Nowadays, the disease of diabetes is spreading very fast in our country. About thirty percent of the population of our country has come under the grip of diabetes. Our people have started living such a routine in which exercise, daily walks have almost disappeared. Sweets, fatty foods have become an integral part of the daily diet. Sitting for a long time in the office or shop is wreaking even more havoc. That is why people are becoming victims of diabetes. In diabetes, all the parts of the body are affected, but the feet suffer the most damage. It is very important for the feet to remain healthy in diabetes. If the feet are healthy, then you can walk and exercise daily, which will keep the amount of blood and sugar in the body under control.
How many enemies does the feet have in diabetes?
There are many enemies of the feet in diabetes. One is neuropathy, which causes tingling, pain and dryness in the skin of the feet and also weakens the muscles of the feet, as a result of which the pressure on the bones of the feet increases. Secondly, the blood supply to the feet decreases because fat and calcium get deposited in the blood vessels of the feet of a diabetic patient. Lack of blood in the feet of a diabetic patient causes wounds and loss of the feet. The third danger is foot infection which is a major cause of gangrene and wounds in the feet of a diabetic patient. After understanding all these things, it becomes very important that every diabetic patient protects his feet and takes some precautions in his daily life, then his feet will remain safe.
Daily exercise and walking are necessary
It is necessary for a diabetic patient to go for a walk in the park for five to six kilometers in the morning. Walk for one or two kilometers in the evening as well. Do not make excuses of rain, strong sunlight and heat. Use an umbrella if needed. Walk around the house or in the verandah of the house during the rainy season. Strictly follow this rule of walking. Also, exercise your legs and feet. Never walk barefoot
Never walk barefoot inside or outside the house. Never try to walk barefoot on the grass in the morning. Never use slippers, sandals or slippers. Always use soft shoes inside and outside the house. Also keep in mind that shoes should not be worn without cotton socks. Always wear socks and shoes. Special socks and shoes for diabetic patients are available at medical stores. Always avoid using very hard and painful shoes.
Keep feet dry and clean
Always keep feet dry and clean. Never allow water or moisture to collect between the toes. Do not wear wet and sweaty socks and shoes. Change socks twice a day during sweaty summer or rainy season. After bathing, always dry the water and moisture collected between the toes with a towel and clean it with cotton dipped in surgical spirit.
Protect your feet from infections and external injuries
Always try not to hurt your feet because in a diabetic patient, foot injury mostly means a wound. Before bathing daily, check your feet carefully to see if there are any scratches or blisters. Also, check if the skin of the feet is hard at any place.
Do not consume any intoxicants
Smoking is dangerous for the feet of a diabetic patient. Stay away from cigarettes, bidis, hookahs. Do not sit near smokers. Consumption of tobacco in any form, whether it is paan masala with tobacco, mainpuri, khaini chaini or toothpaste with tobacco (gul), is fatal for the feet of a diabetic patient. Avoid other intoxicants. Avoid alcohol. You can use red wine sometimes. Broadly speaking, alcohol is harmful for diabetic patients.
Control your weight, sugar and cholesterol
Remember that weight gain or obesity is very harmful for the feet in diabetes. Avoid consuming excess oil and ghee in food. Increase in the amount of sugar and cholesterol in the blood will disrupt the supply of pure blood to the feet and problems like pain and wounds in the feet will arise. That is why get your blood cholesterol checked every six months and consult a family doctor. Increase in weight and sugar in the blood is dangerous for the feet.
Do not let corns develop on the feet
Remember that corns on the feet of a diabetic patient can prove to be dangerous. That is why do not use hard shoes or sandals. If there is a corn or bunion, do not cut it out yourself with a blade or knife. If needed, consult your vascular surgeon. Never apply adhesive plaster or tape on bunion, it can damage the skin. Diabetic patients should never use any kind of chemical on their feet. Avoid using chemicals used to remove bunions.
Keep an eye on scratches and red spots on the feet
Before taking a bath, examine your feet daily. Avoid using hot water. Before taking a bath, estimate the temperature of the water by dipping your elbow in it. Never dip your feet in water without directly immersing them, otherwise blisters can develop on the feet. Remember, the feet of a diabetic patient always lack sensitivity due to which they are unable to sense heat and cold properly.
Always stay under the supervision of a vascular surgeon
If you ever see any injury, scratch, black or red marks on your feet, contact a vascular surgeon immediately. Anyway, keep showing your feet to a vascular surgeon every six months, so that the problem can be solved in time. Keep getting a special test of the feet, called “arterial doppler study”, done every six months. If the blood supply has reduced, then by getting angioplasty and stenting done in time, the blood supply to the feet can be increased and the feet can be saved from being lost.
Diabetic insoles which have proven to be effective in protecting the feet                    Â
Diabetic patients should always wear these special shoes inside the house
Dr. K. K. Pandey is Senior Vascular &Endovascular Surgeon, Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, New Delhi, Mobile— 9911,114081 ; 9810,114081
Dr. K. K. Pandey
dr********@***il.com