Diabetes and Your Feet
November is Diabetes Month!
Many Americans are either diabetic or pre-diabetic. Among the many complications associated with diabetes are organ damage, circulatory problems, vision loss and feet problems. If you don't have diabetes, the best way to prevent it is to maintain a normal weight and a program of regular exercise.
Diabetes affects approximately 16 million Americans and is classified
into 2 different types: Type 1 and Type 2. Type 1 is usually associated
with juvenile diabetes and is often linked to heredity. Type 2,
commonly referred to as adult onset diabetes, is characterized by
elevated blood sugars, often in people who are overweight or have not
attended to their diet properly. People with diabetes should pay special
attention to their feet.
Neuropathy
Of the sixteen million Americans with diabetes, 25% will develop
foot problems related to the disease. Diabetic foot conditions develop
from a combination of causes including poor circulation and neuropathy.
Diabetic Neuropathy can cause insensitivity or a loss of ability to
feel pain, heat, and cold. Diabetics suffering from neuropathy can
develop minor cuts, scrapes, blisters, or pressure sores that they may
not be aware of due to the insensitivity. If these minor injuries are
left untreated, complications may result and lead to ulceration and
possibly even amputation. Neuropathy can also cause deformities such as
Bunions, Hammer Toes, and Charcot Feet. It is very important for
diabetics to take the necessary precautions to prevent all foot related
injuries. Due to the consequences of neuropathy, daily observation of
the feet is critical. When a diabetic patient takes the necessary
preventative footcare measures, he or she reduces the risks of serious
foot conditions.
Poor Circulation
Diabetes often leads to peripheral vascular disease that inhibits a
person's blood circulation. With this condition, there is a narrowing
of the arteries that frequently leads to significantly decreased
circulation in the lower part of the legs and the feet. Poor
circulation contributes to diabetic foot problems by reducing the
amount of oxygen and nutrition supplied to the skin and other tissue,
causing injuries to heal poorly. Poor circulation can also lead to
swelling and dryness of the foot. Preventing foot complications is more
critical for the diabetic patient because poor circulation impairs the
healing process and can lead to ulcers, infection, and other serious
foot conditions.
Treatment and Prevention Footwear and orthotics play an
important role in diabetic footcare. Diabetic footwear should provide the following protective benefits:
- High, wide toe box (high and wide space in the toe area)
- Removable insoles for fitting flexibility and the option to insert orthotics if necessary.
- Rocker Soles designed to reduce pressure in the areas of the foot most susceptible to pain, most notably the ball-of-the-foot.
- Firm Heel Counters for support and stability.
If you are a diabetic, you should be particularly alert to any
problems you may be having with your feet. It is very important for
diabetics with neuropathy to take necessary precautions to prevent
injury and keep their feet healthy. If you have diabetes and are
experiencing a foot problem, immediately consult your foot doctor.
Proper footcare is especially critical for diabetics because they are prone to foot problems such as:
- Loss of feeling in their feet
- Changes in the shape of their feet
- Foot ulcers or sores that do not heal
Simple daily footcare can prevent serious problems. According to the
National Institute of Health, the following simple everyday steps will
help prevent serious complications from diabetes:
Take Care of Your Diabetes
Make healthy lifestyle choices to keep your blood sugar close to
normal. Work with your health care team to create a diabetes plan that
fits your lifestyle characteristics.
Check Your Feet Every Day
You may have foot problems that you may not be aware of. Check your
feet for cuts, sores, red spots, swelling, or infected toenails.
Checking your feet should become part of your daily routine. If you
have trouble bending over to see your feet, use a plastic mirror to
help. You can also ask a family member to help you. Important Reminder: Be sure to call your doctor immediately if a cut, sore, blister, or bruise on your foot does not heal after one day.
Wash Your Feet Every Day
Wash your feet in warm, NOT HOT, water. Do not soak your feet
because your skin will get dry. Before bathing or showering, test the
water to make sure it is not too hot. You should use a thermometer or
your elbow. Dry your feet well. Be sure to dry between your toes.
Keep the Skin Soft and Smooth
Rub a thin coat of skin lotion or cream on the tops and bottoms of
the feet. Do not put lotion between your toes, because this might cause
infection.
Trim your Toenails Each Week or When Needed
Trim your toenails with clippers after you wash and dry your feet.
Trim the toenails straight across and smooth them with an emery board
or nail file. DO NOT cut into the corners of the nail or rip off
hangnails. If your nails are thick or yellowed, DO NOT cut your own
nails; have a foot doctor trim them.
Wear Shoes and Socks At All Times
Wear shoes and socks at all times. Do not walk barefoot, not even
indoors. It is extremely easy to step on something and hurt your feet.
Always wear seamless socks, stockings and nylons with your shoes to
help avoid the possibility of blisters and sores developing. Be sure to
choose seamless socks that are made of materials that wick moisture
away from your feet and absorb shock and shear. Socks made of these
materials help keep your feet dry. Always check the insides of your
shoes before putting them on. Make sure the lining is smooth and there
are no foreign objects in the shoe, such as pebbles. Wear shoes that
fit well and protect your feet.
Protect Your Feet From Hot and Cold
Always wear shoes at the beach or on hot pavement. Put sunscreen on
the tops of your feet for protection from the sun. Keep your feet away
from radiators or open fires. DO NOT use a hot water bottle or heating
pads on your feet. If your feet are cold, wear seamless socks at night.
Choose socks
carefully. DO NOT wear socks with seams or bumpy areas. Choose padded
socks to protect your feet and make walking more comfortable.
Keep the Blood Flowing to Your Feet
Put your feet up when you are sitting. Wiggle your toes for 5
minutes, 2 or 3 times a day. Move your ankles up and down and in and
out to improve blood flow in your feet and legs.
- DO NOT cross your legs for long periods of time.
- DO NOT wear tight socks, elastic, or rubber bands, or garters around your legs.
- DO
NOT wear restrictive footwear or foot products. Foot products that can
cut off circulation to the feet, such as products with elastic, should
not be worn by diabetics.
- DO NOT smoke. Smoking reduces blood flow to your feet.
- If you have high blood pressure or high cholesterol, work with your health care team to lower it.
Be More Active
Ask your doctor to plan an exercise program that is right for you.
Walking, dancing, swimming, and bicycling are good forms of exercise
that are easy on the feet. Avoid all activities that are hard on the
feet, such as running and jumping. Always include a short warm-up or
cool-down period. Wear protective walking or athletic shoes that fit
well and offer good support.
Communicate With Your Doctor
Ask your doctor to check the sense of feeling and pulses in your
feet at least once a year. Ask your doctor to tell you immediately if
you have serious foot problems. Ask your doctor or the Foot Solutions staff for proper footcare
tips and for the name of a recommended local podiatrist.
Medicare
If you have traditional Medicare coverage and diabetes, please contact us so we can explain your potential benefits under the Therapeutic Shoe Benefit for People with Diabetes (TSD). Medicare's TSD program generally allows one pair of shoes and three pair of protective orthotics each calendar year. If you are eligible for 2007, don't wait too long and miss your opportunity. We have the required forms and will file all claims on your behalf.
Free Gift Bag
If you have diabetes or know someone who does, please stop by and ask for a free diabetic gift bag. One per customer while supplies last.
is a shoe that not only looks good but gives you all the posture improvement and joint relief benefits of the other Chung Shi shoes and sandals. Chung Shis have been very popular and once you've worn them for a while, you'll know why. 
