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Diabetic Foot Care in Shreveport, LA


 

The Foot Institute is dedicated to providing quality care to patients who may suffer from diabetic foot complications. Dr. Angelo Morreale has been treating diabetic foot conditions in the Shreveport area for over 30 years.

Contact Dr. Angelo Morreale today to schedule your appointment by calling (318) 797-3668.

 

Complications of the feet are particularly common among those with diabetes. Such issues are directly related to the body’s inability to handle long periods of high blood sugar levels. Without proper regulation of these levels, there are a number of different foot problems that can occur.

Diabetic Neuropathy

Neuropathy is a condition that describes weakened sensations of the nerves. This type of nerve damage is common in diabetics, and can lead to serious complications of the feet because it inhibits their ability to physically feel whether or not there is any pain in this area.

The desensitization of the feet can lead to many unwanted conditions including:

Left untreated, these minor conditions can lead to serious side effects including infection or even possible amputation of the foot.

Peripheral Vascular Disease

Diabetics are also not without a large number of circulatory problems. Because diabetes affects a person’s blood sugar levels, it can also quickly affect the health of their blood vessels.

These vessels are responsible for proper blood flow all throughout the body. Poor circulation through the blood vessels can have severe effects on the feet, as it will prevent wounds or illnesses of this area from healing.

What Can I Do to Prevent Diabetic Foot Problems?

Persons with nerve damage and/or poor blood circulation as a result of their diabetes are highly encouraged to take special care to monitor and actively improve the condition of their feet every day. Such proactive measures include:

  • Wash your feet every day using warm water and mild soap.
  • Gently exfoliate your feet after soaking them in warm water for several minutes. This will help to remove any corns or calluses that may have formed.
  • Hydrate the skin of your feet with moisturizing lotions that should be applied several times per day.
  • Regularly trim your toenails straight across using a clipper.
  • Routinely check for any wounds on your feet or irregularities of your toenails. It is recommended that diabetics perform this sort of check every single day.
  • Wear soft socks or stockings with your shoes.
  • Avoid open-toed shoes, and do not walk barefoot in any environment, even in your own home.
  • Introduce regular motion to your feet whenever you are sitting. It is also recommended to not cross your legs, and this will inhibit proper blood flow.
  • Stop smoking, as this will only worsen the health of your circulatory system.
  • Attend regular appointments with Dr. Morreale as needed and carefully follow any and all advice given in regards to the care of your feet. If you have any questions or concerns about their instructions, please call (318) 797-3668 today to have them resolved by our podiatry specialists.

For more information

  • How Diabetes Causes Foot Problems
    Many things work together to cause foot problems in people who have diabetes, especially poor circulation and nerve disease (neuropathy). Neuropathy significantly dulls awareness of your feet, making you more susceptible to extensive injury-related damage.
  • Foot and Toenail Care
    Checking the feet and keeping them clean and soft can help prevent cracks and infection in the skin. This is especially important for people who have diabetes. Keeping toenails trimmed—and polished if that’s what the person likes—also helps the person feel well-groomed.
  • Treating Diabetic Foot Problems
    Foot problems in people with diabetes are usually treated by keeping blood sugar levels in a target blood sugar range and by using medicine, surgery, and other types of treatment.
  • Taking Care of Your Feet
    When you have diabetes, your feet need extra care and attention. Diabetes can damage the nerve endings and blood vessels in your feet, making you less likely to notice when your feet are injured.
  • Diabetes: Checking Your Feet
    When you have diabetes, you need to examine your feet every day. Look at all areas of your feet, including your toes. Use a handheld mirror or a magnifying mirror attached to the bathroom wall near the baseboard to inspect your feet.
  • Diabetes: Protecting Your Feet
    Because you have diabetes, you will need to be especially careful to protect your feet from injury. Wear shoes all the time. If you do not want to wear shoes indoors, wear slippers with hard soles and good support. Keep your shoes next to your…

 

Seek Treatment from a Diabetic Foot Care Specialist

It is critical for individuals to pursue treatment options if they experience symptoms associated with any of the above conditions. Many of the more minor foot conditions listed above will not be very problematic right away, but they certainly will continue to worsen over time if not addressed by a podiatrist.

To schedule a consultation with Dr. Morreale of The Foot Institute, please call (318) 797-3668 today!

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