Suresh Gowda Suresh Gowda Asked 7 months ago

How do diabetics lose limbs?

My uncle, who has diabetes, recently had to get his foot amputated, and it was quite a shock for the family. We're trying to understand more about diabetes complications and how it can lead to losing limbs.

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5 answers

Sujatha Reddy Sujatha Reddy Joined Feb 2026 7 months ago
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It happens when severe nerve damage and poor blood flow prevent minor foot wounds from healing, leading to deep infections. Regular foot care and keeping blood sugar in check can prevent these extreme situations.

Karthik Iyer Karthik Iyer Joined Jan 2026 7 months ago

Up at 2 AM researching this because my dad has high sugar and won't listen to us about wearing slippers inside the house. High sugar basically kills nerve endings, so they can step on a nail and not even feel it until the infection spreads. It's terrifying, so please force your loved ones to get regular checkups.

Vikram Rathore Vikram Rathore Joined Jan 2026 7 months ago

My uncle unfortunately had to undergo a toe amputation last year. He had lost sensation in his feet and walked barefoot on a hot surface, which caused a blister that got severely infected before he even noticed it. We now make sure he always wears specialized diabetic footwear.

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Consult a internal medicine specialist

Anupama Roy Anupama Roy Joined Apr 2026 6 months ago

Just like managing thyroid, diabetes requires constant monitoring and routine blood tests to avoid long-term damage. Uncontrolled sugar damages blood vessels and nerves, leading to silent infections in the feet that can turn gangrenous. Please stay in touch with your specialist regularly.

John D'Souza John D'Souza Joined Jul 2026 4 months ago

Look, high glucose levels damage the nerves, a condition called neuropathy, meaning patients don't feel minor injuries on their feet. Because blood flow is also poor, the wound doesn't heal, gets heavily infected, and gangrene sets in. Daily foot inspection is a absolute must for every diabetic patient.

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