I am worried that blood may not be properly flowing to my foot. What does this indicate? Diabetes?

I am 32. I am not overweight but when I wake up every morning the front part of one of my feet is swollen and hurts a little bit. But then after I walk around it is alright. But it still remains a little swollen. I am very worried. What could this mean?

It gets swollen if I sit down for a long period of time too.

When this happens on one side only, it rules out heart problems that cause swelling in the feet. It could be inflammation from arthritis, inflammation from keeping your foot rigidly flexed while sleeping, or edema from blocked lymph vessels or a damaged vein. I had a strange problem like this for a couple of years, and eventually figured out that in my case, it was caused by my dog sneaking onto the bed at night, and the weight of the dog was was pulling the blankets so tight across my feet, it was causing my ankle to swell.

definatley sounds like a poor circulation problem. what position do you sleep in at night? you need to go to a physician and have a doppler ultrasound done. if that doesn't show anything, your physician may want to do another test, a veinagram. have dye injected in the body and watch the dye profuse through the veins. this will show any problems. this doesn't really sound like diabetes. you may also want to wear ted hose while sleeping. these hose are used in alot of people, after surgery to prevent blood pooling in the lower extremities.

It does not need to be diabetes it could be blood circulation, i would say the best thing to do is get your blood tested for sugar and see your doctor.

It could be any number of things, go to your Dr and explain the problem. Good Luck.

Check your blood sugar.

Facts about Intermittent Claudication ("poor circulation")
by NSCG, Ltd.

Intermittent Claudication affects millions of Americans every year and is often the first symptom of peripheral vascular disease. It is an important disease to recognize because of its prevalence and the availability of many new nonsurgical treatment options. Although common, patients do not always report their symptoms, leaving the problem untreated. Furthermore, the presence of peripheral vascular disease in the legs may be a marker of similar disease in other organs, such as the heart and brain.

What is Intermittent Claudication?

Intermittent claudication is the primary symptom caused by underlying peripheral vascular disease ("hardening of the arteries" or atherosclerosis of the legs). It is usually described as a cramping, tightness or fatigue in the calves, thighs or buttocks, occurring primarily with walking, and relieved upon resting. Its onset is fairly predictable as it develops at the same distance traveled. With progression of the underlying disease, symptoms begin at shorter and shorter distances walked and ultimately, will even occur at rest.

Atherosclerosis has its onset very early in life with fat (especially cholesterol) being deposited beneath the inner lining (endothelium) of arteries. Over years to decades, as more fat is deposited, cracks form within and on the surface of these early plaques. Layers of blood clot then form over the injured (cracked) surface. Eventually, this layered plaque significantly reduces an artery鈥檚 central lumen (open area) and blood flow through the artery is reduced.

Not all leg cramping, tightening or fatigue is claudication. Severe impairment of the nerves exiting the lower spine and going to the legs can cause similar ("pseudoclaudication") symptoms.

What is the Natural History of Intermittent Claudication?

All tissues of the body require oxygen and nutrients to live and function normally; the legs are no exception. At rest, the tissues (muscle, skin, nerves, etc.) of the legs require only a modest amount of blood flow to provide for their metabolic needs. With walking, the metabolic needs of the legs increase, and blood flow must similarly increase to meet these increased demands. As plaque builds up in the leg arteries, blood flow (and its resultant oxygen and nutrient supply) decreases causing an altered metabolism in these inadequately supplied tissues (lactic acidosis) and pain.

Once blood flow is reduced to the point that even resting metabolic needs are not met, the leg tissues begin to break down and non-healing, open sores (ulcers) appear. Bacteria infest these sores and the resulting infection can spread into the blood stream (a life-threatening condition known as sepsis) or deep into the bone and muscle causing gangrene. These last conditions may require limb amputation as a life saving, albeit drastic, treatment.

As atherosclerosis is an inevitably progressive disorder, claudication will inevitably worsen