 |
| Take care of your feet! |
The most common causes of diabetic foot problems are shoes
that do not fit properly. They can rub
on feet creative blisters and red, sore areas that only get worse. Because diabetes can cause nerve damage, the
person who experiences diabetes may not even be aware that a problem is
forming. Poor circulation not only
creates a problem for the foot and the sensation in it, but also for the
delivery of antibiotics to treat any infections that may form in the foot. Smoking creates and additional problem as
smoking constricts the already problematic blood vessels.
Someone who experiences diabetes should make sure to examine
his or her feet for the signs of infection and wounds. Any blisters, warm or red spots and any
wounds should raise a red flag. By
talking with the doctor before these things appear, the person who experiences
diabetes can have a plan to deal with wounds and know at what point it is
essential to see a doctor.
Eliminating obstacles is a good way to avoid an
unintentional wound to the foot. Making
sure that things are picked up off the floor and that furniture is padded can
help prevent a physical issue that may facilitate the conditions that will make
an amputation necessary.
Toe nails need to be trimmed safely and correctly. Someone who experiences diabetes should keep
toe nails trimmed with toe nail clippers not scissors. The nails should be trimmed straight across
and far enough away from the quick that there is no chance of drawing blood.
Footwear should fit correctly and not rub anywhere on the
foot. A podiatrist can recommend a good
shoe store. There are also places where
someone who experiences diabetes can buy diabetic socks. These socks are specially designed to help
eliminate bunching, seam irritation and other types of issues that are commonly
associated with socks and shoes like dampness. Talk with your doctor about proper use and sizing of compression socks.
Exercise can be an important part of controlling diabetes as
a whole. Even though someone may
experience loss of feeling in the foot, that person should still find an
exercise program that works for him or her.
Consulting with a physician on exercise options and keeping in shape is
always a good idea. The doctor can
recommend exercises that will help control the diabetes and help the person
feel better overall.
For those who are diabetic, it is important to stop
smoking. The body and the feet are
already under enough pressure without having to deal with the poisons and
chemicals related to smoke. Not only do
people who smoke have exposure to cyanide and formaldehyde, but they also face
constricting blood vessels and a higher heart rate. Neither of those things is good for someone
who experiences diabetes.
Diabetic foot care is largely in the hands of the person who
experiences diabetes. By getting
informed and adopting healthy, preventative habits, he or she may never have to
experience living life without a foot.
Among those things that someone can do to help themselves is ask
appropriate questions of the doctor, stop smoking and eliminate those things
that may cause foot problems like poorly fitting shoes. Diabetic socks may also be a good choice for
someone who wants to look after his or her feet.
1 comments:
Elderly people with diabetes are especially at risk, with a common cause for injury being a mismatch between foot and shoe size, so diabetic foot care products is must.
Post a Comment