Diabetic patients will have reduced sensations in the feet due to the damage of nerves(neuropathy).
This is because a foot is that part of the body which is often overlooked. But the fact is they are one of the most vital parts of the body. Both of the feet make up to 25% of the body’s bones, 6% of the muscle and 18% of the joints.
However, it should be noted that the feet are most likely to wear and tear as it takes the full body pressure. Most of the foot complications that occurred in the Diabetic patients are due to mechanical pressures. Even prolonged, undue walking may cause severe problems in the feet. So, walking exercise to be spread out in the morning and evening hours not exceeding 20 minutes continually at a stretch.
How can you keep your feet healthy and active?
1. Keep a healthy weight- The more your weight is, the greater the impact will be on your feet. Obesity leads to diseases like arthritis.
2. Keep your feet moist and clean- Diabetic patients feet would be dry due to the damage of autonomic nerves that supply the sweat glands. A foot which sweats is a healthy foot in the diabetic patients. So wash your feet thoroughly with normal domestic water and apply moisturizer immediately after taking bath because that is the time the feet will have more moisture content and our moisturizer creams will try to keep that moisture to stay for a long time.
While we keep the leg and feet moist we should keep the web spaces (in between the toes )dry to avoid fungal infestations. Long period of retained Moisture and hot climate are good friends for fungus.
3. Wear proper shoes-When you are going for any sports activity, always wear sports specific branded shoes.Also while shopping for shoes buy shoes at the evening hours as the Diabetic feet would be swollen in the evening times and that perfectly cover your feet yet not too tight.
Walking barefoot should be completely avoided any injury especially a thorn prick would be disastrous in a neuropathic Diabetic patients.
4. Examine your feet regularly-Daily examination of the feet either during bath or before going to bed would be better. At least once a week, take some time out to examine your feet. Check for scaling, peeling, redness, swelling, blisters and cuts under your feet and in between toes. All these issues if not treated at the right time can lead to a serious problem in future.
Also clean and cut your nails straight across to avoid any injury and we can reduce the occurrence of nail fungus or debris under the nail plate who may be difficult to cut at a later stage.
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