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Diabetes and Foot Care

Receiving a diagnosis of diabetes is devastating enough, but far too many individuals are without the knowledge of the potential harm this devastating disease causes over the years. Another one of the sensitive areas that the population refuses to discuss openly is with foot care and all of the implications that go along. There have been studies performed in the past on the pre-diabetic and the taking of the blood sugar readings, but the study of the bones and in this case the feet are a tender subject. The massive and extensive studies regarding diabetes are everywhere. The explanations in detail of how diabetes attacks and breaks down the individual’s body are intense. However, there is very little information even through the diabetes articles.

Patients receiving a definitive diagnosis of diabetes must consider a number of factors regarding overall health issues including their bones and their hands and feet in particular. Many individuals suffering with diabetes try to insulate themselves with a variety of diabetic products and diabetes herbs, but they inadvertently neglect their bones. Diabetes complicates the attention and care of feet, toes, hands, and fingers. There is a reduction in the blood flow to the nerve endings and then the damage occurs through the high glucose levels.

Blood vessels begin to subtly collapse and disease begins to multiply within the tiny capillaries and blood vessels leading outward through the small extremities. Of course this is more predominant the older an individual becomes but without the proper care and attention this can also occur in children suffering with juvenile diabetes. In the healthy individual as capillaries and blood vessels collapse new ones created to replace the broken and old ones. In the individual with diabetes, the body will replace the broken and old capillaries and blood vessels, but they will not be as strong.

However, there really is no diabetes cure the individual is at risk of having these small extremities such as hands, feet, fingers and toes amputated later in life. The bottom line and most basic cause of difficulties with the smaller extremities is the lack of consistent circulation which carries the life giving oxygen to all parts of the individual’s internal system. Managing diabetes is difficult and it does take education in understanding all the various aspects of what can happen. Through education the individual will learn the signs of diabetes to look for and perhaps have the ability to prevent a pending mishap. Proper nutritional support and specialized creams including the ingredient of arginine is a very helpful tool and may require a diabetes prescription. Something to consult the family medical physician with as this cream for the care of the feet and toes is important.

Normal conditions dictate the individual have a heating pad as it is a wonderful device to keep for the hands and feet to rest. The individual must try to understand that maintaining a balanced body temperature is important because the fluctuation is what causes problems later. Controlling diabetes does require a constant effort on the part of the individual, but it really is necessary. Another interesting aspect of caring for the feet in individuals with diabetes diagnose is the recommendation to wear therapeutic shoes to reduce the risk of ulceration and amputation. Women with diabetes will want to search out shoes that are flat or a stacked heel with a round toe front for complete foot comfort.

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