Joint Pain Diabetes

New Medication Side Effects – Diabetes Drugs As An Example

There are 2 side-by-side articles in the September 15th, 2015 issue of Internal Medicine News that highlight the risks of taking a medication that is newly on the market. I’ll start with the take-home message: Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Approval Does Not = Universally Safety. Specifically, the article by Kari Oakes entitled, “FDA warns of disabling joint pain from DPP-4 inhibitors” cites that popular diabetes medications such as Januvia, Onglyza, Tradjenta and Nesina can cause severe joint pain… pain so bad that some patients needed to be hospitalized. To be rational about this, there were only 33 cases of this severe joint pain. I imagine these medications have been prescribed to thousands or tens-of-thousands of Americans. However, that is of little solace if you are one of these 33 people. Next, the article by Bruce Jancin entitled, “Beware of skin complications of new antidiabetic drugs” discusses how the above mentioned diabetes medications along with Byetta, Tanzeum, Trulicity, Bydeureon, Saxenda, Victoza, Farxiga and Jardiance have unwanted skin side effects. These skin side effects range from a potentially fatal skin reaction called bullous pemphigoid to itching/redness at injection sites to fungal skin infections. In the case of the bullous pemphigoid reaction, it was only in 14 out of 2,754 patients (0.5%). However, the itching/redness was in 20% and the fungal skin infections were in 10% of patients taking the medication. What’s the point? Even though all of these unexpected side effects have occurred, ALL of these medications are FDA approved—meaning they can be prescribed by healthcare providers, filled by pharmacies and taken by people. To become an FDA approved drug, the medication must go through 3 phases of trials: Phase one is i Continue reading >>

What Causes Phalangial Joint Pains In People Living With Diabetes?

Joint pains are known as arthralgias and joint inflammation is known as arthritis. While the you can have arthralgia in arthritis, joint pain can occur without joint inflammation. Charcot’s neuropathy which can be seen in diabetes affects joints but commonly of ankle and feet, not phalanges. Diabetic cheiroarthropathy is stiffness of joints because of thickening of skin because of long-standing diabetes. Osteoarthritis can affect diabetics more but this mainly involves large joints such as knees and hips. If you have symmetric pain as well as swelling of the phalangeal joints, associated with morning stiffness, you need to be worked up for diseases which can cause symmetric polyarthritis (the commonest being rheumatoid arthritis). Continue reading >>

Arthritis Pain Relief: 23 Science-backed Natural Home Remedies To Try

iStock/Thinkstock Numerous studies have found that ginger can mimic NSAIDs, the front-line drugs for arthritis pain relief. It seems to work by curbing pain-causing chemicals that are part of the body’s inflammatory response—without side effects of medication. Use powdered, raw, or lightly cooked fresh ginger liberally on food. Make your own ginger tea by simmering slices of ginger for 15 minutes in a few cups of boiling water, or buy ginger tea bags at the supermarket. Eat inflammation-fighting foods iStock/Thinkstock Ditch the fast food, junk food, fried food, and processed food. A Swedish study of rheumatoid arthritis patients found that those who switched to a Mediterranean style-eating plan (think fresh fruits, veggies, whole grains, fish, olive oil, nuts, garlic, onions, and herbs) had less inflammation and regained some physical abilities as a result. Sniff some fragrant spices iStockphoto/Thinkstock Pleasant aromas like lavender can alter the perception of pain, studies show. Japanese researchers found that lavender reduces levels of the stress hormone cortisol, which can make you feel relaxed and less aware of pain. But lavender isn’t the only pleasant aroma that works as a natural home remedy. Korean researchers found that arthritis patients experienced less pain and were less depressed when they were exposed to the aromas of a variety of kitchen spices, including marjoram, rosemary, and peppermint. For a pain-soothing aromatherapy treatment, adding a teaspoon or so of one of these dried herbs to a quarter-cup of vegetable oil. Take a whiff frequently. Jupiterimages/Thinkstock It sounds counterintuitive, but if your hands ache, this simple kitchen task can relieve arthritis pain. First, dipping your hands in hot water can help relax muscles and joints an Continue reading >>

When Joint Pain Affects Your Diabetes Workout

I often teach patients who are referred to the diabetes self management program who have not exercised for most of their life. Age seems to be irrelevant since there are both young and old patients who do little physical activity besides sitting at their desk, computer or TV during the day. Some people have no physical problems but do not exercise due to lack of time, work and other responsibilities. We encourage flexibility for those physically able patients and teach that “exercise must become like brushing your teeth-just fit it in”. Others have physical limitations causing them to refrain from moving. Patients in their 60’s-80’s who attend the educational sessions are in acceptable physical shape but suffer from deconditioning since they were never active during their younger years. There are others who have balance issues, chronic arthritis, injured joints from carrying excess weight for years, lower back scoliosis, spinal stenosis and other orthopedic problems; these problems often prevent them from engaging in any type of daily movement or exercise program. Fibromyalgia is another common medical problem which hinders the ability to exercise. It causes pain in all joints with extreme fatigue and headaches. There is no known cause but it is documented that the problem may begin in the central nervous system. It takes months for a diagnosis with patients unable to have energy to move. Moving daily is an important part of the treatment for type 2 diabetes control; it should be done a minimum of 30 minutes, 5 times a week. Let’s look at alternatives to keep you active even if you have joint problems in addition to diabetes which may be slowing you down. Remember, if you do suffer from balance issues or severe orthopedic limitations, do not be afraid to use a Continue reading >>

Case Study: Reversing 11 Years Of Pain And Frustration With Type 2 Diabetes In Less Than 6 Months

I’d like to take a moment to recognize the incredible 6-month transformation of Cynthia Bronte, one of my clients working diligently at reversing insulin resistance. This is another story that reflects the amazing mental, physical and emotional transformation that can occur with a strategic approach to plant-focused high-carbohydrate nutrition. Diagnosis with Type 2 Diabetes Cynthia was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in 2003, in the midst of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), an acute life-threatening condition that typically marks the onset of type 1 diabetes. Cynthia’s symptoms of DKA were unmistakable, and included urinating more than 14 times per day, insatiable thirst and low energy. Cynthia was unaware that her fasting blood sugar was 5 times higher than normal, at 550 mg/dL (normal blood sugars range from 70 – 130 mg/dL). Treatment Protocol When Cynthia was first diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, she was instructed to consume a low carbohydrate diet in order to minimize blood sugar. She was instructed to eat foods that were high in protein and fat, while limiting her intake of fruits, artificial sweeteners, grains, pastas, rice, bread and cereal. As we’ve talked about in a previous article, she was initially instructed to minimize her intake of carbohydrates to minimize the amount of glucose that would eventually appear in her blood. Her diet plan followed what I refer to as “the linear diabetes nutrition model,” shown below. The problem with the linear model is that it does not address the underlying root cause of type 2 diabetes – insulin resistance. By eating a low carbohydrate diet, Cynthia was eating mainly fat and protein, resulting in increased lipid deposits in her liver and muscle tissue. In turn, increased fat storage in her liver and muscle resul Continue reading >>

Diabetes & Arthritis: Understanding The Connection

Type 2 Diabetes & Arthritis Work in the garden one day, and you’re stiff the next. Take a long walk, and your knees ache. It’s just part of aging, right? Yes—but having type 2 diabetes may have something to do with it, too. People with type 2 diabetes are almost twice as likely as people who don’t have it to develop osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis and happens when the cartilage that cushions the ends of your bones wears down. A 2013 study from the University of Erlangen in Nuremberg, Germany, followed more than 900 people with and without type 2 diabetes for two decades. They found that people with diabetes are more likely to develop arthritis severe enough to need joint-replacement surgery. Type 2 diabetes is more prevalent among people who are older and overweight, populations already at higher risk for arthritis. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 50 percent of adults 65 and older have been diagnosed with arthritis, and according to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), almost 26 percent of adults 65 and older have type 2 diabetes. But that doesn’t fully explain why people with type 2 diabetes have achier knees and hips. When researchers accounted for both age and body mass index (BMI) in their data, the connection between blood glucose and joint health was still strong. The conclusion: Diabetes must have a direct effect on the joints. “Diabetes on its own is a predictor for severe osteoarthritis,” says the study’s author, George Schett, M.D. Linking the Two Scientists aren’t sure why diabetes contributes to joint damage, but they have theories. People with diabetes— especially those whose blood glucose levels stay too high over time—tend to have difficulty in healing, s Continue reading >>

Did Diabetes Medicine Cause Terrible Joint Pain?

Type 2 diabetes has become an extremely common health condition. When doctors and patients are deciding which diabetes medicine might work best, it is important to consider the most significant risks as well as the benefits. One class of drugs to lower blood sugar, those that mimic the hormone incretin, appears to increase the risk for inflammation of the pancreas. Side Effects of Sitagliptin (Januvia): Q. I have been taking the diabetes medicine Januvia for type 2 diabetes for about four years. I’m now recovering from a nasty condition that I believe was an inflamed pancreas. Worse, I am suffering debilitating joint pain all over. I had no joint pain before and now I can hardly walk. I’ve also had a constant runny nose for these four years. What can I do? I have told the doctor about these problems but she hasn’t done anything. A. The problems you are experiencing are known side effects of sitagliptin (Januvia). Pancreatitis is very dangerous. Should You Stop Taking Januvia? The FDA warns that both pancreatitis and severe joint pain are grounds to stop the drug. The agency specifies that patients should not do this on their own, however. Before taking any action please consult your physician again. The doctor is supposed to consider whether it is appropriate to discontinue the medication. There are quite a few other possible drugs that can help control blood sugar and reduce your risk of side effects. She will probably be able to prescribe you a different diabetes medicine that doesn’t cause you these serious adverse reactions. We are sending you our Guide to Managing Diabetes so you can be prepared to discuss other options with her. Continue reading >>

Diabetes And Foot Problems Treatment And Complications

Diabetes and foot problems facts Two main conditions, peripheral artery disease (PAD) and peripheral neuropathy, are responsible for the increased risk of foot problems in people with diabetes. Symptoms and signs of diabetic foot problems arise due to the decreased sensation from nerve damage as well as the lack of oxygen delivery to the feet caused by vascular disease. Diabetic foot problems also include bunions, corns, calluses, hammertoes, fungal infections, dryness of the skin, and ingrown toenails. These problems are not specific to diabetes, but may occur more commonly due to the nerve and vascular damage caused by diabetes. Treatment depends on the exact type of foot problem. Surgery or even amputation may be required for some cases. Gangrene (dry gangrene) is tissue death due to absence of blood circulation. It can be life threatening if bacterial infection develops (wet gangrene). Many diabetes-related foot problems can be prevented by good control of blood sugar levels combined with appropriate care of the feet. How can diabetes cause foot problems? Both type 1 and type 2 diabetes cause damage to blood vessels and peripheral nerves that can result in problems in the legs and feet. Two main conditions, 1) peripheral artery disease (PAD), and 2) peripheral neuropathy are responsible for the increased risk of foot problems in people with diabetes. Peripheral artery disease (PAD), sometimes referred to as peripheral vascular disease (PVD), means that there is narrowing or occlusion by atherosclerotic plaques of arteries outside of the heart and brain. This is sometimes referred to as "hardening" of the arteries. Diabetes is a known risk factor for developing peripheral artery disease. In addition to pain in the calves during exercise (medically known as intermitte Continue reading >>

Bone And Joint Problems Associated With Diabetes

November is American Diabetes Month, a time set aside to raise awareness about diabetes and its associated risk factors. Did you know that if you are an individual living with diabetes, you are at higher risk for some bone and joint disorders? Certain factors such as nerve damage (diabetic neuropathy), arterial disease and obesity may contribute to these conditions, but often the cause isn’t clear. If you feel that you are experiencing any of these symptoms, talk with your endocrinologist or consult a board certified orthopedic physician who will take your medical history of diabetes into account when diagnosing your condition. Charcot Joint Charcot (shahr-HOK) joint, also called neuropathic arthropathy, occurs when a joint deteriorates because of nerve damage – a common complication of diabetes. Charcot joint primarily affects the feet. Symptoms include numbness and tingling or loss of sensation in the affected joints. They may become unstable, swollen or deformed. If detected early, progression of the disease can be slowed. Limited weight bearing activities and use of orthotic supports to the affected joint and surrounding structures can help. Diabetic Hand Syndrome Diabetic hand syndrome, also called cheiroarthropathy, is a disorder in which the skin on the hands becomes waxy and thickened. Eventually finger movement is limited. What causes diabetic hand syndrome isn’t known but it is most common in people who have had diabetes for a long time. Over time, individuals with diabetic hand syndrome become unable to fully extend their fingers or press their palms together flat. Better management of blood glucose levels and physical therapy can slow the progress of this condition. Osteoporosis Osteoporosis is a disorder that causes bones to become weak and prone to f Continue reading >>

Bone & Joint Problems Associated With Diabetes

Fall is here, and this brisk, cool weather has everyone inspired to take in a good dose of the great outdoors! Whether you go camping, take a nature hike, or just enjoy a nice stroll around the block to enjoy the autumn leaves, you can bet you’ll be putting your bones and joints to good use. But if you live with diabetes, these may not be activities easily taken for granted. November is American Diabetes Month, a campaign to raise awareness of the disease that affects nearly 26 million Americans. The following are some bone and joint problems associated with diabetes: Charcot’s joint Also known as neuropathic arthropathy, this condition occurs when nerve damage leads to joint deterioration. Charcot’s joint is primarily found in the feet, and can cause numbness, tingling, or loss of sensation. Nerve damage is a common side effect of diabetes, making diabetics at increased risk for Charcot's joint. Diabetic Hand Syndrome Also known as cheiroarthropathy, this condition occurs when the skin on the hands becomes thickened, resulting in decreased joint mobility. Those with diabetic hand syndrome may be unable to completely straighten their fingers at the joints or press their palms flat against one another. Diabetic hand syndrome is commonly found in those who have a long history of diabetes. Osteoporosis Osteoporosis is a skeletal disorder that leaves bones thin and weakened. Those with osteoporosis may experience fractures, poor posture, and height loss. Type 1 diabetics have an increased risk of developing osteoporosis. Osteoarthritis Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease that occurs when joint cartilage deteriorates. Symptoms include joint pain, swelling, stiffness, and loss of joint mobility. Type 2 diabetics have an increased risk of osteoarthritis, most Continue reading >>

Joint Pain And Diabetes

Connection Between Joint Pain and Diabetes and Ways of Dealing with the Discomfort Joint pain and diabetes often go together, mainly because of the latter’s impact on the muscoleskeletal system of the human body. Understanding how they relate to one another will make it easier to find a way to deal with both. Why diabetics suffer from joint aches Diabetes instigates changes to the tendons, ligaments, joints and bones of the body. More often than not, people who have diabetes feel the pain in their fingers, wrists, shoulders, feet, back, neck and wrists. Stiffness and pain in the joint are just some of the symptoms associated with diabetes. Joint swelling, deformities and difficulty in moving joints are also quite common for people with diabetes. Some of these problems are unique to people with diabetes, while others can also be experienced by those who are not diabetic. An overview of diabetes Before we move on to determining the best treatment options for joint pains associated with diabetes, let us first take a look at what diabetes really is. This condition is a metabolic disease characterized by high blood sugar which can be caused by the body’s inability to produce enough insulin or the inability of the cells to respond properly to insulin. There are three types of diabetes. The first one is what we call Type 1 diabetes, which is basically caused by the body’s inability to produce insulin. Type 2 diabetes, on the other hand, is the inability to use insulin properly or what is better known as insulin resistance. The third is gestational diabetes or the kind experienced by some pregnant women who have never had diabetes prior to getting pregnant. Symptoms of the condition There are various signs of diabetes, including frequent urination and almost-constant thir Continue reading >>

Glucosamine Supplements: Good For Joints But Possibly Risky For Diabetes

Glucosamine is a popular dietary supplement used by many who suffer from joint pain. Most dietary supplements make claims that aren’t backed by scientific research, but NIH reports that daily doses of glucosamine can lower pain. As a result, the supplements are recommended by many physicians. However, glucosamine is a sugar that uses some glucose processing pathways. It is processed mainly through the “Hexosamine Biosynthetic Pathway,” which is involved in both glucose transport and the development of insulin resistance-the main cause of type 2 diabetes.[1] Does that mean that these pills can be dangerous? A person with diabetes does not produce enough insulin to regulate blood sugar levels in the body. Without the right amount of insulin (which is what we mean by “insulin resistance”), glucose can not be properly absorbed and used, leading to too little or too much sugar circulating in the body.[1] More research is needed to determine whether glucosamine supplements can cause diabetes in healthy adults, but meanwhile, if you are already at risk for diabetes or have diabetes, you may want to think twice before taking glucosamine. Glucosamine is already used in laboratory settings and animal studies to induce insulin resistance for the purpose of studying the condition and drugs to treat it, so clearly scientists are confident it has that effect. We also know from animal studies that glucosamine interferes with the liver’s ability to control glucose production, glucose uptake by surrounding tissue, and insulin production in pancreatic beta-cell.[2] A study of healthy men and women taking 1500mg of glucosamine a day for six weeks, published in The American Journal of the Medical Sciences, concluded that adults who already have poor insulin sensitivity will inc Continue reading >>

What Can Cause Diabetes Foot Pain: Treatment, Symptoms, Prevention

"Diabetes can slow you down, it can make your life different. But it must not stop you!" Scott Verplank, an American golfer who comes up with these great words in his Type 1 diabetes conditions surely inspires many of the fellow people suffering from diabetes. However, it is also true when we look upon the entire condition of a patient with diabetes it is perhaps not the one which could keep him normal with his routine and life style. There are some really serious symptoms which keeps him restricted from many things in his life. Apart from all the major symptoms there can be one of the major troublesome signs seen with the diabetic foot where the blood flow to the foot gets restricted and in turn the foot gets deprived from oxygen and various other nutrients. This in turn causes severe foot pain that would trouble the sufferer greatly. There are many other reasons leading to the diabetes foot pain or diabetic foot pain which will be discussed in the article below. So this current article will revolve around the facts of Diabetes Foot Pain or Diabetic Foot Pain where we will be discussing on the facts about the foot pain in diabetes, various factors causing the diabetes foot pain or diabetic foot pain and also talk about the diabetic foot care so as to prevent and reduce the foot pain in diabetes. So let us go through the following array of the content and have an idea about the diabetes foot pain. Facts About Diabetes Foot Pain Or Foot Pain In Diabetic Patients: Though there are many factors causing diabetes foot pain, the Peripheral artery disease (PAD) and the Peripheral neuropathy are the two main conditions which might cause the increased risk of various foot problems in diabetic patients. There are increased chances of having the risk of ulcers and damage to feet i Continue reading >>

Joint Pain Warning With Some Type 2 Diabetes Drugs

HealthDay Reporter FRIDAY, Aug. 28, 2015 (HealthDay News) -- Use of a class of widely prescribed medications for type 2 diabetes is tied to severe joint pain in some patients, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration warned on Friday. The drugs -- sitagliptin (Januvia), saxagliptin (Onglyza), linagliptin (Tradjenta) and alogliptin (Nesina) -- come from a newer class of medications called DPP-4 inhibitors. The drugs can be taken alone or used in conjunction with other diabetes drugs, such as metformin. DPP-4 inhibitors help fight type 2 diabetes by boosting the amount of insulin the body produces after each meal, when blood sugar levels are typically high. However, in a statement, the FDA said the medications "may cause joint pain that can be severe and disabling," and the agency "has added a new Warning and Precaution about this risk to the labels of all medicines in this drug class." The FDA stressed that patients who take a DPP-4 inhibitor should not stop using the drug, "but should contact their health care professional right away if they experience severe and persistent joint pain." Doctors and other health-care workers should "consider DPP-4 inhibitors as a possible cause of severe joint pain and discontinue the drug if appropriate," the agency said. Type 2 diabetes, which is often but not always linked to obesity, affects about 95 percent of people with diabetes. As the FDA noted, "when untreated, type 2 diabetes can lead to serious problems, including blindness, nerve and kidney damage, and heart disease." Continue reading >>

Bone And Joint Problems Associated With Diabetes

If you have diabetes, you're at increased risk of various bone and joint disorders. Certain factors, such as nerve damage (diabetic neuropathy), arterial disease and obesity, may contribute to these problems — but often the cause isn't clear. Learn more about various bone and joint disorders, including symptoms and treatment options. Charcot joint What is it? Charcot (shahr-KOH) joint, also called neuropathic arthropathy, occurs when a joint deteriorates because of nerve damage — a common complication of diabetes. Charcot joint primarily affects the feet. What are the symptoms? You might have numbness and tingling or loss of sensation in the affected joints. They may become warm, red and swollen and become unstable or deformed. The involved joint may not be very painful despite its appearance. How is it treated? If detected early, progression of the disease can be slowed. Limiting weight-bearing activities and use of orthotic supports to the affected joint and surrounding structures can help. Diabetic hand syndrome What is it? Diabetic hand syndrome, also called diabetic cheiroarthropathy, is a disorder in which the skin on the hands becomes waxy and thickened. Eventually finger movement is limited. What causes diabetic hand syndrome isn't known. It's most common in people who've had diabetes for a long time. What are the symptoms? You may be unable to fully extend your fingers or press your palms together flat. How is it treated? Better management of blood glucose levels and physical therapy can slow the progress of this condition, but the limited mobility may not be reversible. Osteoporosis What is it? Osteoporosis is a disorder that causes bones to become weak and prone to fracture. People who have type 1 diabetes have an increased risk of osteoporosis. What are Continue reading >>