Carefully observing the health of your feet may not be at the top of your mind after a diabetes diagnosis. But foot care is a vital piece in solving the diabetes puzzle. Diabetes frequently disrupts nerve communication and the normal flow of blood to your feet. This can result in not feeling pain when an injury occurs or a decrease in blood flow to your feet. A decrease in blood flow leaves your feet lacking in certain nutrients that travel through blood vessels and are associated with healing and nourishment. Read on to learn about the importance of diabetic foot care in San Leandro, CA by Dr. Michael Stein and Dr. Zeineldin Ahmad from Foot Doctor of the East Bay.

What Are Some Foot Concerns That May Accompany a Diabetes Diagnosis?

A problem that begins as a mild issue may be a minor annoyance to an otherwise healthy person, but if you have diabetes, small things can progress into serious conditions in the diabetic patient. An example of this is a small cut or burn that the person with diabetes is unaware of and fails to address until it becomes a major issue.

Two factors cause the above scenario. First, diabetes can disrupt the pain signals relayed by nerves, causing you to not feel the cut or burn to your foot when it happens. This is known as peripheral neuropathy. Second, diabetes may impair the blood supply to your foot, a condition known as peripheral vascular disease (PVD). If you have PVD, healing does not take place in a normal way. Additional issues in the feet that may accompany a diagnosis of diabetes are:

• Ulcers
• Bunions
• Corn 
• Callouses
• Infections
• Ingrown toenails

The above conditions are certainly not specific to patients with diabetes, but they occur more often in diabetic patients due to a lack of blood supply. It is a good idea to inspect your feet daily for cuts, scrapes, bruises, and burns. Call your podiatrist immediately if your feet have a different appearance or you see something new that wasn't there before.

Are There Other Symptoms Peripheral Neuropathy and Pvd Can Cause?

If left unmanaged, peripheral neuropathy and peripheral vascular disease can lead to the following conditions and are reasons that diabetic foot care is critical in San Leandro, CA.

• Tingling and numbness in the feet
• Pain and weakness in the calf, at rest or with exercise
• Cold sensations and inability to warm up your feet
• Hair loss on the legs and feet
• Abnormally dry skin.

Contact Us

Receive diabetic foot care in San Leandro, CA with Dr. Michael Stein and Dr. Zeineldin Ahmad from Foot Doctor of the East Bay. Schedule a consultation with us by calling our San Leandro office at (510) 483-3390 or our location in Pleasanton at (925) 425-9684.

When it comes to seeking diabetic foot care, time is often of the essence.

If you are living with diabetes then chances are good that you know that you’re at risk for certain foot complications including ulcers and infections. The good news is that our San Leandro, CA, podiatrists Dr. Michael Stein and Dr. Zeineldin Ahmad specialize in diabetic foot care, so you always have an expert to turn to when problems arise.

What types of complications can arise from diabetes?

Diabetes can impact various systems and areas of the body, particularly the feet. In fact, your feet can provide warning signs to those with diabetes. Those with diabetes are more at risk for,

• Nerve damage in the feet (this causes a loss of sensation)
• Ulcers and sores
• Infections
• Amputation

It’s important that you are properly controlling your diabetes through insulin medication and a healthy lifestyle. If your diabetes isn’t properly controlled this is more likely to cause complications.

How often should I visit the podiatrist?

Even if you aren’t experiencing foot problems, you should still turn to our San Leandro, CA, podiatrists for a comprehensive checkup at least twice a year. Talk with our team to find out just how often you should come in for routine checkups. Of course, if you need to have your toenails trimmed or you are experiencing symptoms, you should also turn to us right away.

What are diabetic ulcers?

Ulcers are a common complication of diabetes and may result from a simple cut or injury to the foot. Injuries are often slower to heal when you have diabetes. Unfortunately, ulcers can also lead to some very serious complications and even amputation if left untreated, so it’s important to turn to our podiatrist immediately for ulcer treatment. The sooner the ulcer is treated the better.

Do I need specialty footwear?

Did you know that some shoes and socks are specially designed for diabetic feet? That’s because individuals with diabetes should never walk around barefoot, even in their own homes. Wearing shoes and socks can prevent foot injuries and keep feet safe. Our podiatrists can also craft custom orthotics to provide additional support and cushioning for your feet.

If you are dealing with diabetic complications or you require expert foot care, call our San Leandro, CA, podiatric team right away at (510) 483-3390 to get the immediate treatment and care you need.

If you have diabetes, your primary care physician likely tells you to take care of your feet. What does that mean, and why is foot care so important? Your San Leandro, CA, podiatrists, Dr. Michael Stein and Dr. Zeineldin Ahmad, ask their diabetic patients to see them at Foot Doctor of the East Bay at least semi-annually for comprehensive podiatric exams, avoiding the many complications this disease causes in the feet and ankles. Learn the reasons behind their concern and how you can take care of your feet.

Diabetes threatens the lower extremities

Because high blood glucose levels associated with diabetes compromise peripheral circulation and nerve function, people who live with this condition are prone to infection, slow healing of wounds, injury, and reduced sensation. The American Heart Association says that diabetics have higher rates of dangerous peripheral artery disease, or PAD, which means the feet and ankles receive far less oxygen and nutrients than normal. Unfortunately, diabetics are at high risk for amputations of the toes, feet, and legs.

What you can do

Partner with your San Leandro podiatrist. He'll recommend strategies which will keep your feet healthy and active. He also provides the best in medical care if something goes wrong. Services include:

• Prescription shoes
• Medical pedicures
• Treatment of diabetic wounds
• Shoe padding
• Orthotics (shoe inserts)
• Physical therapy as needed

At home, make foot care a top priority in your daily routine. It's not hard but takes some thought and patience. Consider adding these practices to your lifestyle:

• Look at your feet every day, checking for scratches, soreness, pressure points, color changes, and variations in the nails
• Wash your feet daily with soap and warm water, and dry them thoroughly between the toes
• Use a quality moisturizer on your feet
• Wear shoes with good support in the arches and room in the toe boxes
• Clip your toenails straight across to avoid ingrown toenails and fungal infections
• Change your socks daily, and be sure they are not bunched up in your shoes, creating pressure points
• Be active, says the American Diabetic Association, but when you do sit, elevate your feet to prevent swelling and improve circulation
• Watch your blood glucose levels
• Don't smoke as it destroys peripheral circulation
• Keep a healthy weight

We want to see you

At Foot Doctor of the East Bay, our San Leandro, CA, podiatrists take a special interest in people with diabetes. If you're one of them, please arrange a routine foot exam. While diabetes can threaten your podiatric health, together we can keep your feet healthy and functional. Call today, won't you? (510) 483-3390.

Foot care is critical to the overall health and well-being of a diabetic. Due to high blood glucose levels, compromised circulation in the extremities and to damage to nerves (diabetic neuropathy), diabetic patients must be extra vigilant in examining and looking after the skin, nails and overall condition of their feet. Dr. Michael Stein, Foot Doctor of the East Bay area in Los Gatos, Pleasanton and San Leandro, CA, recommends regular foot examinations--at least once a year--to help preserve the health and function of your feet.

What to do at Home

Just as you brush your teeth and comb your hair every day, be sure to walk through a daily diabetic foot care regimen. Simple self-care disciplines ward off long-term complications such as ulcerating wounds and amputations.

The American Diabetic Association recommends these foot hygiene practices:

1. Wash your feet each day with warm water and mild soap. Avoid hot water as diabetics have difficulty sensing temperature. Examine toes, nail, tops and bottoms of feet for signs of blisters, redness, dry patches, swelling or any other changes.
2. Apply moisturizer to avoid rough spots and cracks that could harbor bacteria and lead to infection.
3. Put on clean socks, and wear well-fitting shoes--even around the house. Well-constructed footwear protects feet from bumps, bruises and scratches diabetics may not notice because of compromised nerve function.
4. If you do get a cut or blister, don't ignore it, but treat it right away. If you are concerned about how well a wound is healing, contact your Los Gatos, Pleasanton and San Leandro podiatrist for immediate diabetic foot care.
5. Keep toenails neatly trimmed straight across to avoid ingrown toenails. If you have difficulty cutting your own nails, Dr. Stein can cut them for you.
6. Exercise and be active to keep blood circulating in your feet and legs.
7. Stop smoking. This not only benefits your peripheral nerves and circulation, but improves heart and lung function and dental health, too.
8. See Dr.Stein about corns and calluses. Do not treat them yourself. Also, if you think you are developing bone deformities such as bunions or hammertoes, see your podiatrist as these conditions frequently compromise the health and function of the diabetic foot.

Visit Your Los Gatos, Pleasanton and San Leandro Podiatrist

The American Podiatric Medical Association asserts that millions of American adults ignore much needed foot care. Don't neglect this important aspect of your health care, particularly if you have diabetes. Call (510) 483-3390 to book an appointment for a foot examination at one of Dr. Stein's Foot Doctor of the East Bay's three convenient locations in Los Gatos, Pleasanton and San Leandro, CA today!

According to a study led by Australian researchers, certain exercises can put pressure on the developing feet of overweight children. Due to their tendency to have fatter and flatter feet, overweight children are at risk for increased pressure on the arch—leading to foot pain and discomfort. This could ultimately cause kids to avoid participating in physical activity, which is crucial to health and well-being. Other forms of activity, such as swimming or cycling, may be a necessary alternative for overweight children uncomfortable with exercising. In a previous study, Diane L. Riddiford-Harland of the University of Wollongong and her coauthors found that overweight kids had higher “plantar pressures” while walking than normal-weight kids. The study also linked the higher pressures and flattening of the arches to a possibility that the kids would be less physically active.

Obesity can be particularly problematic for the feet. If you are overweight and have concerns regarding your feet, speak to one of our podiatrists of Foot Doctor of the East Bay. Our doctors will provide you with quality podiatric care.  

Obesity and your Feet

Since your feet are what support your entire weight when standing, any additional weight can result in pain and swelling. Being overweight is one of the main contributors to foot complications.

Problems & Complications

Extra Weight – Even putting on just a few extra pounds could create serious complications for your feet. As your weight increases, your balance and body will shift, creating new stresses on your feet. This uneven weight distribution can cause pain, even while doing the simplest tasks, such as walking.

Diabetes – People who are overweight are at serious risk of developing type-2 diabetes, which has a drastic impact on the health of your feet. As you get older, your diabetes might worsen, which could lead to loss of feeling in your feet, sores, and bruises. You could also become more prone to various infections.

Plantar fasciitis – Pressure and stress that is placed on muscles, joints, and tendons can trigger plantar fasciitis, which is an inflammation of tissue that forms along the bottom of the foot. 

For more information about Obesity and Your Feet, follow the link below.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in California. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

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