Natural Health Alternatives

Many people with diabetes have mild to severe nerve damage especially in their feet. This can cause diminished feeling in the feet. As a result, you may not feel cuts, scratches, and breaks in the skin on your feet. These wounds can lead to many complications if  unnoticed, which can lead to infections . About one in five people with diabetes enters the hospital for foot problems every year. I hope that this will help some people to recognize any of their foot symptoms of diabetes .

Here is a List of  the most Serious  Foot Problems:

Calluses:
Calluses occur more often and build up faster on the feet of people with diabetes. Calluses, if not trimmed, get very thick, break down, and turn into ulcers (open sores).

Foot Ulcers:
Ulcers occur most often over the ball of the foot or on the bottom of the big toe. Ulcers on the sides of the foot are usually due to poorly fitting shoes or the result of not wearing socks. Neglecting an ulcer can result in infections, which in turn can lead to loss of a limb.

Neuropathy:
Diabetic nerve damage (neuropathy) also can lessen your ability to feel pain, heat, and cold. Loss of feeling may mean that you might not feel a foot injury.

Poor Circulation
Poor circulation (blood flow) can make your foot less able to fight infection and to heal.

Amputation:
If the above problems are not cared for, amputation of the foot or leg may result.

 If you notice any of the following problems, talk with your doctor:

1. Changes in the color of the skin on your feet
2. Changes in skin temperature [ Hot Spots]
3. Pain in the legs, either at rest in bed at night or while walking
4. Swelling of the foot or ankle
5. Open sores that are slow to heal
6. Ingrown or fungus-infected toenails
7. Corns or calluses that bleed within the skin
8. Cracks in the skin, especially around the heel

Do not endure foot pain.
Wear healthy socks. That means no cotton. Cotton traps moisture inside the shoe, and that creates a welcome home for germs.
Wear shoes that fit. Shoe manufacturers have made orthopedic shoes almost unnecessary. Shoes come in every width, stiffness and size.