Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects your body’s ability to maintain the amount of glucose in your blood. Often, it leads to complications that can greatly impact your health. What you might not know is that diabetes can also lead to chronic foot pain and foot-related health complications. If you have diabetes, it’s crucial to take care of your feet for better foot health.
Diabetes and Feet: How Diabetes Affects Feet Health
Diabetes can affect foot health in a number of ways. As your blood sugar levels increase, it can damage the nerves and blood vessels in your feet, which can lead to a number of problems. Without proper care, these complications can lead to chronic foot pain, disability, amputation, and even death.
Here are a few serious foot conditions caused or exasperated by diabetes:
Diabetic Neuropathy
Diabetic neuropathy is damage to the nerves in the feet. It can cause numbness, tingling, burning, and pain in the feet. Diabetic neuropathy can make it difficult to feel pain, so you may not notice cuts, blisters, or other injuries on your feet.
Peripheral Vascular Disease
Diabetes can lead to the narrowing of the arteries in the legs and feet. It can cause pain, cramping, and coldness in the feet. Peripheral vascular disease can also make it difficult to heal wounds on the feet, so slow-healing cuts are a possible sign of this condition.
Foot Ulcers
Ulcers are open sores on the feet. These can be painful, difficult to heal and cause a foot infection. Foot ulcers are a common complication of diabetic neuropathy and peripheral vascular disease.
How to Manage Diabetic Foot Complications
Living with chronic foot pain due to diabetes can be a challenge. However, there are ways to avoid the worsening of these conditions and keep your feet healthy. Learn to manage these complications for better foot health with these tips to keep in mind:
Controlling Your Blood Sugar Levels
High blood sugar levels can worsen nerve damage and chronic foot pain. By monitoring your sugar levels, you can manage any diabetic foot complications. Good blood sugar control can help reduce the risk of infection and improve wound healing, as well.
Taking Medications
There are a number of medications that can be used to manage diabetic foot pain. These medications include anti-inflammatories, pain relievers, and medications to help improve nerve function.
Physical Therapy
Physical therapy and exercise can help improve circulation and range of motion in the feet. This can help reduce pain and make it easier to move around. Be sure to consult with your podiatrist before taking on any new physical activity.
Foot Care
It is important to take good care of your feet if you have diabetic foot pain. This includes washing your feet daily, keeping your nails trimmed, and wearing properly fitting shoes. When your feet are clean and healthy, you can avoid further complications like infections.
6 Tips to Prevent Complications for Better Foot Health
Having diabetes doesn’t mean you’ll develop chronic foot pain and conditions. It may need extra effort, but it is possible to keep your feet healthy! Here are a few key things to do for better foot health:
- Keep your blood sugar levels under control.
This is the most important thing you can do to prevent foot complications. Work with your doctor to develop a treatment plan that includes medication, diet, and exercise.
- Take good care of your feet.
This includes washing them daily, keeping them clean and dry, and trimming your nails. Inspect your feet daily for any cuts, sores, blisters, or redness.
- See a doctor regularly for foot exams.
Your podiatrist can check your feet for any problems and provide treatment, if needed. They’ll be able to check for signs and symptoms of diabetic foot complications.
- Wear proper footwear.
Choose shoes that fit well and provide good support. Don’t walk barefoot either! This can increase your risk of injuries.
- Quit smoking. Smoking can damage your blood vessels and make it more difficult for blood to flow to your feet. If you smoke, quitting is one of the best things you can do for your overall health, including your foot health.
- Manage other health conditions. These conditions can also increase your risk of foot complications. Talk to your podiatrist about how you can manage these conditions.
Podiatrist for Diabetic Chronic Foot Pain in South Texas
There are many complications that can arise from having diabetes, including various foot injuries and conditions. Foot health is important to keep in mind, especially when you have this condition. Keep your feet healthy! Learn how to manage and prevent these complications from developing. Check-in with your podiatrist to find out what you can do for better foot health.
Looking for a foot doctor in South Texas? Experience quality podiatric care with our doctors at The Podiatry Group of South Texas. We want to help you manage diabetic chronic foot pain and other complications, so you can live a pain-free life. Schedule a consultation with our expert podiatrists. Just give us a call at (210) 227-8700 or schedule through our appointment request form. We look forward to keeping your feet healthy and strong with the help of our doctors.
Check out our contact information at the location nearest you in San Antonio, Boerne, Hondo, Floresville, Kenedy, Uvalde, and Live Oak, TX.
