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Foot
Facts...
The
condition diabetes mellitus has been known for hundreds of
years, and much progress has been made in its treatment to allow
people with the condition to lead normal lives. Still, the number
of diabetics is increasing . Around 600,000 new cases are found
each year, not counting those whose condition is not known.
As an
important part of your body in daily use, your feet deserve
special attention. Close attention is even more necessary when you
have diabetes because there is a greater likelihood of serious
consequences. What is a minor wound to some people can turn into a
serious problem for a diabetic person.
In
cases where nerves are affected by the presence of diabetes, the
prospects can be even harsher. The nerves in the feet can be
damaged by diabetes so that injuries go unnoticed until they
become major infections!
The
key, then, to foot health for anyone with diabetes is constant,
careful attention to the feet.
Let's
look briefly at some of the more common foot health problems
encountered by people with diabetes...
 Infection
As already
mentioned, infection can present serious problems for
diabetics. A break in the skin may allow bacteria to reach
soft tissues or the bone. Diabetics can decrease their
vulnerability by proper diet, medications as required and
exercise.
Foot
Ulcers
Excessive
pressure or trauma may cause a small opening in the skin
of a diabetic known as an ulcer. This may be complicated
by poor circulation or neuropathy. Bacterial growth in an
ulcer may create a long lasting infection that can lead to
problems with the bone.
Vascular
Disease
Diabetes is
one of several factors that may contribute to premature
hardening of the arteries. Diabetes are prone to narrowing
of the arteries in the lower extremities. Signs of poor
circulation are pains in the calves while walking, loss of
hair growth on the toes, or the toenails becoming
irregular. Your podiatrist can help diagnose these
conditions. |
Neuropathy
People with
diabetes mellitus develop neuropathy - loss or dulling of
the senses in the feet. People with neuropathy have
difficulty in sensing hot and cold, sharp or dull. A
neuropathic person can walk with a sharp object in their
foot unnoticed until it sets up an infectious situation. A
hot bath or hot water bottle on the feet also can cause
serious burns for a person with neuropathy.
Treatment
of Ulcers
Conservative
treatment of ulcers may include bed rest and antibiotics
prescribed by a podiatrist or other physician. In
addition, your podiatrist may suggest foot supports to
redistribute the weight across the entire foot. When
ulcer-caused bone problems or gangrene continue, some form
of amputation may be necessary. With proper preventive
care, this usually can be avoided.
The
Brookdale Foot Clinic will help you take proper care of
your feet and work with you to assure that you're taking
the right preventive measures to keep you and your feet
healthy! |
| Staying
on Your Feet...
People with
Diabetes need to take special care of their feet and there
are a few rules that they can follow to improve foot
health and general health:
1
- Check your feet every day. Look for redness, swelling,
cuts or sores. If you can't check your feet, have a
relative or friend do it for you. As part of your daily
inspection routine, wash your feet and dry them well.
2
- avoid walking barefoot to prevent cuts and injuries
that may occur.
3
- Don't expose your feet to excessive heat such as hot
water bottles, hot water and hot sun (as in sun burn).
4
- Stay away from home remedies you can buy without a
prescription. For example, corn removing medications may
contain acid and this destroys tissue, causing an ulcer.
Keep your nails trimmed straight across and don't dig
into the corners of your toenails. The best time to cut
them is after bathing, when the nails are soft.
5
- Wear shoes that fit comfortably at the widest part of
your foot. Break in new shoes over a period of time, not
all at once.
6
- Get a foot examination periodically by a podiatrist.
7
- Exercise regularly. Walking is one of the best forms
of exercise for most diabetics. Check with your family
doctor and podiatrist to make sure it is right for you.
Following
these rules of careful attention to the feet will allow
people with diabetes to realize a full, active lifestyle.
Preventive care is the name of the game in treating
diabetes. For more information please contact us at
Brookdale Foot Clinic. We're here to help keep your feet
healthy and feeling great! |
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