Foot care for diabetics

Recently, diabetes has become one of the largest chronic diseases in the world. The main causes of diabetes are: sedentary lifestyle, genetic susceptibility, excessive dependence on harmful processed and packaged foods, obesity, lack of physical activity.

The feet of diabetic patients are in danger because diabetes can harm the blood supply and nerves. According to researchers, in 2013, about 383 million people worldwide suffered from diabetes. Diabetes increases the risk of stroke, heart attack, foot ulcers, eye damage and kidney failure.

What are the types of foot complications in diabetic patients? There are basically six types of diabetic foot complications, such as skin changes, neuropathy, calluses, foot ulcers, poor circulation, and amputation.

Content: This article was taken from the men’s health website ahealthyman.com

• Skin changes
• Neuropathy
• Calluses
• Poor blood circulation
• Foot ulcer
• Amputation
• Natural care for diabetic foot
• Daily monitoring
• Wash, clean and dry your feet properly
• Walking shoes
• Regular examinations
• Moisturizing foot cream
• Hiking
• Vitamin B

Skin changes

Diabetes can cause dryness and cracks on the skin. This causes changes in the color of the legs. When the blood glucose level becomes high, the body begins to lose fluid. This is because the body converts water into urine to remove extra glucose from the body. The skin becomes dry when the damaged nerves of the legs and feet do not receive a sweat signal. Sweating helps keep the skin moist and soft. Cracked skin increases the likelihood of infection, as germs can easily enter the skin through cracks.

Neuropathy

Neuropathy damages the walls of the tiny blood vessels of the nerves of the legs. This reduces the ability to feel cold, pain and heat. The main causes of neuropathy are repetitive injuries, metabolic disorders, physical trauma and infection. Some medications and toxins can also be the causes of neuropathy. The walls of the tiny blood vessels of the nerves of the legs are damaged. This reduces the ability to feel cold, pain and heat. Various other medical conditions that can lead to neuropathy include kidney disease, liver disease, excessive alcohol consumption, cancer, and HIV.

Calluses

Calluses on the legs are found on the thickened part of the skin. They are round and form in the bony areas under the toes. This often leads to diabetic foot pain, which can be caused by too much pressure on the skin. The main causes of corns are pressure and rubbing.

Poorly fitted shoes can lead to the formation of calluses on the upper part of the toes, and excessive running can lead to the appearance of calluses on the soles of the feet. Protruding finger bones, skin deformity and just thin skin – all this increases the likelihood of corns. Diabetic socks help to reduce this problem. Calluses should not be ignored, because once intensified, they can cause diabetic ulcers on the legs.

Poor blood circulation

Poor blood circulation occurs when various parts of the body do not receive adequate blood flow. In diabetic patients, high blood glucose levels can damage blood vessels. In many cases, plaques form in the blood vessels, and the blood vessels cannot supply enough blood to the surrounding cells. With diseases of the peripheral arteries, people face problems with poor blood circulation, which can also cause serious problems with the foot.

Symptoms of poor blood circulation are numbness of the feet, cold feet, pale blue skin color of the feet, hair loss on the legs, vulnerability of the toenails, cracked skin on the feet and slow healing of wounds. Other causes of poor circulation are smoking, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Exercise is useful for the treatment of poor blood circulation and stimulates blood circulation in the feet and shins.

Foot ulcer

Diabetic foot ulcer is one of the most well-known complications of diabetes mellitus, as well as one of the most important problems of diabetic foot. Peripheral artery diseases, smoking, neuropathy, poor glycemic control and ischemia of small blood vessels increase the likelihood of ulcers on the foot. Excessive pressure on the foot is the main cause of foot ulcers. Neglect of the ulcer can affect its increase, plus the infection can be absorbed deeper into the skin.

Amputation

Amputation is a surgical procedure in which parts of a limb, such as a foot, toe, are removed due to injury, infection, surgery and illness. People with diabetes are more susceptible to amputation than other people. In diabetic patients, high blood glucose levels can damage blood vessels. In many cases, during this situation, plaque forms in the blood vessels, and the blood vessels cannot provide enough blood for the surrounding cells. With diseases of the peripheral arteries, people face problems of insufficient blood circulation, which can also cause serious problems with the foot.

Natural care for diabetic foot

Foot problems require a lot of attention, as inflamed wounds increase the likelihood of infection. Try to watch your feet to avoid such critical problems as, for example, amputation of your limbs.

Daily monitoring

Every day before going to bed, carefully examine your feet to find signs of blisters, ulcers, cuts, scratches or any minor injuries that could lead to a serious problem. If you notice any abnormalities, consult a doctor the next day. But do not self-medicate and do not try to do operations in the bathroom, as this can further complicate the situation.

Wash, clean and dry your feet properly

If you observe proper hygiene of the feet by regular washing and cleaning, you can protect yourself from infection as much as possible. Even people who care about their health regularly skip proper foot washing in the shower. A clean leg is a healthy leg. Don’t forget to clean between your fingers, as brushing your fingers also reduces the chance of infection. The feet remain closed in shoes for a long time, and moisture and sweat increase the likelihood of bacterial infection. If we don’t wash our feet daily, it can cause unpleasant odors, other skin problems and fungal infections.

Walking shoes

Choose shoes that fit both feet and do not rub your feet. Foot care for diabetics should include the right choice of shoes and socks for diabetics. Patients suffering from ulcers on the foot should choose individual shoes that reduce the risk of developing ulcers on the feet in the future. A good pair of shoes on the correctness of the step technique, and also helps to reduce the pressure on the feet. You will get more pleasure from your walks.

Regular examinations

Every fifth person suffering from diabetes develops serious leg problems that require professional medical treatment. Diabetes usually damages the nerves of the legs and reduces the ability to feel discomfort or pain. Diabetes can cause circulatory problems that increase the likelihood of heart attack and stroke. Doctors consider changes in skin color, and also examine the space between the toes, since many infections start from there.

Moisturizing foot cream

Dry skin of the feet can be cured by proper use of a moisturizer. Regular wearing of sandals and a sunny climate reduce the likelihood of foot problems. Cream with cocoa butter and shea butter helps to reduce problems with dry skin of the feet. It is rich in antioxidants, and vitamin E antioxidants protect the skin by reducing the production of free radicals that can damage skin cells. Vitamin E is the most important antioxidant that neutralizes free radicals and also helps prevent cell damage. It also protects and regenerates the skin. Cocoa butter cream is effectively used to remove stretch marks. Use cocoa butter shea butter lotion daily for the skin of your feet.

Hiking

Daily walking helps to maintain the flexibility of ligaments and tendons, as well as strengthens the leg muscles. The muscles of the foot, like other muscles, need daily exercise to stay active for a longer period. Walking puts pressure on the legs. Diabetes usually damages the nerves of the legs, which reduce the ability to feel discomfort or pain. Diabetes can also cause circulatory problems. But regular walking helps to improve blood circulation and restore sensation in your legs.

Vitamin B

Vitamin B12 deficiency can cause diabetic neuropathy, anemia, dementia and memory loss. In diabetic patients, high blood glucose levels can damage blood vessels. In many cases, during this situation, plaque forms in the blood vessels, and the blood vessels cannot supply enough blood to the surrounding cells. Vitamin B is necessary to control the normal function of blood cells.