Over time, diabetes, or high blood glucose levels can cause health problems.  Your feet, eyes and mouth are three of the trouble spots you need to give special care if you are diabetic.  Diabetes can cause damage to your body, making it hard to feel cuts on your feet.  It can also cause less blood to flow to your feet, so cuts do not heal. 

It is important to wear comfortable, well-fitting shoes. Do not go barefoot.  Wash your feet in warm (not hot) water every day and pat them dry.  Be sure to dry between your toes. Try not let your feet get sunburned. When you cut your toenails, follow the curve of the toe.  Don’t cut too close to the skin.  Keep blood flowing to your feet.  Do not cross your legs at the knees when you sit.  Do not wear stockings or elastic supports (unless your doctor tells you).  Make sure your feet are warm. Check your feet for problems every day. 

If you are a diabetic, call your doctor if you have a callus, corn, ulcer, wound, blister, or cut. Call your doctor or Podiatrist (a foot doctor) if you have any change in feeling such as pain, tingling, numbness (no feeling) or burning.  For more information and free glucose testing, join Doctors Hospital tomorrow at NIB on Blue Hill Road for the World Diabetes Day Health Fair, 10am – 4pm.

 

“Health Tip of The Day brought to you by Doctors Hospital, keeping you and your family healthy for life.”