diabetes
I
f you have diabetes, it’s
important to take care of your
feet and the rest of your body.
Checking your feet daily can
prevent serious problems.
People with diabetes can have
serious problems with their feet
that can a ect how easily they can
walk. ese foot problems can even
lead to amputation.
You can prevent many of these
serious problems by taking good
care of your feet and your health:
Manage your diabetes. Keep your
blood pressure, blood sugar (glucose)
and cholesterol under control.
Don’t smoke. Smoking reduces
blood flow to the feet. Ask for
help to stop smoking by calling
800-NO-BUTTS
(
800-662-8887
).
Make healthy food choices.
Stay at a healthy weight.
Be physically active every day.
Take your medicines even when
you feel good.
Have your doctor give you a
comprehensive foot exam every
time you visit. You should have this
exam at least four times a year.
Check your feet for sores and
other injuries every day.
Wear shoes that t right and do
not rub or pinch your feet or cause
blisters.
Never walk barefoot or while
wearing just socks.
Latest research.
Research
shows that diabetes often causes
problems with feet and legs, and
these problems can be severe.
In 2008 alone, more than 70,000
people with diabetes had a leg
or foot amputated. Amputations
in people with diabetes account
for more than 3 of every 5 of the
amputations of legs and feet not
caused by an injury, such as from
a car crash. People with diabetes
were eight times as likely to lose a
leg or foot to amputation as people
without diabetes.
How diabetes can hurt your
feet.
ese are some of the ways
that diabetes can harm your feet:
Diabetes reduces blood ow to
certain areas of the body, especially
limbs such as the legs, which
makes it harder for your body to
heal injuries.
Diabetes nerve damage may
cause you to no longer feel pain in
your feet, and you may not realize
you have a wound or injury that
needs treatment.
Diabetic nerve damage appears
to be more common in people who:
Have problems controlling blood
sugar levels.
Have high cholesterol.
Have high blood pressure.
Are overweight.
Are older than 40 years.
Warning signs.
Contact your
health care provider or a podiatrist
( foot doctor) right away if you have
any of these symptoms:
You may feel pain in your legs or
cramping in your buttocks, thighs
or calves when you are physically
active.
Your feet may tingle, burn or hurt.
You may lose the sense of touch
or not be able to feel heat or cold
very well.
e shape of your feet may
change over time.
e color and temperature of
your feet may change.
You may lose hair on your toes,
feet and lower legs.
e skin on your feet may
become dry and cracked.
Your toenails may turn thick and
yellow.
Fungus infections such as athlete’s
foot may appear between your toes.
You may have blisters, sores,
ulcers, infected corns or ingrown
toenails.
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
LIVING WITH DIABETES
Keep your feet healthy
2
family
health
