Diabetes & Your Feet
Importantly, people with diabetes can develop many different diabetes-foot & eye care problem. In instance, even ordinary problems can get worse and lead to serious complications.
As a matter of fact, foot problems most often happen when there is nerve damage, also called neuropathy. As a result, this can cause tingling, pain (burning or stinging), or weakness in the foot. In addition, it can also cause loss of feeling in the foot, so you can injure it and not know it. Moreover, poor blood flow or changes in the shape of your feet or toes may also cause problems.
In short, take good care of your feet and see your doctor right away if you see any signs of foot problems.
Caring For Your Feet
When you have diabetes, caring for your feet is very important in avoiding serious foot complications. As shown below, take care for your feet by doing the following:
• Wash your feet thoroughly everyday
• Dry them thoroughly, and don’t forget to dry between your toes
• Moisturize your feet, but avoid moisturizing between your toes
• Keep your toenails trim, and use an emery board to file down sharp edges
• Check your feet for sores, cuts, blisters, corns, or redness daily. Of course, let
your doctor know if you find any of these.
• Wear moisture wicking socks
• Before putting your shoes on, check for sharp objects (i.e. small rocks)
• Wear shoes that fit well and don’t rub your feet
Given these points, avoid these:
• Do not walk around barefoot
• Don’t soak your feet
• Avoid smoking
Keep Your Eyes Healthy
It should be noted that you have a lot of control over what happens to your eyes. First, keep your blood sugar levels under tight control. High blood sugar levels may make your vision temporarily blurry. Secondly, high blood pressure can make eye problems worse so it is important to bring high blood pressure under control. Furthermore, quitting smoking will also help reduce possible eye complications.
For the most part, see your eye care professional at least once a year for a dilated eye exam. After all, having your regular doctor look at your eyes is not enough. Only optometrists and ophthalmologists can detect the signs of retinopathy. Only ophthalmologists can treat retinopathy.
See Your Eye Care Professional If Your:
• Vision becomes blurry or your eye(s) hurt
• Having trouble reading signs or books
• Seeing double or you can’t see things at the side as you used to
• Eyes get red and stay that way
• Feeling pressure in your eye or seeing spots or floaters
Computer Use and Your Eyes:
Computer linked eye-strain is an increasingly routine condition. Generally speaking , the symptoms are sore, tired, burning eyes, blurred vision, headache, light sensitivity and dry eyes.
You can reduce the strain on your eyes:
• Give your eyes an occasional break away from the monitor.
• Set aside work and do it when your eyes need an extended interval away from the monitor.
• Sit about one arm’s length away from the display with your eyes level with the top of the display.
• Make certain you blink consciously every so often to inhibit your eyes from drying.