1. Go for an annual foot exam. The initial signs of nerve damage may be subtle. So have your doctor conduct a thorough foot exam and check for loss of sensation at least once a year. Tell your doctor right away if you experience temporary numbness, tingling, pricking sensations, sensitivity to touch, muscle weakness, or loss of balance or coordination. Symptoms are often worse at night. 2. Control your blood sugar. Over time, high blood sugar levels can harm the tiny blood vessels that nourish nerves. Tight blood glucose control, on the other hand, can reduce the risk of diabetic nerve damage and prevent it from worsening if it occurs. Ask your doctor what your target hemoglobin A1C reading should be, and get advice on keeping it within a healthy range. 3. Maintain healthy cholesterol and blood pressure. Aim for a blood pressure reading below 140/80 mm Hg and LDL (“bad”) cholesterol levels below 100 mg/dL. Not only will it help protect your heart health, it may keep neuropathy from getting worse. 4. Wear the right footwear. Choose shoes that are flexible enough to walk in but that also provide support and cushioning. You’ll want to avoid shoes that are too tight or too loose because they can cause nerve compression or blisters. If you want shoes with a “just right” feel, order custom-made shoes from a podiatrist. Socks matter too: Choose socks that fit well and wick away moisture. 5. Check your feet every day. Take off your shoes and socks and carefully inspect all surfaces of your feet and in between toes for small cuts, blisters, calluses, ingrown toenails and any potential signs of infection. You may not feel anything, so it's important to check your feet. To further protect your feet, avoid walking barefoot indoors or out and test the temperature of bath water with your hands or a thermometer to avoid burning your feet. 6. Treat foot problems immediately. Perform first-aid on all cuts or blisters no matter how small, and check daily to make sure the wound is healing. Call your doctor if wounds do not heal quickly or you injure your foot seriously. [Broken External Image]:http://epmgaa.media.lionheartdms.co....jpg?626c74b6d570df44fd02ecca30244159e005ff34 Source for more info about diabetes foot care , you may visit Dr.Mark Hinkes website here
