There are over 23 million American with diabetes, and another 57 million with pre-diabetes. Many argue that diabetes is becoming an epidemic. As technology continues to advance the efficiency of our world, it also takes away the need for physical exertion. In order to get the exercise necessary to stay healthy, we have to "go work out."
Most of us are dropping the ball on this; and thus, America is gaining weight. This combined with fast food and fat filled diets are causing diabetes to be on a continual rise. Unfortunately, many underestimate the severity of the disease.
Diabetes is a very serious condition that has many complications which includes blindness, cardiovascular disease, kidney failure, and foot ulcerations. These complications are acquired over time and greatly increase mortality rates. A person diagnosed with diabetes before the age of 40 will lose 15-20 years of their life!
Out of all of the complications linked to diabetes, the complication that causes the most hospitalizations is foot ulceration. Many of these ulcers may lead to amputations and this greatly increases the mortality rate. A person has a better chance of survival with colon or breast cancer than they do having a diabetic amputation.
There are several reasons why diabetes has such strong effects on the feet; all of these complications combine into a formula for disaster if one does take proper measures to protect their feet and their health.
Causes of foot ulcers: 1) Macrovascular/Microvascular complications. Diabetes is the inability of the body to control blood glucose levels. The rise in blood glucose, or hyperglycemia, is when there is excess sugar in your blood stream. This can facilitate clot formation and increase your chance of heart attack and stroke, but more commonly leads to micro vascular complication that decreases your blood flow in small vessels and in your extremities. A decrease in blood supply in an area, such as the foot, makes it difficult for your body to keep those tissues healthy.
2) Foot deformities. The excess sugar in circulation can deposit in tissues and joints and lead to foot deformation. Diabetics may see changes in their foot structure or feel pain with motion. In very serious cases, the foot develops Charcot's foot. In this instance, the bones in the foot are actually being destroyed. The deformity is often described as the foot becoming a" bag of bones." These deformations change how forces are applied across the foot. Normally, when walking, weight is nearly evenly distributed across your foot, deformations cause increases in pressure at certain areas. This facilitates tissue break down
3) Peripheral Neuropathy. Neuropathy is the loss of nerve function. The nerves most commonly affected are sensory nerves. Over time, diabetics experience nerve damage due to the increased levels of sugar. Initially, this damage presents as tingling and burning but eventually leads to loss of feeling. Thus, diabetics lose the ability to feel pain, the body's natural warning sign. It is very dangerous for diabetics to be unable to perceive a problem in the foot. For an example: If one steps on a piece of glass, they would be unaware and walk around on the glass all day.
Preventing Ulcers 101:
1) Controlling your blood sugar levels with diet and exercise is the best way to prevent all diabetic complications. When diet and exercise is not enough, there are medications that can assist your body in maintaining appropriate amounts of sugar in your blood.
2) Inspect your feet regularly. Look in-between your toes under and all around. Watch your feet for any changes in appearance, temperature, and feeling. Before or when changes are noted, contact a podiatric physician. A podiatric physician can help prevent and accommodate changes in your feet due to diabetes.
3) Avoid walking around barefoot, in sandals, or any other open shoes. This leaves your feet vulnerable to getting cuts, bruises, bumps, and infections. Diabetes is a multisystem disease that can cause many complications. Foot ulcers are highly prevalent, but also highly preventable. It is important to consult your physician to help you control your blood sugar levels. Podiatric Physicians are foot specialist that have extensive training in diabetic feet and wound care. They will provide you with the best care to prevent foot ulcers and amputations, the leading cause of diabetic hospitalizations.
Care for the feet is often overlooked by most people outside the cup toes from time to time. Out of sight is out of mind with regard to most people and their feet. This attitude is often performed by people who are diabetes, especially type 2 diabetes. However, it is extremely important that they take care of their feet. This section will examine the diabetic foot care, why it is important and guidelines for successful treatment and care.
There are many complications diabetes. They are not directly caused by the disease, but are indirect diseases and diseases that can range from annoying to life-threatening. Diabetes affects the blood and because the blood circulates through the body other problems arise.
Regarding the foot, there are two problems that may occur. The first is that the nervous system are affected. This is called peripheral neuropathy and the results more and damaged sinews. While your body can be affected by neuropathy, but the feet and legs are generally the most serious symptoms (which peripheral or external or end). This nerve damage can cause a feeling of losing feet. You lose sensitivity to detect hot and cold or feel normal aches and pains. It is partly why diabetics must check their feet regularly, because the body can not warn about problems using pain. It also means that the problems that go undetected are likely to be untreated and become infected. Potential small cuts could have aggravated, to grow or even gangrenous.
Another complication diabetes, which affects the feet is poor circulation. The inner walls of blood vessels are often marked by high blood sugar. This attracts plate and makes blood vessels more thick. This means that the blood circulation is more difficult. The consistency of high blood sugar is also believed to be thicker causing traffic problems. Blood carries antibodies and nutrients to the body, including feet. If this practice is problematic, the ends are often the most severely affected. This means that areas of the body as the feet take longer to heal.
Thus ongoing treatment and care must focus on two aspects. The first is to inspect your feet daily for any cuts. Keep things like nails and skin lasts (calluses) well-trimmed. This should be done by your health care provider. Always wash your feet well and dry them carefully, so that moisture is not conducive to the growth of bacteria.
Preventing any bruises or cuts occur in the first is often the best way to treat diabetic foot problems. Wear socks and shoes that are not vos pieds aggravating. There are shoes and socks that are designed for diabetes.
Help to circulate the blood in the feet. Things like using a simple step to maintain high will be useful. Avoid sitting in positions that May cut blood supply to the feet, legs crossed, for example. Do foot exercise every thirty minutes. Wiggle your toes, move your feet in a circular motion. Get up from your seat and walk around a bit.
The diabetic foot care is not so difficult. Check your feet daily, wear articles will not aggravate your feet and do exercises which promote blood flow.
Both Peter Wishnie & Jack Stanley are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Peter Wishnie has sinced written about articles on various topics from Fitness, Fitness and Anger Control. Dr. Peter Wishnie is a podiatrist who specializes in foot and ankle surgery. His office is in Piscataway/Hillsborough,NJ. His goals are to educate the public on the care of their feet and ankles and to get them functioning as quickly as possible. For more. Peter Wishnie's top article generates over 4400 views. to your Favourites.
Jack Stanley has sinced written about articles on various topics from Pets, Diabetes and Pets. Learn about and. Jack Stanley's top article generates over 201000 views. to your Favourites.