Type 2 diabetes is an epidemic in the United States. Of the 37 million-plus individuals living with diabetes, 90-95% have Type 2 diabetes, which typically strikes adults. This is unlike Type 1 diabetes, which is diagnosed more in children and adolescents.
Insulin is the hormone that’s vital in helping your body turn glucose into fuel at the cellular level. People with Type 1 diabetes don’t produce insulin at all, whereas those with Type 2 diabetes don’t respond normally to insulin. Often, they reach a point where they don’t make enough insulin.
Foot problems are a hallmark of diabetes and can turn serious quickly. The expert and caring podiatry team at South Florida Foot & Ankle Centers has extensive experience caring for people living with diabetes and managing their foot issues.
If you have diabetes, it’s crucial for you to be your doctor’s partner in carefully monitoring your foot health.
When you visit South Florida Foot & Ankle Centers for diabetic foot care, we talk to you about the most concerning issues that you need to keep in mind regarding your foot care.
Foot problems are one of the most common and potentially serious complications associated with Type 2 diabetes. Others include heart issues, skin infections, kidney disease, and eye disorders.
We know it’s a lot to keep up with, but we’re here to carefully monitor your foot care and support you.
People living with diabetes should be on the lookout for these three foot complications in particular:
Since high levels of glucose have a deleterious effect on your nervous system, people with diabetes typically experience reduced sensation in their feet, legs, arms, and hands.
Neuropathy symptoms include a “pins and needles” sensation, general numbness, and overall pain and sensitivity. Your feet may also feel either very hot or extremely cold frequently.
Unfortunately, the neuropathy leads to sustaining cuts and injuries to your feet that you may not notice because of the diminished sensation in your feet.
If infection sets in, a small scratch can quickly escalate to a life-threatening level. A minor cut can take a long time to heal and transform into a foot ulcer, which, if not treated promptly and properly, can lead to infection, gangrene (dead tissue), and even amputation.
Our podiatrists routinely treat patients with problems like corns, calluses, and plantar warts. Corns and calluses occur when layers of your skin become thick and hard, often in response to pressure and friction in a particular area of your foot.
Plantar warts are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV) and often grow inward from a point on the bottom of your foot that bears weight frequently.
All of these issues aren’t generally problematic if you don’t have diabetes, but if you do, they can lead to a foot injury, which can progress to a serious ulcer quickly, and get infected.
The same is true for ingrown toenails. Usually you can take care of one at home or get treated here, diabetes complications could set you up for more serious problems.
Now that you know about these foot issues that many people living with diabetes experience, it’s important to know how to take the best care of your feet so you can prevent these problems.
Your podiatrist works with you to ensure that you take the best care of your feet to avoid diabetes-related complications, including:
Preventive care of your feet can go a long way in stopping problems in their tracks.
Don’t hesitate to call the South Florida Foot & Ankle Centers office that’s most convenient to you for help with diabetic foot care, or book an appointment online.
