What are diabetes swollen feet/hands? 

Diabetes patients often get swollen feet or hands ("Edema").  This swelling normally occurs due to the presence of excess fluid in the body.  Typically, the ankles, feet or lower legs will swell, but any other area of the body can also swell up. 

It is important for a diabetes patient to see their doctor if they have swollen feet or hands or swelling in any other part of their body for a long period of time, because the swelling could be a symptom of a serious medical condition, including heart disease, kidney failure (Nephropathy), and other serious diabetes related  conditions. 

Swollen feet or hands are not always the result of a serious condition.  For instance, a diabetes patient might experience a temporary swelling due to eating too much salt or carbohydrates, taking birth control pills, or from regular periods or during pregnancy.  Swollen feet or hands can also be caused by an allergic reaction, or because of trauma to a limb, such as a twisted ankle or knee.