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| Diabetes Foot Care |
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When you have diabetes, blood sugar levels are higher than normal. Over a period of time, high blood sugar levels can damage the blood vessels and nerves in the body. Damage to your nerves means burning pain or loss of feeling in a part of your body (diabetic neuropathy) and damage to the blood vessels in your feet means that your feet may not be getting a good supply of blood. Proper foot care is very important as poor foot care with diabetes can lead to serious health problems, including gangrene and foot or leg amputation.
Here are some diabetes foot care tips to follow:
- Work with your health care team to keep your blood glucose in your target range.
- Check your feet every day. Look at your bare feet for red spots, cuts, swelling, and blisters. If you cannot see the bottoms of your feet, use a mirror or ask someone for help.
- Be more active. Plan your physical activity program with your health team.
- Wash your feet every day. Dry them carefully, especially between the toes.
- Keep your skin soft and smooth. Rub a thin coat of skin lotion over the tops and bottoms of your feet, but not between your toes.
- Check for ingrown toenails, corns, and calluses.
- If you can see and reach your toenails, trim them when needed. Trim your toenails straight across and file the edges with an emery board or nail file.
- If you get a blister or sore from your shoes, do not "pop" it. Apply a bandage and wear a different pair of shoes.
- Check for dry, cracked skin. Look for blisters, cuts, scratches, or other sores. Check for redness, increased warmth, or tenderness when touching any area of your feet.
- Never walk barefoot. Wear comfortable shoes that fit well and protect your feet. Check inside your shoes before wearing them. Make sure the lining is smooth and there are no objects inside.
- Walk and exercise in comfortable shoes. Do not exercise when you have open sores on your feet.
- Protect your feet from hot and cold. Wear shoes at the beach or on hot pavement. Don't put your feet into hot water. Test water before putting your feet in it just as you would before bathing a baby. Never use hot water bottles, heating pads, or electric blankets. You can burn your feet without realizing it.
- Report foot injuries and infections to your health care provider immediately.
- Put your feet up when sitting. Wiggle your toes and move your ankles up and down for 5 minutes, two or three times a day. Don't cross your legs for long periods of time.
- Do not self-treat your corns, calluses, or other foot problems. Go to your health care provider or podiatrist to treat these conditions.
Because people with diabetes are more prone to foot problems, a foot care specialist may be on your health care team. |
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| About the Author |
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Dr Deepika Malik - Ayurvedic doctor & Executive Director of Life Century
Dr.Deepika Malik is the executive director of life century and director of Dr. Deepika's wellness clinic. She is an ayurvedic doctor practicing for last 10 years .She has done postgraduate diploma in preventive and promotive health care from Apollo hospital. She was associated with diet and nutrition clinic for a long time. She has keen interest in treating people with natural ways. (Herbs, diet and yoga)
Dr. Deepika writes weekly article in a leading newspaper. She has written a book on arthritis. Conducted many workshops on ayurveda and health and designed menu for corporates.
For detailed diet discussion or queries contact:
Email: drdeepikamalik@yahoo.com
Phone: 9810925457 |
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BHAVIN KUMAR, 27YRS, SOFTWARE ENGINEER IN MNC, NEW JERSEY, US When I came to India in December ‘06, I met Dr. Deepika for weight loss diets. And found that their dieting format was very different and easy for me to follow in US. Now I have lost 25kgs of weight and also have got lot...
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