Foot care is an essential part of diabetes management. The risk of amputation due to infection is great, but regular podiatry visits and care can prevent this serious complication. At Mountain View Foot & Ankle Institute, we can help you take the best care of your feet if you’re living with diabetes — because blood sugar problems and foot problems go hand in hand.
The first step in diabetes management is to get your blood sugar under control. The better controlled your diabetes, the lower the risk of complications. The next step is to add a podiatrist to your diabetes care team. Read on to learn why this step is so critical to your long-term health.
High blood sugar affects sensation
While glucose is your body’s main source of fuel, it poses a danger when it circulates in the bloodstream at high levels. A healthy body has tight regulations on glucose. Usually, you transfer any excess into cells for energy.
If you have diabetes, your body struggles to control blood sugar on its own, making dietary changes and glucose-lowering medication vital to your health. If you have high levels of circulating glucose, or high blood sugar, it can affect your nerves. A condition known as neuropathy develops. This means your nerves don’t send the proper signals to your brain.
Your feet and diabetes
Diabetic neuropathy can occur anywhere, but it commonly affects the nerves in the lower extremities. You’ll notice tingling and numbness in your legs, feet, and toes due to your body’s inability to send the right nerve signals to your brain.
With time, you lose sensation so it’s hard to know if you have a blister, cut, or abrasion on a foot or ankle. This means care to the injury is delayed, or never happens at all. This can lead to infection and serious damage.
A podiatrist can diagnose and help manage diabetic neuropathy to keep your feet as healthy as possible. Dr. Glover teaches you how to inspect your own feet daily, wash and moisturize them properly, and offers management for any conditions you may have.
Poor circulation and foot health
Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is another common complication people that occurs with diabetes. It describes a condition where the blood vessels become narrow, reducing blood flow. As with diabetic neuropathy, the lower extremities are most commonly affected. This means your legs and feet aren’t getting a rich blood supply, so wounds are slow to heal.
Reduced blood flow to the lower extremities presents a danger for people with diabetes. Inadequate blood supply means your feet are denied important nutrients and oxygen. Even the smallest cut or splinter will have trouble healing and may become an infection that endangers the health of your foot.
If you’re not careful, you can develop ulcers in your legs and feet that can become severe. If you notice a cut or other injury, make an appointment with Dr. Glover so you can get it taken care of right away.
Take advantage of expert care
Our team at At Mountain View Foot & Ankle Institute provides individualized diabetes foot care. Dr. Glover understands the vital role podiatrists play in diabetes foot care.
Dr. Glover helps you reduce the risk of serious foot complications. He can spot small problems and treat them promptly and appropriately. He also offers information on how you can prevent any problem from beginning in the first place by offering recommendations for appropriate footwear, inserts, and home care.
Home care for your feet
You can also take responsibility for the health of your feet. Check them daily for any abrasions, blisters, or cuts. Catching injuries and other issues early reduce your risk of a serious complication.
Serving the South Ogden area, our team at Mountain View Foot & Ankle Institute is dedicated to changing lives — one foot at a time. Left unmanaged, diabetic foot problems can lead to serious complications. Make an appointment using this website or call to start your diabetic foot care today.