| Diabetes is primarily characterized by the condition of | | | | find that their feet pick up cuts and bruises. As the red |
| hyperglycemia or high blood sugar. This is caused | | | | blood cells are responsible for healing any cuts and |
| because the hormone insulin that reduces the blood | | | | bruises, it also takes longer for these injuries to heal |
| sugar level is not produced or doesn't work effectively. | | | | because the red blood cells don't get to the feet. |
| As there is no cure for diabetes, a diabetic must | | | | The nervous system is also damaged by diabetes and |
| control their blood sugar levels every day so that there | | | | high blood sugar over time. This means that the |
| are no further health problems. In type 1 diabetes this | | | | nervous system isn't responsive to things that happen |
| involves injecting insulin into the body. In type 2 diabetes | | | | to the body or that it doesn't communicate to the rest |
| and gestational diabetes the treatment may involve | | | | of the body if something is happening. Thus diabetics |
| taking a drug to make the insulin in their body work | | | | may find that their feet sometimes become numb. As |
| more effectively or simply watch what they eat. | | | | they learn to live with this they will often miss cuts and |
| Unfortunately, no matter how diligent a person is about | | | | bruises on their feet because they don't feel them. |
| their day to day treatment, other complications will | | | | When these bruises are left untreated they can get |
| occur over time. This is especially so for people with | | | | worse or become infected. This can lead to more |
| type 2 diabetes because there is a good chance that | | | | problems. |
| they have been living with the condition for many | | | | Foot ulcers are often caused when there is too much |
| years before it was diagnosed. One common | | | | pressure applied to a part of the foot. This might be a |
| complication is problems with the feet, in particular, foot | | | | result of corns or calluses that are aggravated by |
| ulcers. This article will discuss why this is such a | | | | poor quality shoes or socks or are not cared for. |
| common complaint for diabetics and how they can | | | | The key to treating foot ulcers is to minimize the |
| avoid such problems. | | | | chances of them occurring in the first place. Take |
| Blood circulates throughout the body and is responsible | | | | extra care of your feet and inspect them daily. |
| for supplying the vital organs and systems of the body | | | | Always wash and dry them each day. Be sure to |
| with oxygen and nutrients. It is believed that if the blood | | | | keep nails trim. |
| is constantly high in sugar it cannot perform these vital | | | | Find shoes and socks specifically designed for |
| functions. Consequently many of these systems start | | | | diabetics. In the case of socks, they will be soft and be |
| to develop problems. | | | | of natural fibers that allow the foot to breath. The |
| In the case of feet, the circulatory and nervous | | | | same goes for shoes. They will have soft material that |
| systems are affected by high blood sugar. In the case | | | | won't aggravate the skin and give the feet plenty of |
| of the circulation it means that the blood does not flow | | | | room. |
| freely to the extremities of the body. This includes the | | | | If you do get ulcers, then see your doctor. They will |
| feet and the hands. Thus people with diabetes might | | | | prescribe topical medication and handle the treatment. |