What Do I Do About My Swollen Feet When I Have Diabetes?

Living with diabetes can present a number of challenges. Whether you have been recently diagnosed or have been trying to keep it under control for years, it takes some effort. It can also cause several complications that can affect your feet and quality of life in general. Swelling of the feet is a common complication that can develop with diabetes.

When you have diabetes, there are several reasons your feet can swell but it is often associated with neuropathy. Diabetes can cause poor circulation. When blood does not flow properly, the lack of blood supply takes its toll and can result in nerve damage, or neuropathy. The damaged blood vessels do not constrict and relax like they should which can lead to fluid buildup and swelling.

Is a swollen foot something to worry about if I have diabetes?

The answer is a loud YES! Sometimes feet can become swollen if you have been standing or walking around all day but a swollen foot can also be a symptom of an infection or an ulcer. If you have diabetes, neuropathy hinders your ability to feel pain so a swollen foot is something to take notice of and take action for immediately.

Foot specialist, Dr. Tejas Pandya, consistently reminds his patients with diabetes that a swollen foot could be indicating a serious situation. You should have a good knowledge of when this happens and what the cause might be. There are many general foot care tips that Dr. Pandya encourages diabetic patients to follow such as daily foot care, proper toenail maintenance, wearing appropriate shoes and quick treatment for any injury. All of these can reduce your chances of having swollen feet.

Are you dealing with swollen feet and need help? If you have diabetes, we highly encourage you to seek help as soon as possible. Please contact our podiatric office in Troy, NY today with any questions or to make an appointment. Call (518) 273-0053 or visit www.capitaldistrictpodiatry.com. 

Tingling Feet

Are Pins and Needles in Your Feet Bothering You?

Experiencing tingling in feet is a common sensation and there are several reasons why it may be happening. Understanding what may be going on is important because although fairly common, the underlying reason could be cause for concern.

Dr. Tejas Pandya, foot and ankle specialist in Troy and Clifton Park, NY finds those who complain of tingling in their feet are most often his patients with diabetes. Peripheral neuropathy, or nerve damage, which often accompanies diabetes, often leaves feet with a loss of feeling and tingling. The pins and needles feeling can be intermittent or last for long periods of time depending on the underlying cause. Other reasons your feet may be tingling are:

• Alcoholism

• Poor circulation 

• Vitamin B12 deficiency

• Hypothyroidism

• HIV

• Multiple sclerosis

• Rheumatoid arthritis

• A compressed nerve in your lower back

• Tight shoes

• Bone spur that pinches a nerve

• Side effect of medication

• Trauma or injury to a nerve

The treatment for your tingling feet will ultimately depend on what the underlying cause is. If you need treatment for tingling feet, take some notes before you call Dr. Pandya. Try to decipher when triggers it, how long it lasts and if you are able to find anything that helps relieve your symptoms. This will help Dr. Pandya do a thorough exam to get a complete diagnosis of your symptoms and set up a successful treatment plan.

Please do not ignore tingling feet. They could be a sign of something much more serious going on. Identifying problems and beginning treatment early can make a huge difference in your health long term. Contact our podiatric office to make an appointment with Dr. Pandya. Call (518) 273-0053 or visit www.capitaldistrictpodiatry.com for more information.

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Dealing With Diabetic Neuropathy

It is estimated that around 15.7 million people in the U.S have diabetes. This is a staggering number making it that much more important to provide the necessary education about staying safe and healthy.

Feet are not usually something most people pay any attention to. That is, unless they are in pain, injured or you have diabetes. Diabetic neuropathy is a major complication of having diabetes and results in feet needing to be monitored closely.

Why do you need to be so careful with diabetic neuropathy? 

Neuropathy causes a loss of feeling in your feet. Nerves become damaged and impair your ability to feel heat, cold or pain. This means you may not feel the heat of sand or a sidewalk and burn your feet or sustain a blister from your shoes and not even realize it. A small cut from stepping on a rock while barefoot can go completely unnoticed due to neuropathy.

There is a lack of good circulation in your feet when you have diabetes so any of the injuries mentioned above can turn into serious problems. Wounds take longer to heal and even minor injuries can turn into ulcers. A lack of diligent foot care or leaving these types of injuries could ultimately lead to amputation.

It may sound alarming but Dr. Tejas Pandya, foot specialist in Troy and Clifton Park, NY treats patients with diabetes on a regular basis dealing with the effects of neuropathy. It is imperative if you have diabetes, to follow good foot care habits and make an appointment as soon as you notice anything on your feet. Contact our podiatric office today if you need help or treatment. Call (518) 273-0053 or visit www.capitaldistrictpodiatry.com.

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