Diabetics Should Take Care Of Their Feet

According to the World Health Organization, there are 171 million people throughout the world with diabetes. This is expected to more than double by 2030. The top ten countries with diabetes are India, China, the United States, Indonesia, Japan, Pakistan, Russia, Brazil, Italy, and Bangladesh. Recent changes in lifestyle, both behavioral and environmental, are taking their toll on the health of the world.

The causes of diabetes are many. They include obesity, a sedentary lifestyle, heart disease, high blood pressure and high triglyceride levels. Then there is low high density lipoprotein (HDL), gestational diabetes, polycystic ovarian syndrome, impaired glucose tolerance and those whose family members have diabetes. The more risk factors one has, the higher the probability of getting diabetes.

Once diagnosed with diabetes, it is essential to take the disease seriously. The first thing the doctor will advise is a change in diet and exercise, usually with medication. Next, the doctor will refer you to a podiatrist, a foot doctor to help care for your feet. Why is there a concern that people with diabetes take good care of their feet?

Diabetics tend to have problems with their feet. Despite the tremendous advances in medicine, there are still many side effects, especially peripheral neuropathy. Up to 60 percent of diabetics develop nerve damage. Consistent control of blood glucose levels is the best way to prevent neuropathy, but once you have neuropathy, control of blood glucose levels will not cure the symptoms.

Peripheral neuropathy can begin with nerve pain that is either stabbing, or a chronic burning in the feet. The nerve damage can cause loss of feeling, making the diabetic able to hurt oneself without knowing it. The foot doctor will explain that loss of feeling in your feet makes it difficult to know if there are any sores on your feet. Left untreated, these blisters could become ulcers, and if ulcers are infected, hospitalization would be required and in the very serious cases, a foot surgeon would need to amputate the foot.

That is why it is so important to check your feet for injuries every day. If there is swelling, redness, or any sores let the foot doctor know right away. Wash feet with lukewarm water and mild soap daily and dry feet thoroughly, but gently. Keep feet smooth by using cream and should the skin crack, check with the podiatrist for treatment options.

At regular checkups with the podiatrist the diabetic will have their toenails cut. Then they will be treated for any calluses, corns or bunions. The podiatrist may recommend flexible foot orthotics early on. This will reduce the pressure on the feet.

Foot orthotics support the alignment of the feet and absorb the shock. The use of foot orthotics helps prevent tissue breakdown while allowing the diabetic to remain active. Once neuropathy is present, however, the foot orthotics are mainly for preventing excessive pressure on areas of the damaged feet. That is why it is so important for people with diabetes to take good care of their feet from the start.