How diabetes management mistakes can lead to foot complications and ways to prevent them

Staying motivated with the whole ordeal of managing diabetes may be a daunting task.

But it’s for the best. Because slipping off the healthy diet and other best practices could lead to health issues.

And no one wants complications, especially the ones that could restrict movement or general body wellness.

That’s why it’s important to embrace a lifestyle that helps prevent complications.

And the best part about these lifestyle changes (healthy eating and physical activity) is that…

They take complications away from you as far as possible.

They help you maintain a healthy weight and healthy blood pressure.

They improve your immune system and lower your cholesterol level.

They improve the quality of your sleep and reduce anxiety.

And they make you feel great about yourself.

Now, when most people think of diabetes, they only think of exercise and nutrition.

But there is something often ignored, which is just as important as checking BG or taking insulin.

The little-known role of your feet

Who could have thought that foot care is one of the most important things in diabetes management?

Well, it is.

According to Harvard Health, “high blood sugar injures nerves and blood vessels throughout the body. The first nerves to be affected tend to be […] those that stretch to the toes and feet.” [I]

A consistent rise in blood sugar levels could even lead to permanent nerve damage, causing tingling, stinging, and burning in the feet. 

Even over a short period of time, this could negatively affect the ability to feel pain, cold, or heat.

And if you don’t feel pain in your feet, you might not notice blisters and cuts, which could lead to infections and escalate into something more serious.

So, when you’re managing diabetes, foot care should be one of your top priorities – alongside maintaining good blood sugar control.

Unfortunately, many people tend to overlook their feet, and only focus on their BG or fixing their diet.

While that’s really commendable, some overlooked mistakes in foot care may cause complications.

We go over them in this article, and provide ways to avoid them.

#1. Walking barefoot

You’ve probably heard from all medical professionals that you must never go barefoot even when you’re at home.

But is it too over the top or does it actually matter?

As you already know, diabetes makes you susceptible to some serious foot problems due to nerve damage. And this might prevent you from feeling sensations like heat, cold, or pain in your feet.

So, when you go barefoot… 

You might not know when you step on sharp objects like glass or sticks, which could lead to a fully-fledged injury. Since wound healing is impaired when you have diabetes, this may cause injuries that won’t heal properly, leading to potentially serious infection.

And you wouldn’t want that, would you?

So to avoid such complications, you should wear your shoes all the time.

Yes, it looks like a tall order. But won’t you rather wear your shoes and worry less about complications than going barefoot and increasing the risk of those complications?

#2. Wearing the wrong shoes

It’s important to be deliberate about the types of shoes you wear when you’re managing diabetes because certain types put you at risk of developing blisters, sores, and cuts.

Pointed shoes, high heels, thong-style sandals, and shoes with tight straps reduce blood circulation and compress your toes, which could cause blisters. Also, flip flops without solid bottom and open shoes could allow foreign objects to damage the feet, leading to infections.

Your shoe size is really important too.

While small shoes restrict blood flow and increase pressure, oversized shoes can cause friction ulcers behind the heel due to the foot sliding within the shoe.

Pick the right size and type, and in doing so…

Consider lightweight shoes with soft insoles, extra depth, closed mouth, and solid bottom. And ones that you generally feel comfortable in.

Many diabetic shoes and prescription shoes have these featured, and brands have different styles to fit your wardrobe.

You can still make that fashion statement, but also prevent complications.

By the way, check the inside of your shoes before you wear them. Many dangerous things might be there.

#3. Ignoring foot care

Few people have the time to check their feet daily, but it’s crucial – and it doesn’t have to take up much of your time. Just a few minutes a day for a lifetime of good health!

When you ignore foot care, you might not know if you’ve developed blisters or sustained an injury. And when it comes to cuts in diabetes, even a small thing could lead to a big issue.

So, check for blisters, cuts, and see a podiatrist at least once a year.

But remember, while foot care is important, it’s inseparable from maintaining well-balanced blood sugar levels.

Stable blood sugar – your winning ticket to everything

A well-balanced blood sugar level doesn’t only protect you against foot complications but also heart problems, kidney disease, gum disease, and other health-related issues.

It’s your winning ticket to everything – healthy feet, a healthy body, a more energetic life, less hunger and cravings, faster metabolism and sustainable weight loss, even reducing your diabetes meds.

You know already that controlling your blood sugar is the only thing that counts if you want a lifetime of good health – and it really doesn’t have to be that hard.

So, if you want to prevent nerve damage, foot problems, and keep diabetes complications away…

Maintain normal blood sugar levels and feel full of energy each day…

Rev up your metabolism and melt away those stubborn pounds…

Not feel hungry all the time and battle those annoying sugar cravings…

No longer worry about the right foods, the wrong foods, or how much to eat to avoid blood sugar spikes…

Feel confident in your decisions and free in your body…

Then pay close attention to this next part

You can easily achieve all of the above – without turning your whole life upside down or making it more complicated than it already is. You CAN curb diabetes symptoms, improve your quality of life, and reclaim your health.

You’ve probably been told a million times that in order to manage diabetes successfully, you need to follow a “balanced diet.” But that’s far easier said than done, isn’t it?

When you have diabetes, you’re told a lot of things. Cut down bread, pasta, and fried foods. Avoid trans fat, processed food, cereal, fruit juice, fries, and other high-carb foods.

Then what are you supposed to eat? It feels as if you don’t have the freedom to choose, right? The tracking, the counting, the weighing, the measuring, and trying to figure out all the nutrients certainly doesn’t make it any easier.

There’s simply no one-size-fits-all approach to diabetes management. If it was as easy as that, nearly 122.2 million Americans wouldn’t still struggle with diabetes and prediabetes. Even scientists and diabetes specialists are increasingly turning to personalized treatments as a science-backed way to control the condition. (II)

A custom-fitted meal plan will not only help you maintain stable blood sugar levels successfully but will also help you lose weight, avoid health complications, and potentially unshackle yourself from diabetes meds.

What makes personalized meal plans so effective?

A personalized meal plan is easier to stick with because it’s tailored to your diabetes type, age, dietary preferences, and health.

It combines all the necessary nutrients like low carbs, healthy fats, protein, fibers, and others – so you never feel hungry, deprived, or restricted.

It helps you stay more organized and reduce the hassle of thinking about what to eat and what not to eat – so you can finally enjoy your meals rather than worry about spiking your blood sugar.

It’s based on your actual needs. It’s never rigid or fixed – and it adapts to you with time.

It provides you with nutrients that help you maintain good health and weight – so you no longer have to struggle with annoying cravings or rely on your willpower.

And subsequently, it helps you manage blood pressure and maintain general wellness – so you can avoid complications and curb other diabetes symptoms.