Keep The Blood Flowing To Your Feet
Try the following tips to improve blood flow to your feet:
- Put your feet up when you are sitting.
- Wiggle your toes for a few minutes throughout the day. Move your ankles up and down and in and out to help blood flow in your feet and legs.
- Do not wear tight socks or elastic stockings. Do not try to hold up loose socks with rubber bands.
- Be more physically active. Choose activities that are easy on your feet, such as walking, dancing, yoga or stretching, swimming, or bike riding.
- Stop smoking.
Smoking can lower the amount of blood flow to your feet. If you smoke, ask for help to stop. You can get help by calling the national quitline at 1-800-QUITNOW or 1-800-784-8669. For tips on quitting, go to SmokeFree.gov.
Outbreak Of Small Reddish
When these bumps appear, they often look like pimples. Unlike pimples, they soon develop a yellowish color. Youll usually find these bumps on the buttocks, thighs, crooks of the elbows, or backs of the knees. They can form anywhere though.
Eruptive-xanthomatosis
These bumps appear suddenly and clear promptly when diabetes is well-controlled.
When these bumps appear, they often look like pimples. Unlike pimples, they soon develop a yellowish color. Youll usually find these bumps on the buttocks, thighs, crooks of the elbows, or backs of the knees. They can form anywhere though. No matter where they form, they are usually tender and itchy. The medical name for this skin condition is eruptive xanthomatosis.
Take action
- Tell your doctor about the bumps because this skin condition appears when you have uncontrolled diabetes.
- Talk with your doctor about how to better control your diabetes.
Does Diabetes Cause Hair Loss
What diabetes can do to your body
If you have diabetes, your body doesnt produce insulin, doesnt use it effectively, or both. Insulin is a hormone that moves the sugar from the foods you eat from your bloodstream into your cells to be stored or used as energy.
When you dont have insulin or it isnt used effectively, sugar can build up in your blood. That excess sugar can damage organs all over your body, including your eyes, nerves, and kidneys. It can also damage your blood vessels. These vessels carry oxygen around your body to nourish organs and tissues. Damaged blood vessels may not be able to deliver enough oxygen to nourish your hair follicles. This lack of oxygen can affect your normal hair growth cycle.
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Peripheral Artery Disease What Exactly Is It
Peripheral artery disease refers to the build-up of plaque on the inner surface of the arteries that lead to the legs. Its medical term is atherosclerosis but you may be more familiar with the term hardening of the arteries.
PAD is a particularly dangerous condition that causes the arteries to narrow restricting the flow of blood to the legs, feet, and toes. As a result, the lower extremities fail to get sufficient oxygen and nutrients to help them stay healthy and so they start to deteriorate. Leg pain, wounds, and diabetic sores that fail to heal, and loss of mobility are all common symptoms of PAD.
When PAD reaches an advanced stage its referred to as critical limb ischemia. This is where areas of the feet have lost their blood supply because of blockages and obstruction in the arteries that can result in gangrene or tissue death.
Gangrene can lead to amputation, so patients experiencing symptoms of PAD must seek immediate medical treatment.
Another symptom of peripheral artery disease that can lead to amputation is lower extremity diabetic ulcers or sores that fail to heal. Because there is insufficient blood flow to the lower extremities, chronic wounds on the legs and feet are unable to heal themselves.
Untreated diabetic ulcers and wounds on the legs of people with PAD can quickly escalate to an extremely serious problem for which sadly, the only course of action may be amputation.
If Your Doctor Recommends Amputation
Your doctor will try to treat infections or wounds with medicine first. They won’t recommend amputation unless tissue in your foot or leg is dying or has died.
If you do need the operation, your surgeon will remove the damaged tissue on your foot or leg and try to save as much healthy tissue as possible.
Donât think of it as a failure of your diabetes treatment. Think of it as a way to help you heal faster, so you can get back to the activities you enjoy.
Also, keep in mind that you may be getting rid of a serious infection that could have led to the amputation of your entire leg. Many people who get a foot amputation even enjoy better health after the surgery.
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Saving Limbs And Toes From The Grip Of Diabetes With Clinics New Approach
UCSF Center is Part of National Consortium That Will Study New Technologies
Last year, Diane Sammons went to see her doctor about an ulcer on her left heel. The doctor took one look at the infected wound and called 911.
On the ambulance ride over to the emergency room at UCSF Helen Diller Medical Center at Parnassus Heights, she realized that she might lose her foot. I used to be very athletic, so this was overwhelming, said Sammons, a retired pediatric nurse who was used to long hours on her feet and had been an avid tennis player.
But like many people with diabetes, which can cause nerve damage, Sammons hadnt noticed the ulcer on her foot until it had become badly infected.
The loss of a toe or limb to diabetes is more common than many people realize and its a tragic outcome that UC San Franciscos Limb Preservation and Diabetic Foot Center is working to prevent.
Alexander M. Reyzelman, DPM, who co-leads the UCSF Limb Preservation and Diabetic Foot Center, examines the feet of patient Diane Sammons.
In 2016, more than 12,000 Californians underwent diabetes-related amputations. The problem may start with a blister on the foot that goes unnoticed and untreated because people with diabetes often lose feeling in peripheral nerves. These small injuries can become infected when, as is often the case, the diabetes is accompanied by poor circulation in the limbs.
Wash Your Feet Every Day
Wash your feet with soap in warm, not hot, water. Test the water to make sure it is not too hot. You can use a thermometer or your elbow to test the warmth of the water. Do not soak your feet because your skin will get too dry.
After washing and drying your feet, put talcum powder or cornstarch between your toes. Skin between the toes tends to stay moist. Powder will keep the skin dry to help prevent an infection.
Read Also: Number Of Grams Of Sugar Per Day For Diabetic
Foot Care And Prevention Tips For Diabetics
Diabetic patients can help prevent foot/leg amputation by maintaining a healthy blood glucose level, eating a healthy diet, and exercising daily. Additionally, there are other ways to care for your feet that can help prevent amputation, including:
- Seeing a DFW podiatry doctor on a regular basis and at the first sign of any problem
- Doing daily checks of your feet looking for any signs of ulcers, wounds, infection, or other abnormalities
- Never going barefoot to reduce your risk of getting cuts or wounds on the bottoms of your feet
- Always wearing socks to protect your feet and to prevent blisters from forming
- Wearing shoes that fit properly and provide adequate support
- Washing your feet daily with a mild soap and drying them thoroughly especially between the toes
Can Diabetic Neuropathy Be Reversed
Your body is incredibly resilient. There are many types of nerve damage that can be healed. In fact, one of the most frustrating things about some chronic pain treatments is the fact that nerves heal and begin sending pain signals again!
But when it comes to leg pain caused by diabetic peripheral neuropathy, the damage is usually permanent and irreversible. This is why blood sugar control, weight management, and other preventative treatment is so important.
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Diabetes And Amputation: Everything You Need To Know To Avoid Amputation
By Elisabeth Almekinder RN, BA, CDE
In this article, we will cover everything that you need to know about how to avoid an extremity amputation due to diabetes. We will cover skin and foot care, what to look for, and when to contact your doctor. We will discuss whether or not you need to see a podiatrist, and what to do if you do have a diabetic foot ulcer. We will look at how to get it treated, so that it heals and doesnt progress to amputation.
We will also look at what to do if you are going to have, or have already had an amputation due to your diabetes. We will look at ways you can become mobile again safely. We will also discuss ways to protect your remaining limbs so that you dont have another amputation later. We will discuss what to look for related to residual limb care, and how to locate needed resources, such as a physical therapist.
In my own experience as a nurse for 22 years, and as a certified diabetes educator, I have seen many people with diabetes lose functional mobility, and even their life, after an amputation. I have seen a person go from having a blister and not even knowing they have diabetes to having a below the knee amputation in under two weeks.
Rogers story
Roger stated he just has to have fried chicken, even though he knows he shouldnt eat it so often, and he loves his sweet Southern tea. The only thing he loves more is his two year old grandson, Tyler. Tyler is a busy boy, and like most 2 year olds, he is into everything.
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What Causes Diabetics To Lose Sensation In Feet
Loss of feeling in feet is one of the most common manifestations of long standing chronic diabetes. The exact cause of this condition is not known, but it is believed to occur due to uncontrolled blood sugar level for long duration.
Too much sugar in blood for long time can cause damage to the vessel walls. As a result the nutrients supplied to nerve are compromised. When the peripheral nerve is damaged, it is not able to send impulses to brain as it used to do before the damage. The function of peripheral nerves is to send sensory messages like touch, hot, cold etc to the brain. When peripheral nerve is damaged sensations cannot be felt as the message to the brain is obliterated. This is why a diabetic patient looses feeling in his feet.
Although loss of feeling in feet is a symptom of peripheral neuropathy, diabetes can also damage the autonomic nervous system. It is an involuntary nervous system which controls the functions of vital organs such as heart, lungs, stomach, liver etc. Patient often suffers from frequent episodes of diarrhea, increased sweating, visual problems, urinary tract disorders, dizziness etc.
Loosing sensation or feeling in feet is a serious problem associated with diabetes. Since these patients have reduced appreciation for pain and touch, they tend to injure their feet. These patients are vulnerable to develop sores in their feet and toes. Infected sores and reduced blood supply can lead to amputation of toes, feet or the leg.
Improve Circulation With Hbot
Most of the core functions involved in wound healing are oxygen-dependent, so it makes sense that increasing oxygen in the body can support the wound-healing process.
Under normal circumstances, oxygen can only make its way through the blood within red blood cells. When red blood cells are too low or cant circulate properly, important tissues become deprived of oxygen.
Cells that lack sufficient oxygen cant produce the energy needed for bacterial defense, collagen synthesis, regeneration, or any other essential repair functions. Only concentrated oxygen flow through hyperbaric oxygen therapy can overcome such deficiencies.
HBOT performed in specialized hyperbaric chambers releases pressurized oxygen that permeates all areas of the body, even areas where circulation has become reduced or blocked.
This essential benefit of hyperbaric wound care stimulates and supports the bodys natural healing capabilities. When white blood cells receive enough oxygen, they can effectively kill bacteria, reduce swelling, and allow the rapid reproduction of new blood vessels. HBOT even enables cells to build new connective tissue and improve organ function.
Consider HBOT to treat your diabetic wound and prevent amputation, and you can expect to experience significant benefits to your overall health:
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How Is Rls Diagnosed
There is no blood test for restless leg syndrome, but your doctor may perform blood tests to rule out other health issues that could be causing your symptoms, such as kidney failure. Once other issues are ruled out, restless leg syndrome is diagnosed based solely on your symptoms. So make sure youre as honest and open as possible with your doctor about your symptoms.
Osteomyelitis Related To Diabetic Foot Ulcer Infection
Death related to diabetic foot ulcer, infection and amputation is significant, and account for at least 50 percent of all diabetes related hospitalizations in the US. Fifteen percent of diabetic foot ulcers will progress to osteomyelitis, or infection of the bone. This presents challenges for healing, and it greatly increases the risk that the patient will need an amputation.
Any diabetic foot ulcer that has been infected for more than two weeks is at risk for osteomyelitis. It should be evaluated for any patient where there is a deep ulcer, involving extensive layers of skin. Chronic ulcers are especially susceptible to osteomyelitis. Ulcers over boney prominences seem to be high culprits for osteomyelitis.
If a diabetic foot ulcer has been infected for more than six weeks, and involves swelling in the toes or foot, there may be osteomyelitis. A white blood cell count and other inflammatory markers, such as high blood glucose levels, should further alert clinicians to perform x-rays and evaluate for osteomyelitis.
If you have osteomyelitis, you will be prescribed antibiotics. You will most likely be taking antibiotics intravenously. If you are prescribed oral antibiotics, make sure to take all of your medications. Fever, chills, and redness at the site of infection should be reported promptly to your doctor.
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Neuropathy And Pad Oh My
Patients with neuropathy get a pins and needles, burning pain in their fingers and toes. This numb feeling makes it difficult for people with diabetes to feel pain. People with diabetic neuropathy can injure their foot and not even feel it. On top of that, poor circulation, and changes in the shape and anatomy of the foot make it more likely for a person with diabetes to injure their feet or hands. Like Roger, you can get an injury and be unaware of it until it is too late.
Neuropathy, when it leads to foot malformation such as Charcots foot, makes it hard to find shoes that fit properly and dont rub a blister. In this case, people with diabetes tend to stuff their feet into ill-fitting shoes and cause themselves more problems. They should be fitted for the appropriate diabetic shoes, which are custom therapeutic shoes made to fit and accommodate any foot deformities that may exist.
When neuropathy leads to loss of sensation, and injury of the extremities, infection can ensue. This is why neuropathy is one of the main reasons for amputation.
Have A Protein Shake Before Your Workout
Protein shakes are very effective for improving strength.
While many trainers have a post-workout shake, research has shown that drinking a shake containing at least 6 grams of amino acids the muscle-building blocks of protein and 35 grams of carbohydrates 30-60 minutes before exercising increases your protein synthesis more than drinking the same shake after training.
Since exercise increases bloodflow to your working tissues, drinking a carbohydrate-protein mixture before your workout may lead to greater uptake of the amino acids in your muscles, says Kevin Tipto, PhD, an exercise and nutrition researcher at the University of Texas.
Good quality whey-protein powders usually contain at least 30 grams of protein per serving, as well as a healthy supply of vitamins and minerals.
Other liquid supplements such as weight-gain powders can also provide a lot of high quality protein and nutrients in each serving, but they also tend to be extremely high in calories, carbohydrates and sugar.
While this is sufficient for most weight lifters, it is not ideal for those with conditions such as type 2 diabetes, for whom weight loss may be a key goal.
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