and see if they help.

Bone Broth contains glucosamine and chondroitin, which are natural compounds found in cartilage and can decrease joint pain
Omega-3 supplements such as fish oil, which are anti-inflammatory
A diet rich in fruits and vegetables and limiting inflammatory foods such as red meat, processed food, saturated fats, alcohol, and sugar

Arthritis Foundation Recommendations

According to the Arthritis Foundation, almost half of adults with diabetes also have arthritis.

Cold and Hot Therapy

You can apply an ice pack on the joints to reduce swelling or a warm compress to lessen stiffness. However, avoid heat if you have an acute injury or a flare. If you have swelling and redness, use cold treatments instead.

Lose Extra Weight

A study in Arthritis Care and Research found obese adults with knee OA who lost 10–20 percent of their body weight improved pain, function, and quality of life better than those losing just five percent of their body weight.

Conclusion

Unfortunately, bone and joint issues are another diabetic complication. The pain may be overwhelming and you may need prescription painkillers and steroid injections. However, there are also natural remedies you can try, such as physical therapy, stretching, using support devices, and reducing alcohol intake. You can also try turmeric, with your doctor’s permission.

Quotes

“My message is – keep moving. If you do, you’ll keep arthritis at bay” – Donna Mills

“Physical activity – even if you don’t lose an ounce, you’ll live longer, feel healthier and be less likely to get cancer, heart disease, stroke, and arthritis. It’s the closest thing we have to a wonder drug” – Tom Frieden

“I take a multivitamin, I take extra C, I take chondroitin and glucosamine for my joints, I take calcium for my bones. And by the way, weight-bearing exercises can help ward off osteoporosis and yoga helps ward off arthritis” – Raquel Welch

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Disclaimer

Please remember this is not medical advice or intended to replace the advice of your doctor. This is my experience with the natural supplements that have helped me manage my diabetes. They are not intended to cure any disease. Please do not self-diagnose. Always check with your health care provider before trying new treatments.

Also, natural does not mean safe. Many natural remedies have side effects and can interact with medication and supplements. It should be noted that the FDA does not regulate dietary supplements but treats them like foods and not medication. Unlike drug manufacturers, supplement makers do not have to show their products are safe or effective.

I ask you to please keep an open mind; be a diabetic detective and do your own research; work with your healthcare team; see what works best for you, and monitor your blood sugars.

Itchy Scalp and Skin? It’s Your Diabetes

It may surprise you to learn that itchy skin and scalp can be caused by diabetes. While eye, kidney, and heart disease are well-known diabetes complications, high blood sugars also affect other organs, such as the skin.

How Diabetes and Skin Issues are Related

According to WebMD, 1 out of 3 people has skin conditions related to diabetes.

Often, skin conditions can be the first signs that a person has diabetes. For example, acanthosis nigricans (AN) is the darker skin that appears in the creases of the neck. Shin spots (diabetic dermopathy) are spots on the front of the lower legs. I have them and they resemble age spots. While shin spots are caused by nerve and small blood vessel damage, they’re harmless and don’t require medical treatment.

Digital sclerosis is hard, thick skin. Sometimes it has the texture of an orange. It may cause stiffness and require physical therapy to help with bending or straightening arms and legs.

Diabetes may also cause skin tags. According to a study, patients with skin tags had a higher frequency of diabetes. The study found that there was an increased risk of diabetes in subjects with multiple skin tags, and suspected impaired carbohydrate metabolism (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17988334/).

Reasons Diabetics are Prone to Itchy Scalp and Skin

According to the CDC, too much sugar in the blood causes the body to pull fluid from its cell in order to produce enough urine to remove the excess sugar. This leaves skin dry and causes itchiness (https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/library/features/diabetes-and-your-skin.html).

Other causes are:

Nerve damage
Skin infections such as bacterial, fungal, and yeast infections
Poor circulation, which usually affects the lower part of the legs

High blood sugars can weaken a diabetic’s immune system and cause poor circulation, which increases the risk of infections. High blood sugar allows bacteria, fungi, and yeast to grow. They can also lead to open sores and wounds, such as diabetic ulcers on the feet.

Yeast and fungal infections can be found under the breasts, in the armpits, and groin. They also include jock itch, athlete’s foot, ringworm, and genital itching.

Elevated blood sugars are a breeding ground for bacteria, as I wrote in my post on UTIs (https://backtonaturediabetic.com/utis-a-lesser-known-diabetes-complication/).

While dry, itchy skin is uncomfortable, take caution, not to scratch. Scratching can cut the skin, allowing infection to set in.

ADA Suggestions for Preventing Skin Problems

Suggestions from the ADA include managing diabetes, keeping skin dry and clean, avoiding hot showers, and treating cuts immediately (https://www.diabetes.org/diabetes/skin-complications#:~:text=The%20culprit%20in%20fungal%20infections, moist%20folds%20of%20the%20skin).

You can use creams made specifically for diabetics, such as Gold Bond, but most creams will provide relief as long as they do not contain fragrance, which can further irritate the skin.

Diabetes and Itchy Scalp

I always thought I had dandruff and tried all the dandruff shampoos. I’ve even tried tea tree oil and apple cider vinegar. Then I thought, it’s not dandruff, I wash my hair too much and cut back. But despite trying all this, my itchy scalp always returned. I did not learn until years later that my diabetes was the culprit.

Ginger and Clay for Hair?

The best remedy will always be to manage your blood sugars. But I have found two shampoos that have not cured, but controlled, my itchy scalp.

The first one contains Hawaiian ginger. I tried Paul Mitchell Awapuhi shampoo during a hotel stay, where they had samples. I had never heard of Awapuhi and after using it I noticed that it calmed my scalp. I learned that Awapuhi aids with scalp issues because of its anti-inflammatory properties.

The second shampoo contains clay. I became interested in Morrocco Method Earth Essence Shampoo because it’s Paleo and gluten-free. Since I am sensitive to gluten like many type 1 diabetics (https://backtonaturediabetic.com/are-type-1-diabetics-allergic-to-gluten-and-cows-milk/), I believed I should avoid gluten in not only food but also cosmetics. Cosmetic companies often add gluten to shampoos as a thickener. However, according to the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, individuals with celiac disease should not be concerned about products with gluten applied to the hair or skin.

So, even though I don’t need to avoid gluten in products, I still like this shampoo. It contains clay, used to absorb excess oil, and natural ingredients such as aloe vera and rosemary. I have to warn you that the shampoo took some getting used to. Imagine putting chocolate pudding on your hair. This is what the shampoo resembles. It looks and feels like chocolate pudding. At first, it was strange not having suds when shampooing my hair. But the results are worth it. My scalp itches less and my hair feels soft. Because I miss the lather, I alternate between the Awapuhi and this shampoo.

The shampoos have soothed my scalp, but they have not completely resolved the irritation. The itch returns but is not as intense as before. Also, I still need to wash my hair daily. Some people say washing your hair daily is bad and you need to “train” your hair to be less greasy. Believe me, I have tried. But the result is always that my hair is itchier and falls out a lot. And the way I look at it, if I have to wash my face and brush my teeth daily, why wouldn’t I wash my hair daily too?

Besides these shampoos, other tips I can give are to wash your pillowcases, hair brushes, combs, hats, and hair accessories often if your hair is also oily.

Conclusion

Itchy skin and scalp are lesser-known diabetes complications. They are another reason to keep your blood sugars under control. Try the tips from the ADA and see a dermatologist if needed. And always contact your doctor if you suspect an infection or have skin ulcers.

Quote

UTIs: A Lesser-Known Diabetes Complication

A few months ago, I had a sharp pain in my side and was urinating every hour. My first thought was that I had kidney disease. I hate when I assume the worst, but because there are so many diabetes complications, it’s hard not to think negatively sometimes. Then I thought it was probably a kidney infection, remembering the time I got one as a teenager and ruined a family vacation in Florida. Instead, it turned out to be a urinary tract infection (UTI). Turns out that diabetics are prone to UTIs.

Why UTIs are More Common in Diabetics

UTIs are a lesser-known diabetes complication. As a result, people with diabetes are up to twice as likely to get UTIs as those without the disease. And they’re prevalent among women. The reasons are:

High blood sugar can lead to sugar in your urine, and sugar is a breeding ground for bacteria
Nerve damage can keep your bladder from emptying and bacteria can hang around in your urinary tract longer if your bladder doesn’t empty completely after urination
High blood sugar may impair the function of white blood cells, making the body less able to fight off infections

“Diabetes can affect the function and structure of the lower urinary tract, which in turn may play a role in patients with diabetes having more UTIs, overactive or underactive bladder, and problems with urination,” says Michael J. Kennelly, MD, Professor of Urology and Obstetrics & Gynecology at Carolinas Medical Center.

UTIs vs Kidney Infections

Because UTIs and kidney infections share many of the same symptoms, it’s difficult to tell them apart. Frequent urination, burning during urination, and pain in the abdomen are all signs of a UTI. Urine can also have a strong smell or be cloudy. In persons with diabetes, kidney infections are substantially more harmful. Likewise, abdominal pain, frequent urination, burning during urination, fever, chills, nausea, and vomiting are common symptoms of a kidney infection. In rare cases, untreated UTIs can lead to kidney damage or even kidney failure.

Prevention and Treatments

Your doctor will diagnose a urinary tract infection by urine test and treat it with antibiotics. Trust me, once you get your first painful one and are urinating every hour, you’ll do everything in your power to prevent future infections. Here are some ways to prevent and treat them:

Keep blood sugars in a healthy range
Drink plenty of water
Maintain good genital hygiene
Wipe front to back after urinating and bowel movements
Drink cranberry juice, but unsweetened
Urinate immediately when you feel the need, and after sex to flush out bacteria
Eat unsweetened yogurts such as Greek yogurt, which contains good bacteria called probiotics, or take a probiotic supplement containing Lactobacillus rhamnoses or Lactobacillus reuteri
Wear cotton underwear-synthetic fabrics hold in moisture more than cotton does, and any damp environment is a breeding ground for bacteria
Change out of your sweaty workout clothes as soon as you can for the reason mentioned above

Conclusion

Unfortunately, once you get your first UTI, it will increase your risk for additional infections. See your doctor if you suspect you have a UTI or any other urinary problems. Antibiotics will probably be necessary, but you can also use the tips above to prevent and treat future occurrences.

Diabetic News

Senator Susan Collins, the founder of the Senate Diabetes Caucus, revealed that a government funding bill was signed into law and includes $2.2 billion for diabetes research, an increase of $71.95 million. The government funding bill also includes $3.3 million for the National Diabetes Prevention Program.

Quote

“You don’t have to let your life be destroyed by diabetes. You can reclaim your life.” Della Reese, American actress, and singer

Disclaimer

I ask you to please keep an open mind; be a diabetic detective and do your own research; work with your healthcare team; see what works best for you, and monitor your blood sugars.

A French Pine Tree for Diabetic Retinopathy

Several years ago, I was at my annual eye exam. For diabetics, this is not a vision test for glasses or contacts, but a test that examines the retina in the back of the eyes. Eyes are dilated to look for damage to blood vessels, known as diabetic retinopathy (DR). My exam revealed I had some mild damage. I was scared, but I was also young, naïve, and hopeful. I always believed that for every problem, there was a solution. And many of the solutions were natural ones. Immediately I went home and did some research. As a result, I discovered that a French pine bark extract was used to treat diabetic retinopathy.

What is Pycnogenol?

I had never heard of it before and was curious: what is Pycnogenol? I learned it comes from the bark of a European pine tree. Pycnogenol is the registered trademark name for a French formula and is often spelled with the trademark symbol, as Pycnogenol®. It’s thought to be an antioxidant that helps protect cells from damage. And it’s used in Europe to treat diabetic retinopathy.

For that reason, I took it religiously for a few months, not knowing if it was working. But my next eye exam revealed something incredible- my blood vessels had improved. My ophthalmologist was in shock. She had been very careful not to say “healed” saying it had improved, indirectly saying it almost reversed.

Studies on Pycnogenol

Research confirms the benefits of Pycnogenol. A study, conducted by G D’Annunzio University in Italy, is published in the Journal of Ocular Pharmacology and Therapeutics. The study revealed Pycnogenol can improve microcirculation, retinal edema, and visual acuity in the early stages of diabetic retinopathy. “Previous research has shown that Pycnogenol® may reduce the progressing advanced stages of diabetic retinopathy,” said Dr. Robert Steigerwalt, a lead researcher of the study. “While previous studies focused on the latent stages of diabetic retinopathy, the aim of this new study was to show the protective effects of Pycnogenol® in the early stages of this growing diabetic complication.”

“Pycnogenol® has been intensively investigated for decades to stop the progression of diabetic retinopathy and help patients to maintain their remaining eyesight,” said Dr. Steigerwalt. “Our study suggests that Pycnogenol® taken in the early stages of retinopathy may enhance retinal blood circulation accompanied by a regression of edema, which favorably improves vision of patients. Pycnogenol® may be particularly beneficial for preventing this complication in diabetic patients, based on the large number of individuals who were diagnosed when the disease had already significantly progressed.”

Other research confirms the benefits of Pycnogenol. In five clinical studies with over 1,000 diabetes patients, “Pycnogenol was shown to improve capillary resistance and reduce leakages into the retina. Tolerance was generally very good and side effects were rare, mostly referring to gastric discomfort. In conclusion, treatment with Pycnogenol had a favourable outcome in the majority of the patients with diabetic retinopathy.” (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12498513/)

Pycnogenol May Help Prevent and Manage DR

Without a doubt, I believe Pycnogenol has kept me from developing diabetic retinopathy, and I have been taking it for years. But the best remedy is always PREVENTION. Most importantly, get a yearly eye exam and manage your blood sugar levels. Elevated blood sugar levels can increase your risk of diabetic retinopathy. The scary part for me was that I did not have any of the early symptoms, such as floaters, blurriness, dark areas of vision, and fluctuating vision. Luckily, advanced cases can be treated with laser treatment or surgery if caught early.

Additionally, eye exams will also check for glaucoma and cataracts. While cataracts can cause cloudy vision and other symptoms, glaucoma is called the “sneak thief of sight,” because it rarely shows any symptoms.

Ways to Reduce Risk of Diabetic Retinopathy

An alarming statistic is that diabetic retinopathy, the most common form of diabetic eye disease, is the leading cause of blindness in adults aged 20–74. For that reason, we need to reduce the risk of developing DR. Below are eight tips:

Get yearly diabetic eye screenings
Take your medications as prescribed by your doctor
Maintain a healthy weight
Control your ABC’s—A1C, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels
Don’t smoke
Exercise
Do not exceed recommended alcohol limits
Contact your doctor if your vision suddenly changes and becomes blurry or spotty

Possible Side Effects and Interactions

If you decide to try Pycnogenol, let your doctor know because it may interact with the medications you are taking. Pycnogenol may cause dizziness, vertigo, and upset stomach. Pycnogenol may stimulate the immune system. So, it may not be safe for people with auto-immune diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS), lupus, rheumatoid arthritis (RA), or other conditions. It’s also not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women, due to the lack of research.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Diabetic Retinopathy does not have to lead to blindness. Early detection and proper blood sugar management are the best remedies, and Pycnogenol may help.

Events

March 22, 2 PM ET: Ask the Experts: My vision keeps getting worse, can it be saved? Sign up for the virtual ADA event at: www.diabetes.org/experts

Diabetes Facts

The awareness ribbon color for diabetes was gray, however, it is now symbolized by the blue circle designated by the International Diabetes Federation. Blue reflects the sky that unites all nations, which is also the color of the United Nations flag. The circle signifies the unity of the global diabetes community.

Quote

“Millions of Americans today are taking dietary supplements, practicing yoga, and integrating other natural therapies into their lives. These are all preventive measures that will keep them out of the doctor’s office and drive down the costs of treating serious problems like heart disease and diabetes.”

Andrew Weil

Disclaimer

I ask you to please keep an open mind; be a diabetic detective and do your own research; work with your healthcare team; see what works best for you, and monitor your blood sugars.