Diabetes affects you from head to toe --- and the toes need special attention. Not only can circulation problems pose risks for your feet, but you might not detect sores and other symptoms right away because nerve damage has made your feet less sensitive. Diet strategies are vital to help manage diabetes complications, including foot trouble. That means focusing on nutritious foods and avoiding empty calories that can pile on pounds. Reduce your risks by watching for problems and dealing with them promptly.
Diabetes and Complications
The complications that can hurt your feet stem from the excess blood sugar that's a constant threat to your health, whether you are a type 1 or type 2 diabetic. Blood sugar, or glucose, can build up in your bloodstream over the years. The result: blood vessel damage that impairs your circulation and nerve damage that causes pain or numbness in your extremities. Diabetes-related amputations are a real peril, though more than half of them could be prevented by more vigilant care.
Your Diabetes Lifestyle
You can head off many diabetes complications with a balanced diet that helps you maintain a healthy weight and blood pressure. Smart strategies include eating plenty of fruits and vegetables, choosing whole grains, eating fish and lean meats, avoiding sugary beverages in favor of water and diet drinks, avoiding saturated and trans fats and choosing nonfat dairy foods. It's also important to boost your circulation by avoiding smoking and getting regular exercise.
Diabetes 'Superfoods'
To help you make diet choices, the American Diabetes Association lists 10 diabetes "superfoods" for meals and snacks, to be eaten in sensible portions. They are beans, dark green leafy vegetables, citrus fruit, sweet potatoes, berries, tomatoes, nonfat milk and yogurt, whole grains, nuts and omega-3-rich fish, such as salmon. All provide important nutrients and have a low glycemic index --- that is, they release glucose into your bloodstream relatively slowly.
Foot Care
Wash your feet daily and apply a lubricant like petroleum jelly or an unscented cream --- but not between your toes. Smooth calluses gently with a pumice stone, and then apply lotion. Inspect your feet daily for sores, thickened or infected calluses and ingrown toenails, all of which need prompt medical attention. Avoid high heels, sandals and open-toed shoes, opting for well-padded socks. Never go barefoot. And check inside your shoes before you put them on: A tiny pebble or rough lining could cause a blister and put you at risk for infection.
