ON Chiropractic
diabetes within nine years, so these
patients should be particularly mindful of
their diabetes risk factors.
Symptoms and Complications
to Watch For in Your Clinic:
Patients with undiagnosed diabetes
may present with some of the following
general signs and symptoms:
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Unusual thirst,
Weight change (gain or loss),
Extreme fatigue or lack of energy,
Frequent or recurring infections,
∞∞ Cuts and bruises that are slow to heal,
and,
∞∞ Tingling or numbness in the hands or
feet.
These signs may indicate that your
patient should see a physician or nurse
practitioner for a diabetes assessment.
There are additional specific symptoms
to be on the lookout for when assessing
a patient:
Darker Skin at the Back of the
Neck
Acanthosis nigricans is a brown to black
hyperpigmentation of the skin usually
found in body folds on the neck and
armpits. The edges are faded, rather
than clearly defined. This symptom can
indicate insulin resistance and other
endocrine syndromes. If you notice it
on one of your patients, they should
see a physician or nurse practitioner for
and feet become damaged after extended
exposure to high blood sugar levels.
Symptoms commonly experienced in
the toes and feet include sharp shooting
pains, burning, tingling, a feeling of
being pricked with pins, throbbing and
numbness to pain, heat or cold.
Numbness in the foot can also lead
to untreated foot problems including
blisters, ulcers, damage from ill-fitting
footwear, deformities to the foot’s bony
structure (Charcot foot syndrome) and
reduced range of motion. To learn more
and to see photos of what to watch out
for, consult the Clinician’s Brochure on
Diabetes, Healthy Feet and Your Patients
(http://guidelines.diabetes.ca/CDACPG/
media/documents/patient-resources/
diabetes-healthy-feet-and-yourpatients-feb2014.pdf) by the Canadian
Diabetes Association and the Canadian
Association of Wound Care.
Diabetes Management and
Resources for Your Patients
Regardless of the type of diabetes,
the core recommendations for selfmanagement are the same:
∞∞ Eat 3 meals a day with smaller
portions,
∞∞ Eliminate juice,
∞∞ Rema