Diabetes
and Your Feet

Diabetes has many complications, some leading to other serious health conditions. Diabetics need to pay particular attention to their feet.

We diabetics have to take special care of our feet, or we can find them troubled in

two ways: reduced blood circulation and nerve damage.

Here's what to look for and some prevention ideas.

Symptom:

If your feet are constantly cold, your legs are sore when you walk, or your feet hurt

in bed at night, you may be suffering from poor blood circulation. This, in turn, can

slow down the process of healing when you have cuts or other damage to your feet.

Prevention:

Staying physically active is one way to help improve your circulation. You also need

to control your blood fat and sugar levels, as well as your blood pressure. And of

course, don't smoke.

Symptom:

If your feet are numb, you have a burning sensation on the soles of your feet or pins

and needles in your feet, you have signs of possible nerve damage.

Foot nerves are the longest in our bodies and are therefore susceptible to damage

by diabetes. If these nerves are damaged, the feelings are lessened, so we could

have the cuts or blisters that can lead to ulcers, and we wouldn't even know about

it.

Prevention:

Check your feet regularly to be sure there are no signs of injury. If you develop

corns or calluses, have them treated immediately by a podiatrist. Wash and dry

carefully between your toes, and keep your nails trimmed and smooth.

Everyone likes to have their feet pampered, but for us diabetics it not only feels

good, it also prevents serious health problems in the future. So book that foot

massage now!