The Diabetic Foot
Diabetes can affect many body parts, especially feet. According to the American Diabetes Association, about 24 million Americans (8 percent of the U.S. population) have diabetes. This is an increase of 3 million in about two years. And the growth in this area, which is very important that the diabetic patients to foot a very special care. A small problem in a healthy person can become a serious one to diabetes.
Diabetes can affect feet, and in many different ways. One is the lower immune response. This reduced the immune response may result in poor wound healing, or unable to fight infections. Infection is one of the most common complications reported, the diabetic foot. Early treatment of the infection is a key component of a complete success. If ignored, a foot infection can lead to gangrene, ulcers, osteomyelitis (bone infection), or even amputation.
Another complication of diabetes is the poor functioning of nerves. This is the so-called neuropathy, and put forward in two areas: 1) reduce the feeling of pain and temperature, may now burning, tingling, numbness, shooting or aching pain. This may cause patients to underestimate a foot problem, due to lack of regular pain. This may also lead to poor balance, as you do not feel the normal pressure to the feet. 2) failure of the skin caused by a decrease in sweat or oil released into the skin. This may lead to dry, cracking skin, can be more vulnerable to infection.
Third complications of diabetes is poor circulation in the foot. This can lead to wound healing or not, so that the high risk of diabetes.
These complications, foot ulcers are the most problems in the foot. Foot ulcers are skin defects and local inflammation or infection. They can be caused by a lack of circulation, infection, the lack of protection, and the renovation of improper shoes. A break in the skin without proper treatment, may become an ulcer. Patients with diabetes are at higher risk of developing foot ulcers.
And diabetic foot, wound small blister from wearing a tight shoe-shining this could lead to a lot of damage. Diabetes decreases in blood flow, so the injury is slowly healing. When you the wound is not healed, and the risk of infection it. As a diabetic, your infection spread rapidly. If you have diabetes, you should check your feet should be at least a day, preferably twice a day. Looking for puncture wounds, abrasions, pressure areas, redness, warmth, blisters, ulcers, abrasions, cuts and nail problems. Get someone to help you, or use a mirror. Diabetic foot care, can become very complex and good podiatric care is an essential component of the management of diabetes.
Here are some basic advice for the care of diabetic foot:
• Check your feet should be at least a day, preferably twice a day.
• Let your feet clean and dry.
• Always keep your feet warm.
• take extra care dry feet and toes after a bath. To pay special attention to the space between your toes.
• must be exercised. Walking is one of the best exercises for patients with diabetes, unless you have complications. If you struggle with the balance, the use of crutches.
• Always protect your feet and legs. Never walk barefoot. Re Shuiping, and to avoid heating pads.
• Do not overexpose skin the sun.
• If your skin is dry use moisturizing cream or lotion daily. Failure to do so, however, between the toes for.
• cut your toenails straight country, even with the skin on the end of your toes. Not to cut corners. If you can not see or reach your toenails have others do so for you. 1 podiatrist can often help with this.
• Do not use razor blades, knives, scissors or medicine corn / wart removed.
• Find redness, blisters, scratches, cracks between the toes, discoloration or any other change.
• avoid all actions to reduce circulation, such as tobacco use, sitting cross-legs and a circular flexible garters.
• Change your shoes and socks every day.
• wear shoes with soft shape, your feet.
• gradually "breakthrough" new shoes, to avoid blisters.
• Call us if you do not see any changes in your feet.
When you lose feeling in the foot, they are at risk of becoming deformed. One way this happens is through the ulcer. Open ulcer may become infected. Another way is the condition of the summer (pronounced "sharko") in the foot. This is one of the most serious foot problems, you may face problems. It distorted the shape of your foot, when you and differentiation of bone fractures, but you continue to follow it, because it does not hurt. Diabetic foot ulcers and early stage, the summer fracture can be treated, fundamental and non-surgical treatment measures.
As a diabetic, this is very important to protect your feet. You deserve to go, no pain or problems. Know how to protect your feet is the key.