Chronic pain in diabetics compromises level of self-care

The chronic pain that plagues many diabetics makes it difficult for them to focus on keeping their diabetes under control through exercise, healthy eating, checking sugar levels, taking medications and checking their feet for sores or wounds. Researchers claim that if the pain is treated, diabetics may be more likely to manage their condition through appropriate self-care. 60% of the 1,000 diabetic subjects (mostly males in their mid 60's) reported suffering from chronic pain which was present for most of the time for six or more months over the past heat. The pain was usually located in the back hip or knee. Almost half of chronic pain sufferers reported depression compared to 20% of diabetics without pain. Thus it is important to try to alleviate pain as much as possible to allow the patient to concentrate on self-care.

Source: summary of medical news story as reported by WebMD Medical News

Related Disease Topics:

• Diabetes
• Chronic pain
• Depression
• Back pain
• Hip pain
• Knee pain

Article Source Details

About: Chronic pain in diabetics compromises level of self-care

Date: 14 January 2005

Source: WebMD Medical News

Author: Miranda Hitti

URL: http://my.webmd.com/content/article/99/105228.htm

Related Medical Topics

This summary article refers to the following medical categories:

• Type 1 diabetes
• Type 2 diabetes
• Exercise
• Diet
• Medication
• Medication and diabetes
• Medication and chronic pain
• Medication and depression
• Medication and back pain
• Medication and hip pain
• Medication and knee pain
• Cause of depression
• Risk and back pain
• Risk and hip pain
• Risk and knee pain
• Risk and chronic pain
• Risk and diabetes

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