Over Sixty Spring 2022 Digital

13 LIVEWELL OVERSIXTY.COM.AU | ISSUE 2 | 2022 A D V E R T O R I A L P R O M O T I O N AMY ZERELLO LIVE WELL W hen you’re living with diabetes, what you can’t feel can still hurt you. This is especially true when it comes to your feet and the nerve damage you may experience. If you’ve just learned you have type 2 diabe- tes, you should arrange to meet with a podi- atrist and talk about the importance of foot care, say doctors of podiatric medicine Erika M. Schwartz and David G. Armstrong. What is the first thing someone just diagnosed with diabetes should know about foot care? Besides building a relationship with a podi- atrist, a person with diabetes should know that most ulcerations and amputations are preventable, but proper foot care is essential. What is actually happening when you lose sensation in your feet? Neuropathy describes the loss of sensation that arises from nerve damage. Over time, diabetes leads to what’s called a “loss of LIVE WELL Finding a trusted podiatrist is one of the most important first steps for someone just diagnosed with diabetes Photo: Getty Images Check out our podiatrists’ tips on foot care for people with diabetes, from how to prevent nerve damage to clipping toenails Caring for your feet with diabetes Use caution when shoe shopping – particularly in warmer weather. Neuropathy requires more protective footwear than a thong or sandal. Patients with nerve damage should avoid wearing sandals with straps that weave between the toes, or those that place extra pressure against the foot. Know the dangers of going barefoot. If you’ve lost protective sensation in your feet you’re better off keeping them in shoes – even when indoors. “Unfortunately,” Dr Armstrong says, “up to 85 per cent of steps are taken in and around the home – and most of those are taken barefoot.” Keep doctor-approved slippers or shoes in several places throughout your home. Work with your endocrinologist to regulate your blood glucose levels. Checking your blood sugar levels at home as instructed will help you to make better choices through the day. Before slipping a shoe on, check inside for foreign objects. It is a scary reality, but more than a few patients have needed to undergo an amputation brought on by ulcerations from items inside footwear. Slip on some white socks. An open sore on the foot may be easier to spot when you see drainage on the sock, suggests Dr Schwartz. Diabetes – foot care tips protective sensation,” or LOPS and because it occurs so slowly, many people don’t notice it. According to the Better Health Channel, half of all people with diabetes will develop some form of neuropathy, which can occur in other organ systems, not just the feet. How can I protect myself from nerve damage? Neuropathies are the result of several factors, the largest being exposure to high blood glu- cose levels. Keeping blood sugar levels low is the best protection against nerve damage in people with diabetes. “There is some com- pelling emerging evidence that controlling high lipid levels may reduce the progression of neuropathy, too,” says Dr Armstrong. Do feet need to be examined daily? Examining your feet should be as regular a habit as combing your hair or brushing your teeth. Dr Armstrong recommends replac- ing your bathroom scale with a mirrored one. Red flags for foot problems include any swelling or redness, including new areas of discolouration and ingrown toenails. Any break in the skin is reason to contact your podiatrist immediately. Why can’t you cut toenails? If you have neuropathy or symptoms of vas- cular disease, you should leave clipping your toenails to your podiatrist. If you are cutting your own toenails, cut straight across the top of the toenail, leaving part of the whiter nail plate, advises Dr Schwartz who adds, “If you are unable to feel a cut, or don’t have the blood supply required to heal a cut, you likely shouldn’t be cutting your own toenails.”