Diabetic Feet
Of the numerous health risks associated with diabetes, diabetic feet complications are among the most prevalent. Diabetes commonly causes neuropathy, a condition characterized by the damage of nerves within the body. High blood sugar levels, over a period of time, can cause damage to blood vessels and nerves. As a result of this damage, diabetics may experience a numbness or tingling sensation in their extremities. While the numbness or tingling itself is not an immediate health risk to those diabetics suffering from neuropathy, many serious health problems – including diabetic feet complications may arise.
What Are The Risks?
Diabetic neuropathy in the feet will cause a patient to loose most sensations of pain. While loosing the sensation of pain does not sound entirely ominous, there are serious health implications. Pain is used by the body to signal abnormal activity or damage to parts of the body. Neuropathy also impairs nerves in the feet from properly regulating oil and sweat that usually lubricate feet. The combination of loss of sensation, impaired nerve functions, and poor blood circulation – a common side effect of diabetes, significantly increases the risk of injury to diabetic feet.
In the event that cuts, sores, or other wounds develop on the feet of a diabetic with neuropathy, a sufferer of diabetic feet complications may not immediately become aware of any such injury. In such cases minor cuts and sores may progress into infections, ulcers, or calluses.
It is crucial that those that suffer from diabetic feet complications regularly monitor the health of their feet and take important precautions to ensure that their feet remain free of injury or infection. Take the following steps to ensure that you remain free of the detrimental health risks associated with diabetic feet complications:
- Carefully and frequently examine the condition of your feet. Take note if any minor cuts or sores develop.
- In the event of the development of cuts or sores, take necessary steps to ensure that they do not progress to infections.
- Thoroughly and frequently wash and dry your feet.
- Take care when cutting your toenails. Be sure to avoid cutting into the corners of your toenails. Always cut toenails straight across.
- Use proper diabetes foot care equipment to ensure your feet do not develop complications.
Decrease Your Risk
A sure way to decrease the risks of developing complications related to diabetes, including diabetic feet complications, is to regularly monitor your blood glucose levels and maintain a healthy diabetic lifestyle. Blood testing supplies, especially testing meters and strips should always be available for testing purposes. As a supplement to testing, a healthy regiment of diet and exercise should also be implemented. Taking these steps will help you avoid the health and financial burden of diabetes complications.
Please keep in mind that this article on Diabetic Feet Complications is intended solely as an informational document; consult a licensed physician before making any decisions regarding the management of individual cases of diabetes.
Source: American Diabetes Association
http://www.diabetes.org/type-1-diabetes/foot-complications.jsp
Tags: diabetes complications, diabetes feet, diabetic feet, diabetic feet complications, diabetic foot
