October 19, 2024

Ep. 38: How Diabetes Affects Your Hands — From Trigger Finger to Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

7 minutes

Subscribe: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscribe to Dr. G's Rules of Thumb Newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Original Article: ⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠How Diabetes Affects Your Hands — From Trigger Finger to Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Summary:

In this episode, Dr. G discusses the significant impact of diabetes on hand health, particularly focusing on conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome and trigger finger. He explains the mechanisms behind these conditions, including the role of glycation and Advanced Glycation End Products (AGEs). The episode emphasizes the importance of managing blood sugar levels and offers practical strategies for preventing and managing hand issues in patients with diabetes.

Keywords: Diabetes, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Trigger Finger, Hand Health, Glycation, Blood Sugar Management, Nerve Damage, AGEs, Musculoskeletal Health, Diabetes Management

Takeaways:

Diabetes can significantly impact your hands, leading to issues like carpal tunnel syndrome and trigger finger.

By actively managing your blood sugar levels and incorporating preventive measures, you can protect your hands and maintain their functionality.

Unfortunately, diabetes makes the above hand and risk conditions more resistant to non-surgical treatment and makes surgery itself a higher risk.

Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when the median nerve becomes compressed, causing pain and numbness.

Patients with diabetes are nearly 10 times more likely to develop trigger fingers compared to the average person.

Maintaining healthy blood sugar levels is the most important step in managing diabetes effectively.

Regular physical activity controls blood sugar, increases circulation, and strengthens muscles.

Seeking professional help early can prevent complications associated with diabetes.

AGEs accumulate in tissues due to high blood sugar, causing irreversible damage.

Diabetes leads to progressive, universal damage throughout the human body, including the hands.

Chapters:

00:00 Understanding Diabetes and Its Impact on Health

01:34 Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: A Diabetic Perspective

03:50 Trigger Finger: Risks and Management

04:56 Managing Hand Issues in Diabetes

06:18 Key Takeaways on Diabetes and Hand Health

Disclaimer:

If you are having a medical emergency, call 911. Do not attempt to contact or obtain medical services through this site. This content is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute the practice of medicine, nursing, or other professional health care services, including the giving of medical advice, and no doctor/patient relationship is formed. The use of information on this site or materials linked from this site is at the user's own risk. The content of this site is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Users should not disregard, or delay in obtaining, medical advice for any medical condition they may have, and should seek the assistance of their healthcare professionals for any such conditions. The content is my own and does not necessarily reflect the views of my employer.

...more

View all episodes

By Dr. Nick Golinvaux

33 ratings