How does a podiatrist help people with diabetes? A podiatrist is an important part of your diabetes health care team. Podiatrists are specifically trained to assess the nerve damage in your feet, identify your specific foot health risks, and help you come up with a treatment and prevention plan.
Patients with diabetes should see their podiatrist once a year for a comprehensive foot examination. In addition, they should regularly examine the feet for sores, cuts, and blisters that can rapidly lead to infections.
All people with diabetes should have their feet checked at least once a year by a doctor or podiatrist. This is important to detect problems early and to prevent ulcers and other complications. You may have heard it said that diabetes causes gangrene (dead, black tissue).
Wash your feet every day in warm (not hot) water. Don't soak your feet. Dry your feet completely and apply lotion to the top and bottom—but not between your toes, which could lead to infection. Never go barefoot.
Signs of Diabetic Foot Problems
Swelling in the foot or ankle. Pain in the legs. Open sores on the feet that are slow to heal or are draining. Ingrown toenails or toenails infected with fungus.
When you have diabetes, high glucose levels in the blood can damage nerves and blood vessels. Because the nerves and blood vessels supplying the feet are so long and delicate, the feet — and especially the toes — often get affected first.
Medicare will cover the treatment of corns, calluses, and toenails once every 61 days in persons having certain systemic conditions. Examples of such conditions include: Diabetes with peripheral arterial disease, peripheral arterial disease, peripheral neuropathy, and chronic phlebitis.
Toe Nail Care
It is advisable to have a podiatrist regularly perform the toenail care for diabetics since a small cut from trimming their own nails could quickly escalate into a larger issue. You can help minimize further issues by having a podiatrist regularly perform your nail care.
Diabetic foot infections are a frequent clinical problem. About 50% of patients with diabetic foot infections who have foot amputations die within five years. Properly managed most can be cured, but many patients needlessly undergo amputations because of improper diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.
I the dermatologic exam.
And best of all, it should only take 3 minutes.
It'll ask you questions about your current foot problems, medical conditions, medications taken, and any previous surgeries. You'll be asked about your habits related to your feet, and the questionnaire will include questions about your family medical history.
Diabetic foot infections are a frequent clinical problem. About 50% of patients with diabetic foot infections who have foot amputations die within five years. Properly managed most can be cured, but many patients needlessly undergo amputations because of improper diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.
The infection may not heal well because the damaged blood vessels can cause poor blood flow in your feet. Having an infection and poor blood flow can lead to gangrene. That means the muscle, skin, and other tissues start to die.
Podiatrists have the same rights to prescribing, administering, and dispensing medication that all licensed physicians do.
Diabetes are more prone to infection, and fungi and bacteria can transfer from clipping or foot care tools to any open wounds.
Myth: People with diabetes can't cut their own toenails
Not true: the general advice on toenail cutting applies to everyone. If you have diabetes you should keep your nails healthy by cutting them to the shape of the end of your toes.
All diabetic patients should have a podiatrist. On your initial exam, your podiatrist will tell you if you are at low or high risk for complications in your feet. Generally speaking, a diabetic patient that has good ciruculation and no neurologic deficit (numbness/burning/tingling) can be seen on an annual basis.
Diabetes Belly Fat is a sign that the body is failing. Stomach fat is linked to Heart failure in the diabetic. Lack of good insulin causes the body to store fat at the waist.
Diabetic dermopathy appears as pink to red or tan to dark brown patches, and it is most frequently found on the lower legs. The patches are slightly scaly and are usually round or oval. Long-standing patches may become faintly indented (atrophic).
In diabetic condition, aerobic exercise such as walking is commonly recommended to improve glucose control and reduce microvascular and macrovascular complications7,8.
Do not eat white bread, chips, and pastries, which quickly increase blood sugar. Avoid processed foods and meats as they will be rich in salt and oil. Restrict fried and fatty foods. Do not take full fat dairy products.
Diabetics should always wear shoes in the house, even when they aren't going outside, in order to avoid possible injury to feet from objects on floors that can be stepped on or fallen upon by accident. It helps protect the feet from injuries such as cuts and bruises from sharp objects found around the home.