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Now, lest you think life with diabetes is all doom and gloom and foot problems, please remember that it’s entirely possible to take good care of yourself, your diabetes, and your feet. Catching problems early (and preventing problems entirely where possible) are crucial in preventing future complications. After all an ounce of prevention is work a pound of cure. So, here are a few things you can do:

1) Daily foot inspections - Inspecting your foot daily may not sound like the most exciting use of your time, but such inspections are essential in finding problems to your foot early on, particularly if you have nerve damage. (If it helps to make it seem less boring, you can begin your inspections by donning a Sherlock Holmes type of cap, putting a pipe (an unlit one, of course) firmly between your teeth and using a wonderfully large magnifying glass.) If you can’t see your foot well, or if you have trouble reaching it, have a friend or family member assist you, or use a mirror (the magnifying ones are best) to check those hard-to-see places (like the bottom of your foot). (You can also use the mirror to tell yourself what a wonderful person you are, and compliment yourself on your excellent self-care of your feet.) Pay particular attention to the soles of your foot and between your toes, since this is where problems can often crop up. Check your skin for any sign of irritation or injury. Look for scrapes or cuts (however small), blisters, rashes, signs of infection like redness, swelling, drainage, or a bad smell, or possibly changes in skin color, or loss of hair on your foot or toes. Check your nails for problems. Do they look yellowed or have other changes in color? Are they thickened, deformed, striped, or just not growing? Look for signs that you may have fractured your foot. Check your foot overall for redness, see if it’s warm or hot to the touch, swollen, or has changed in size, shape or direction. If you notice any of the above on your feet, see your podiatrist as soon as possible. Don’t assume that the problem will go away on its own, and don’t try to just wait it out. Getting problems treated early is a MUST in diabetic foot care. Doing so can significantly reduce your chance of developing a severe complication. Set a specific time for your foot inspection every day, just to be sure you don’t forget.

2) Clean your feet - Wash your feet every day with lukewarm water and mild soap. (You can even make this part of your foot inspection regimen, if you like.) Be sure to test the water temperature with your hand (or elbow if your hand doesn’t have great sensation either) just to make sure it isn’t too hot, or have someone test the water for you. Dry your feet thoroughly but gently using a soft towel, paying particular attention to the skin between your toes. You can use talcum powder (aka baby powder) to wick moisture away from your skin, but be sure to get rid of any residue, particularly between your toes. Don’t soak your feet unless your podiatrist advises you to do so.

3) Lubricate dry skin - Apply a thin film of moisturizer (Cetaphil cream is recommended) to the soles of your feet while they’re still wet. Avoid getting the cream between your toes, since this can foster a fungal infection.

4) Trim nails - Cut your nails straight across. Rounding corners down can lead to ingrown toenails, which can become infected. Keeping your nails properly trimmed can also reduce pressure within your shoe and help you avoid other complications. If your feet are fragile with poor circulation or feeling then you may need to have this done by your podiatrist.

5) Promote circulation to your foot - You can help blood flow more easily to your foot by putting up your feet while sitting. (Putting up your feet while standing isn’t likely to work well.) You can also try little foot exercises like wiggling your toes and moving your foot up and down at the ankle for five minutes at a time. Try doing this about two or three times a day.

This is by no means a comprehensive list. See your podiatrist at least twice a year, and be sure to tell him or her that you have diabetes. See your podiatrist immediately if you notice any blisters, punctures, pain in your feet or legs (leg pain may be a sign of a blocked artery), change in skin or nail color, loss of sensation, or if there’s an area of your foot with increased or decreased temperature.

Diabetes can ruin your feet. Even if you do not have diabetes you can have foot problems. If you have foot and ankle problems click on http://www.puebloankleandfoot.com for more free information.

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There are many signs of Diabetes that are easy to spot. The best way to be sure is to check with your doctor and get tested. Here are few things to watch for until your next check up.

Tiredness and Lack of Energy

If you feel tired a lot, even when you have eaten and slept properly, this can be a sign that the insulin needed in your cells is simply not being produced by the body as it should. As a result, the cells do not have the energy they need, and this causes you to feel fatigued physically and mentally drained.

Extremities Feel Numb or Tingly

If your hands, feet, or legs feel this way, this is a sign of neuropathy which results from excessive glucose in the bloodstream. This has a detrimental effect on the nervous system and extremities, but can be reversed to some degree when glucose levels are controlled and returned to a balanced state.

Always Thirsty

Does it seem like no matter how much water you drink you can?t quench your thirst? Have you been drinking a lot of water and urinating often? The reason for this may be that your body is taking the water from your blood and expelling it from your body at an unhealthy rate, causing an increased need to replenish the lost water in the body.

Vision Issues

If you have been noticing a decrease in vision, this can be related again to high glucose levels in your body. If things seem blurry or strained or your eyes feel dry and irritated, these may be symptoms of diabetes. Only a doctor and vision specialist can help you discern what the cause may be. Make an appointment with both, as soon as possible.

Dry Skin

If your skin is dry, itchy and flaky, this too could be a sign of sugar levels being off in the body. Do you find yourself applying lotion more often than normal? Do you feel itches all over your skin and feel that they can?t be scratched and are persistent? See a doctor right away to see if this might be related to a blood sugar imbalance.

Signs and Diagnoses

There are many signs and diagnoses that are possible. The best way to know for sure what is going on is to not assume that you know, and not assume that one doctor knows. Always see a doctor and always get a second or third opinion before you undergo treatments. Misdiagnosis can cause issues to go untreated and can even cause death in certain situations.

As far as treatments, this will depend on the severity of your situation. If it is determined that you have a glucose related illness, do not feel that this is the end of the world. One treatment for mild cases includes simple diet changes. You can start this right now even before you make it in to see the doctor (but do not use diet changes as an alternative to being seen by a physician!).

In more serious cases, insulin levels will need to be maintained and there are treatments for this. They are covered by most Medicare, Medicaid and insurances.

If you think you or someone you know might have signs of diabetes, hypoglycemia or any illness for that matter, see a doctor (or two or three), get tested and get treated. Your family will thank you. Don’t let it get out of control. Act before it?s too late!

This article brought you by Chiron Data diabetes software for diabetes management. http://www.chirondata.com/

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According the American Diabetes Association (ADA), there are 15.7 million Americans who have diabetes. This disease is the main cause of blindness in people between the ages of twenty and seventy and is the sixth leading cause of death in the U.S.

If this disease is not properly managed, diabetes can cause kidney disease, hypertension, heart disease, edema, neuropathy, and infections of the mouth, feet, skin, lungs and genitalia. The skin infections do not heal properly and can even lead to amputation of extremities.

Type 2 diabetes has become the most common form of disease affecting 90-95 percent of the people who have diabetes. For people who have type II diabetes, not enough insulin is manufactured by the pancreas. Another problem is that the cells can become insulin resistant. When this happens, glucose accumulates in the blood instead of entering the cells.

Type 2 diabetes usually develops later in life; however, the disease is now becoming more common in people in their thirties and even late twenties.
The most common risk factors among those who develop this condition include diet, weight, race, age, lack of exercise and genetics. The most common ethnic groups to have type 2 diabetes are Latinos, American Indians, African-Americans, and American Asians.

The real danger of diabetes is the complications associated from inconsistent insulin levels and elevated blood glucose. One dangerous complication is diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), or another dangerous condition known as hyperosmolar syndrome. DKA happens when insulin levels are so low that the body starts metabolizing stored fat to use as fuel. When the fat breaks down, a byproduct is released that is known as ketones which cause the body to become too acidic.

Ketoacidosis is typically seen in those with type 1 diabetes, but can happen to those with type 2 as well. The symptoms can include nausea, sweet breath, having a hard time breathing and confusion which can lead to a coma.

Hyperosmolar syndrome is a result of elevated blood sugars accompanied with dehydration. This condition is more common in those with type 2 diabetes who also take steroid medications. Hyperosmolar syndrome can also be a result of a stress from another illness. Symptoms can include confusion, tiredness, and in the most severe cases, coma. Often, in older adults, type 2 diabetes is not discovered until the symptoms of hypersmolar syndrome are reported to a doctor.

If you have recently been diagnosed with diabetes, you probably have a lot of questions and may even have a hard time grasping the severity and the responsibilities that come with this condition. It must now become a priority to take care of your body. If you are overweight, it is time to drop those extra pounds. You will also need to cut back on sugars, eat more fiber, and limit fours and white rice and to start a regular exercise regime.

You will also want to make an appointment with an optometrist make sure that your eyes are in good shape. Other important things that you can do are monitor the health of your feet for sores and losing feeling in the toes.

To learn more about what you can do to improve your health if you have type 2 diabetes, visit http://www.squidoo.com/typeIIdiabetes/

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