According the CDC, Diabetes is the 7th leading cause of death in the United States, and we all need to keep in mind the warning signs of this deadly disease. If you notice any of these warning signs put together by the American Podiatric Medical Association, please make an appointment right away to discuss treatment options.
“Diabetes Warning Signs:
- Skin color changes
- Swelling of the foot or ankle
- Numbness in the feet or toes
- Pain in the legs
- Open sores on the feet that are slow to heal
- Ingrown and fungal toenails
- Bleeding corns and calluses
- Dry cracks in the skin, especially around the heel”
Diabetes patients are instructed to inspect feet daily for any changes that may appear. Proper footwear is also important to staying mobile. Get fitted and measured for shoes as feet change over time. Don’t forget about socks. Soft socks with no seams are advised and diabetics should NEVER walk around barefoot. As much as I talk about proper footwear, exercise should be in every diabetic’s lifestyle as it increases circulation and helps one to lose weight.
Citation:
American Podiatric Medical Association. (2011). Diabetes. Retrieved from http://www.apma.org/MainMenu/Foot-Health/Brochures/Diabetes.aspx
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