Diabetes and Blood Circulation?!
Question:
Diabetes and Blood Circulation?
Does anyone know how diabetes affect your circulation in exact terms?
Answers:
You are asking about what is called neuropathy. There are different types so I will try to keep this generalized. I am Type 1 diabetic. I have talked endlessly with my Endocrinologist and have spent many hours researching the effects and risks.
The major cause of neuropathy is high blood glucose levels. This is especially true if your glucose levels are high for long periods of time. Poor metabolism of this high amount of glucose in the blood causes a shortage of nitric oxide. Low nitric oxide levels leads to a constricting of blood vessels. This constriction leads to a diminished supply of nutrients to the nerve tissues. These tissues deteriorate and that results in a loss of sensation. Veins will also be constricted. They will harden and this will cause further diminishing levels of nutrients to the nerve tissues. It is a cycle that will continue, to the point of amputation, if not corrected.