Your Feet with Diabetes

Your Feet with Diabetes - Proceed with Caution

Diabetes affects over 23.6 million Americans with an estimated 1.6 million new cases being diagnosed every year. Diabetes is a systemic disease that increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke, kidney disease, and risk of limb amputation. In fact, the majority of non-traumatic amputations result from the complications of diabetes. If you have diabetes, regular visits to your primary care physician, as well as your podiatrist, is the key to preventing irreversible damage to your feet. Here are several tips specific to the patient with diabetes to help you take proper care of your feet:

1. Manage your diabetes-work with your doctors to ensure your blood glucose levels remain at an appropriate level at all times.

2. Examine your feet every day-take time to inspect your feet for blisters, bruises, or any discoloration. Make sure to check all aspects of the foot and use a mirror if necessary.

3. Get active-consult your doctors about appropriate ways to exercise. Maintaining a healthy weight is crucial in managing diabetes.

4. Avoid going barefoot-wear socks and shoes to avoid injuries to your feet. Even small cuts and scrapes can go unnoticed in diabetic patients, especially those who have neuropathy.

5. Get fitted for good shoes-several shoe companies offer a variety of styles of diabetic shoes that have seamless linings in them to reduce any irritation to your skin. People (especially women) will often wear shoes that are too small which can lead to a variety of foot-related problems. Our feet change as we age. Make sure to get fitted every time you go to buy a new pair of shoes.

6. Trim your toenail straight across with slightly rounded edges - this will help avoid ingrown toenails and prevent the nail from cutting into your skin which may cause infection.

7. Wash your feet daily-use lukewarm water and soap to wash your feet. Dry your feet off, and apply baby powder to keep the feet dry throughout the day. This will help prevent blisters.

8. See a podiatrist regularly-a podiatrist is a foot and ankle doctor who is specially trained in the diagnosis and treatment of all kinds of pathology (diseases) related to the foot. Diabetic foot care is one of the many aspects a podiatrist handles on a regular basis. Regular visits to a podiatrist significantly decreases the risk of foot-related complications in diabetic patients.

If you have any questions or concerns about your feet, please do not hesitate to contact our InStride Family Foot Care at 704-786-4482 or visit our website at http://www.familyfootcare.info/.
 

 

FitFlop Sandals….Do They Really Work?

Designed and tested at the Centre for Human Performance in London, the FitFlop sandal has become increasingly popular among consumers seeking the same benefits as the Skechers ShapeUps and MBT shoes. The company has designed a broad range of styles from sporty to trendy to accommodate almost every situation imaginable.
The premise behind the FitFlop technology centers around the company’s trademarked Micowobbleboard technology that is designed to increase the amount of time the wearer’s leg muscles are engaged while walking. By creating an unstable platform, the body must put forth more effort to remain balanced. The midsole material is comprised of a high density heel for shock absorption, a low density midfoot portion for instability, and a mid density forefoot which helps maintain pace while walking. The company claims that the sandals can reduce back and ankle stress, realign force through the body while walking, and activates leg muscles by up to 30% more than regular shoes. These claims come from user perceptions as well as research conducted by the company itself on 15 women. Currently, the UK government has given a 2 year grant to FitFlop Footwear to continue research on the benefits of the FitFlop and the Microwobbleboard technology. To read current research the company has performed, click here.
User reviews are positive among consumers in regards to overall comfort and cushion of the flip flops, affordability, and overall aesthetic appeal. Many consumer review sites have claims that the flip flops really do engage the leg as well as core muscles. Most negative reviews are that they simply can’t find the footwear or that stores are sold out! The FitFlop Footwear company has an extensive FAQ site that answers many questions from general to medical about the FitFlops.
FitFlops have received the Seal of Acceptance from the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) which is awarded to companies whose products have been shown to promote foot health. There are currently no third party research articles specific to the FitFlop. In regards to whether or not the product really works, the best answer is probably. People with foot problems should consult a podiatrist before purchasing a pair of FitFlops. (A claim the company makes on its website.) Also remember that buying new (proper) footwear in general can lead us to become more motivated to exercise more often than usual and live a healthier lifestyle. No piece of footwear can help you lose weight and gain strength without the wearer actually putting them on and doing some work. So if a new pair of kicks is what helps you become more active, then make a trip to a local shoe store or FitFlop retailer and get fitted! For even more information on selecting proper footwear, click here, then click on "shoes" on the right side of your screen.