Foot Care For Diabetics
By Sharon A Bell
Because of the disease, diabetics are prone to foot problems caused by neuropathy or damage to the nerves. This is characterized by burning, pain, and numbness in the feet and legs.
With loss of feeling, minor injuries can be overlooked and this could lead to serious infections that may require amputation. To minimize your risk of foot problems, here's what to do:
Examine your feet. Look at them every night or first thing in the morning to check for sores, cuts or other small wounds that could spell trouble later. Remind your doctor to do the same when you see him or her.
Keep them clean. Wash your feet daily with soap and warm water and dry them with a towel, especially the areas between the toes. By keeping your feet clean, you lessen your susceptibility
to infections.
Don't walk barefoot. Diabetics with nerve problems may not know if their feet are injured. You can avoid this by wearing shoes at all times. Choose comfortable footwear like soft leather or cloth shoes. Tight shoes and boots can cause circulation problems. The same goes for tight garters arid socks.
Never use corn removers. Caustic agents can cause chemical burns. Even a pumice stone and razor can harm a person with diabetes. Leave corns and calluses to your doctor.
Don't wait for things to get worse. If you have a cut, burn or other injury, attend to it at once. Wash it with soap and water, and cover it with a sterile dressing. If redness, pus or pain develops, call your doctor immediately.
Exercise. We know exercise is good for the body. That goes for your feet as well. This will improve circulation and make you feel better.
For over 30 years, treatment for Type II or non - insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) has remained the same. Patients were told to watch their diet and exercise to control blood sugar levels.
If they don't respond to these measures, which is what happens in about a third of patients, they were given oral hypoglycemic agents.
These drugs (which are also called sulfonylureas) lower blood sugar by stimulating the pancreas to produce more insulin. Depending on the drug(s) you take, their effects can last anywhere from 24 hours to 4 or 5 days after the last dose.
Side effects are rare and they are generally well-tolerated by diabetics. But in some instances, they can cause low levels of blood sugar or hypoglycemia. This can be dangerous in the elderly with heart or vascular disease.
"In my opinion, it's better to have your sugar a little higher than optimal than too low because low levels can impair brain function and, if severe and prolonged enough, can lead to loss of consciousness. It is especially dangerous in the elderly in whom it can result in neurological or cardiac crises," warned Dr. Isadore Rosenfeld of the New York Hospital in "Doctor, What Should I Eat?"
Since obesity is a factor in diabetes, it pays to lose weight. To help you shed those unwanted pounds, take Zyroxin, a safe and natural supplement that will maximize your weight loss through its unique fat-burning ingredients. For details, visit http://www.zyroxin.com
Sharon Bell is an avid health and fitness enthusiast and published author. Many of her insightful articles can be found at the premier online news magazine http://www.HealthLinesNews.com
