Why is it especially important to take care of my feet if I have diabetes?
CDC Diabetes ? Frequently Asked Questions ? Diabetes-Related...Nerve damage, circulation problems, and infections can cause serious foot problems for people with diabetes. Sometimes nerve damage can deform or misshape your feet, causing pressure points that can turn into blisters, sores, or ulcers. Poor circulation can make these injuries slow to heal. Sometimes this can lead to amputation of a toe, foot, or leg. Lower Extremity Amputation in People with Diabetes. Epidemiology and Prevention a professional journal article from the CDC
Related QuestionsWhat effect does Diabetes have on my feet?
footDrHorsley: Your Foot HealthIt is estimated that 20-25% of Americans who have diabetes will suffer from foot problems. People with diabetes will usually have very poor blood circulation, dry heels, leg pain, open sores on the feet, develop neuropathy (damaged nerves causing a loss of sensation), or see changes in their skin color. It is very critical that you see a podiatrist as soon as you are diagnosed with diabetes so that he or she can do a complete evaluation.
Related QuestionsWhy is it so important to keep feet dry?
Strabell - Active Dry FAQ'sMoisture can cause a lot of problems for feet. It fuels the growth of bacteria, which cause odors and the painful fungal skin condition known as Athlete's Foot. Sweat or outside moisture can cause even more severe problems in cold weather. Moisture has a thermal capacity 23 times greater than air, which means sweat or moisture on the skin pulls heat away 23 times faster than air.
Related QuestionsWhat are the most important things to do to prevent diabetes?
CDC Division of Diabetes Translation Web site Frequently Ask...The Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP), a major federally funded study of 3,234 people at high risk for diabetes, showed that people can delay and possibly prevent the disease by losing a small amount of weight (5 to 7 percent of total body weight) through 30 minutes of physical activity 5 days a week and healthier eating. For more information, see the National Diabetes Education Program's Small Steps. Big Rewards. Prevent Type 2 Diabetes Campaign
Related QuestionsHow are women especially affected by diabetes?
Diabetes Monitor - frequently asked questions: groups especi...Of the 18.2 million people with diabetes in the United States, more than half (9.3 million) are women. The risk of heart disease, the most common complication of diabetes, is more serious among women than men. Among people with diabetes who have had a heart attack, women have lower survival rates and a poorer quality of life than men. Women with diabetes have a shorter life expectancy than women without diabetes, and women are at greater risk of blindness from diabetes than men.
Related QuestionsHow are children especially affected by diabetes?
Diabetes Monitor - frequently asked questions: groups especi...Type 1 diabetes, which used to be called juvenile diabetes, is usually first diagnosed in children, teens, or young adults. In type 1 diabetes, the body's immune system attacks and destroys beta cells in the pancreas, so that they no longer make insulin. People with type 1 diabetes must take insulin every day. Approximately one of every 400 to 500 children and adolescents has type 1 diabetes.
Related QuestionsWhat are some recent improvements in diabetes care?
CDC Diabetes ? Frequently Asked Questions ? Diabetes Statist...Technology has given new solutions to diabetes care. Quick-acting and long-acting insulins provide more options for managing insulin-dependent diabetes. A wider range of oral drugs are available to treat type 2 diabetes. New monitors make it easier and more comfortable for people to test and track their blood glucose. External insulin pumps can replace the discomfort of daily injections. Laser surgery can treat diabetic eye disease and prevent blindness.
Related QuestionsHow can I take care of myself if I have diabetes?
DiabetesMany people with diabetes live healthy and full lives. By following your doctor's instructions and eating right, you can too. Here are the things you'll need to do to keep your diabetes in check: Test your blood sugar — Keep track of your blood sugar levels and talk to your doctor about ways to keep your levels on target. Many women report that their blood sugar levels go up or down around their period.
Related QuestionsI have Diabetes. How can FootHuggers help my feet?
FootHuggers Comfort Socks. FootHuggers Comfort Socks are hel...FootHuggers help in many ways. FootHuggers have no elastic. No tightness. No dents in your legs caused from tight elastic. Better circulation. FootHuggers help your feet stay warmer, improving circulation and sensing. FootHuggers cushion every step, relieving foot pain.
Related QuestionsIs it true that diabetics have to take special care of their feet?
PGOA - FAQAll of us are likely to have problems with our feet, but diabetics may develop serious problems more quickly and have more complications, especially when circulation or nerves are impaired. The key for the diabetic is to view all foot problems as potentially dangerous and to prevent them or seek podiatric medical care as soon as they occur. Regular Diabetic foot care can significantly reduce the risk of limb loss in diabetic patients
Related QuestionsHow can I best care for my feet?
Diabetic Neuropathy, SVCMC; New York NYDiabetic neuropathy—especially peripheral neuropathy—initially may not cause any noticeable symptoms. If you have diabetes, it is important to have regular medical checkups to check for signs of neuropathy and treat problems before they become serious. Peripheral neuropathy tends to develop slowly over months or years. Symptoms may get worse during pregnancy.
Related QuestionsQuality Health | Diabetic Neuropathycopy; 1995-2006, Healthwise, Incorporated, P.O. Box 1989, Boise, ID 83701. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information. For more information, click here.Related Questions
a diabetic, how should I care for my feet?
Area Wide Foot and Ankle Center - Podiatrist, Bettendorf, IA...It is extremely important to exam your feet daily and check for the following conditions: (If you cannot see the bottom of your foot, lay a mirror on the floor and hold your foot above the mirror to see the bottom.) See your doctor immediately if you experience any of these conditions. Recognizing a problem and having it treated early is the MOST important factor. The LEAP (Lower Extremity Amputation Prevention) Program has free filaments available for testing for possible nerve damage
Related QuestionsWhat racial and ethnic groups are especially affected by diabetes?
Diabetes Monitor - frequently asked questions: groups especi...African Americans, Hispanic/Latino Americans, American Indians, Asian Americans, and Pacific Islander Americans are at particularly high risk for type 2 diabetes. In addition, gestational diabetes occurs more frequently in African Americans, Hispanic/Latino Americans, and American Indians than in other groups.
Related QuestionsHow are older adults especially affected by diabetes?
Diabetes Monitor - frequently asked questions: groups especi...we age, our risk for developing diabetes increases. Approximately half of all diabetes cases occur in people aged 55 years and older. Approximately 18.3% (8.6 million) of people in the United States aged 60 years and older have diabetes. Diabetes often leads to chronic conditions that eventually result in death, such as heart disease and kidney disease. Thus, diabetes is often behind, but not listed as, the cause of many deaths.
Related QuestionsWhy is it important to control type 2 diabetes?
ACTOplus met, A Type 2 Diabetes Treatment: Frequently Asked ...It is important to control type 2 diabetes because the buildup of sugar in the blood, if not controlled, can lead to serious medical problems such as kidney damage, amputation, heart disease, and blindness.
Related QuestionsHow Important is Treating Diabetes?
How to Diagnose DiabetesDiabetes is a disease which appears when in the blood the glucose level is high for a long time. Glucose can be brought to the organism by food, it is found in honey, sugar, and certain fruits. Generally the glucose is used by the body as an energy source.
Related QuestionsWhy is it important for people with diabetes to get an annual flu shot?
CDC Diabetes ? Frequently Asked Questions ? Staying Healthy ...Diabetes can make the immune system more vulnerable to severe cases of the flu. People with diabetes who come down with the flu may become very sick and may die. You can help keep yourself from getting the flu by getting a flu shot every year. Everyone with diabetes-even pregnant women-should get a yearly flu shot. The best time to get one is between October and mid-November, before the flu season begins. Links to non-Federal organizations are provided solely as a service to our users.
Related QuestionsHow can I take care of myself if I have gestational diabetes?
DiabetesTaking care of yourself when you have gestational diabetes is very much like taking care of yourself when you have other types of diabetes. But it can be a little scary when you're pregnant and you also have a new condition to take care of. Don't worry. Many women who've had gestational diabetes have gone on to have healthy babies.
Related QuestionsWhat should I do on a regular basis to take care of my feet?
CDC Diabetes ? Frequently Asked Questions ? Diabetes-Related...Look for cuts, cracks, sores, red spots, swelling, infected toenails, splinters, blisters, and calluses on the feet each day. Call your doctor if such wounds do not heal after one day. Cut your toenails once a week or when needed. Cut toenails when they are soft from washing. Cut them to the shape of the toe and not too short. File the edges with an emery board. Wear shoes that fit well. Break in new shoes slowly, by wearing them 1 to 2 hours each day for the first 1 to 2 weeks.
Related QuestionsezeeDiabetes - Foot ProblemsWash your feet in warm water every day. Make sure the water is not too hot by testing the temperature with your elbow. Do not soak your feet. Dry your feet well, especially between your toes Look at your feet every day to check for cuts, sores, blisters, redness, calluses, or other problems. Checking every day is even more important if you have nerve damage or poor blood flow. If you cannot bend over or pull your feet up to check them, use a mirror.Related Questions
Type 1 Diabetes: Living With the Disease, SVCMC; New York NYYou have type 1 diabetes because your pancreas can no longer produce insulin. When your pancreas was working, it adjusted the amount of insulin it made based on your changing blood sugar. However, insulin injections cannot control your blood sugar moment to moment, as your pancreas would. As a result, you will have high and low blood sugar levels from time to time.Related Questions
