The Importance of Diabetic Care

When you are living with a diagnosis of diabetes, learning how to best manage the condition is critical. If it is not well managed, it can negatively impact nearly every organ or system in your entire body. Education is key. Educating yourself about the ins and outs of diabetes and what will make it better or worse will be critical in allowing you to live the life you want without disruption. This is particularly important concerning the care of your feet as a common condition caused by diabetes is peripheral neuropathy. Dr. David Biesinger from Centennial Foot & Ankle is skilled at diabetic care in North Las Vegas, NV.

What are some things that can happen if diabetes is not managed properly?

Quite a few things. If diabetes is allowed to progress, many parts of your body will respond negatively as a result. Without proper diabetic care in North Las Vegas, NV, you risk the following:

• Peripheral neuropathy: This is one of the most common consequences of unmanaged diabetes and will generally affect the feet. Peripheral neuropathy is a condition where there is damage to the nerves and circulation going out to the periphery of your body. Your feet are the structures that are furthest away from your brain and heart and where neuropathy caused by diabetes will usually show up. This can lead to loss of sensation in the feet, putting them at great risk because you may not feel it when you have a cut, bruise, or broken bone. But other than not feeling external injuries, the loss of circulation to your feet may result in infections, swelling, discoloration, and more. And again, you may not be immediately aware that something is wrong because you will not be able to feel the pain that would normally be associated with these things.

Some other consequences of unmanaged diabetes are:

• Vision loss
• Dementia
• High blood pressure and cholesterol, which will both increase your risk of having a stroke
• Kidney disease
• Heart disease

What are some signs I should be on alert for to warn me that my diabetes needs better management?

If you notice any of the following symptoms, you should see a doctor ASAP:

• Tingling or numbness in your hands and feet
• Increased thirst
• Waking frequently during the night to urinate
• Increased hunger
• Blurry vision
• Increased dryness of skin
• Wounds that will not heal
• Frequent infections
• Extreme fatigue
• Nausea or vomiting
• Passing out
• A sweet smell to your breath which is a sign of ketoacidosis

Contact us to schedule a consultation

Managing your diabetes is vital and is a condition that Dr. Biesinger from Centennial Foot & Ankle sees frequently. Receive your diabetic care in North Las Vegas, NV by making an appointment with us by calling (702) 852-2402.