Publication

By G. Parker Peresko, DPM

Keeping your feet healthy and maintaining your lifestyle and ability to walk are not only important, but they're one and the same—especially for people who live with diabetes.

Diabetic foot care and preventive measures are essential as foot deformities, along with formation of diabetic foot ulcers, are the leading cause of hospitalization in America in patients with diabetes. Education, as well as seeking proper care and prophylactic treatment to circumvent many of the potentially devastating issues of the feet, is the best way to ensure longevity and continuation of living the way you want.

What is neuropathy?

Neuropathy, simplified as the loss of feeling or protective sensation, can initially manifest as burning, tingling or numbness, and it plays a key role in the development of diabetic foot ulcers. Simple preventive measures, such as blood sugar and Hemoglobin A1C monitoring, allow for daily and monthly, respectively, personalized tracking of one's overall health and diabetic status. Certain trials have shown that those who are able to normalize their sugar levels can decrease their risk of developing neuropathy by up to 69%! Things such as diet and lifestyle modification as well as implementing exercise regimens can allow for better blood glucose levels, and in turn, improved A1C percentages.

Quick Tips for Prevention

While individuals with neuropathy do experience an increased risk of lower extremity complaints, there is still hope! There are still safeguards to prevent the progression of unhealthy feet, which is of critical importance as developing wounds can lead to unplanned hospital visits, infections, urgent surgeries and even amputation. Simply performing routine foot checks on yourself 2 to 3 times a day to verify there are no new wounds or objects (such as sewing pins, bottle caps, splinters or other items) embedded in your feet as well as wearing shoes to walk in and around your home are some of the first-line (and most effective!) defenses against unwanted issues that may put your health at risk. Lastly, if you suspect or have a known foot wound, don't wait—seek medical attention immediately!

Stick to these tips and you can walk into a healthier, happier future!

Categories: Neuropathy