November is American Diabetes Month! During this month communities all across the country team up to raise diabetes awareness. Diabetes has been known as one of the leading causes of death and disability in Americans, and one out of ten Americans live with diabetes. It has been known to cause kidney disease, blindness, nerve damage, and many more life-threatening problems.
Diabetes And Your Feet:
As we know diabetes can be very dangerous to the human body due to all of the problems that come with this disease, but it can be especially dangerous to your feet. Diabetes can cause nerve damage to your feet that takes away all feelings, and also it can restrict the blood flow to your feet. The smallest of cuts can be very serious when dealing with diabetes and your foot. If your feet are not treated properly this can ultimately end with your foot having an infection or non-healing wound, and you might put yourself at risk for amputation.
What to do to avoid serious diabetic foot problems:
Diabetes can be very harmful to your feet, but it doesn’t have to if you follow these very simple solutions that can help you to avoid serious foot problems:
- Inspect your feet daily: Check for any blisters, cuts, and redness or swelling.
- Bathe your feet in lukewarm water, never use hot water and also be very gentle when bathing your feet.
- Moisturize your feet, but don’t moisturize between your toes: Moisturizing in between your toes can lead to a fungal infection.
- Wear clean, dry socks and wear socks to bed
- Never walk barefoot
- Make sure you keep your blood sugar levels under control
- Get periodic foot care
By following these simple steps you can greatly reduce the risk of diabetic foot problems!
Symptoms of Diabetes:
Some common symptoms of diabetes include:
- Excessive thirst and hunger
- Frequent urination
- Drowsiness
- Dry and or itchy skin
- Blurry vision
Different Types of Diabetes:
There are three main types of diabetes:
Type 1 Diabetes: Type 1 diabetes is usually diagnosed in children, teens and young adults but a person can develop it at any age. This type of diabetes is believed to be based on autoimmune disease, meaning that a person’s immune system attacks the beta cells in their pancreas that produce insulin.
Type 2 Diabetes: Type 2 diabetes is caused by insulin resistance, meaning your body can’t produce insulin efficiently. This stimulates your pancreas to produce insulin until it no longer can, which then decreases your insulin flow leading to high blood sugar. The main contributing factors to this type 2 diabetes involves a lack of exercise, being overweight, and genetics.
Gestational Diabetes: Gestational Diabetes can only be found during pregnancy and is caused by insulin-blocking hormones that are produced during pregnancy.
Visit Foot and Ankle Surgeon of New York:
Diabetic foot care is extremely important, which is why you should make sure you are giving your feet the proper attention. If you are suffering from diabetes along with foot complications, you should have the best possible team of podiatrists on your side. With the help of our team at the Foot and Ankle Surgeons of New York, you’ll be in good hands. When you come in for an appointment, we can administer a full medical evaluation of the lower extremity. From there they can determine the proper diagnosis for your needs, and create the best possible plan of action. To learn more about how we can help, visit our website to schedule an appointment at one of our three locations!