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Home Tag: "diabetic foot care" (Page 3)

Tag: diabetic foot care

diabetic foot exam
3May

How do obesity and diabetes impact the feet? Foot health trends are demanding significant changes in foot health services globally and a lot of orthotic materials are designed for multifaceted foot conditions. The issues driving the demand of specific are; the increase of people with diabetes and those who are obese. They have a characteristic of foot health issues that need pressure-relieving orthotic materials and wider-fit footwear. Diabetes and being overweight are amongst the main issues, leaving the population susceptible to diabetes. If you are looking for some expert advice on care, you may want to seek help from a . Feel free to contact our office to make an appointment for your diabetic foot problems. Our , Dr. Ejodamen Shobowale can provide you with the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet

diabetic foot exam

Obesity

The World Health Organization defines obesity and overweight as excessive fat that impairs health. Obesity is when the body mass index (BMI) is greater than or equal to 30 but when it is greater or equal to 25 you are overweight. This is caused by an energy imbalance between consumption of high energy food and low outflow due to decreased physical activity. Obesity is effectively addressed when you focus on physical activity and nutrition. One of the consequences of obesity is it leads to diabetes and different foot health issues.

The body increases in size, fat and mass distribution on the abdomen and truck. This limits balance and stability; the foot shape and size increase in width and depth. The feet motion changes when standing and walking. Overweight individuals walk slower as a result of reduced stride length and double support needed for the body. The posture is different at the trunk because joint angles in gait in ankle joint prolong the plantar flexion and increase abduction at the everted heel and the hip

Foot health proposed solutions increase foot stability to maintain physical activity that will raise the burning of energy to reduce weight. There is a great association between obesity and diabetes because of increased BMI and waist measurements.

Diabetes

Diabetes is commonly caused by the increase to decrease of blood sugar leading to changes in the body. This leads to long-term complications of macro-vascular problems which sometimes lead to amputations. Fifty percent of diabetic patients who have suffered for more than 20 years have an affected nerve function which stiffens the plantar soft tissue. There are specific changes in the lower limbs and feet leading to foot deformities. There is an increase in callous formation, , and diabetic foot ulceration due to increased pressure to the forefoot. There is reduced walking speed, tremor, and greater stance widths. The footpads lose elasticity and thicken causing the metatarsal head to be exposed to glucose, which can cause diabetic . This reduces the capability of shock absorption of the feet.

 It is estimated only 20% of diabetic patients wear correct fitting footwear. Suitable footwear distributes pressure from body weight evenly and prevents foot ulceration. Custom molded insoles reduce plantar pressure when walking and standing.

These specific user needs for , call for specialized foot care from a and investment in proper footwear. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Houston, TX. Our diabetic foot care specialist can handle all of your foot and ankle issues. We will provide you with the latest diagnostic and treatment methods for all foot related issues

diabetic foot exam
10Feb

diabetic foot exam

The importance of eating a healthy, balanced diet, monitoring blood glucose levels, staying active, and taking prescribed medications can never be emphasized enough if you are diabetic; another important thing to add is regular foot exams. Foot exams reduce the chances of developing complications as a result of conditions that were not attended to early. There are self-exams and annual professional evaluations. Diabetes presents a high risk of such as diabetic foot ulcers and peripheral to patients. Diabetic foot care looks out for injuries, infections or bone abnormalities. The main cause of problem is nerve damage and poor blood flow or blood circulation.

Alarming symptoms which require attention include 

  • Burning sensation
  • Tingling
  • Pain
  • Difficulty while walking
  • Swelling

Symptoms that call for the immediate attention of a include

  • A cut or a blister that is taking longer to heal.
  • If an injury is warm to touch
  • If an injury has redness around it.
  • The presence of with dried blood inside.
  • And a smelly, black injury which most likely is gangrene; this is the death of body tissue and if left untreated could lead to foot amputation or death.

What to expect when a podiatrist examines you

  1. General assessment where the podiatrist asks questions about your health and any problems you have had with your feet. They also ask about your footwear to be sure your shoes do not easily cause blisters, calluses, and ulcers.
  2. Dermatological assessment where the podiatrist will look for skin problems and signs of fungal infection.
  3. Neurologic assessment that includes a series of tests which are
    1. Monofilament test which particularly tests foot sensitivity.
    2. Tuning fork and VPT (Visual Perception Tests) – to check the sensitivity of the foot and toes to vibrations.
    3. Pinprick test to determine if you can feel a pin, poke your foot.
    4. Ankle reflexes – a tap below the knee to check your reflexes.
  4. Musculoskeletal assessment to check for abnormalities in the structure and shape of your foot.
  5. Vascular assessment using the Doppler ultrasound to check how well the blood is flowing to your feet.

Treatment

The provider might recommend frequent exams to monitor the progress, but for bone deformities, surgery can be recommended while antibiotics are administered to treat foot infections.

No specific treatment is administered for nerve damage, but treatments are given, such as skin creams, medicine, and physical therapy, to improve the function of the feet and relieve pain. 

How to go about ?

Wear appropriate fitting shoes or ask the doctor for custom shoes.

Keep moist away from your skin by wearing socks.

Clean your feet daily and apply a fragrance-free moisturizer, avoid applying in between the toes.

Trim toenails regularly

Avoid walking barefoot

Conduct daily foot self-exams to monitor changes.

Seek professional foot evaluation at least annually.

Manage diabetes as recommended by the health professional.

Avoid abrasive foot products

Exercise daily to keep the blood flowing.

Do not smoke as this leads to foot complications due to poor blood circulation and nerve damage.

coldfootcare
4Dec

 

With the onset of winter months, diabetes patients should take special care of their feet. It is known that diabetes patients are prone to poor blood circulation along with some nerve problems. They should take decision depending on the changes they notice. Without delay, it is better to consult a doctor to get a suitable treatment and maintaining your feet during the winter days. Read the following part to know better about how patients should maintain foot health during winter days.

coldfootcare

Keeping

Rain or snow can make your feet damp. The moisture collected from socks, toes and feet can result in bacteria that further leads to infection. Therefore, patients suffering from diabetes should frequently change their socks and rub feet with dry towel to prevent the infection problem. Also, they should pay attention to the place in between the toes. 

Maintaining moisturized feet

If you are keeping shoes dry to prevent bacteria formation, keeping your feet dry is also important. By moisturizing your feet, your feet will remain smooth. This shall reduce the risk of cracking that further results into . In this case, you can take suggestion from your doctor to get the right foot lotion that shall help to keep it moisturized. It is recommended to use it after bathing to prevent feet dryness.

Avoid direct heat contact to your feet

To reduce the problem of dryness of your feet and chance of feet burning, turn to keep it away from direct heat exposure. As diabetes can cause nerve damage in your feet, it may not be possible to keep your feet warm during winter months. Also, direct hot water on should not be used on diabetic feet. Instead, they should check the temperature of water before using it. Also, they should prevent use of warm items such as electric blankets, heating pads, heated shoe inserts and the like.

Choosing the right shoes

Though choosing the right winter shoe may seem to be a daunting task. But with diabetes choosing the perfect pair shall help keep your feet in good condition. The wrong shoe can make your feet even worse making it too dry during the cold weather. 

Opt for periodic foot checkup from surgeon

By going through periodic check from , it will be easy to prevent foot issues. A regular checkup from foot and ankle surgeon shall help to prevent the chances of foot issues. Therefore, with suitable from a diabetic foot doctor, diabetes patients can reduce the chances of different . With regular visits, you can keep an eye on any changes that you notice in your feet. Thus, with the suitable treatment, the doctor can help to keep your feet in good condition even during cold weather.

Wrapping it up

Meeting a foot and ankle surgeon shall be of immense help for diabetes patients to keep your feet safe. Inside of remaining inside your home all winter, it is better to consult your doctor in advance for the right guidance.

footcare
13Nov

It is important to treat the right away if you suffer from diabetes because even the smallest wounds can quickly turn serious. The wounds lead to sores and ulcers when left untreated and that can mean losing the foot, or in extreme cases, the entire leg. The problem is further compounded by the fact that wounds take longer to heal in people suffering from diabetes because of the poor blood flow to the feet. There's also an onset of nerve damage, called neuropathy, which stops any feeling in the feet. Since you are unable to feel anything in your feet, you will not even get to know that you are hurt. So, even the minor cuts can quickly turn into something major.

 

footcare

The best thing you can do to avoid wounds is to take the preventive approach by keeping the feet protected and healthy. Here are the top four ways through which you can do that:

Run regular checks on your feet

If you have lost sensations on your feet due to diabetes, you will have to check your feet daily to know if something is wrong. It might be hard for you to check the bottom of your feet. In that case, use a mirror or ask a friend or your spouse to help you out.

Wash and dry your feet properly

At the time of taking a bath, you should soap the feet with lukewarm water and dry them well with a soft towel. Make sure to dry between and behind your toes. Moisture that stays trapped there can be harmful because it can lead to sores. Use creams and lotions to make sure that the skin of your feet is adequately hydrated because sores might also develop from the dryness of your feet.

Comfort comes first

Keep in your mind that comfort is the key to making your feet happy. Wear comfortable footwear and soft socks to keep the feet cushioned. Narrow, pointy shoes with high heels are not for your delicate feet. Your doctor might ask you to wear special shoes. Otherwise, you can wear something with added padding, like sneakers, to keep the feet comfortable.

Trimming the toenails

It is important for people with diabetes to see a regularly. He will cut your toenails, if needed, as a part of foot wound care. Podiatrists, or foot doctors as they are popularly known as, usually do this for people who suffer from neuropathy or have had foot ulcers earlier. It is better to get your nails trimmed by an expert, rather than going to a salon, if you have diabetes.

If you get wounded accidentally, cleanse it first under running water. Put antibiotic ointment on the and cover it with a clean bandage. Visit your nearest podiatrist as soon as you can for further treatment.

If you are looking for quality diabetic wound care from experienced podiatrists, you can get in touch with DeNiel Foot & Ankle Center. You will find effective treatment under the careful supervision of the experts.