Elevate your feet Elevating your feet stops blood from gathering in your legs and pushes the blood back toward your heart. You can elevate your feet by lying in bed or sitting on the couch. Use an ottoman, stool, cushions, or pillows to help get your feet as high above your heart level as possible.
Altering sleep position can reduce or eliminate symptoms. Modifications include sleeping in a recliner, with a pillow underneath the thighs if sleeping on the back, between the thighs if sleeping on the side, or under the stomach transversely if sleeping on the stomach.
To avoid hurting your skin, don't use a nail file, nail clipper or scissors on calluses, corns or warts. Don't use chemical wart removers. See your provider or foot specialist (podiatrist) to remove any of these issues. Cut your toenails carefully.
You will need to keep your legs elevated for longer periods of the day (possibly even complete bed rest). Absorbent dressings are generally not helpful as they can cause the wound to become soggy and encourage the growth of bacteria.
Wear socks in bed if your feet are cold at night. Do not use a hot water bottle or heating pad on your feet. Always check your shoes before you put them on. Look and feel inside them for anything that could cause discomfort or injury, such as pebbles, a torn lining, or rough spots.
Elevate your feet
Elevating your feet stops blood from gathering in your legs and pushes the blood back toward your heart. You can elevate your feet by lying in bed or sitting on the couch. Use an ottoman, stool, cushions, or pillows to help get your feet as high above your heart level as possible.
Take a stroll before bedtime
Taking a walk before bedtime or after dinner may help to keep your sugar levels stable through the night.
Drink more water
“Water helps your kidneys filter out excess sugar through urine,” says Khan. “So, the more hydrated you are, the more urine production you'll have, which flushes out sugar in the body.” Always opt for water instead of sugary drinks, like soda and juice.
Take care when cleaning your skin
Do not shower more than once a day, and for no longer than five minutes. Keep the water temperature below 37°C. If you bathe, use a moisturizing oil – try not to use bubble bath or bath salts.
The cause of the dawn phenomenon isn't clear. Some researchers believe the overnight release of certain hormones that happens naturally increases insulin resistance. That causes blood sugar to rise. The hormones are called counter-regulatory hormones because they have an effect that opposes the effect of insulin.
Because a wound can go undetected due to diabetic nerve damage, it may not be noticed right away, putting you at risk for infection. Diabetes also makes wounds slower to heal or not heal at all which can lead to serious complications.
Life expectancy is known as the number of years a person is expected to live. At age 50, life expectancy is 6 years shorter for people with type 2 diabetes than for people without diabetes. By meeting type 2 diabetes treatment goals, life expectancy can increase by 3 years, or for some, as much as 10 years.
For some people with neuropathy, the touch of sheets and covers can make pain worse. If your feet get painful at night, try wearing soft socks. Dr. Farhad also recommends diabetic socks, which are available in most drugstores.
If you take insulin or other diabetes medications, you may sometimes need to snack before bedtime to treat or prevent low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) during the night.
For example, NSAIDS like ibuprofen and naproxen can increase your blood pressure. And they can affect your kidneys, too, which is problematic because diabetes is a leading cause of kidney failure.
Water. Plain water is the best drink for everyone, but especially for people living with diabetes. It's naturally hydrating and free of carbohydrates and calories.
But there is one food that stands alone as the best snack for lower blood sugar: nuts. Nuts are delicious, nutritious and incredibly versatile as far as snack foods go. Plus, they can be stored at room temperature (or in the freezer for longer periods) and are great for grab-and-go snacks.
The fastest way to lower blood sugar is to take fast-acting insulin medication. Exercise can also help to bring down blood sugar levels quickly. Diet and lifestyle changes can help manage overall blood sugar levels, but for immediate action, prescription medication or medical assistance may be necessary.
Berries. Don't make your trip to the store fruitless. Dad jokes aside, foods like blueberries provide fiber and antioxidants known to lower blood sugar and inflammation. Similarly, one study found strawberries reduced diabetes complications like kidney disease and nerve damage.
When should people with diabetes stop eating? Try to avoid eating for 10 to 12 hours each night. For instance, if you eat breakfast every morning at 8:30 a.m., you should limit your evening meals and snacks to between 8:30 and 10:30 p.m. every night.
Foods that don't spike blood sugar as much include avocados, eggs, berries, nuts and seeds, dark leafy greens, whole grains, and fish.
We're going to cut to the chase: sleeping with your legs and feet up is NOT dangerous. In fact, sleeping elevated is a smart move, for many reasons.
Why does diabetes cause pain in your feet? When you have diabetes, high blood sugar levels can damage nerves and blood vessels. The nerves and blood vessels supplying the feet are long and delicate. Because of that, the feet — and especially the toes — often get affected first.
Foot massage therapy may be beneficial for those experiencing diabetic neuropathy. While more research is necessary, some evidence suggests massage can provide pain relief and improve circulation. Diabetic neuropathy refers to nerve damage that can occur due to prolonged periods of high blood sugar levels.