Diabetes is a condition that affects over 37 million people in the United States, and it causes varied serious problems, from kidney disease to vision loss.
One problem that impacts up to 50% of diabetes sufferers is neuropathy — high blood sugar-induced nerve damage. This problem occurs frequently in the feet.
It’s critical to have a podiatrist examine and care for your feet as part of your diabetes management, because complications that arise from diabetic neuropathy can lead to serious issues.
The caring podiatry team members at South Florida Foot & Ankle Centers provide expertly and sensitively delivered care if you live with diabetes, and this attention prevents you from experiencing serious difficulties that can arise when diabetic neuropathy isn’t tended to appropriately.
The high blood sugar levels that accompany diabetes, especially when it’s undiscovered or uncontrolled, does real damage to the nerves in your feet.
Aside from your feet, diabetes can damage peripheral nerves — those outside your spinal cord and brain — in many places throughout your body.
Watch out for these symptoms involving your feet::
This is just the beginning, however. As if these neuropathy symptoms weren’t unpleasant enough, they cause other complications that can turn serious quickly.
It’s absolutely vital to manage your diabetes well and steadily, pay proper attention to your glucose levels, and access the right care from your providers. If you overlook these steps, neuropathy can also damage your:
For these reasons, once you’re diagnosed with diabetes, you must prioritize scrupulous foot care, both at home and in your doctor’s office.
First and foremost, you need excellent medical treatment. When you visit us and you’re experiencing diabetic neuropathy symptoms, your podiatrist administers testing that includes determining how sensitive your legs and feet are.
We also employ electromyography (EMG), which is a nerve function test that reveals nerve damage through electrical signaling.
You’re in the best hands for neuropathy treatment when you come to South Florida Foot & Ankle Centers. Their goal is to free you from neuropathy-related pain and discomfort, and very importantly, halt your neuropathy’s progression.
We treat your symptoms with a combination of advanced approaches:
We also educate you about how you can partner in your care at home to avoid neuropathy problems.
These methods include examining your feet daily for injuries or any changes, keeping your feet clean (use lukewarm water only) and dry; moisturizing them (but not in between your toes); and be careful about trimming your toenails straight across and filing them smooth.
It’s also important to wear shoes that fit well (it’s best to go shoe shopping late in the day) and avoid going barefoot — the risk for injury is just too great. Try wiggling your toes on a regular basis and changing positions too.
Since diabetes is so complex, we’re also happy to consult with your primary care physician to ensure that your care is well-coordinated. We’re here to support your foot health in all ways, so you can live life to the fullest and avoid neuropathy-related complications.
Call the South Florida Foot & Ankle Centers office that’s most convenient to you and schedule a consultation, or book one online.
