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If you are diabetic, it is important to pay close attention to your feet and the condition they are in. Diabetes causes a condition of painful nerve damage called peripheral neuropathy. Neuropathy can affect your entire body, but most often the legs and feet are the body's most prone areas to serious health problems. Damage to the nerves can cause the loss of feeling in your feet, making it difficult to detect extreme temperatures and pain as easily or readily as someone who does not have diabetes. This is why diabetics get infections so frequently from something as simple as a small cut or blister on the foot. When a person is unable to detect a foot wound it can easily become infected, leading to more serious complications and even amputation in the most severe cases. With that being said, understanding the connection between foot care and diabetes is important to avoid more serious health problems. If you are diabetic, talk to your podiatrist in Scottsdale about the best ways to care for your feet. What is Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy? Typically, in diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the feet you will begin to notice sensory changes such as numbness or tingling in your toes. Initially, these symptoms may come and go, but, in time, will be constant. When experiencing these symptoms, they may interfere with your sleep, or cause you to awaken from your sleep. Over a period of time, these disturbances may cause a loss of feeling that may even hinder your ability to detect the tightness of your shoes. Even a pebble in your shoe can go unnoticed as time goes on, which can injure your foot. Neuropathy is the leading cause of ulcers or holes that occur in the feet, as well as infections. Additionally, neuropathy is the leading cause of the loss of toes and even amputation, with advanced cases. If nerve compression goes untreated, the nerve itself can become deprived of oxygen and nutrients, which cause the nerve to die over time resulting in numb feet. In many patients, surgery can be performed to relieve these various sites of nerve compression in order to relieve the burning, tingling and pain, or even to restore sensation to your feet in some cases. Prevent Complications of Diabetes If you have diabetes, it's crucial to examine your feet every day and after every injury, regardless of how minor you may think the injury is. If you notice redness, swelling, persistent pain, numbness, tingling or any other unusual signs on any part of your foot, call your podiatrist in Scottsdale immediately as this could signify serious health problems. It's also recommended that people with diabetes see a podiatrist for annual checkups. A professional podiatrist in Scottsdale can detect signs of changes, broken skin or ulcers that can be detrimental to the health of your feet and body. He can also check your blood circulation, identify loss of sensation or detect areas of high pressure- all of which require professional medical attention. Early detection, simple care and regular inspections can go a long way to avoid serious foot complications related to diabetes. Diabetes is serious, especially when it comes to your feet. If you have diabetes, talk with your podiatrist in Scottsdale about what you can do now to keep your feet safe, strong, and healthy.
Sean Hartmen writes for premier podiatrist in Scottsdale, Dr. David Richer. Offering an array of services, Dr. Richer has been practicing podiatry in Scottsdale since 2001. He provides medical and surgical care of the foot, ankle, and leg. Dr. Richer has specialty training in treating Scottsdale neuropathy, diabetics, neuropathy, wounds, ulcers, peripheral nerve problems, and other foot care.
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