Diabetic Foot Complications

Diabetes, Feet, and Paula Dean

2012-02-02T18:26:00.000-05:00

Image by Getty Images via @daylife

You’ve probably heard the big news about Paula Dean – she has type II diabetes. Dean is most known for her southern cooking, as a cookbook author, and TV personality. In recent days the internet, blogs, magazines, and news outlets have been a buzz about her recent revelation. However, she’s had the disease for the past three years, and only recently let the public know about her condition.

So what does Paula Dean have to do with feet? Sure her fatty, buttery foods are mouth watering, but her disclosure of having type II diabetes will bring about attention that often times may be overlooked. The public will gain more information about the disease, but also knowledge and understanding about how to care for feet and why it is crucial when dealing with diabetes.

Let’s start with some basics – type II diabetes is actually the most common form of diabetes. It happens when the body does not produce enough insulin. Insulin is important for the body to be able to use glucose for energy. Also, if you have diabetes your feet are important to watch out for as they can be an indicator of problems.

When you have diabetes what may seem like an ordinary problem, if not taken care of, can lead to even bigger issues. A few conditions many people with diabetes have to watch out for include: neuropathy, skin changes, calluses, foot ulcers, and poor circulation.

As a person with diabetes you should do the following everyday:

· Check your feet for any unusual bumps, swelling, cuts, and blisters.

· Wash your feet and make sure to dry them thoroughly especially between the toes.

· Apply lotion to the tops and bottoms of your feet, but never between the toes.

· Don’t walk around barefoot! Wear shoes, socks, and make sure your feet are comfortable and protected.

If you are newly diagnosed with diabetes, or have lived with it for years, please call our office to set up an appointment. Let us help you with your foot management to avoid any complications with diabetes.

References:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/17/paula-deen-diabetes-diet_n_1211277.html

http://www.diabetes.org/living-with-diabetes/?loc=GlobalNavLWD&__utma=1.924612892.1327285390.1327285390.1327285390.1&__utmb=1.20.9.1327285477077&__utmc=1&__utmx=-&__utmz=1.1327285390.1.1.utmcsr=google|utmccn=(organic)|utmcmd=organic|utmctr=american%20diabetes%20association&__utmv=-&__utmk=16269110

Tony Abbott, D.Ch. Registered Chiropodist / Foot Specialist 705-444-9929 http://www.AbbottFootClinic.ca

Product of the Month: Dr. Remedy's Nail Polish

2011-12-21T14:30:00.000-05:00

Image via Wikipedia

At the Abbott Foot and Ankle Clinic, we see many cases of toenail fungus and generally unhealthy toenails. Toenail fungus is completely preventable! There are things many patients do every day to put themselves at risk for toenail fungus.

One thing many women do is wear polish on their toenails. Toe nail polish can often mask the signs of toenail fungus like discoloration and thickening. The polish itself can also be harmful because it contains harsh chemicals that leave nails brittle, discolored, and damaged. It's not that we want to discourage wearing nail polish, it's just that we care more about nail health than nail polish.

That's why we are so excited about this product: Dr.'s Remedy Enriched Nail Polish. This is a great new product that's been developed by podiatrists Adam Cirlincione and William Spielfogel. Not only have they created a nail polish that doesn't contain harmful chemicals, but they've also added nutrients that enhance nail and skin health.

Many patients don't realize the toxins that are in commercial nail polish; formaldehyde and DBP are the most well known. Neither of these chemicals are used in Dr.'s Remedy Nail Polish. Formaldehyde is usually added to increase longevity, but doctors found that when they removed it from the formula, no quality was lost. DBP has been found to cause infertility and birth defects, so pregnant women especially should look into using Dr.'s Remedy Enriched Nail Polish.

The Abbott Foot and Ankle Clinic is so excited about this product and we look forward to spreading the word about this great development! Browse their selection here.

SPECIAL OFFER: For every two bottles of Dr.’s REMEDY® Enriched Nail Polish (base, colour, or top coat) purchased from now until January 19, 2012, we’ll give you Dr.’s REMEDY® Nail Polish Remover absolutely FREE!

Tony Abbott, D.Ch. Registered Chiropodist / Foot Specialist 705-444-9929 http://www.AbbottFootClinic.ca

Callouses Cause Complications For Diabetics

2011-12-11T14:46:00.000-05:00

Image by thisisbossi via Flickr

Foot care is especially important for people with diabetes. If you are a person that has diabetes, then you are more at risk for foot problems. The reason for this is because diabetes has the ability to damage your nerves, and reduce blood flow to your feet. There are different types of complications that can arise, but we will be focusing on one that you can watch out for and prevent.

Callouses can be a big problem for people with diabetes. They have the ability to occur more often and build up faster in feet that belong to a person with diabetes. What happens is the constant friction and pressure build up thickened layers of skin, which become callouses. These occur on the soles of feet, heels, or balls of the foot.

Complications can arise if callouses get very thick, break down, and turn into open sores. Callouses should be trimmed, but not by you. It’s important to see a chiropodist to help with their removal. However, you can begin to prevent and keep callouses from becoming worse by doing the following:

· Use a pumice stone on your feet every day.

· Buy a quality shoe insert to relieve the pressure from your feet. These may need to be custom made so it’s important to check with your chiropodist.

· Change or buy shoes that fit properly. Make sure that they are not too tight, too high or too loose.

If you would like more information about callouses and diabetes, please call our office. You can also visit the website for Canadian Diabetes Association at http://www.diabetes.ca/.

Tony Abbott, D.Ch. Registered Chiropodist / Foot Specialist 705-444-9929 http://www.AbbottFootClinic.ca
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World Diabetes Day

2011-11-14T14:11:00.001-05:00

Image via Wikipedia
The Abbott Foot and Ankle Clinic is celebrating the 90^th anniversary of insulin! November 14^th is World Diabetes Day. The universal symbol for Diabetes is a blue circle and we want to spread the word to help create awareness about diabetes. So today, and for the rest of November, our office will be decorated with blue circles to celebrate this important event.
Help us spread the word and fight diabetes!

At the Abbott Foot & Ankle Clinic, we are dedicated to educating people about the prevention of diabetes and its many complications. It all begins with healthy living. Many diabetics experience peripheral neuropathy (loss of feeling to the feet) are at risk for serious complications. This may include foot ulcers that can lead to lower leg amputations. Visiting your foot specialist for an annual Comprehensive Diabetic Foot Exam greatly reduces your chance of foot complications.

Tony Abbott, D.Ch. Registered Chiropodist / Foot Specialist 705-444-9929 http://www.AbbottFootClinic.ca

Foot Health Month!

2009-05-21T11:07:00.006-04:00

How valuable are your feet to you? Our feet are by far the most over worked and neglected part of our bodies. The average person takes about 4,000 steps a day and the average active person takes over 10,000. Our feet are made up of 26 bones, 33 joints, 107 ligaments and 19 muscles and tendons that work together to bear the body.
May is foot health month, a great reminder to get your feet checked out by a Chiropodist to insure that they are healthy. Just like any other annual check up its recommended that everyone gets their feet checked at least once a year. An annual check up is even more important for people who suffer from a disease such as diabetes where if a foot problem should arise and is not treated right away it can have devastating consequences. If even the smallest cuts or sores go unnoticed in diabetics it puts them at risk for much more serious complications. Those with diabetes should examine their feet every morning and night, in between the toes and on the bottom of their feet. It is also important that diabetics wear the appropriate footwear, clean their feet regularly and always protecting their feet. Never walk barefoot!
Seniors are among the most important people who need to pay particular attention to their feet. This is because foot pain can result in loss of balance and therefore cause unexpected falls that can be fatal. Older people tend to believe that foot pain or discomfort are normal and come with age. Therefore they don’t get treatment right away and what started as a minor problem develops into something much more complex.
We only get one pair of feet in a life time so it’s important to take the appropriate steps to care for them. If you haven’t already seen a chiropodist, let foot health month be a reminder to do so.

Tony Abbott, D.Ch.
Registered Chiropodist / Foot Specialist
705-444-9929
http://www.AbbottFootClinic.ca

Pain Relief For Neuropathy?

2009-04-30T15:46:00.006-04:00

Neuropathy is a condition that is commonly found when complications occur in people with diabetes. Initial symptoms of neuropathy are mild tingling in an area of the foot that overtime turns into numbness and most likely complete loss of feeling in the troubled area. Neuropathy is a very serious condition. If the area of numbness or loss of feeling were to get a cut or infection it can easily go unnoticed due to the loss of feeling. As a result, much greater complications could arise such as ulceration and in extreme cases amputation.
The most common form of neuropathy is peripheral neuropathy. Peripheral neuropathy is where the nerves within the peripheral nervous system are injured. Peripheral neuropathy is most common but not restricted to, the elderly and people with diabetes. It is extremely important for people living with diabetes have control of their disease and to take special care of their feet in order to prevent conditions such as neuropathy. A popular drug being recommended by Chiropodists to patients suffering from neuropathy is Neuremedy. Neuremedy is a medical food that provides nutrition for the nerves which will allow them to work properly and more efficiently. Neuremedy offers relief from the common symptoms of neuropathy such as burning, tingling, numbness and pain.
Neuremedy contains Benfotiamine. Benotiamine is the most successful type of Thiamine, vitamin B1, used to treat neuropathy. Benotiamine provids the nerves with the nourishment that is essential for proper functioning of the nervous system. Benotiamine has been used to treat tens of thousands of patients who suffer from neuropathy in Asia and Europe since the 1960’s. It has been studied by researchers and been proven to be safe and effective. There are also no known harmful effects and it can be safely taken with other medications and supplements.
Patients who have been prescribed Neuremedy have reported that they have been relieved from their symptoms within a few days and others have said it has taken as long as two months to have relief of their symptoms.

Tony Abbott, D.Ch.
Registered Chiropodist / Foot Specialist
705-444-9929
http://www.AbbottFootClinic.ca

The Evolution of Diabetes

2009-02-04T23:20:00.003-05:00

Here is a link to an interesting article on the evolution of Diabetes and its management. Aren't you glad you don't have to sterilize and sharpen your own needles nowadays?

http://healthandfitness.sympatico.msn.ca/SpecialFeatures/diabetes/ContentPosting?newsitemid=07ead91b-baa5-4b42-965c-ea30990f27db&feedname=HEALTH_DIABETES&show=False&number=0&showbyline=True&subtitle=&detect=&abc=abc&date=False
Tony Abbott, D.Ch.
Registered Chiropodist / Foot Specialist
705-444-9929
http://www.abbottfootclinic.ca/

Diabetes Can Seriously Affect Your Feet

2009-02-03T23:58:00.003-05:00

When you have diabetes, proper foot care is critical. Poor foot care combined with diabetes can lead to serious health problems, including a serious infection and possibly an amputation. You should visit your chiropodist or podiatrist at least twice a year for diabetic foot care.

It's important to understand the connection between diabetes and foot care. Diabetics are more vulnerable to foot problems because diabetes can damage your nerves and reduce blood flow to your feet. You can help prevent many of these problems by taking action and educating yourself!

Essential Tips for Healthy Diabetic Feet
• Don't wait to treat a minor foot problem. Follow your chiropodist’s or podiatrist’s recommendations for you feet.
• Report foot injuries and infections to your immediately. Seemingly, simple injuries can develop quickly in to a serious foot problem.
• Check water temperature for your bath or foot soak with a thermometer or your elbow (if possible). Do not use your hand or foot as you may have peripheral neuropathy and may not be able to feel the actual temperature.
• Do not use a heating pad on your feet.
• Do not cross your legs when sitting as you can restrict blood flow to your feet.
• Do not self-treat your corns, calluses, or other foot problems. Seek proper medical attention for these conditions.

Following these steps can improve both your foot health and your overall well being!

Tony Abbott, D.Ch.
Registered Chiropodist / Foot Specialist
705-444-9929
http://www.AbbottFootClinic.ca

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