Audubon, IA, November 10, 2023 – “Daily foot care is one of the best ways to prevent complications arising from Diabetes,” said Audubon County Memorial Hospital and Clinics Specialty Clinic and Surgery Supervisor, Sarah Asmus, LPN.
At Audubon County Memorial and Clinics, Dr. Eric Jensen, podiatrist encourages his diabetic patients to monitor their foot care daily. As a surgeon with over 25 years of experience in the podiatry field, Dr. Jensen specializes in all disorders of the foot and ankle, including diabetic foot care.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “Approximately half of all people with diabetes have some kind of nerve damage, and often it is the nerves in your feet and legs that are affected. Nerve damage can cause you to lose feeling in your feet.”
Nerve damage can cause people to have numbness, tingling, or pain, and potentially lower their ability to feel pain, heat, or cold.
The CDC notes that some people have no symptoms at all. “If you do not feel pain in your feet, you may not notice a cut, blister, sore or other problem. Small problems can become larger, more serious problems if they are not treated early.
Nerve damage, along with poor blood flow (another diabetic complication) puts you at risk for developing foot ulcers that could get infected and heal poorly.”
When you check your feet every day, you can catch problems early and get treated right away. Asmus states that, “Receiving early treatment may greatly reduce your risk of more serious complications. Anyone with diabetes can develop nerve damage, but the following also increase your risk as well: blood sugar levels that are hard to manage, being overweight, over 40 years of age, hypertension, high cholesterol, smoking.”
Tips for Diabetic Foot Care
- Check your feet for sores, cuts, blisters, corns, or redness daily.
- Let your doctor know if you find any of these.
- Dry them thoroughly, and don’t forget to dry between your toes
- Keep your toenails trim and use an emery board to file down sharp edges.
- Moisturize your feet but avoid moisturizing between your toes.
- Wash your feet thoroughly every day and wear moisture–wicking socks.
- Check your shoes for sharp objects.
- Wear shoes that fit well and don’t rub your feet.
ACMH podiatrist, Dr. Eric Jensen, DPM can assist you with all your podiatry needs including Diabetic Foot Care. Contact ACMH Outpatient Specialty Clinic to make an appointment with Dr. Jensen (712-563-5304.)
If you feel that you may be at risk of diabetes, call and make an appointment with your primary care provider at Audubon Family Health Care (712-563-4611) or Exira Medical Clinic (712-268-5348).
ACMH’s Dr. Eric Jensen, DPM and Justina Kohout, CMA are all smiles as they educate patients during Diabetes Awareness Month!