Diabetes and Your Feet

Diabetes is a metabolic disease in which the body doesn't produce or properly use insulin. While this disease primarily affects the internal systems of the body, it's important to consider how your feet adjust and change when you have Diabetes.

Insulin is a hormone, secreted by the pancreas, which converts glucose and starches into energy. Carbohydrates, or sugars, are absorbed from the intestines into the bloodstream after a meal. Insulin is then secreted in response to this detected increase in blood sugar.

Diabetics lose the ability to properly use this insulin. They can eat lots of food and actually be starving since the cells cannot access the calories contained in the glucose without the action of insulin. Currently, 18.2 million Americans have Diabetes—that's over six percent of the country. Of these, 5.2 million have it and don't know it. (Source: the American Diabetes Association.)

There are two basic types of Diabetes: Type 1 and Type 2.
Type 1: Affects 10 percent of those with diabetes. In this case, the pancreas isn't producing any insulin at all.
Type 2: Affects 90 percent of diabetics. The pancreas produces insulin, but the body can't use it effectively.


Symptoms of Diabetes

Type 1: Extreme thirst, frequent urination, and weight loss.
Type 2: Many people have no signs or symptoms. The symptoms can also be so mild that you might not even notice them. They include:

• Increased thirst or hunger.
• Increased urination, especially at night.
• Weight loss.
• Blurred vision.
• Sores that do not heal.
• Consistent fatigue.
• Numbness or tingling in feet or hands.

Sometimes people have symptoms but do not suspect diabetes. They delay scheduling a checkup because they don't feel sick. Many people don't find out they have diabetes until they have complications, such as blurry vision, tingling in extremities, difficulty distinguishing hot or cold, or heart trouble. It is important to find out early if you have diabetes, because early treatment can prevent damage to the body.


Cause of Diabetes

Type 1 Diabetes is commonly caused by autoimmune problems or heredity. When an autoimmune problem exists, the body's natural defenses turn against it. The immune system perceives the insulin-producing cells of the pancreas as a threat and eradicates them.

Diabetes also runs in families. If you have a family history of diabetes, your health professional should be aware of it. In some rare cases, diabetes develops without any apparent cause. Symptoms can come on very suddenly, and without immediate diagnosis and treatment, Type 1 Diabetes can become very problematic.

The causes of Type 2 Diabetes include: age (starting at over 40 years old), family history, inactivity, and being overweight. Members of certain minority groups (Native Americans, African Americans, and Hispanics) are affected at a higher rate than other groups.
Prevention

Type 1: Can't be prevented, but can be treated.
Type 2: Can be prevented by maintaining a consistent exercise program, coupled with a healthy diet (decreasing saturated fat intake, while eating more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains). Reducing stressors in your life as much as possible, is also helpful.

How to Care for Your Feet

If you have Diabetes, be sure to check all of the surfaces of your feet daily to make sure that there are no cuts or abrasions. Also look out for redness, warmth, or swelling (which could be a sign of infection).

Wear comfortable, well-fitting supportive footwear that protects the toes and has a roomy toe box. The uppers should be made of soft material to avoid chafing and friction. Wear good-fitting, seamless socks without tight elastic. Arch supports also help to support and stabilize the foot.


Low Back Pain

Description:
Low Back Pain (LBP) is second only to the common cold as a reason for visiting a doctor. The pain is located in the area of the lower 5 vertebrae also called the lumbar region of the back. Almost everyone at some point will suffer from low back pain.

Causes:
The potential causes of LBP are many. The list includes but is not limited to:

• Low back sprain or strain
• Muscle imbalances
• Disc problems (the shock absorbers of the spine consisting mainly of water)
• Stress fractures

If your back is not supported properly by the feet and lower legs, the discs and joints in the back begin to wear. If a joint is being worn unevenly, it creates irritation and discomfort over time

Prevention and Treatment:
Prevention of LBP starts with maintaining appropriate posture, using correct lifting techniques, overall aerobic conditioning as well as proper footwear. Treatment of LBP usually consists of a physician creating a specific treatment plan after diagnosis. Medications are often used to help pain and muscle spasms, manual medicine such as osteopathic or chiropractic may also be prescribed as well as acupuncture, physical therapy and proper supportive footwear.

OsteoArthritis

Description:
Osteoarthitis (OA) is a degenerative process occurring in the joints of the body and is found most commonly in knee, ankle, hip and back. Although any joint can be affected, these joints are subject to the most wear and tear.

Symptoms:
Wear and tear on cartilage causes stiffness, pain and loss of flexibility that gradually worsens. Typical symptoms include pain in frequently used joints such as hands, shoulders, hip, knee and the joint where the big toe connects to the foot. Joints that bear body weight are affected most often.

Causes:
The most common cause is aging. Another primary cause is trauma such as an injury to the joint. Overuse may also cause cartilage to break down. In regard to foot health, excessive pronation and supination that can lead to misalignment of the knee, hip and back can also cause OA.

Prevention and Treatment:
Providing the body with a good base through proper supportive footwear can help maintain muscles, ligaments, tendons and bones. Foot health is essential to provide the supportive base necessary to maintain joint health. Treatment for OA involves controlling any structural changes within the body that may be contributing to joint degeneration. Proper footwear is an important component as well as aquatic therapy, physical therapy, acupuncture and certain prescribed medicines.