November is National Diabetes Month, and it is important to keep your feet in check if you have diabetes. Podiatrists are frequently involved in the management of patients with diabetes because of the condition’s most common complication: diabetic neuropathy.
Why does it happen? It happens by different means. In diabetes, the flow of blood to small blood vessels is diminished. Everything in your body needs a blood supply, including nerves. So diabetes affects the nerves of sensation because those nerves are not getting an adequate supply of blood. Sensation therefore becomes diminished. Also, high levels of blood glucose can also damage nerves and diminish their function.
A feeling of numbness, tingling, or burning in the foot, or a loss of balance can be early symptoms of diabetic neuropathy. Complete loss of sensation can occur later. The loss of sensation due to diabetic neuropathy does not permit the patient to feel minor injuries like scrapes, burns, or blisters. Therefore, this loss of feeling lends itself to ulcers, infections, and ultimately possible amputations down the road. Amputations due to diabetic neuropathy are common but can be avoided by visiting your doctor early.
It is recommended to visit a podiatrist at least annually. The physician will implement a Comprehensive Diabetic Foot Exam in order to assess the diabetic foot and will use various instruments like a monofilament to detect loss of sensation.
Remember, when you are having your feet checked regularly and you are properly managing your glucose levels, complications such as neuropathy can be prevented or delayed.
If you have diabetes and need a Comprehensive Diabetic Foot Exam, please call us at 406-721-4007
More diabetic foot issues and treatment modalities will be explored in upcoming posts.