Diabetes and your feet. Want to hear some good news about diabetes for a change?

(Here is the article that Sally ran in the last edition of diabetes qld magazine.)

Diabetes. It is a a diagnosis that can change everything about your life – the way you eat, the way you live and the way you feel. The good news is that diabetes does not mean you have to wear ugly shoes. I have been a podiatrist for more than 15 years and I’m sure! However you have to wear sensible shoes or you could develop serious foot problems. There are two main issues:

1. Diabetes can damage your blood vessels, thickening the lining so not as much blood can get through them. If the vessels to your feet are clogged, less blood can get through. This means that your feet are less able to fight infection and heal themselves.

2. People with diabetes can also develop nerve damage. This can mean your feet can become numb and you don’t feel pain. While this may sound good, that pain is there for a reason. It tells your brain if something is wrong – for example, you get a blister, splinter or cut. Pain tells you to stop before things get worse. So if your feet are numb, you might not know when a problem is starting.

Combine the two and you are starting to look at really big problems.

So, let’s get back to the good news. If you have diabetes, there are lots of things you can do to look after your feet such as:

• washing and carefully drying your feet every day.
• Inspecting your feet everyday to check they look healthy and normal
• having regular foot checks by your doctor, podiatrist or diabetes educator
• Always checking inside your shoes before putting them on to make sure there are no objects inside them.
• Avoiding going barefoot, even int he house – many serious problems start with injuries such as standing on a pin.
• Wearing well fitting sensible shoes

Ah ha, there are those words again…sensible shoes! Shoes have changed significantly over the last 20 years. Companies like Earth, Think! and Birkenstock know how important shoes are to your overall wellbeing, especially if you have diabetes. They know a person has more nerve endings in their hands, feet and lips than int he rest of the body combined and they know that well designed and well fitting shoes can help your posture, breathing, balance and even your sense of grounding.

Searching for balance and wellness from the ground up

1. Find a good shoe retailer who will take the time to discuss your footwear preferences, lifestyle habits, profession and type of feet.

2. Really think about how you feel when you put a pair of shoes on. Is your spine upright and your lungs open? Doe the whole base of your foot touch the ground the way it is designed to ? If there is a heel, does the shoe provide extra support and padding?

3. Learn about your own feet. Are they narrow or wide? Do you have flat or high arches?

4. Find a style that suits you and stick with it.

In the next edition of diabetesIQ I’ll help you find the right fit for you foot. Until next time. Sally