How To Take Care Of The Diabetic Foot

According to the American Diabetes Association, there are 25.8 million people living with diabetes. Diabetes is a condition characterized by blood sugar levels that are too high. Over time these high sugars cause complications that include heart problems, visual changes, kidney disease and nerve damage. One of the most common diabetic complications, is foot problems.

Diabetic patients suffer from many different foot problems such as infections, slow wound healing and amputations. These complications occur because hyperglycemia, or high blood sugar levels, cause damage to the nerves and the blood vessels in the feet. When this occurs, the patient cannot feel pain from open wounds and poor blood flow to the foot delays healing, resulting in foot infections that are difficult to treat and may need to be managed through amputations.

Good glucose control is the best way to prevent all complications from diabetes. To achieve this, the diabetic patient should eat the proper diet, check fingerstick readings regularly and completing routine blood testing to measure diabetes control. In addition, one of the most important ways to protect your feet from diabetic complications is by wearing proper orthopedic footwear.

When selecting orthopedic shoes consider these tips to find the perfect footwear!

Shoes should fit well but not too tightly. Shop at the end of the day to buy shoes that will accommodate for foot swelling. Also, look for footwear with a wide toe box to keep toes from rubbing.

Also, look for diabetic shoes with thick cushions and shock absorbing soles to prevent pressure sores on the foot.

Next find shoes with removable inserts so that orthotic devices can be inserted if these are recommended by your doctor to correct certain foot deformities, like bunions or hammer toes.

If you have diabetes, schedule an appointment with a podiatrist. This doctor is specially trained to inspect the diabetic foot for abnormalities, nerve problems and poor circulation. Only your podiatrist can recommend shoes that will best meet your individual needs.

Don’t forget to take good care of your feet through daily foot inspections and careful cleaning. Wear quality socks that wick moisture and are free of holes and seams. Invest in quality orthopedic shoes that fit properly. Good sugar control goes a long way in preventing diabetic complications. Be sure to stick to the diabetic diet and take medications as prescribed. Daily sugar checks are also important to keeping your sugars under good control. These little steps go a long way in preventing diabetic foot ulcers, infections and amputations!