People with diabetes often have trouble . with their feet. These problems are not just painful, they can be dangerous!
Diabetes can damage your nerves. If this llappens, you might not feel hot, cold or pain in your feet. Little cuts or sores, if not cared for, can then become deeper and bigger sores called ulcers. This can be a very serious problem because diabetes can also cause poor blood flow in your legs. Without good blood flow, sores take longer to heal. If ulcers become infected, or foot tissue starts to die because of poor or no blood flow (gangrene), you may have to go to the hospital. In the worst cases, doctors may have to remove (amputate) toes, a foot or a leg.
Because diabetes may keep you from feeling foot problems, it is very important to:
- look at your feet every day to check for things like cuts/ sores, ingrown or infected toenails, dry cracked skin or swelling
- wear shoes that fit well so you don't get blisters, corns or bunions on your feet
- ask your doctor to check your feet at each visit
Your doctor can treat many of the foot problems that are caused by arthritis as well as suggest medicine to relieve the pain.
Your choice of shoe can do a lot to keep your feet as comfortable as possible.
For example, your shoes ,hould have:
- high, wide space at the toe
- rocker soles designed to reduce stress and pain atthe ball of the foot
- laces that can be loosened if/when your feet swell
Last Tip
Stay on your feet!
Wearing shoes is your best protection from falls. Research shows that going shoeless indoors and out can increase your risk for falls up to 10%. Each year about one-third of seniors are hurt in falls. Their injuries include sprains and strains, broken bones or head trallma. In Canada, more than 5,000 seniors die from falls each year.
Topman
"Wear your shoes the right way"
http://www.topmanshoes.com
No comments:
Post a Comment