5. Numbness, Tingling, or “Pins and Needles” in Feet
What it means: Diabetic neuropathy (nerve damage from high blood sugar).
Why it matters: You might not feel a cut, blister, or pressure sore—leading to severe infection. Plus, autonomic neuropathy can mask heart attack symptoms (like chest pain), making cardiac events harder to detect.
Action: Check feet daily. Report new numbness to your doctor.
What You Should Do Now (If You Have Diabetes or Heart Risk Factors)
Check your feet daily—look for cuts, redness, swelling, or changes in color/temperature.
Never walk barefoot—even indoors.
Keep blood sugar in target range—this slows nerve and vessel damage.
Ask your doctor about an ankle-brachial index (ABI) test—a simple, painless way to check for PAD.
Control blood pressure and cholesterol—they’re just as important as blood sugar for heart health.
Prevention tip: Walk 30 minutes a day—it improves circulation and insulin sensitivity.
When to Seek Emergency Care
