Diabetics Need to Take Care of Their Feet - Ways to Protect Your Feet Now

People with diabetes understand the many things they need to pay special attention to as they manage their disease. There are many things to manage between doctor's appointments, lab work, checking their blood sugar, taking medications, eating healthy, and exercising.

However, if you have diabetes yourself or know someone who does, you should be aware of the special concern for feet health. The CDC says that almost half of those with diabetes have some form of nerve damage, and nerve issues are most common in their feet and legs. When you have nerve damage in your feet, you can lose feeling, and this is called diabetic neuropathy.

The problem of having little or no feeling in your feet is that you can damage them from cuts and sores, so you can injure your feet and not know it. People with diabetes will not heal as quickly as those without the condition.

Diabetic Neuropathy and Complications

Most people with diabetes can prevent serious foot complications. Regular care at home and going to all doctor's appointments are your best bet.

Diabetes poses a serious threat to those between the ages of 45 and 64. The threat comes from its impact on the blood sugar levels of those with the condition, but also from related health conditions and complications it can cause, such as:

• Eye damage
• Hearing loss
• Cardiovascular disease
• Kidney damage
• Increased risk of Alzheimer's

One of the more common related conditions is diabetic neuropathy or damage to the nerves in the outward appendages, such as the feet—these essential tips for protecting your feet with diabetes can help keep you healthy.

Check Your Feet Regularly

Nerve damage from diabetic neuropathy can cause numbness or a tingling sensation in affected areas. Because of this, someone can get an injury in the foot without realizing it. The wound can become infected, thus causing further complications. Injuries in the feet also may have trouble healing in this situation.

To counteract this, those with diabetic neuropathy or their caregivers must check their feet regularly. This way, they can identify and protect any cuts or bruises and recognize if a cut is not healing properly.

Practice Good Foot Hygiene

Keeping your feet clean is key to avoiding infections. However, it's important to avoid soaking them for extended periods, as this can make it more difficult for your feet to heal.

The best practice is to wash your feet regularly with lukewarm water. Using lukewarm water is important because the loss of sensation can make it difficult to feel the difference between hot and scalding water, leading to blisters. 

After washing, gently and thoroughly dry them, paying attention to the area between the toes. Then, apply a small amount of lotion to prevent dry, cracked skin.

Invest in Your Footwear

Proper footwear goes a long way for protecting your feet when you have diabetes. These are a few things you should look for in diabetes-friendly socks and shoes:

• Well-fitted without being too tight
• Ample arch support
• Thoroughly covers the top and bottom of your feet
• Has a good amount of depth at the toe
• Lacks seams that can scratch your feet
• Moisture-wicking material for socks

You should also avoid walking barefoot with diabetic neuropathy because it exposes you to obstacles like rocks, nails, and rough ground.

Manage Neuropathy

Simply taking steps to manage your diabetes will also help protect your feet in the long run. This means staying on top of taking your numbers, eating a balanced diet, and exercising regularly.

When choosing exercises, avoid high-impact sports since they can cause foot injuries. Instead, opt for low-impact workouts, such as strength training, tai chi, walking, yoga, and swimming. It also pays to help manage your stress levels and avoid high-risk activities like smoking. Both can impact your circulation, which can exacerbate neuropathy, further hampering your feet.

Neuropathy and Fall Risk in Older People

Falls are of one the leading causes of hospital visits and long-term care for older people. Elderly individuals are at greater risk of falling in general; adding diabetes and neuropathy can increase the risk of falls due to decreased sensorimotor function, musculoskeletal/neuromuscular deficits, and foot and body pain.

Research on falls and older people in long-term care facilities found those living in long-term care facilities found that 49% of falls when a person was walking, 24% while standing, and 21% while either getting up or lowering themselves. 

There is a significant link between diabetes and falls in the elderly in all settings. People with diabetes must take special precautions to take care of their feet. As they get older, they will see declines in their health and mobility problems that worsen when a person has diabetes. 

If you get diagnosed with diabetes in your 40s or 50s, don't ignore the problem, as aging itself will contribute to other health problems that will get more complicated with the condition.