Most people know that in order to combat Type 2 diabetes, you’ve got to make certain lifestyle changes.
To control blood sugar, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure, individuals with diabetes must get to a healthy weight, improve eating habits, exercise regularly and quit smoking.
Well, our podiatrists Dr. Samantha Boyd, Dr. Hal Ornstein, Dr. Dan Phan and Dr. Joseph Saka are here to tell you that there’s one more very important change that all patients with diabetes must commit to: visit a podiatrist at least once a year.
A foot doctor? Absolutely.
There are three essential ways that a podiatrist can help those with diabetes:
1.Catch problems before they become serious. The foot condition of a person with diabetes can tell us a lot about how they’re managing their disease. We look for signs of trouble such as discoloration, numbness, cracked skin and changes in toenails. We may find wounds that the patient failed to detect on their own. All of these conditions are signs that something potentially serious is going on, such as nerve damage or circulation issues.
2. Prevent amputation. Amputation is one of the most devastating effects of diabetes. Regular checkups with us at one of our Monmouth County podiatry offices supplement a patient’s daily foot checks and help prevent needless amputations.
3. Provide you with the proper shoes. The diabetic foot needs footwear that doesn’t pinch or cause pressure. Affiliated Foot & Ankle Center provides patients with diabetes with properly-fitting shoes and shoe inserts that are covered under most insurance plans.
Our podiatrists have years of experience treating the diabetic foot. Make an appointment at least once a year with us to take advantage of our careful and caring assessment of your feet. Call us in Howell or Jackson at 732-905-1110 or contact us online.
