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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 director of chain of wellness clinics and an award winning web portal www.Lifecentury.com (We won PC world web award 2008 for the web portal)
She is leading a team of doctors and nutritionist. She is an ayurvedic doctor practicing for last 12 years.
She has done postgraduate diploma in preventive and promotive health care.She has done a diploma in dietetics from Australia. She is leading a team of professionals, which include Ayurvedic doctors, Nutritionist and ayurvedic therapists. She is associated with diet and nutrition,Ayurveda and authentic ayurvedic therapies for almost a decade. She has keen interest in treating people with diet modifications and Ayurveda.
Dr. Deepika has written several articles in newspapers and magazines on food and health. She has written a book on arthritis. Conducted many workshops on ayurveda, diets, wellness and health in MNC's. She has appeared on indiatimes celebrity chat show several times. She appears on Pragya TV every fortnight on a live show- call for care from past 1 year.
She has also appeared on different print and electronic media channels. She has been quoted by Forbes India in their October issue. She has participated in 5 Th India health summit organized by CII
For detailed diet discussion or queries contact:
Email: drdeepikamalik@yahoo.com
Phone: 9810925457 |
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