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BEING WITH DIABETES
Diabetes mellitus is a group of metabolic diseases characterized by high blood sugar (glucose) levels, which
result from defects in insulin secretion, or action, or both. Diabetes is a disease in which high blood glucose levels
over time can damage the nerves, kidneys, eyes, and blood vessels. Damage to your nerves means that you may
have burning pain or lose feeling in a part of your body (this is called diabetic neuropathy). When diabetes is not
well controlled, damage to the organs and impairment of the immune system is likely.
Foot problems can develop and quickly become serious.Damage to the blood vessels in your feet means that
your feet may not be getting a good supply of blood. Part of the problem is that the loss of feeling in your feet
makes it hard for you to tell if you have a blister or sore. If little sores aren't taken care of, they can get worse
and turn into ulcers (serious, deepsores).If these ulcers become infected, you may have to go to the hospital
or, in very serious cases, have a foot amputated (removed).
WHAT YOU SOULD DO
- Don't wear shoes without socks.
- Don't wear sandals or other open-toed shoes.
- Avoid high-heeled shoes and shoes with pointed toes.
- Wear well-padded socks or stockings that are 1/2 inch longer than your longest toe. Don't wear stretch socks, nylon socks, socks with an elastic band or garter at the top, or socks with inside seams.
- Don't wear uncomfortable or tight shoes that rub or cut into your feet. If you've had problems before because of shoes that didn't fit, you may want to be fitted for a custom-molded shoe.
- Talk to your doctor before you buy special shoes or inserts.
- Shop for new shoes at the end of the day when your feet are a little swollen. If shoes are comfortable when your feet are swollen, they'll probably be comfortable all day.
- Break in new shoes slowly by wearing them for no more than an hour a day for several days.
- Change socks and shoes every day. Have at least 2 pairs of shoes so you can switch pairs every other day.
- Look inside your shoes every day for things like gravel or torn linings. These things could rub against your feet and cause blisters or sores.
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