How does diabetes affect the feet and toes?
Why do they talk so much about diabetic foot care? It's that same old vascular story. Diabetes causes hardening and narrowing of the blood vessels. This, in turn, causes poor circulation of the blood. Since the feet are farthest away from that great blood pump, the heart, they get the worst deal. Poor blood circulation is also part of the aging process. So if you're older and diabetic, you've really got to watch those feet. And we do mean watch, because if you also have a touch of neuropathy, you may not feel a cut, sore, blister, or ingrown toenail and let it go until it becomes infected. Infections are particularly hazardous because, combined with diminished circulation, they provide a welcome mat for gangrene (tissue destruction), which can necessitate amputation. Here are the foot care dos: 1. Wash your feet every day and wear clean socks. 2. Always dry well between your toes. 3. Cut your toenails after bathing, following the shape of the ends of the toes. Do...