Foot Problems in Diabetics

Diabetes is an ailment caused by the lack of insulin production due to failure of insulin production, or the inability of insulin to function regularly in its everyday performance. Insulin is a substance which the pancreas glands process from our food to turn into energy.

Approximately, there are 16 million Americans who are affected with 2 types of diabetes. Type 1 is often connected with juvenile diabetes and frequently linked to heredity. Type 2, however, is usually referred to as adult onset diabetes. It is distinguished by high blood sugar, or people who are overweight.

There are many complications that are associated with diabetes. It suspends the vascular system and affects many areas of the body such as the eyes, kidneys, legs and especially, the feet.

25% of the 16 million Americans diagnosed with diabetes often develop foot problems. Poor blood circulation and neuropathy cause numbness or loss of feeling of pain, heat or cold. Usually a diabetic who suffers from neuropathy suffers minor cuts, scrapes and blisters that he may not be aware of due to insensitivity. These injuries may lead to complications such as ulceration and even amputation. Neuropathy may cause bunions and hammer toes or other related foot deformities.

Diabetes frequently leads to vascular disease that slows the blood circulation. Contraction of the arteries decreases circulation over the lower part of a body, such as the feet and lower part of the legs. Reduced circulation adds up to diabetic foot problem because of lack of oxygen and nutrition supplied to the skin, and tissue leading to poor healing of an injury. It also leads to swelling and drying of the foot. Ulcers, infections and other serious foot injuries are more critical for a diabetic due to poor circulation that impairs the healing process. In a diabetic, footwear plays an important role.

It is a must for a diabetic to take precautions for preventing foot injuries. Diabetics must observe and take extra concern to reduce the risk of serious foot injuries due to neuropathy.

Since it is a necessity for a diabetic to take preventive measures, he must keep his feet healthy and free from harm. If you are a diabetic and may be suffering from foot problems, consult your foot doctor right away.

Proper care of feet is essential for diabetics because of being prone to foot problems such as foot deformities, foot ulcers, loss of feeling, and foot injuries that do not heal.

According to the National Institute of Health, there are a few simple ways to follow in preventing serious complications from diabetes. Keep a healthy lifestyle and follow a healthy diet, keep your blood sugar close to normal, check your feet for cuts, sores, red spots, swellings, and cuts that do not heal, wash your feet with warm water daily, wear socks at all times, protect your bare feet from extreme temperatures such as extremes of heat and cold, keep your blood circulating to your feet, being active, exercise regularly, and communicate with your doctor.