Diabetes can lead to serious foot problems due to nerve damage and poor blood flow. Adding a podiatrist to your healthcare team is important because they can help you avoid these issues by catching them early on.
A podiatrist can perform a foot exam and check for problems like calluses, ingrown toenails, bunions and corns. They can also recommend proper footwear and help you manage your foot health.
1. Keeping Your Blood Sugar in Check
Keeping blood sugar levels in control reduces the risk of damage to small blood vessels and nerves. This damage can result in reduced sensation in the feet, slow healing of minor wounds and foot ulcers, and lead to structural problems such as clawed toes.
Perform daily foot inspections looking for cuts, blisters, redness or swelling. Wash your feet daily with warm, soapy water and dry them thoroughly, especially between your toes. Protect your feet by wearing comfortable, supportive shoes that fit well and wear socks made from moisture-wicking fabric.
2. Keeping Your Blood Pressure in Check
Diabetes often leads to poor circulation in the feet, which can lead to complications such as ulcers and structural foot problems. In addition, it can cause damage to the nerves that sense sensation and movement, resulting in loss of feeling in the feet.
Regular podiatrist visits, especially with a trusted podiatrist Oxley, can help you learn how to prevent these diabetic foot issues by advising on proper foot hygienic practices and recommending the right footwear for your feet. They can also teach you how to spot the early signs of diabetic foot complications, such as peripheral neuropathy.
3. Keeping Your Cholesterol in Check
As the old saying goes, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” This is especially true for people with diabetes.
High blood sugar levels interfere with supplying nutrients to nerves, including those in your feet. As a result, numbness and other symptoms can develop – sometimes quite painfully.
Podiatrists can help keep your feet healthy by educating you about proper foot hygiene, diet and footwear. They can also identify and treat problems that might otherwise become serious if left untreated. This preventative approach saves you time and money in the long run.
4. Keeping Your Weight in Check
Getting regular exercise and eating well are essential for managing diabetes. Aim for at least 30 minutes of activity that makes you sweat and breathe harder every day of the week. Also, remember to check portion sizes and choose healthier foods like unsweetened yoghurt or milk.
Inspect your feet daily for cuts, scrapes and changes in skin tone or thickness. This is especially important for diabetics since numbness can prevent you from feeling the pain of even the slightest injury. Keep your stress levels in check as well, as prolonged stress can cause blood sugar to rise.
5. Keeping Your Eyes in Check
Foot health is crucial for everyone, especially people who have diabetes or underlying foot conditions. Regular podiatrist visits help prevent problems from developing, such as tingling sensations and open sores.
If you notice any new symptoms, like sudden swelling or a tingling sensation that feels like ‘pins and needles’, be sure to see your podiatrist immediately. Ignoring these issues could lead to a serious infection. The best way to prevent this is to visit your podiatrist regularly and make sure you wear comfortable shoes that are easy to remove for examinations.
6. Keeping Your Hearing in Check
The foot is an important part of the body, and its health is vital for the entire body. It is important to seek treatment when any issues arise, especially if they are severe and ongoing.
Swelling in the feet can indicate poor circulation and could lead to more serious problems, including heart disease or clots. Numbness or tingling can also indicate nerve damage and should be treated promptly.
Your podiatrist will conduct a thorough examination of your feet, paying special attention to the spaces between the toes. Depending on your condition, they may recommend X-rays or other diagnostic tests.
7. Keeping Your Heart in Check
The chronically high blood sugar levels associated with diabetes affect the flow of blood to your feet. Poor circulation can prevent your feet from healing properly and may lead to infections or ulcers.
Keep up with regular visits to your endocrinologist, primary care doctor and foot specialist (podiatrist). Research shows that diabetes patients with good team coordination have a lower risk of serious foot complications. A podiatrist Gordon will examine your toes, feet and legs for any signs of numbness or other foot problems. They will also offer tips on maintaining good foot health.
8. Keeping Your Skin in Check
Incorporating daily foot inspections into your health routine is a great way to spot issues that could turn into more serious medical conditions. This includes washing your feet daily with warm, soapy water and thoroughly examining the tops, bottoms, and spaces between your toes for cuts, sores, swelling, discoloration, or temperature changes.
Since many people with diabetes lose sensation in their feet, it can be difficult to notice these early signs. Regular podiatrist visits can help. The old saying “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” definitely applies to diabetic foot care.
9. Keeping Your Knees in Check
The risk of amputation is greatly reduced when diabetes-related foot problems are addressed early and treated promptly. Including your podiatrist in your diabetes care team helps to keep you healthy and reduces the risks of serious complications.
Nerve damage (diabetic neuropathy) can lead to numb, insensitive feet. This means that minor cuts, blisters and infections might go unnoticed, making them more likely to turn into severe wounds. Your podiatrist can help you to prevent this by teaching you how to wash your feet properly, dry them and inspect your feet daily.
10. Keeping Your Legs in Check
Your feet carry the weight of your entire body and deserve to be checked regularly. If you have diabetes, you may need to see a podiatrist even more frequently to monitor and treat foot complications.
Foot exams can catch early signs of foot ulcers and other complications due to decreased blood flow or neuropathy. Keeping up with daily foot inspections and proper footwear can help prevent these issues from getting worse.
Your podiatrist can also offer nutritional advice to improve brittle nails and give you tips on breathable shoes for active lifestyles.