Diabetic Foot Care Can Prevent Amputation

Take care of your feet!
Diabetic foot care is so important because as diabetes progresses, those who experience the disease may lose sensation in their feet.  This loss of sensation can create problems with wounds and infections that may lead to foot amputation.  The best way for someone who is diabetic to keep their feet is to prevent the causes of foot wounds and to control the diabetes itself.
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.

About The CareGiver Partnership. The CareGiver Partnership helps caregivers and their loved ones with answers to their caregiving questions, including information about home health care products and supplies, from our Wisconsin-based team of Product Specialists who are all current or former caregivers. The company’s Web site provides the largest online library of resources on subjects most important to caregivers — from arthritis to assisted living, and Parkinson’s to prostate cancer — as well as access to more than 3,000 home care products for incontinence, skin care, mobility, home safety and daily living aids. The CareGiver Partnership was founded in 2004 by Lynn Wilson of Neenah, Wisc. Visit http://www.caregiverpartnership.com to learn more or call 1-800-985-1353. 


1 comments:

Unknown said...

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.

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