Diabetes is associated with a number of complications. Diabetic foot is a term that describes a complication of diabetes caused by cardiovascular and neurological damage in the lower limbs. A reduction in sensation of the feet predisposes persons with diabetes to frequent injuries. Poor blood supply complicates the problem further since the healing of these wounds is significantly delayed and they develop into chronic ulcers. There are a number of things on diabetic foot care Scottsdale residents should know.
Since the root cause of the problem is elevated blood sugar, the starting point should be to ensure that sugar levels are maintained within the normal range. It is important that you take your oral hypoglycemic drugs or insulin as prescribed by your doctor. Monitor the blood glucose levels regularly to determine whether the drugs are effective. Appointments with your general practitioner or endocrinologist should be honored as they provide an opportunity to evaluate the progress from time to time.
It is important to perform inspection of your feet at home daily. The physician (or nurse) should also schedule examination of the same feet at regular intervals. Due to reduced sensation that is caused by damage to the peripheral nervous system, one may suffer from injuries such as burns, cuts and bruises without knowing. Identifying any of these injuries in time will make it possible for helpful interventions to be undertaken.
For persons that already have wounds on their feet, treatment with the right antibiotics is needed. Oral antibiotics are usually sufficient for most cases. Admission to wound care centers may be needed in cases where the infection is extensive. In such centers a multidisciplinary approach that involves physicians, surgeons, nutritionists and nurses is adopted. Dead tissues have to be debrided (surgically removed) and the wound covered with special dressings so as to facilitate faster healing.
Choose your shoes carefully. Improper shoes may exert pressure on various point on the feet and increase the chances of ulcer formation. To get recommendations on what would best apply in your case, you may need to seek the services of a foot doctor ( podiatrist). This is particularly import if you have preexisting foot conditions such as hammertoes, bunions or flat feet.
Moisturizing your feet protects them from cracking. As you do this, make sure that the moisturizer does not get trapped between the toes because this will predispose to fungal infections. A clean and dry pair of socks helps in maintaining the moisture. Be careful not to put on socks that are too tight because they may interfere with blood supply. Change them daily.
There are a number of lifestyle changes that you can undertake. Regular exercise is among them. The exercise will help improve circulation in the lower limbs and will also lower sugar levels. Cessation of smoking is another important measure. This is because nicotine is one of the major components of tobacco. It has an inhibitory effect on wound healing and may increase the risk of non-healing ulcers.
Diabetic feet are among the most serious complications of diabetes. If not treated in good time, the condition may progress and even lead to amputation of affected limbs. Examining the feet thoroughly on a regular basis goes a long way in minimizing the risk of ulcer formation and infections. Always consult your physician when you encounter something suspicious.
Since the root cause of the problem is elevated blood sugar, the starting point should be to ensure that sugar levels are maintained within the normal range. It is important that you take your oral hypoglycemic drugs or insulin as prescribed by your doctor. Monitor the blood glucose levels regularly to determine whether the drugs are effective. Appointments with your general practitioner or endocrinologist should be honored as they provide an opportunity to evaluate the progress from time to time.
It is important to perform inspection of your feet at home daily. The physician (or nurse) should also schedule examination of the same feet at regular intervals. Due to reduced sensation that is caused by damage to the peripheral nervous system, one may suffer from injuries such as burns, cuts and bruises without knowing. Identifying any of these injuries in time will make it possible for helpful interventions to be undertaken.
For persons that already have wounds on their feet, treatment with the right antibiotics is needed. Oral antibiotics are usually sufficient for most cases. Admission to wound care centers may be needed in cases where the infection is extensive. In such centers a multidisciplinary approach that involves physicians, surgeons, nutritionists and nurses is adopted. Dead tissues have to be debrided (surgically removed) and the wound covered with special dressings so as to facilitate faster healing.
Choose your shoes carefully. Improper shoes may exert pressure on various point on the feet and increase the chances of ulcer formation. To get recommendations on what would best apply in your case, you may need to seek the services of a foot doctor ( podiatrist). This is particularly import if you have preexisting foot conditions such as hammertoes, bunions or flat feet.
Moisturizing your feet protects them from cracking. As you do this, make sure that the moisturizer does not get trapped between the toes because this will predispose to fungal infections. A clean and dry pair of socks helps in maintaining the moisture. Be careful not to put on socks that are too tight because they may interfere with blood supply. Change them daily.
There are a number of lifestyle changes that you can undertake. Regular exercise is among them. The exercise will help improve circulation in the lower limbs and will also lower sugar levels. Cessation of smoking is another important measure. This is because nicotine is one of the major components of tobacco. It has an inhibitory effect on wound healing and may increase the risk of non-healing ulcers.
Diabetic feet are among the most serious complications of diabetes. If not treated in good time, the condition may progress and even lead to amputation of affected limbs. Examining the feet thoroughly on a regular basis goes a long way in minimizing the risk of ulcer formation and infections. Always consult your physician when you encounter something suspicious.
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