Written By: Satata Karmakar | Updated : August 26, 2025 1:33 PM IST
Medically Verified By: Dr. Gaurav Arsekar Medical Officer, Medicine Department, Hospicio SGDH.
Diabetes Symptoms In Feet: 8 Proven Steps To Prevent High Blood Sugar Induced Nerve Damage (Diabetic Neuropathy)
People with diabetes often experience foot complications. Diabetic neuropathy is one of the complications that arises due to consistently elevated blood sugar levels. It is the damage to nerves that could happen to someone with diabetes. It's common to know someone who has had to deal with losing a leg or foot to diabetes, or perhaps you even fear these potential consequences yourself. The good news is that proper foot hygiene can greatly reduce that risk.
Speaking to TheHealthSite.com, Dr. Gaurav Arsekar Medical Officer, Medicine Department, Hospicio SGDH, said, "Diabetics, along with those suffering from neuropathy, need to observe good foot hygiene. The hygiene of one's feet is very important, and in fact, it is a way in which one can prevent serious complications from diabetes and other dangerous conditions".
In this case, caring for feet is not enough, as managing diabetes requires managing one's blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, weight, diet, physical activity, and even mental health.
The effective solution is the diabetes care pathway, also known as ABCD-ESSS. It is a step-by-step outline of diabetes care. The pathway provides empowerment and guidance, allowing for self-care and self-management, which leads to better health and health outcomes over time.
Here are the top 8 steps that one must follow to keep their nerves safe and protected with high blood sugar levels:
The A1C test shows how your blood sugar levels have been on average for two to three months. Aim for 7% or lower as this significantly lowers the risk for nerve damage, kidney issues, and vision problems. Older adults or those at risk for low blood sugar tend to have their goals adjusted for safety.
High blood pressure silently fuels many diabetes complications, from heart attacks to kidney failure. Keeping it under 130/80 mmHg reduces these risks significantly. If you are taking blood pressure medication, an assessment for fall risk is required.
There are two sides to cholesterol: the "bad" cholesterol which can be lowered and the "protective" cholesterol which can be increased. Balancing both is key to ensuring heart protection from any damage. A balance can be achieved through medication and lifestyle changes.
A diabetes educator can literally change everything for you. From dietary and exercise regimes to medications and emotional struggles, sticking to a prescribed medication plan yields the best results.
Physical activities (even yoga and brisk walks) can improve the efficacy of insulin in the body. This can be supplemented alongside a balanced diet with limited sugars and refined carbs for optimal results.
Full heart health checking, lipid assessment, kidney screening, foot inspection, and eye examination should be done routinely. Early screening means that problems can be dealt with in a timely manner, and the problems that arise dealt with early are indeed less troublesome.
In the case of smokers, in the context of health, quitting smoking is one of the easiest and fastest methods.
Emotional and psychological lab results often require as much focus as the results from lab tests. Setting personalised goals and addressing stress, depression, and financial concerns with a skilled and compassionate care team can unlock new pathways for long-term healthcare solutions.
Long-term health benefits can be achieved through simple daily actions. Start with an inspection and check for cuts, blisters, and sores. Wash your feet as part of your daily shower and consider foot hygiene an essential part of the routine. Moisturising should be done on the tops and bottoms, but not between the toes. Lastly, keep toenails neatly trimmed. Incorporating these practices alongside professional guidance when necessary can significantly reduce the risk of foot problems and long-term complications.
