Diabetes and Your Feet
Why
Does Diabetes Affect Your Feet?
Danger of Ignoring Diabetes Related Foot Problems
Diabetes is a vascular
disease which means that the vascular or circulatory system of the body is
affected. The circulatory system is responsible for sending oxygen to the
various parts of the body, including the feet. When that is affected, it lowers
the blood flow to the feet and hence the amount of oxygen that gets to the feet
also decreases.
Common
Foot Problems for Diabetics
- Diabetic neuropathy – Nerve damage to the legs and feet
- Gangrene – Tissue death due to lack of blood flow
- Footulcers – Open sores on the foot
- Charcot’s foot – Changes to the shape of the feet
Danger of Ignoring Diabetes Related Foot Problems
It is rightly said that
diabetics have to take good care of their feet. Due to the decrease in blood
flow to the feet, the feet could get numb. This means that even if there is an
injury to the feet, the person may not be aware of it.
Diabetics are also prone
to sores and foot ulcers that occur due to a decrease in blood flow to the
extremities. It takes a long time for an infection to subside for a diabetic.
Very often, infections like foot sores can fester and become septic and even
the area around it can get infected. The infection can also spread very rapidly
as the body of a diabetic doesn’t heal quickly.
How
to Prevent Diabetes Related Foot Problems
Diabetics have to be very
careful with their feet because of the aforementioned reasons. They should
ensure that they follow proper foot hygiene. They should make sure that their
feet are looked after and any problems that arise are tended to immediately.
They should see a podiatrist regularly if they are prone to foot problems and
ensure that there is nothing to worry about. Problems like ingrown toe nails, cuts,
sores or red spots, corns, calluses and plantar warts should all be treated immediately and the problem nipped in the bud.
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