8 Steps to Keep Diabetes from Harming Your Feet

Authors:
  • author name Marie E. Acebo, RD, CDE, LDN
Walking shoes

Your feet carry the weight of your body with every step, so good foot care is important to keep you walking, running, and dancing through life. If you have diabetes, it’s doubly important to pay attention to your feet because the disease makes you more vulnerable to foot problems.

Why Diabetes Can Harm Your Feet

As we age, our feet change. The natural fat pad we have on the bottom of each foot begins to atrophy, basically thinning out and disappearing over time. I don’t know about you, but this is not the first place I would like my fat to disappear! As a result, our feet truly take a pounding, and damage to the tiny bones and joints can occur.

Add diabetes to the picture and you have even more reason to pay attention to your feet because the disease makes you more vulnerable to foot problems. It can damage your nerves and reduce blood flow to your feet, leading to foot ulcerations and amputations as the most common consequences of diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

Unfortunately, this damage can occur and not be detected. And when the damage affects circulation, your body’s natural ability to heal can be affected.

Prevention Foot Problems from Developing

So how can you keep your feet happy? You play an important role in finding problems early so they can be addressed before they become serious. Here are some guidelines:

  • Keep your blood glucose numbers on target.
  • Examine your feet daily, checking the tops, bottoms, sides, and toes.
  • Check your feet for cuts, sores, and infections.
  • Cut toenails straight across.
  • File nails with a paper emery board, not a metal one.
  • Wear good supporting shoes.
  • Avoid walking barefoot.
  • Contact your physician and/or podiatrist if you have any questions or concerns.

Most of all, enjoy life as you walk, jog, run, hike, or dance. Our feet are made for walking—and more—even with the loss of the fat pad! Good foot care, especially if you have diabetes, will keep you active.

author name

Marie E. Acebo, RD, CDE, LDN

Marie E. Acebo, RD, CDE, LDN, is a registered dietitian with the Diabetes & Nutrition Center at Lancaster General Health.

Education: After earning a bachelor’s degree in dietetics from Eastern Michigan University, she completed a clinical dietitian internship at the University of Michigan Medical Center. Acebo specializes in the care and management of pediatric type 1 and type 2 diabetes. She is also an expert in treating eating disorders through nutrition.

Call: 717-544-5923

About LG Health Hub

The LG Health Hub features breaking medical news and straightforward advice to help individuals of all ages make healthy choices and reach their wellness goals. The blog puts articles by trusted Lancaster General Health clinical experts, good 'n healthy recipes, videos, patient stories, and health risk assessments at your fingertips.

 

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