Diabetes tingling fingers are a warning sign of serious complications that are beginning to occur. If you have diabetes and tingling fingers this should not be ignored. This is a sign that you have limited time to reverse the damage that has been caused. Unfortunately, many people ignore the signs of diabetes and tingling fingers which lead someday to very painful complications and the loss of limbs (OurMidland.com, 2012).
It is fairly normal to feel your fingers tingling after you have held your arm or hand in the same position for an extended period of time, but soon this tingling should go away. In tingling fingers diabetes complications, this tingling can stay for long periods of time, and sometimes even remain constant. This is usually a sign that the nerves are damaged, caused by years of uncontrolled blood glucose levels. If you have diabetes and tingling fingers, you should consult with your doctor right away (BetterMedicine.com, 2012).
Other Causes of Diabetes and Tingling Fingers
Common causes of tingling in fingers diabetes symptoms may be stroke. If you experience tingling fingers along with paralysis, confusion, weakness, or slurred speech, you should seek medical attention immediately. These are signs of a stroke, which can lead to a variety of complications.
Diabetes tingling fingers could be a symptom of focal neuropathy as well. Focal neuropathy is nerve damage in one single place. This condition is fairly common in diabetics. It is caused when a nerve is compressed, such as in carpal tunnel syndrome. This type of nerve damage can cause severe pain, but it normally doesn’t cause long-term problems (MayoClinic.com, 2012).
Tingling fingers may also be the result of poor circulation, a common complication in diabetics. Aside from diabetes and tingling fingers, signs of poor circulation are:
Numbness – Numbness can occur in the digits of the hand or the entire hand. These periods of numbness can last long or short periods of time but are reoccurring.
Discoloration – In cases of bad circulation your hand(s) may become very pale or even blue in color. This is a fairly common symptom of bad circulation.
Coldness – Hands and fingers may feel colder than other areas of the body when you have poor circulation.
Pain and Discomfort – The affected areas may become painful with poor circulation.
Sores – Anytime you have sores in diabetes, medical attention should be sought. Poor circulation may bring about sores or ulcers on your hands, fingers, or other affected parts of the body. This is due to the decreased blood flow (eHow.com, 2012).
Diabetes and poor circulation both decrease the body’s ability to heal and protect against infection. So, be sure and treat these wound thoroughly and get seen by a doctor. In fact, you should seek medical treatment for any of the symptoms and conditions listed above.
