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Having diabetes can complicate your life in many ways. It can even cause problems for your feet. How can this happen?

This disease, accurately named diabetes mellitus, is a chronic disorder that is characterized by high blood glucose levels. High sugar levels in the blood can result in tissue & organ damage. Diabetes mellitus is caused by faulty insulin, no insulin, fewer amount of insulin, or changes in the body’s reaction to this hormone. Insulin breaks down blood glucose so that it can be used by the body for energy.

The pancreas produces insulin, & diabetes mellitus can be subdivided into two principle types. Persons suffering from Type 1 diabetes have defective insulin producing cells, so that the body cannot produce the hormone, or can produce only very low levels of it. On the other hand, people suffering from Type 2 diabetes have resistant body tissues, & will often have a different, more extensive treatment & maintenance regimen. People with diabetes have to eat special diets, avoid certain foods, & take medication that can allow them to maintain good blood insulin levels.

Foot Care

People suffering from diabetes mellitus will often have a hard time maintaining their feet, because diabetes can damage the nerves leading to the feet. Diabetes can also impede blood circulation, especially to the extremities, including the feet. Because of impeded circulation, the feet can be prone to more infections, especially since the immune system will have a hard time targeting infectious agents entering through the feet. People with diabetes will often complain about having stiffer joints, wounds that heal slower, & decreased speed of blood clotting.

Because of these effects of diabetes on the feet, much more extensive damage can occur. For instance, because of extensive nerve damage, a person with diabetes might have wounds or broken bones in his or her feet, & he or she might not know it. He or she will not be able to administer good antibiotics or ointments to help the wound heal. For that matter, impeded circulation can also keep the wounds in the feet from healing properly, so that people with diabetes can also have foot ulcers. By the time they detect such ulcers, it is too late to heal the wounds by simply applying ointments, & amputation may have to be carried out.

If you are diagnosed with diabetes, then you have to have a good foot cleaning & maintenance regimen in order to avoid infections. Foot care for Diabetes Mellitus involves the following. First, take care that you wash your feet every day, using some mild soap & warm water. Lather your feet well & clean the areas between the toes & on your heel. When you are done, rinse your feet well & dry each part of your foot carefully. If you are wearing closed shoes, use talcum or foot powder to dust your foot & keep moisture out. Be sure, however, to apply only a little powder, & take care not to leave powder to cake in between your toes.

Look at each part of your foot each day, & inspect its bottom using a mirror. Look for sores, bruises, cuts, or changes in toenail color. Look for swelling that might be indicative of pus formation. Do not open sores or drain pus on your own. You need a licensed caregiver to do this so that you do not increase your risk of infection. To supplement your foot care, practice good, healthy habits: quit smoking, exercise regularly, & avoid drinking alcohol.

Care for your feet regularly & make certain that they are always well groomed. When cutting toenails, make certain that you cut across the top, & never force your nail cutter into the corners of your toes. When you encounter sharp angles on your feet, use a good emery board or nail file to smoothen your nail out. You want to avoid cutting your foot with your own toenails. Avoid walking around barefoot, & always wash your feet if you step into dirty soil or mud.

When purchasing shoes, shop in the afternoon when your foot is relatively larger, & buy a shoe that fits your feet exactly. You need comfortable shoes that will not hurt your feet, cut into your toes, or damage the skin of your feet or legs. You need to give your toes a good amount of room to move & wriggle. As much as possible, avoid purchasing high heels, pointed or narrow toes, or hard shoes that can tax on your bones.

Visit a podiatrist, or foot specialist, at least once a year; & consult with your doctor regularly. Do as much research as you can on foot care for Diabetes Mellitus. Although foot care might seem inconsequential compared with a good diet & proper medication, it should help you deal with diabetes better & still look & feel better both inside & out.

Monica Nelson writes about health topics, about women’s health issues, & about specific topics such as how to get the best Diabeties supplies & what foods are on the Diabetic diet. These health articles are provided as a help-fulnews service & are not to be considered medical advice. Always talk to your doctor about health issues.