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How To Prevent Diabetic Foot Ulcers

Helping to prevent diabetic foot ulcers one-step at a time:
If you've been diagnosed with diabetes you know that many things in life change. It might be watching your diet more carefully. If you're a smoker you may be trying to quit. You might have started a special exercise program in keeping with advice from your doctor or health-care professional. Today with regular checkups and monitoring, people with diabetes can live longer healthier lives than ever before. This text is designed to help you live a healthier, active life by helping to guard against diabetic foot ulcers. A serious complication associated with diabetes. Foot ulcers can start as a seemingly insignificant blister or small cut. If neglected it could possibly lead gangrene and amputation. Read this text carefully, you might be surprised at how easily you to help prevent these ulcers before they become serious.
Why are people with diabetes at increased risk for foot ulcers:
Remember that blister from the ill fitting shoes or that burn from hot beach sand. In most cases injuries like these only mean a couple of days of discomfort. But for the person with diabetes can be the first step toward ulceration or even amputation if left untreated. This is because people with diabetes suffer from some special conditions.




Loss of sensation in the feet:
Due to your diabetes you may suffer numbness or lack of sensation in your feet. As a result minor and sometimes major injuries can go unnoticed, undiagnosed, and untreated, for months, turning them into what doctors and other health-care professionals call chronic or non healing ulcers.
Lack of adequate blood supply to the feet:
Ordinarily when you get injured blood flow plays a large part in recovery. Rushing infection fighting white blood cells to the site of the wound. But due to your diabetic condition blood supply to your feet may be reduced leading to slower healing and increased risk of infection.
What can I do to prevent foot ulcers:
In the case of diabetic foot ulcers an ounce of prevention is definitely worth a pound of cure. Particular lifestyle changes such as controlling your diabetes, exercising, avoiding smoking, and maintaining a healthy body weight, is extremely important. However many ulcers can be prevented simply by making sure that any cuts, bruises, or blisters are noticed and treated in time. Pointers to help diabetes control, the first step, keep your blood sugar under control when directed by your doctor or health professional. Monitor your blood regularly with a blood glucose monitor. If you smoke ask your doctor or health care professional about methods to help you stop. Follow your doctor or health care professionals advise on exercise.
Daily Do's:
Even if you feel no pain in your feet examine them carefully on a regular basis, if you cannot stand to see all parts of them clearly use a plastic mirror or have a family member or your doctor or health-care professional help check for:
cuts, sores, or blisters. if you have some and they do not heal in a day or two it could be a sign of a more serious condition.
Red spots, swelling, infected or black toenails. Calluses and corns often indicate spots were your feet are under pressure. If they are not taken care of can lead to ulcers.
Follow a regiment of good foot care, wash your feet in warm, not hot water. Test water with your elbow to check that it is not to hot. Do not soak your feet, it can cause dryness and cracking, injuring your feet. Dry your feet with lotion. Apply sunscreen to the top of your feet to avoid burning. Never walk barefoot if you can help it, even indoors. Always wear well fitting shoes and socks, preferably cotton to protect your feet especially at the beach or on pavement. Keep your toenails trimmed. Trim your toenails straight across, do not cut into the corners of the nail. Nails, which are thick or yellow have, your health-care professional trim them. Keep your feet away from radiators and open fires, do not use hot water bottles, heating pads, or soaks on your feet. You could get burned without feeling it. If your feet are cold, wear socks or footwear. Do not use over-the-counter products to remove corns or calluses the chemicals and can damage your skin.
Socks

Choose socks made of natural absorbent fabrics like wool and cotton to help keep your feet dry. Make sure the socks are soft and comfortable and preferably seamless. Be sure they are not to tight at the ankles and that they don't bunch at the toes. Always wear Socks, preferably cotton with your shoes to prevent blisters and sores.
Shoes
Buy shoes that are comfortable and well fitting. Shop for shoes in the afternoon when your feet are slightly larger.
Buy shoes made of leather or canvas, which will stretch a little to accommodate your feet, instead of plastic or vinyl.
Avoid shoes with narrow pointed toes or high heels, athletic shoes are good for daily wear.
Always check the insides of your shoes before putting them on to make sure that the lining is smooth and that there are no foreign objects inside.
If your doctor or health care professional has prescribed special shoes or shoe inserts have them checked periodically. Do not use inserts in the other shoes without having them checked.
Exercise Essentials
Ask your doctor or health-care professionals to suggest a form of exercise, which does not put undue stress on your feet, walking, swimming, or bicycling, may be appropriate. Try to avoid activities like running or jumping that could harm your feet. Remember to warm up and cool down before and after exercising. Always wear comfortable footwear.
Ask your doctor or health-care professionals to check sensation and pulse in your feet. Check for bunions or other problems. Advise you if special shoes are needed. Advise you whether you should see a specialist.
Healing diabetic ulcers:
Many diabetic foot ulcers can be healed if identified and treated in time. Any blister, sore, cut or bruise must be brought to the attention of your doctor or health-care professionals immediately.
Treatment may include removal of the outer skin and debris to encourage a supply of healthy blood to it. This will help it heal. Infection can be treated with antibiotics Relieving pressure on the wound:
Devices like orthopedic shoes, specially made shoe inserts, walkers, crutches, and wheelchairs, can be a tremendous help in healing because they will take pressure off of the foot. Your doctor or health-care professionals will recommend the device that's right for you.
Dressing the wound
The latest research indicates that keeping the wound moist and clean helps it heal. Your doctor or health-care professionals might recommend moist saline soaked dressings.
Important things to avoid diabetic foot ulcers.

Keep your feet clean and toenails trimmed straight across. Never go barefoot, always wear comfortable well fitting shoes do not expose your feet to extreme heat for cold. Never soak your feet; protect your feet with moisturizer and sunscreen. Examine your feet daily for cuts, sores or blisters if these do not start healing in a day or two see your doctor immediately.

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