Check Your Health: Look At Your Feet
A quick way to tell if anything is afoot with your health is to take a peek at your feet. Feet sometimes get the short shrift, but the fact of the matter is they are often indicators of how the rest of the body is faring. Through examination of the feet, a number of diseases and conditions, including diabetes, heart disease and vitamin deficiencies, can sometimes be detected long before other symptoms appear. When these health problems are discovered in their early stages, changes in lifestyle and medical treatment can slow their progression. Warning signs from your feet: A sore that won't heal: May indicate diabetes. Diabetes diminishes blood flow, which slows healing. In addition, elevated glucose (blood sugar) levels caused by diabetes can cause nerve damage. Swollen feet (fluid retention): May indicate heart disease and, in particular, heart failure. Toenails with slightly sunken, spoon-shaped indentations: May indicate anemia (low iron levels). The body needs iron to make hemoglobin, the oxygen-carrying protein found in red blood cells. Keep your feet healthy: Inspect feet regularly. Pay attention to changes in the color and temperature. Look for thick or discolored nails (a sign of fungus) and check for cracks or cuts in the skin. Peeling or scaling could indicate athlete’s foot. Wash feet regularly, especially between the toes. Be sure to dry them completely. Trim toenails straight across but not too short. Never cut nails in corners or on the sides, which can lead to ingrown toenails. (People with diabetes, poor circulation or heart problems should not treat or groom their own feet because they are more prone to infection.) Make sure shoes fit properly. Wear shoes with firm soles and soft uppers that have one-half inch of space between the longest toe and the Continue reading >>
Diabetic Neuropathy—the Agony Of Da Feet
[Editor’s note: In recognition of American Diabetes Month, Harvard Health Publications is collaborating with MSN.com on its Stop Diabetes initiative. Today’s post, published on World Diabetes Day, is the first of several focusing on this all-too-common disorder.] People tend to think of diabetes as a silent, painless condition. Don’t tell that to the millions of folks with diabetes-induced tingling toes or painful feet. This problem, called diabetic neuropathy, can range from merely aggravating to disabling or even life threatening. It’s something I have first-hand (or, more appropriately, first-foot) knowledge about. High blood sugar, the hallmark of diabetes, injures nerves and blood vessels throughout the body. The first nerves to be affected tend to be the smallest ones furthest from the spinal cord—those that stretch to the toes and feet. Diabetic neuropathy affects different people in different ways. I feel it as a tingling in my toes. Moving my feet and wiggling my toes helps the tingling disappear for a while. Others have it much worse. Diabetic neuropathy can cause a constant burning feeling in the feet; sharp pain that may be worse at night; and extreme sensitivity to touch, making the weight of a sheet unbearable. It can be sneaky, too, and completely rob the feet of their ability to sense pain. The truly scary thing about diabetic neuropathy is a 10-letter word we usually associate with horrific accidents or Civil War battlefields—amputation. When sensory nerves in the feet become damaged, a blister, cut, or sore can go unnoticed, allowing time for the wound to become infected. Infections that cause tissue to die (gangrene) and that spread to the bone may be impossible to treat with cleansing and antibiotics. Diabetes accounts for about 70,000 lo Continue reading >>
Diabetic Foot Problemsdiabetic Foot Problems
Information for the public About this informationAbout this information NICE guidelines proNICE guidelines provide advice on the care and support that should be offered to people who usevide advice on the care and support that should be offered to people who use health and care services.health and care services. This information explains the advice about diabetic foot problems that is set out in NICE guideline NG19. This is an update of advice on diabetic foot problems that NICE produced in 2011, and replaces it. Does this information apply to me? Yes, if you are a child, young person or adult with diabetes. PParents and carers:arents and carers: it's really important that you read this information too so you know the treatment and care the child you care for should be having. Diabetic foot problemsDiabetic foot problems People with diabetes have too much sugar (glucose) in their blood. There are 2 main types of diabetes: type 1 and type 2. In type 1 diabetes, the body can't make insulin – insulin is the hormone that controls how much glucose is in the blood. In type 2 diabetes, the body doesn't produce enough insulin, so blood glucose levels become too high. © NICE 2015. All rights reserved. Page 1 of 9 Diabetes has lots of effects on the body. It can affect blood flow, particularly in the feet and legs. It can also damage nerves, causing pain or uncomfortable tingling and numbness or complete loss of feeling in the feet and legs. Blood flow problems and nerve problems can mean that: you might not notice if you hurt your feet or get any sores or ulcers on them (an ulcer is a patch of broken skin) any wounds on your feet won't heal as quickly or as well as they used to or, in some cases, won't heal at all the bones in your feet may become weak and change the s Continue reading >>
How To Check Your Feet For Signs Of Diabetic Neuropathy And Sores
Amy Tenderich was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in May of 2003. She is the founder and editor-in-chief of Diabetes Mine and co-authored the book Know Your Numbers, Outlive Your Diabetes. You will frequently find her speaking at diabetes, health, and social media events across the country. Diabetes can cause problems, literally head-to-toe. And the damage that can occur to your feet is no joke. While most of us have a vague idea that diabetic feet need special care, we usually don’t look into the details until it’s absolutely necessary—in other words, when things are already going wrong. That’s why I’d encourage you—whether you’ve experienced trouble with your feet to date or not—to take a moment to learn about foot health with diabetes. There’s no replacement for good old-fashioned caution. This means you should choose footwear that fits well, avoid walking around barefoot, and inspect your feet yourself every day. What are you looking for? Look for any changes in the skin, blisters, cuts, or any signs of irritation. If you find such changes, watch them closely, and let your regular doctor or podiatrist (foot specialist) know immediately if they worsen or if they don’t improve within several days. This special attention to your feet will have a major impact on reducing your chance of future foot problems. Here is your diabetes foot care to-do list: Wash your feet daily in lukewarm water, including between the toes. Dry them gently and moisturize well. Diabetes may cause you to sweat less, which can lead to cracked, dry skin. So when you trim your toenails, take care not to injure the surrounding skin. If you have poor blood circulation in your legs or aren't able to see well enough to trim your nails, have your podiatrist (foot doctor) do it for you Continue reading >>
How To Look After Your Feet
Your feet are important especially if you have diabetes. With diabetes, it means you’re much more likely to develop problems with your feet – problems that could end up as amputations. But most amputations can be prevented – four out of five in fact. If you take good care of your feet and check them regularly, you can reduce your risk of developing foot problems. So watch our video and take a look through our simple steps to having healthy feet every day . Need some help checking your feet? Watch our video to learn how. Simple steps to prevent foot problems If you want a few pointers on looking after your feet, then take our simple steps to healthy feet: Tips for everyday foot care Looking after your feet on a daily basis can be tough especially if you’ve lost any sensation in them. If this is the case, it’s a good idea to speak to your healthcare team as you may need help from a podiatrist. We’ve put together some everyday tips which should help you keep your feet in check. A trained professional should check your bare feet once a year. It’s a good chance to check anything you might have spotted with them yourself. But don’t wait a whole year to ask them. If you notice a problem – get it seen as soon as you can. Once you’ve had your annual foot check, you need to find out your risk of developing a serious foot problem. If you’re moderate or high risk, your healthcare professional should explain exactly what this means. They’ll also tell you if you need to see a foot specialist. Feel free to ask them questions. The more you know, the more you can keep an eye on any changes in your feet. Because of your diabetes, foot problems can get worse quickly. That’s why we’ve got some guidance on what signs to look out for when you check your feet. Whet Continue reading >>
How Can Diabetes Affect My Feet?
Chronically high blood sugar (glucose) levels can be associated with serious complications in people who have diabetes. The feet are especially at risk. Two conditions called diabetic neuropathy and peripheral vascular disease can damage the feet (and other areas of the body) in people who have diabetes. What is diabetic neuropathy? Chronically high sugar levels associated with uncontrolled diabetes can cause nerve damage that interferes with the ability to sense pain and temperature. This so-called "sensory diabetic neuropathy" increases the risk a person with diabetes will not notice problems with his or her feet. Nearly 10% of people with diabetes develop foot ulcers due to peripheral vascular disease and nerve damage. People with diabetes may not notice sores or cuts on the feet, which in turn can lead to an infection. Nerve damage can also affect the function of foot muscles, leading to improper alignment and injury. What is peripheral vascular disease? Diabetes is associated with poor circulation (blood flow). Inadequate blood flow increases the healing time for cuts and sores. Peripheral vascular disease refers to compromised blood flow in the arms and legs. Poor blood flow increases the risk that infections will not heal. This, in turn, increases the risk of ulcers and gangrene, which is tissue death that occurs in a localized area when there is an inadequate blood supply. What are common foot problems of people with diabetes? The following images show common foot problems that anyone can get; however, those with diabetes are at increased risk for serious complications associated with these conditions, including infection and even amputation. Athlete's foot Fungal infection of the feet is called athlete's foot. Cracked skin, itching, and redness are associated w Continue reading >>
When You Have Diabetes—10 Steps To Healthy Feet
Please note: This information was current at the time of publication. But medical information is always changing, and some information given here may be out of date. For regularly updated information on a variety of health topics, please visit familydoctor.org, the AAFP patient education website. Step #1. Have your doctor check your feet regularly See your family doctor regularly to be sure your diabetes is in good control. Have your doctor look at your feet at every visit. Step #2. Wear the right shoes and socks Don't wear shoes that fit too tightly or pinch your feet. Choose thick cotton socks and well-cushioned shoes with plenty of room in the toes. (Look for shoes with a high toe box.) They will help keep your feet healthy. Never go barefoot. Step #3. Check your feet every day Look at your feet very carefully every day to be sure you have no cuts, scrapes or blisters. Look at every part of your foot, even between your toes. Step #4. Treat cuts, scrapes and blisters. See your doctor if a wound does not heal If you get a small cut, scrape or blister on your foot, wash the area gently with soap and water. Don't break the blister. Put an antibiotic cream on the wound several times a day. If the wound does not heal in a few days, see your doctor. Step #5. Keep your feet clean Gently wash your feet with soap and water every day. Pat your feet dry. Put on a moisturizing cream or ointment (for example, petroleum jelly). Don't put too much moisturizer between your toes, however. Step #6. Cut your toenails correctly Cut your toenails straight across the top, not curved at the sides, to prevent ingrown toenails. Ask your doctor for help if your nails are too thick or if they crack when you try to cut them. Step #7. Treat athlete's foot Athlete's foot is more common in people w Continue reading >>
Ask The Doctor
�������������������� When you have diabetes, you may develop nerve damage in different parts of your body. It’s fairly common—the National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse reports that 60 to 70 percent of people with diabetes will develop diabetic neuropathy. You may have symptoms of pain, tingling, or numbness in your hands, arms, feet, and legs. Sometimes nerve problems can happen inside your body, in your digestive tract, heart, or sex organs. If you have had diabetes for a long time—more than 25 years—you are more likely to develop neuropathy, and it’s also more common if you have trouble controlling your blood sugar levels. Why am I at risk of neuropathy just because of my diabetes? High glucose levels caused by diabetes weaken blood vessels throughout your body, which means that the nerves are not as well nourished by oxygen and nutrients. This can cause them to perform poorly. Is there anything I can do to prevent getting this condition? The best way to minimize diabetic neuropathy damage is to maintain good glucose control. If you do begin to feel tingling or loss of sensation, it’s important to watch for any cuts or sores in the areas you have trouble feeling. Since you won’t feel the pain as much, and the glucose in your blood can lead to a higher rate of infection, you must take care of wounds early and make sure they heal properly. (Editor’s note: see our wound care article starting on p. 10.) What are the symptoms of diabetic neuropathy? For some types of neuropathy, you may not have symptoms for a while. Your nerves can be damaged without your knowing it. But a common symptom in peripheral neuropathy—damage to the limbs—is tingling, numbness or weakness in the hands, arms, feet or legs. Erectile Continue reading >>
Diabetic Neuropathy
Print Overview Diabetic neuropathy is a type of nerve damage that can occur if you have diabetes. High blood sugar (glucose) can injure nerve fibers throughout your body, but diabetic neuropathy most often damages nerves in your legs and feet. Depending on the affected nerves, symptoms of diabetic neuropathy can range from pain and numbness in your extremities to problems with your digestive system, urinary tract, blood vessels and heart. For some people, these symptoms are mild; for others, diabetic neuropathy can be painful, disabling and even fatal. Diabetic neuropathy is a common serious complication of diabetes. Yet you can often prevent diabetic neuropathy or slow its progress with tight blood sugar control and a healthy lifestyle. Symptoms There are four main types of diabetic neuropathy. You may have just one type or symptoms of several types. Most develop gradually, and you may not notice problems until considerable damage has occurred. The signs and symptoms of diabetic neuropathy vary, depending on the type of neuropathy and which nerves are affected. Peripheral neuropathy Peripheral neuropathy is the most common form of diabetic neuropathy. Your feet and legs are often affected first, followed by your hands and arms. Signs and symptoms of peripheral neuropathy are often worse at night, and may include: Numbness or reduced ability to feel pain or temperature changes A tingling or burning sensation Sharp pains or cramps Increased sensitivity to touch — for some people, even the weight of a bed sheet can be agonizing Muscle weakness Loss of reflexes, especially in the ankle Loss of balance and coordination Serious foot problems, such as ulcers, infections, deformities, and bone and joint pain Autonomic neuropathy The autonomic nervous system controls your hea Continue reading >>
Symptoms Of Foot Damage
Tweet The general rule for people with diabetes is to notify your doctor if you notice any change in feeling or appearance in your feet. This page provides information on the range of symptoms that can indicate a wide variety of diabetic foot problems. Foot problems can quickly become serious so it’s important to check your feet daily for signs of damage or change in addition to attending foot examinations. Signs of foot damage Wounds – cuts, burns, grazes or blisters Pain in the feet Prickly tingly feelings Burning sensation Warm or hot feet Dry and cracked skin Firm spots on the feet Warts and fungus Changes in colour Changes in shape of the foot Changes in toenails Changes in smell Wounds – cuts, burns, grazes or blisters It’s important to take action on any wounds, such as cuts, burns, grazes or blisters. Make sure your feet are kept clean, cover the area of damage with a plaster that allows the area to breathe and ensure the area is not rubbed or made worse. It’s important to let your doctor know at the earliest opportunity so he or she can advise on the best care advice for you. Contact your doctor, out of hours service or NHS direct if you notice pus or any sign of infection in your feet. Pain Pain may occur as a result of damage, such as a wound, blister or broken bone but can also occur for other reasons including neuropathic pain (nerve pain). In some cases, such as with nerve pain, the feeling of pain may be present despite no other outward changes. A number of people with diabetes report intense pain when the skin on their feet or legs come into contact with material such as bed linen. A burning sensation, which can present difficulty when getting to sleep is also relatively common. These symptoms in people with diabetes tend to be dysesthesia, a t Continue reading >>
Check Your Feet Every Day!
Foot problems can literally develop overnight. It is essential to check your feet daily for the following: Cuts, blisters or sores Change in temperature (hot or cold) Change in color (pale, red, blue) Swelling Pain Dry cracking skin Sweaty skin Athletes foot or other rashes Signs and symptoms of infection Corns and calluses Call your doctor, podiatrist or other healthcare provider for: Routine foot care such as toenail trimming Treatment for warts, corns, or calluses For any of the following conditions: cuts (break in skin) that has not healed in 2 days blisters or soresinfection change in temperature of the skin or tissue or if the area around a wound becomes very warm swelling pain changes in skin color How to take care of your feet Look at your feet every day. Make sure there are no cuts or red areas. Use a mirror to see the bottom of your feet. Don’t soak your feet. Wash them well with mild soap and water every day. Dry them very well, including between the toes. Don’t go barefoot. Wear shoes that fit well. Buy socks designed to keep your feet comfortable (padded, minimal seams, not too tight). Use lotion on your feet, but not between the toes. Do not cut your toenails. File them instead, or have them trimmed by a foot doctor. If you have poor circulation, nerve damage, or very thick toenails, see a foot doctor regularly. Also see a foot doctor if you have corns, calluses, or bunions. If you do get a cut or scratch, take care of it right away. Wash it with mild soap and warm water. Use a mild ointment. Cover with gauze and paper tape or a fabric bandage. Make sure to change this often. Call your healthcare provider right away if the area does not heal or gets red or has any drainage. Find more information about diabetes in What You Need to Know about Diabetes � Continue reading >>
What Doctors Can Tell About Your Health Just By Looking At Your Feet
The feet do a lot more than simply carry us from place to place. They can also provide important clues about our health, from showing us if we're dehydrated to pointing to bigger problems, like impaired circulation or lung disease. Changes in how your feet look or feel can be the first sign of serious issues that, if caught early, could save your life. Because they're so far from our hearts, the feet are the last body parts to receive a fresh supply of blood and the first to show symptoms of circulation-related distress. Alex Kor, a practicing podiatrist at the Johns Hopkins Bayview orthopaedics department, can spot a variety of conditions within minutes of walking into an exam room with a patient, from whether she smokes to if she's developing kidney disease or diabetes. If one of Kor's patients suspects trouble but can't come in for a visit, Kor has her text him a photo of her feet using Captureproof. If the problem isn't too severe, he can usually provide some insight based on what he sees. "My patients say, 'How'd you know that?' and the truth is I just look," says Kor. (To make a more serious diagnosis, Kor always advises patients to come in for a visit.) Here are some of the irregularities that can show up on on your feet first — and may hint at something more serious. Cold Feet Constantly cold feet can be a symptom of hypothyroidism. Flickr If your feet can never seem to get warm, it could be a symptom of hypothyroidism, a condition in which your thyroid gland fails to make enough of certain important hormones. Hypothyroidism can cause you to feel more sensitive to the cold. It can also cause hair loss, fatigue, depression, or unexplained weight gain. While these symptoms alone are not enough to make a diagnosis, they might prompt a doctor to test you for hypot Continue reading >>
How To Check Feet For Complications Of Diabetes
1 Be aware of numbness in your feet. One of the initial and most common symptoms of peripheral neuropathy that diabetics notice is that their feet lose sensation and become numb.[2] It can start in the toes, then progress to the rest of the foot and then up the leg in a stocking-like distribution. Usually both feet are affected, although one side may begin first or be more noticeable than the other. Related to the numbness is a reduced ability to feel pain from excessive temperatures (both hot and cold). Because of this, diabetics are at greater risk of getting scalded from a hot bath or getting frostbite during the winter. Chronic numbness can prevent a diabetic from knowing when their foot is cut, blistered or otherwise injured. This phenomenon is very common in diabetics, and can result in the foot becoming infected. Sometimes, the neuropathy is so bad that the foot is infected for a long time before the person realizes it, and the infection can get deep into the tissue and even affect the bone. This can require a long course of IV antibiotics and can be potentially life-threating. Peripheral neuropathy symptoms, such as numbness, are usually worse at night while in bed. 2 Be alert to tingling and burning sensations. Another common symptom is uncomfortable sensations, such as tingling, pins and needles and/or burning pain.[3] Such sensations can feel similar to those when circulation returns to your foot after it has been "asleep." The uncomfortable sensations, called paresthesia, range from mild to severe and don't usually affect both feet equally. Tingling and burning sensations usually begin on the bottom (soles) of the feet, although they can also progress up the legs. These strange sensations can sometimes mimic a fungal infection (Athlete's foot) or an insect b Continue reading >>
7 Foot Problems That Can Be Serious
If you want to know the state of your health, try looking down. “There’s no question it’s extremely important that people pay attention to their feet,” says Terry Philbin, D.O., spokesperson for the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS) and a foot and ankle specialist at the Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Center in Westerville, Ohio. The condition of your feet can give you clues to a host of medical issues, such as diabetes, arthritis, and even heart disease. Read on to find out what to look for and what it may mean. 1. Pain “There’s no pain that should be ignored,” says Jane Andersen, D.P.M., a podiatrist in Chapel Hill, North Carolina and a member of the American Podiatric Medical Association. Any type of pain—new or prolonged—warrants a visit to your primary care doctor or podiatrist. Pain in the feet can signal a host of conditions, from fractures to plantar fasciitis (inflammation in the tissue that connects your heel bone to toes), to arthritis. Noting the time of day when the pain occurs can give you a hint as to the cause. Pain in the morning, when you first get up, can point to arthritis or plantar fasciitis. With both conditions, pain will recede as the foot loosens up throughout the day. A common cause of heel pain, plantar fasciitis often affects runners, and people who are overweight. Wearing high heels, or shoes that don’t have enough arch support also raises the risk. Dr. Andersen often sees people in her practice whose plantar fasciitis is caused by exercising in worn out shoes. “Athletic shoes don’t last very long,” she says. If you can estimate the mileage you put on shoes, then a good rule of thumb is replacing shoes every 350-500 miles, or anything over a year old, she says. Pain that gets worse throughout the day may in Continue reading >>
Diabetes And Foot Problems Treatment And Complications
Diabetes and foot problems facts Two main conditions, peripheral artery disease (PAD) and peripheral neuropathy, are responsible for the increased risk of foot problems in people with diabetes. Symptoms and signs of diabetic foot problems arise due to the decreased sensation from nerve damage as well as the lack of oxygen delivery to the feet caused by vascular disease. Diabetic foot problems also include bunions, corns, calluses, hammertoes, fungal infections, dryness of the skin, and ingrown toenails. These problems are not specific to diabetes, but may occur more commonly due to the nerve and vascular damage caused by diabetes. Treatment depends on the exact type of foot problem. Surgery or even amputation may be required for some cases. Gangrene (dry gangrene) is tissue death due to absence of blood circulation. It can be life threatening if bacterial infection develops (wet gangrene). Many diabetes-related foot problems can be prevented by good control of blood sugar levels combined with appropriate care of the feet. How can diabetes cause foot problems? Both type 1 and type 2 diabetes cause damage to blood vessels and peripheral nerves that can result in problems in the legs and feet. Two main conditions, 1) peripheral artery disease (PAD), and 2) peripheral neuropathy are responsible for the increased risk of foot problems in people with diabetes. Peripheral artery disease (PAD), sometimes referred to as peripheral vascular disease (PVD), means that there is narrowing or occlusion by atherosclerotic plaques of arteries outside of the heart and brain. This is sometimes referred to as "hardening" of the arteries. Diabetes is a known risk factor for developing peripheral artery disease. In addition to pain in the calves during exercise (medically known as intermitte Continue reading >>
