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.
The starting point of preventing complications is to ensure that the blood sugar levels are well controlled. Taking oral hypoglycemic medication (or insulin) as prescribed by your physician should is a must. Make sure that you monitor your blood glucose levels on a regular basis to ensure that the drugs are indeed having a beneficial effect. Honor appointments with your physician so that any existing problems can be identified early.
Persons suffering from diabetes need to inspect their feet daily. The reduced sensation may mean that you will not be aware of cuts, bruises or burn injuries until they have become infected. The regular inspection will help one identify the injuries early enough so that treatment can be initiated in timely fashion. You may need to use a magnifying mirror to inspect the bottom of the feet.
Once the foot has been affected, there are a number of things that can be done. In case of an active infection, oral antibiotics are often adequate except in cases where the infection is extensive. In the latter instance, intravenous antibiotics in an inpatient facility are often used. Most wound care centers adopt a multidisciplinary approach in dealing with this problem. Such a team would comprise a physician, a surgeon, a nutritionist and a nurse among others.
Ill-fitting shoes have been identified as a common cause of complications among persons with diabetes. Ensure that you have shoes that do not exert excessive pressure on your feet as this will increase the chances of ulcer formation. Visit a podiatrist (foot doctor) to help you in choosing the right shoe type for your case. This is especially important for persons that already have problems such as hammer toes, bunions and flat feet.
Keep your feet moistened at all times. This will help prevent excessive drying and cracking. As you do this, keep the spaces between the toes as dry as possible so as to keep away fungal infections. Socks greatly help in maintaining this moisture. The socks should be clean, dry and well fitting. If too, tight, there is a risk of compromised blood supply. Ensure that you change the socks 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.
The starting point of preventing complications is to ensure that the blood sugar levels are well controlled. Taking oral hypoglycemic medication (or insulin) as prescribed by your physician should is a must. Make sure that you monitor your blood glucose levels on a regular basis to ensure that the drugs are indeed having a beneficial effect. Honor appointments with your physician so that any existing problems can be identified early.
Persons suffering from diabetes need to inspect their feet daily. The reduced sensation may mean that you will not be aware of cuts, bruises or burn injuries until they have become infected. The regular inspection will help one identify the injuries early enough so that treatment can be initiated in timely fashion. You may need to use a magnifying mirror to inspect the bottom of the feet.
Once the foot has been affected, there are a number of things that can be done. In case of an active infection, oral antibiotics are often adequate except in cases where the infection is extensive. In the latter instance, intravenous antibiotics in an inpatient facility are often used. Most wound care centers adopt a multidisciplinary approach in dealing with this problem. Such a team would comprise a physician, a surgeon, a nutritionist and a nurse among others.
Ill-fitting shoes have been identified as a common cause of complications among persons with diabetes. Ensure that you have shoes that do not exert excessive pressure on your feet as this will increase the chances of ulcer formation. Visit a podiatrist (foot doctor) to help you in choosing the right shoe type for your case. This is especially important for persons that already have problems such as hammer toes, bunions and flat feet.
Keep your feet moistened at all times. This will help prevent excessive drying and cracking. As you do this, keep the spaces between the toes as dry as possible so as to keep away fungal infections. Socks greatly help in maintaining this moisture. The socks should be clean, dry and well fitting. If too, tight, there is a risk of compromised blood supply. Ensure that you change the socks 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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