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TAKING CARE OF YOUR FEET IF YOU HAVE DIABETES

TAKING CARE OF YOUR FEET IF YOU HAVE DIABETES - SelectFlex

Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects millions of people worldwide. It is characterized by high levels of sugar (glucose) in the blood, which can lead to a wide range of health complications (WebMD).  One of the most commonly affected areas in the body for people with diabetes is the feet. This is because diabetes can cause damage to blood vessels and nerves, leading to poor circulation and a loss of sensation in the feet.

Proper foot care is essential for people with diabetes to prevent serious foot problems. The reason is that people with diabetes are more likely to develop foot problems such as blisters, calluses, and infections. In some cases, these problems can lead to amputation if left untreated.

One of the most important things that people with diabetes can do to take care of their feet is to check them regularly (Foot Health Facts). This means looking at the feet for any changes in color, shape, or temperature, as well as any cuts, sores, or blisters. It is also important to check for any signs of infection such as redness, swelling, or discharge.

Another important aspect of foot care for people with diabetes is to keep the feet clean and dry. This means washing the feet regularly with soap and water and thoroughly drying them afterward, especially between the toes. Wearing clean, dry socks can also help to keep the feet dry, as well as prevent the growth of bacteria and fungus.

Proper shoe fitting is also important for people with diabetes. Shoes should fit comfortably and provide enough room for the toes to move freely (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons). They should also have a non-slip sole to prevent falls. It is also important to avoid walking barefoot, as this can increase the risk of injury and infection.

Another important aspect of foot care for people with diabetes is to exercise regularly. This can help to improve circulation and sensation in the feet. It is best to start with low-impact exercises such as walking or swimming and gradually increase the intensity over time.

In addition to these preventive measures, it is also important for people with diabetes to have regular check-ups with a podiatrist (American Diabetes Association). Podiatrists are specialized in foot and ankle care and can help to detect any problems early on and provide treatment.

In some cases, people with diabetes may need special shoes or inserts, such as SelectFlex, to help protect their feet. These can include shoes with a wide, deep toe box and a non-slip sole, as well as inserts that provide extra cushioning and support.

In summary, proper foot care is essential for people with diabetes to prevent serious foot problems. This includes regular foot checks, keeping the feet clean and dry, proper shoe fitting, exercising regularly, and regular check-ups with a podiatrist. People with diabetes may also need special shoes or inserts to help protect their feet. By following these steps, people with diabetes can reduce their risk of serious foot problems and maintain healthy feet.

 Consider Wearing SelectFlex Adjustable Orthotics to Help Relieve your Diabetes. 

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HOW BODY WEIGHT AFFECTS YOUR FEET

HOW BODY WEIGHT AFFECTS YOUR FEET - SelectFlex
***January is Health Weight Awareness Month***

In addition to a slew of other health issues, carrying around extra weight on your body can cause some serious problems with your feet and ankles. As weight balloons, it will cause your body to shift how it distributes its balance, meaning that you have extra stress on your feet. Having your weight unevenly distributed can result in a lot of pain. This pain is present even when doing your simple, everyday tasks, like walking for a short distance.

1) Extra Weight Can Flatten Your Feet
Your feet have tendons and ligaments that bundle the bones together and hold them in place. Obesity can stress these ligaments and tendons, causing them to tear and break (Medical News Today). This can cause fallen arches and flat feet. When the arch of your foot lowers, it can cause your feet and every step to be painful. It lowers the effectiveness of their shock absorption, creating pain with every step. By using shoe inserts that can make each step more comfortable, you can stop this process in its tracks.

2) You Might Tear Your Plantar Fascia
An important part of your body is the plantar fascia, which connects the heel to your toes. Extra weight can cause stress during your daily activities. If you are overweight and are experiencing pain in your heels, you may have a case of plantar fasciitis. Investing in comfortable insoles for the inside of your shoes can help you avoid or correct this painful foot affliction.

3) Bone Spurs May Affect You
Carrying extra weight on your body can make your bones rub together. To prevent this from happening, your body may create some foot bone spurs. These are outgrowths from the bones in your feet (Mayo Clinic). Because of the stress that weight places on your joints, it is more likely that an overweight person will suffer from these. Being obese can affect them negatively, adding to the pain, stiffness, and tingling in your lower extremities. Talk to a doctor about effectively managing the pain caused by your bone spurs.

4) You Can Develop Localized Arthritis in Your Ankles
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reports (CDC.Gov).  that up to twenty percent of Americans suffer from arthritis. The two main forms of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. While arthritis can affect anyone, the instance of arthritis in people of larger weights is greatly enhanced. Arthritis in the ankles is a form of osteoarthritis. It happens when your cartilage wears down, that flexible and durable tissue that protects your bones from rubbing together at the joints. Obesity can cause your cartilage to wear away faster. While osteoarthritis is a stress injury, rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune issue where your body attacks its own joint tissue. Studies have shown that chemicals found in adipose tissue (fat) can cause rheumatoid arthritis to get even worse (Arthritis Foundation).

5) Diabetes Can Greatlyt Affect the Health of Your Feet
In addition to your weight distribution, your feet need adequate circulation and blood flow to stay healthy. Diabetes, which disproportionately affects those of larger weights, can cause a reduction of the flow of blood to your feet. If you develop sores on your feet, they can quickly become ulcerated and difficult to treat. Numbness in your extremities is an important reason to seek the aid of a medical professional. Over 70,000 amputations are done of feet and lower legs every year. It is important to your health to stay up to date on all medications and get a regular check up to catch issues before they get worse.

With so many issues that can affect your feet, it is no surprise that you will want to find relief. Give yourself appropriate and adjustable arch support and minimize foot pain by using orthotic insoles by SelectFlex®. They are committed to staying current on all the trends in orthotics and can bring you customizable arch support.

Introducing SelectFlex
SelectFlex can increase comfort and reduce pain in the feet by correcting alignment, supporting the arch, providing more ankle support and cushioning the feet. In other words, it can help promote more normal gait and mobility. I invite you to learn more about SelectFlex Arch Control Insoles. We have worked with an orthotics company and our own engineers and product designers to develop a shoe insert that closely imitates the function of certain ligaments in the foot. Our adjustable PowerLift® Arch can provide as much as 89 percent more arch support than other inserts at about one-quarter the cost of custom prescription orthotics. You can find out more about us here:  (Welcome To SelectFlex) You can also text us at (844) 600-0082. I hope you will want to find out more about how our product can help you with your peripheral neuropathy. On behalf of SelectFlex, we look forward to serving you.

 

 

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