Are you living with diabetes? Our podiatry team at Family Foot & Ankle Associates in Olney, Camp Springs/Clinton, Silver Spring, Kensington, Laurel, and Maple Lawn, MD is committed to providing the best diabetic foot care for your needs.
Importance of Visiting a Podiatrist When You Have Diabetes
Diabetes is a condition that permeates every area of a person’s life and requires special care to manage. Among the various aspects that need care are the feet. Below, the team at Family Foot & Ankle Associates in Olney, Camp Springs/Clinton, Silver Spring, Kensington, Laurel, and Maple Lawn, MD share the importance of regular podiatry visits for those living with diabetes.
How Diabetes Affects the Feet
Diabetes is known for impacting the nerves of the body – a condition called diabetic neuropathy. When the nerves are impacted, it can cause tingling and numbness, especially in the feet. This may not seem like a big deal, but it can lead to some serious repercussions. Many diabetics have had to face amputation due to this issue.
How does this happen? Imagine getting a cut on your foot. If you don’t have diabetes, you will feel the cut and likely address it as soon as possible.
For those with diabetic neuropathy, however, there’s a very high likelihood of not feeling the cut at all. If you don’t feel it, you’re not likely to treat it. That leaves an open cut and a risk of infection. Eventually, it can lead to gangrene, especially since diabetes affects blood flow to the feet. Gangrene typically leads to amputation.
How a Podiatrist Can Help
There are several steps you can take to prevent such issues, such as examining your feet each day and managing your diabetes. However, it’s also important to have regular diabetic foot exams.
These exams help your podiatrist detect any issues with the blood flow and nerves in your feet. They also provide an opportunity to detect any injuries or wounds and treat them before they become an issue. After your exam, your podiatrist can recommend any additional care steps that should be taken and prescribe any necessary medication to help keep your feet as healthy as possible.
Typically, you’ll need a comprehensive foot exam once per year. However, if any issues are present, this might increase to two or more times per year – a small price to pay for maintaining foot health and preventing potential amputations.
Don’t risk your foot health. Schedule a podiatry exam with our team at Family Foot & Ankle Associates in Olney, Camp Springs/Clinton, Silver Spring, Kensington, Laurel, and Maple Lawn, MD by calling today. Call for more information today at (301) 924-5044 to reach the Olney, MD, office, (301) 439-0300 for Silver Spring, MD, (301) 868-7670 for Camp Springs, MD, (301) 942-8110 for Kensington, MD, and (301) 317-6800 for Laurel and Fulton, MD.