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Dr. Andrew Rynne
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Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Are Swollen Feet, Breathlessness During Sleep, Choking, And Daytime Sleepiness Normal For Someone With Diabetes?

Hello this question is for my mom (54 yr old)she just recently got diagnozed with diabetes..she gets alot of swollen feet,shortness of breath during sleep,sometimes she cant even sleep at night or wakes up from how shes choking,she falls asleep in the middle of a conversation. She has gotten lab work done and the only thing that came out wrong was diabetes. Are those normal side effects?
posted on Fri, 12 Apr 2024
Twitter Wed, 15 Oct 2025 Answered on
Twitter Fri, 31 Oct 2025 Last reviewed on
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Hello,

Swollen feet, breathlessness during sleep, waking up choking, and excessive daytime drowsiness are indicative of not only diabetes but something more serious. You have not mentioned whether she is overweight or hypertensive. Nevertheless, because she is diagnosed with diabetes and swollen legs, she needs an immediate cardiac evaluation like echocardiogram, ECG, chest X-ray, and BNP (brain natriuretic peptide) levels.

A sleep study (polysomnography) can help to diagnose sleep apnea. She is advised to get clinically examined by a GP; she is advised to get kidney and liver functions checked again for creatinine, urea, electrolytes, albumin, and urine protein.

In the meantime, keep her adequately hydrated, restrict salt intake and she should avoid sedentary lifestyle. She should do walking in the morning and evening. She is advised to take a balanced diet and avoid carbohydrate, fat, processed and packaged food.

Take care. Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Regards,
Dr. Nupur K., General & Family Physician
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Are Swollen Feet, Breathlessness During Sleep, Choking, And Daytime Sleepiness Normal For Someone With Diabetes?

Hello, Swollen feet, breathlessness during sleep, waking up choking, and excessive daytime drowsiness are indicative of not only diabetes but something more serious. You have not mentioned whether she is overweight or hypertensive. Nevertheless, because she is diagnosed with diabetes and swollen legs, she needs an immediate cardiac evaluation like echocardiogram, ECG, chest X-ray, and BNP (brain natriuretic peptide) levels. A sleep study (polysomnography) can help to diagnose sleep apnea. She is advised to get clinically examined by a GP; she is advised to get kidney and liver functions checked again for creatinine, urea, electrolytes, albumin, and urine protein. In the meantime, keep her adequately hydrated, restrict salt intake and she should avoid sedentary lifestyle. She should do walking in the morning and evening. She is advised to take a balanced diet and avoid carbohydrate, fat, processed and packaged food. Take care. Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further. Regards, Dr. Nupur K., General & Family Physician