Can diabetes cause edema in legs?

Can diabetes cause edema in legs?

Some people may also experience swelling due to hormonal changes. However, these aren’t the only causes of swelling. Diabetes can also cause edema or swelling in the feet and ankles.

What causes edema in diabetics?

Peripheral edema is fluid buildup in your lower legs or feet. If you have diabetes, changes to your blood vessels may be partly to blame for swelling. Your medications or related health conditions could also cause the problem. It’s possible that something besides diabetes is making your lower legs swell.

Why do diabetics get swollen legs?

The Link Between Diabetes and Swelling When your blood glucose levels are too high for too long, it begins to damage the lining of small blood vessels, thus resulting in poor circulation. When your blood isn’t circulating efficiently, it gets trapped in certain areas—especially the lower extremities.

What is diabetic lymphedema?

Diabetes generally causes damage to the arteries and capillaries, and lymphedema is the result of damage to the lymphatic system. Together, these diseases result in damage to both the arterial and lymphatic systems and both lead to damage to the subcutaneous tissue, connective tissue and skin.

How is diabetic edema treated?

Anti-inflammatory treatments Corticosteroids can also help treat DME by reducing inflammation and swelling. They come in the form of drops, tablets, or injections in or around the eye. There are also three sustained-release corticosteroid implants approved to treat DME: dexamethasone (Ozurdex)

How is insulin edema treated?

For treatment of insulin induced edema, fluid and salt restriction should be implemented and may be all that is necessary. Diuretic therapy might be indicated in severe and/or decompensated cases.

What is the treatment of edema?

Mild edema usually goes away on its own, particularly if you help things along by raising the affected limb higher than your heart. More-severe edema may be treated with drugs that help your body expel excess fluid in the form of urine (diuretics). One of the most common diuretics is furosemide (Lasix).

Does sugar affect lymphedema?

Limit Certain Foods Some foods can exacerbate lymphedema symptoms because of the way they are processed and the additives or high salt content they contain. These foods include added sugars — specifically fructose — refined grains, chemically modified fats and most animal and dairy products.

What should you not do if you have lymphedema?

Avoid trauma or injury to the affected area. Avoid heavy lifting with the affected arm. No new tattoos in the affected area. Do not wear tight clothing, bands, shoes, or jewelry on the affected area.

Is walking good for edema?

The best weapon in the fight against swollen legs is a simple one: walking. Getting your legs moving means circulation is improved which will sweep up that collected fluid and get it shifted.

What foods are good to reduce edema?

Eat natural diuretic vegetables, including asparagus, parsley, beets, grapes, green beans, leafy greens, pineapple, pumpkin, onion, leeks, and garlic. Some of these foods may interact with diuretic medications. Eat antioxidant foods, such as blueberries, cherries, tomatoes, squash, and bell peppers.

Can too much insulin cause feet to swell?

Generalized edema due to water retention is a very rare complication of insulin therapy. It affects mainly patients with newly diagnosed diabetes or patients with chronic hyperglycemia following initiation of insulin therapy. When it occurs, it is treated effectively with diuretics.