Why You Need to Have a Podiatrist on Your Diabetic Care Team

31299756_S_Diabetes_Healthcare_medicare_Treatment_Hands_.jpg

Diabetes is a chronic health condition that requires vigilant management. When left untreated, the consequences can be severe, including ulcers, infection, and foot sores. Today Dr. Stuart Snyder and Dr. Sara Sharma of Maple Springs Foot Center, LLC are explaining why you need a podiatrist on your diabetic care team and answering some common questions. 

What is insulin?

Insulin is a hormone produced in your pancreas that lets your body take sugar out of your blood and use it to feed the cells in your body. If your body doesn’t have insulin - or doesn’t have enough of it - your body can’t extract the sugar out of the blood, so your blood sugar stays high. This condition is referred to as hyperglycemia, and it can damage your body’s cells. 

Why is hyperglycemia unsafe?

Frequent hyperglycemia is an unsafe condition that can make you feel nauseous and fatigued. It can also injure the blood vessels that deliver blood to your organs. This can lead to heart disease, kidney disease, nerve damage, and stroke. It is crucial that you manage your diabetes to avoid these serious health complications. 

What is diabetic foot care?

After evaluating your health history, your podiatrist will discuss your symptoms with you and inspect your feet during each visit. We also develop a diabetic foot care treatment plan that will alleviate your discomfort and symptoms while keeping your feet healthy. 

Some of the treatments may include:

  • Trimming the toenails;

  • Wound treatment;

  • Removal of corns and calluses;

  • Treating nail fungus;

  • Fitting diabetic shoes.

What You Can Do to Keep Your Diabetic Feet Healthy 

First off, regular visits to your podiatrist will help keep you on track with your treatment strategy and identify issues before they become serious. But there are also several things you can do each day to keep your feet healthy, including: 

  • Wearing well-fitting socks and shoes;

  • Inspecting your feet daily for hot spots, swelling, blisters, and sores;

  • Thoroughly washing and drying your feet every day;

  • Keeping your toenails trimmed;

  • Propping your feet up to encourage blood flow when sitting down;

  • Protecting your feet from very cold and hot temperatures. 

Any issues you discover while examining and caring for your feet should immediately be brought to the attention of your podiatrist. 

Diabetes is a very serious condition, but with proper supervision, your symptoms can be lessened, and more serious problems can be minimized. For expert diabetic care, contact the offices of Dr. Stuart Snyder and Dr. Sara Sharma of Maple Springs Foot Center, LLC to schedule an appointment. Call us today us at (301) 762-3338 or book your appointment online.

diabetes, Diabetic footcareMaple Springs Foot Centerpodiatrist, diabetes, calluses, fungal infections