Foot Problems In Diabetics

An open wound that occurs in approximately 15 percent of patients with Diabetes, usually located on the plantar of the foot. The ulcer is caused by multiple factors such as; lack of feeling in the foot (neuropathy), poor circulation, foot deformities, friction or pressure and trauma. Also, vascular diseases can complicate a foot ulcer decreasing the body’s ability to heal and increasing the risk for infection. Abnormal levels in blood glucose can reduce the body’s ability to fight off a potential infection and also delayed the healing process. When you purchase new shoes, wear them for short periods of time initially to make sure they fit properly and feel comfortable. Diabetes affects millions of people of all ages each year. Diabetes damages blood vessels in many parts of the body, including the feet. When damage occurs to nerves in the feet, they may be unable to send the proper signals to the peripheral nervous system, resulting in a condition known as neuropathy. Once a diabetic patient develops neuropathy, it is imperative that the feet are well taken care of to avoid possible amputation of the feet. Once again, always check with your podiatrist if you have diabetes and questions regarding your feet. It is also very important to never to ignore sore feet , particularly if you have diabetes. According to a report, diabetes sufferer would frequently developed premature and severe arteriosclerosis. To make a long story short and to avoid the medical jargons, it was stated that a consequence of this is that a diabetic person would most likely have small and thinner arteries. The damaged arteries are not as efficient as those that are healthy and would not be able to ensure the smooth flow of blood. A possible result of this is that there is a risk of gangrene developing. (Falkel, Jeffrey E. (1983 ). Amputation as a consequence of diabetes mellitus. Physical Therapy, Retrieved July 10 2009) Monofilament tests, arterial insufficiency tests, and physical examinations of the feet can help identify at risk patients who may be prone to diabetic foot ulcers and correctly classify those that possess them. Crucial to helping reduce these risks are nail care, wearing properly fitting footwear, and good hygiene of the feet. Daily foot inspections by the patient is the basis for proper care, as is washing their feet with gentle soap and water. Moisterizers can help keep foot skin healthy and guard against the skin breaking down. The patient's doctor should examine footwear to ensure it provides the correctly required fit. Custom shoes may be necessary to allow needed support. Therefore, as you must have understood by now, it is very difficult to answer if diabetes is a hereditary disease. A combination of genetic and environmental factors play a major role in developing diabetes. You need to do is maintain a healthy lifestyle and follow a strict diet and exercise routine, especially if you have diabetes running in your family. Theseindividuals are ketosis prone under basal conditions. The onset of the diseaseis generally in youth, but it can occur at any age. Patients have dependence ondaily insulin administration for survival. Once you have completed your routine cool down with five minutes of stretching all the muscles you have worked out. Calluses and corns may grow in highly sensitive areas of the foot so extra care should be taken to avoid over filing the hardened skin so as not to include the otherwise soft parts and risk infection. This is especially true for people with diabetes. Diabetes, which tends to impair capillaries through which nutrients for feeding the skin are coursed, greatly increases callus formation and increases the risk of foot ulcers which can now be life-threatening if not treated delicately. Diabetic foot infections are the leading cause of diabetic limb amputation. Keeping off your feet is very important. Walking on an ulcer can make it get larger and force the infection deeper into your foot. Your health care provider may put a special shoe, brace, or cast on your foot to protect it. If your ulcer is not healing and your circulation is poor, your health care provider may need to refer you to a vascular surgeon. Good diabetes control is important. High blood glucose levels make it hard to fight infection. They occur in people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes , but usually arise much later after diagnosis in patients with type 1 diabetes