How Diabetes Affects Your Veins
Author: StrideCare Internal Team
If you’re one of the more than 100 million Americans who have diabetes or prediabetes, the effect of the disease on your veins probably isn’t your first thought. It may not even be in the top 10.
But as you learn more about your condition, the health of your veins is one of the main things you should keep an eye on — diabetic vascular conditions can have serious consequences.
Thankfully, the experts at StrideCare, with four Texas locations, know just how to help you in terms of both prevention and treatment. Here’s what you need to know about how diabetes affects your veins.
What is Diabetic Vascular Disease?
Diabetic vascular disease is actually a catch-all term that refers to several conditions that may affect your circulatory system when you have diabetes.
The high glucose levels in your blood that are caused by diabetes tend to weaken and damage your blood vessels over time, which can lead to inflammation and infections.
These problems often catch up to the veins in your legs first, but they can also affect the arteries in your heart, leading to heart disease and heart attacks.
Renovascular problems concern the blood vessels in your kidneys, while retinopathy can cause swelling that cuts off the oxygen supply to your retina, potentially leading to blindness.
Peripheral artery disease (PAD) can be a problem when too much plaque builds up in the arteries in your legs, reducing blood flow to your legs and feet. Diabetic peripheral neuropathy can cause you to lose sensation in your feet, and foot ulcers can be a complication as well.
How Can You Control the Effect of Diabetes on Your Veins?
Given all these serious problems that can arise with your veins because of diabetes, what can you do to prevent them from occurring?
It’s not enough just to take medication in an attempt to control your diabetes. You must proactively manage your lifestyle to keep the disease under control so these problems don’t cascade.
Your lifestyle modifications include taking your medication as prescribed and losing weight and keeping it off — this is one of the most effective things you can do.
You should also eat in a nutritious manner (decrease your fat and sugar intake), stop smoking, limit your alcohol consumption, and exercise regularly. Exercise has the dual benefit of keeping you healthy and giving you an opportunity to work out any stress that’s built up.
You should also have a team of skilled doctors available who can diagnose and treat any issues that crop up, especially with your vascular system. Call StrideCare today to set up an appointment at one of our locations in Webster, Sugar Land, Round Rock, or San Antonio.
We’ll get you on the path to good vascular health.
Prior to starting any new treatment or questions regarding a medical condition, always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health provider. This information is not a substitute for professional medical advice.
StrideCare serves the South Texas area including Houston, San Antonio, Austin, Round Rock, Bastrop, Brushy Creek, Cedar Park, Converse, Georgetown, Hutto, Kyle, Leander, Marble Falls, New Braunfels, Pasadena, Pearland, Pflugerville, San Marcos, Schertz, Houston, Sugar Land, Katy, Webster, Bay City, Clear Lake, Lake Jackson, The Woodlands, Universal City, Spring, Kingwood, Stafford, Conroe, Texas City, Cypress, League City, Bellaire, and more.
