Three Signs on Diabetic Feet That Can’t Be Neglected

People with diabetes should be aware of three changes in their feet.

REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA — Experts recommend taking a good look at your feet every day. This is important for early detection of changes in the feet in relation to the risk of developing diabetes.

Reported page The Sun, Wednesday (6/4/2022), if you notice something that looks or feels different in your feet, it’s a good idea to have it checked by a general practitioner. There are three signs to look out for that could mean there is nerve damage.

According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, the signs are redness, warmth, and swelling. Damage to the tissues in the legs can come from levels of high blood sugar uncontrolled for a long time.

This can lead to a condition called Charcot’s foot, which causes bony protrusion and numbness. This problem can reduce the ability to feel temperature and pain.

As a result, the patient may not be aware of the wounds and ulcers on his feet. The condition also makes the feet susceptible to infection, as diabetes reduces blood flow to the extremities and wounds take longer to heal.

People with diabetes should be on the lookout for sores, red spots, swelling or fluid-filled blisters, and ingrown toenails. All of these can lead to infection.

When you have diabetes, your body may struggle to produce enough insulin or the insulin may be ineffective. With type 1 diabetes, a person’s pancreas does not produce insulin.

In type 2, the cells in the body become resistant to insulin, so more insulin is needed to keep blood glucose levels within a normal range. But if you don’t control your blood sugar, it can be dangerous and can cause sensory problems.

Diabetics are called upon to monitor their sugar levels. There are blood sugar checking devices that can be used at home.

Monitor your average blood sugar level. This is called your HbA1c level.

Although the numbers differ for each person, the National Health Service (NHS) says, if you are monitoring your blood sugar level at home, the normal target is 4 to 7mmol/l before eating and below 8.5 to 9mmol/l 2 hours after eating. If tested every few months then the normal HbA1c target is below 48mmol/mol (or 6.5 percent on the older measurement scale).

Also read: These are the conditions if diabetes wants to eat sweet when breaking fast

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