At Connecticut Foot Care Centers, we know that patients who have diabetes are open to a slew of podiatric problems. Neuropathy, or nerve damage, is a common condition associated with diabetes which can decrease your ability to sense pain, burning or other signs of foot injuries and disorders. Sweat secretion and normal oil production can also be impaired, leaving the skin on your feet very dry and resulting in abnormal pressure on bones and joints. Wounds and ulcers are more likely to form and decreased the functioning of the immune system, also common in diabetic patients, which means that it is harder to heal and the chances of infection and even amputation are increased.

Fortunately, there are ways for patients to reduce their risk of diabetic complications. These include:

• Schedule regular checkups with our podiatrists Jeffrey S. Kahn, D.P.M., Craig M. Kaufman, D.P.M., Ayman M. Latif, D.P.M. or Raffaella R. Pascarella, D.P.M. every six months. Teaming up with your podiatrist to help manage the effects of diabetes on your feet can significantly reduce your risk of hospitalization and amputation. 
• Practice good daily hygiene. Wash your feet with warm (not hot) water and soap every day. Dry completely—especially between your toes because that’s where athlete’s foot often first develops. Use a foot powder in the morning on your feet and a rich moisturizer at night.
• Choose footwear wisely. Socks should have no seams, be thick and absorbent and made of a material that wicks moisture away from your skin. Shoes and boots should have roomy toe boxes, low heels and a cushioned insole for maximum protection. Periodically run your hand around the inside of your shoes to check for loose stitching or rough patches that may cause blisters.
• Get in the habit of inspecting your feet daily. Look for cuts, blisters, bruises, swelling, redness, rashes, growths or lumps. Run the eraser end of a pencil over the entire foot to see if you detect any decrease in sensation in any part of your foot. Make an appointment at one of our six Hartford and Middlesex County offices to get any concerning symptoms evaluated promptly.

At Connecticut Foot Care Centers, LLC we encourage all of our patients to be proactive in the health of their feet. Patients with diabetes, however, have to be even more diligent in the care of their feet. Diabetes delivers a double whammy when it comes to podiatric health. First, many patients with this disease experience problems with circulation. This means injuries and infections can be very difficult to heal. Second, neuropathy or lack of sensation in the feet is also common in diabetic patients, making it challenging to detect injuries and symptoms of disorders promptly. 

Below are some recommendations for foot care for diabetic patients:

• Get in the habit of inspecting your feet regularly, or ask someone else to do for you if you cannot easily see your entire foot. Look for changes in shape, size, skin color, toenail condition, bruises, cuts, rashes, lumps or swelling. Report anything unusual to our podiatrists Jeffrey S. Kahn, D.P.M., Craig M. Kaufman, D.P.M., Ayman M. Latif, D.P.M. or Raffaella R. Pascarella, D.P.M. promptly.
• Take special care when choosing your footwear. Be sure shoes have a roomy toe box and are made of soft, flexible material. Keep heels lower than two inches. Periodically run your hand around the inside of your shoes to check for loose stitching or rough spots that may rub on your skin.
• Keep feet dry. Always towel dry your feet completely after washing, especially between your toes. That’s where athlete’s foot often starts. If you sweat excessively, use an anti-fungal powder each morning. Change your socks during the day if you notice they are damp. This will greatly reduce the risk of fungal infections.
• Avoid going barefoot. This will help prevent cuts and puncture wounds. It will also lessen the chances of getting a foot infection or warts, as these are spread by direct contact.
• Do not attempt to remove corns or calluses on your own. This can lead to an injury that could become infected. If you need help properly trimming your nails, ask the podiatrist.

Even seemingly minor foot problems can become major threats to your health if you have diabetes. Take the proper precautions to prevent foot and ankle issues. If you have questions about how to care for your diabetic feet, contact one of our six Hartford and Middlesex County offices.

Diabetes is a debilitating disease that causes a whole range of short-term and long-term effects on anyone who is dealing with it. Since November is National Diabetes Month, we here at Connecticut Foot Care Centers are taking time to discuss the disease with our patients as much as possible. If you’re one of the 29 million people in America who are dealing with diabetes daily, you know the effects are many and varied.

Short-term effects of diabetes

There are several things that happen to individuals with diabetes when their bodies’ blood sugar levels are outside of normal range. Here are a few:

• Lack of energy
• Blurred vision
• Excessive thirst
• Excessive hunger
• Increased need to urinate
• Feeling lethargic
• Weakness
• Shaking
• Nervousness
• Sense of confusion

Long-term effects of diabetes

If you’ve been suffering from diabetes for many years, your risk for the long-term effects or complications are increased. Those effects include:

• Kidney disease
• Retina damage
• Blindness
• Heart disease
• Stroke
• Blood vessel damage 
• Nerve damage

How diabetes affects your feet

Nerve damage, or neuropathy, and blood vessel damage, or peripheral arterial disease, are two common long-term effects that concern podiatrists the most. Nerve damage can rapidly lead to numbness, which can make it tough for a diabetic patient to detect a foot injury or laceration. If you do suffer a scratch, cut, or abrasion to your foot as a diabetic with blood vessel damage, then the wound will heal much more slowly than it would in a non-diabetic foot. Wounds that do not heal can rapidly progress to becoming infected. In worst-case-scenarios, an infection in the foot of a patient with diabetes will result in amputation of a toe, foot, or even the entire lower leg.

If you have diabetes, the good news is that those who take concrete steps to improve their health and blood sugar levels can delay these long-term effects. If you have diabetes and have not had a podiatric checkup in a while, call us today. Our team of foot doctors here at Connecticut Foot Care Centers is equipped with a wealth of knowledge and resources in caring for diabetic feet. We provide the best in foot and ankle care and utilize the newest diagnostic and treatment techniques and technologies! Our friendly and knowledgeable staff has unparalleled experience and can help you at any of our six conveniently located Connecticut offices. Request an appointment today!

Diabetes affects millions of Americans each year, causing issues with their bodies all the way down to their feet. November is National Diabetes Month. If you have diabetes, you know how tough it can be to balance nutrition, weight, and exercise along with all the potential health issues you’re on the lookout for. One of the main issues to keep up on is foot health care. We know how much of a balancing act that can be here at Connecticut Foot Care Centers! That’s why we’ve put together a handy list of what to look for and how to properly care for your feet to take the guesswork out.

Follow these four tips for diabetic foot care

1. Keep up with podiatry checkups. Your podiatrist is medically trained to care for your feet and ankles, including training to work with patients with diabetes. Regular visits to your podiatrist are a must for diabetic patients to adequately monitor your feet and note any changes in your health. These visits could make the difference in having to amputate a limb.
2. Do daily foot checks. Sometimes you forget to check in with your feet when you’re busy. Pencil in time every day to look at your feet thoroughly. Make sure you have no ulcers, wounds, or cuts that are headed towards infections. Those can be detrimental to diabetic feet.
3. Choose the right footwear. Shoes that fit improperly can rub and cause blisters. Due to nerve issues associated with diabetes, a blister that is left untreated could lead to a wound that could potentially become infected. It’s important to wear comfortable shoes that fit right.
4. Trim your nails correctly. Always make sure to cut your toenails straight across and not too close. This will help to prevent ingrown toenails that can grow into a nasty infection.

If you are a patient with diabetes who has not had a podiatric checkup in a while, call us today. Our team of foot doctors here at Connecticut Foot Care Centers is equipped with a wealth of knowledge and resources in caring for diabetic feet. We provide the best in foot and ankle care and utilize the newest diagnostic and treatment techniques and technologies! Our friendly and knowledgeable staff has unparalleled experience and can help you at any of our six conveniently located Connecticut offices. Request an appointment today!

Diabetes can come with a myriad of issues. Luckily, there are also a number of ways to help ensure a long, healthy, happy life for our diabetic patients. One safe and heartily recommended way to help lower blood sugar and reduce weight for diabetic patients is to engage in regular exercise. If you’re not used to being active, it can seem like a huge step to all of a sudden incorporate exercise into your daily life. Thankfully, we’ve put together several tips that can help you improve your health and your diabetes.

Follow these tips for safe, effective exercise:

1. Start with realistic goals – Write down your goals in a journal or on a to-do list. This will set a great visual reminder or what you want to accomplish.
2. Begin with walking – Start your exercise off slow with 10 minutes of walking a day. Build from there.
3. Use a pedometer – Monitoring your daily activity is a great way to know if you’re reaching your goals. Keep up with your progress in a journal.
4. Increase activity where you can daily – Start taking the stairs instead of the elevator or walk or bike to run chores at nearby areas instead of driving.
5. Start stretching exercises – Yoga and Pilates can help keep your joints and muscles limber. Try to find a beginner’s class in your area.
6. Do some balancing exercises – Attempt standing on one leg or walking backwards. These simple exercises can help improve your balance overtime.
7. Have a workout pal – It’s easier to stay motivated when you have a friend working towards similar goals.
8. Watch your blood sugar – Regular monitoring of your blood glucose will help you see the results your exercise is having and help to keep you motivated
9. Stay hydrated – Drink plenty of water before, during, and after exercise. This helps with circulation and prevents any other complications that come with dehydration.

Before beginning a brand new exercise regimen, it is important to ensure your body is ready for what you’re about to set upon. A podiatrist can help ensure your feet are healthy and that there are no underlying foot conditions that need addressing.

Our team of foot doctors here at Connecticut Foot Care Centers provide the best in foot care to all of our diabetic patients. We can help ensure your feet and ankles are healthy and ready to embark on a new exercise journey! We encourage all of our patients to stay fit and healthy. Our friendly and knowledgeable staff can help you at any of our six conveniently located Connecticut offices. Request an appointment today!