By Staff Writer
Diabetes is a much more common health condition than many of us realize. It affects millions of people worldwide, with its prevalence projected to increase to over 54.9 million Americans by 2030. Diabetes comes with a range of associated problems ranging from neuropathy to foot sores and ulcers.
A study on the risk assessment of patients with diabetes for foot ulcers shows that around 15% of all diabetic patients have experienced foot ulcers.
How Diabetes Affects your Feet
When you have diabetes, you have too much glucose circulating in your blood vessels. High levels of unused glucose can lead to diabetic neuropathy. It results in nerve damage in any part of the body. But mainly, this condition affects your feet and legs. Diabetic neuropathy can cause you to lose all sensation in your feet and leave you with a feeling of numbness.
When you lose all pain sensations, it is difficult to know if something is wrong with your body. For example, you may have a cut, blister, sore, or other foot problem. Unfortunately, you won’t identify it through the pain or discomfort that one usually does due to diabetic neuropathy. And this problem can become acute if left untreated for a long time. Diabetes can even lead to the amputation of your toe, feet, or a part of your leg.
Some Common Foot Problems with Diabetes
In his study published by the American Diabetes Association, Jonathan E Shaw and
Andrew JM Boulton says that foot ulceration and lower limb amputation are still widespread problems associated with diabetes. The infection due to these foot problems spreads quickly and leads to amputation. Here are some common foot diseases related to diabetes:
- Athlete’s foot
- Fungal infection of nails
- Calluses
- Corns
- Blisters
- Bunions
- Dry skin
- Diabetic ulcers
- Hammertoes
- Ingrown toenails
- Plantar warts
Understanding and preventing diabetes is thus essential to avoid amputation or other severe foot problems.
Tips for Avoiding Foot Problems Associated with Diabetes
The following are some tips that the Center for Disease Control [CDC] say will help in preventing some severe foot problems that may develop due to diabetes:
1. Carefully Wash Your Feet Everyday
One excellent practice for keeping your feet safe is washing them every day with warm water. Do not soak them for long, as it makes your feet vulnerable to bacteria. After making sure they are clean and dry, apply some lotion all over your feet. Do not apply the cream between your fingers and toes because it can lead to infection.
2. Maintain Blood Flow
Don’t sit in a position that restricts your blood flow. Try to keep your feet elevated when sitting and wiggle your fingers several times throughout the day to maintain proper blood flow.
3. Keep Your Feet Active:
Indulge in foot-friendly activities like climbing, running, swimming. Such activities maintain blood flow and keep the muscles of your feet healthy.
4. Protect Your Feet from the Extremes of Cold and Hot
Exposure to too much heat or cold could be hazardous for nerve endings. You may not even realize your feet are getting damaged until later. Practice protecting your feet from heat and cold if you have diabetes.
Foot problems are among the most common complications associated with diabetes, but simple steps, as outlined above, when practiced diligently, will prevent them from developing. We encourage you to learn as much as possible about the lifestyle changes that can even reverse a diagnosis of diabetes. Visit our website for more information. You could start by reading what our Prevention Specialist, Dr. Debbie Wallace’s article on diabetes says here,
