Major problems associated with diabetes are the number of foot issues. In fact, for those that suffer from diabetes who do not address these issue are at risk for having one or both feet amputated. In this article, you will learn exactly what the connection is between foot issues and diabetes, what sort of issues can impact your feet, and what you can do to rectify this issue.

What Is The Connection Between Diabetes and Foot Issues?

Poor circulation causes most of the issues in your feet if you have diabetes. In fact, diabetes sufferers suffer from some of the worst circulation to their extremities. Due to the overabundance of glucose in their blood stream, this can cause arteries to become clogged and in some cases, harden. This will ensure that blood flow will not be nearly as strong as it should be, especially to the extremities of your body – namely your feet. There are a number of issues that directly stem from this, some of which can become incredibly dangerous if left untreated.

What Sort Of Issues Could Impact My Feet?

The diabetes related issues that can affect your feet range from the somewhat innocuous to the incredibly dangerous and life threatening.

Among the former, if you have diabetes you might find that your feet will develop callouses quite easily. Although callouses generally affect most people, simply walking a small ways at a brisk pace can affect those with diabetes and callouses tend to develop quite quickly and quite robustly.

Fungal infections, such as athlete's foot, can also become a slight issue for those with diabetes. This can cause serious damage to your toenails, and although rare, if left untreated, the issue can turn into something far more serious, such as gangrene, which is the rotting of the flesh.

Diabetes can also permanently damage the nerves in your feet. This can cause a serious of rather serious issues. First and foremost, you won't be able to feel as much in your feet; there will be a certain amount of ever-present numbness.

Secondly, it could also potentially change the shape of your feet, causing them to swell, or become somewhat deformed, changing the way you walk and how easily you are able to walk. Charcot's foot, an issue where the joints and tissue in your foot slowly become destroyed, is a serious medical condition and those with diabetes often times suffer from this phenomenon.

What Can I Do To Prevent These Problems?

You need to change your dietary habits in accordance with your physician's wishes. Secondly, in addition to seeing a diabetes specialist, it is imperative that you find and employ the services of a good podiatrist, or foot doctor, to help you address these issues in conjunction with your current physician.

If these issues are persistent, it might be helpful to schedule a monthly foot exam at places like Family Foot Center Podiatry Group Inc in order to make sure that your feet are as healthy as they possibly can be, given your condition with diabetes. Finally, if you are a smoker, it is time to quit. Smoking exacerbates the issues associated with clogged arteries and circulation to the extremities.