diabetes

Here are some steps you can take

1. Clean your feet daily, using warm ? not hot ? water and mild soap. Avoid soaking your feet. Dry them with a soft towel and dry carefully between your toes.
2. Inspect your feet and toes every day for cuts, blisters, redness, swelling, calluses, or other problems.
3. Notify your health care provider of any problems.
4. Moisturize your feet with lotion, but avoid getting it in between your toes.
5. After a bath or shower, file corns and calluses gently with a pumice stone.
6. Each week or when needed, cut your toenails in the shape of your toes and file the edges with an emery board.
7. Always wear shoes or slippers to protect your feet from injuries. Prevent skin irritation by wearing thick, soft, seamless socks.
8. Wear shoes that fit well and allow your toes to move. Break-in new shoes gradually by wearing them for only an hour at a time at first.
9. Before putting your shoes on, look them over carefully and feel the insides with your hand to make sure they have no tears, sharp edges, or objects in them that might injure your feet.
10. If you need help taking care of your feet, make an appointment to see a foot doctor, also called a podiatrist.
11. Persons with diabetes should ask their doctor during routine exams for foot checkups as well.
12. Stop smoking.
13. Check your blood sugar levels carefully to make sure they're controlled.
14. Eat a healthy, balanced diet.
15. Be physically active to maintain strength, flexibility and blood flow to the damaged areas and to control pain.
16. Practice good exercise which includes swimming, cycling, and water aerobics.
17. See your doctor regularly.
    

Diabetes Is the leading cause of death in the U.S.

It is the leading cause of blindness
It is the leading cause of kidney disease
It is related to heart disease on the majority of diabetes related death certificates

67% of people with diabetes have high blood pressure
65% of diabetics have mild to severe forms of nervous system damage

And, depending on the research quoted, between 60 and 72% of amputations in the U.S. are caused by diabetes or other vascular disease.

Don't think it can happen to you?

As of 2012: 25.8 million men, women and children in the U.S. have diabetes, that's 8.3% of the entire population
79 million people in the U.S. have pre-diabetes
27% of people over 65 years are diabetic
These statistics are all higher for African-Americans
According to the CDC, roughly 1 in every 10 adults over 20 is now diabetic, and if the current annual increase continues, that number could be 1 in 3 by 2050.

What Can I Do?
Reasons for the increase in diabetes include our aging population, the racial makeup is changing, and our population ,in general, is obese due to a change in our eating habits and the types of foods we consume. Nearly two thirds of adults and one third of children and adolescent Americans are overweight or obese.

Diet
Excess consumption and decreased activity are the major causes of weight gain. Sedentary adults tend to eat 500 ? 800 calories more per day than is needed for maintenance. At that rate, they will gain between 1 and 1 ? pounds per week. Crash diets and fad diets are not helpful. Most people return to their old habits and soon regain their lost weight. A carefully planned diet that emphasizes portion control, calorie counting and an intake of fresh foods, including a balance of fruits and vegetables, is the most successful strategy.

Exercise
Combining proper eating habits with a structured exercise routine will ensure that you are doing everything you can to combat not only weight gain, but also a multitude of other diseases. A healthy diet and exercise contribute to a healthier lifestyle and an improved mental outlook, and help slow down or decrease the effects of the aging process. So that you're aware of any limitations you may have, always consult your physician before starting an exercise program. You can find several suggested types of physical exercise in the "Sports & Exercise" page in our "Lifestyle" section.