Podiatry and Diabetes: Managing Foot Health

Podiatry and Diabetes: Managing Foot Health

Manage your overall health by ensuring you have excellent diabetic foot care and choose the right podiatrist. Dr. Kevin Dodson of Dodson Foot Clinic in East Moline, IL, and Bettendorf, IA, knows what it takes to maintain the feet of a person with diabetes and is available for appointments to answer all your questions regarding diabetic foot health.

Proper Foot Health with Diabetes

People diagnosed with diabetes have to do a lot of health maintenance to keep their blood sugar in check. Ensuring blood sugar numbers are within a reasonable range is paramount to keeping their body in great shape. Maintaining optimal foot health is essential to avoid any complications of mismanaged foot care, such as nerve damage leading to decreased sensation or the possibility of amputation due to damaged toes. 

All people with diabetes will run the risk of nerve damage during their lifetime. Some people may get signs and symptoms of nerve damage, such as tingling, pain, or numbness, while others experience no signs. Nerve damage can lead to decreased sensation, making it harder to notice changes in your feet. Here is a list of risk factors that increase your chance of nerve damage.

• Hard to manage blood sugars
• Being overweight or obese
• A history of high blood pressure
• Over 40 years of age
• Having diabetes for many years with uncontrolled blood sugars
• A history of high cholesterol

According to Dodson Foot Clinic in East Moline, IL, and Bettendorf, IA, it is important to follow a daily diabetic footcare regime to notice any slight changes in your feet before they become a major problem. Daily foot checks should be part of your hygiene routine. An easy time to do this is after a shower or bath, making sure that your feet are completely dry after a shower, especially between the toes. Wet feet can lead to sores or ulcers. Use a good quality lotion on the top and bottom of your feet, avoiding between your toes. Wear good quality socks and shoes that fit properly. Also, a short amount of daily exercise, such as walking, is recommended.

Receiving proper foot care will keep you healthy with minimal foot issues. Reporting any change in your foot condition, cutting nails straight across, and having a qualified foot doctor take care of any issues, such as bunions, will keep you walking for a long time.

Schedule Your Appointment Today!

Dr. Dodson of Dodson Foot Clinic in East Moline, IL, at (309) 755-3809 and Bettendorf, IA, at (563) 355-7252 are waiting to answer all your questions regarding diabetic footcare and to help you take steps forward into a hopeful future with happy feet.