Diabetes is a disease in which your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels are too high. Glucose comes from the food you eat, and insulin is a hormone that helps glucose get into your cells to give them energy. With type 1 diabetes, your body does not make insulin. With type 2 diabetes, your body does not make or use insulin well. Without enough insulin, the glucose stays in your blood. This can cause a lot of serious complications, including the toll diabetes can take on your feet and legs. If you are struggling with sensation and mobility due to this illness, it may be time to contact Beyond Podiatry and explore your diabetic foot care options.
How Diabetes Causes Foot Problems
If your diabetes isn’t well managed, you can suffer from both nervous system and organ damage. When you have nerve damage, you’re less able to feel sensation in your feet. You may not notice pain, heat, or cold unless it’s severe. You may also have cuts or blisters that never get treated because you don’t feel them, and this can lead to diabetic foot ulcers and other foot-related issues. In severe cases, diabetes sufferers can lose toes, feet, or even their legs due to uncontrolled diabetic foot problems. For this reason, it’s very important that you closely monitor your feet for issues.
Diabetic Foot Care Treatments
Good diabetic foot care includes yearly visits to your Beyond Podiatry podiatrist. During your visit, your podiatrist will perform a thorough evaluation of your condition and discuss any ongoing issues you may have with your feet and ankles. It is important to monitor your condition yourself as well and visit urgent care if you start experiencing problems like swelling, bruising, or other discoloration, foot pain, or slow-healing wounds on your feet.
Homecare Treatments
Your podiatrist may have additional tips to help you enjoy optimal foot health in spite of your diabetes. Of course, it’s also crucial that you see your primary care doctor on an established schedule to make sure your diabetes is properly managed through lifestyle, medication, or supplemental insulin. Along with providing you with in-office care, your podiatrist may also recommend several home care tips such as:
- Inspecting your feet daily for injuries, cuts, or sores.
- Keeping your toenails closely clipped, straight-across (not curved).
- Wearing absorbent socks and supportive shoes.
Diabetic Foot Care in Michigan, Illinois, & Kentucky
Many diabetes sufferers have foot and ankle problems, with nerve damage being especially serious. The podiatrists at Beyond Podiatry are diabetic foot care experts, and they’re ready to help you with symptoms like pain, burning, and numbness. Find your nearest location and schedule your visit through the online tool or over the phone today.