Diabetes - taking care of your feetDiabetes can damage the nerves and blood vessels in your feet. This damage can cause numbness and reduce feeling in your feet. As a result, your feet may not heal well if they are injured. If you get a blister, you may not notice, and it may get worse.Check your feet every day. Inspect the top, sides, soles, heels, and between the toes. Look for: Dry and cracked skin Blisters or sores Bruises or cuts Redness, warmth, or tenderness Firm or hard spotsIf you cannot see well, ask someone else to check your feet.Call your doctor right way about any foot problems. Do not try to treat them yourself first. Even small sores or blisters can become big problems if infection develops or they do not heal.Wash your feet every day with lukewarm water and mild soap. Strong soaps may damage the skin. Check the temperature of the water with your hands or elbow first. Gently dry your feet, especially between the toes. Use lotion, petroleum jelly, lanolin, or oil on dry skin. Do NOT put lotion between your toes.Ask your health care provider to show you how to trim your toenails. Soak your feet in lukewarm water to soften the nail before trimming. Cut the nail straight across, because curved nails are more likely to become ingrown. Your foot doctor (podiatrist) can trim your nails if you are unable to.Most people with diabetes should have corns or calluses treated by a foot doctor. If your doctor has given you permission to treat corns or calluses on your own: Gently use a pumice stone to remove corns and calluses after a shower or bath, when your skin is soft. Do NOT use medicated pads or try to shave or cut them away at home.If you smoke, stop. Smoking decreases blood flow to your feet. Talk with your doctor or nurse if you need help quitting.Do not use a heating pad or hot water bottle on your feet. Do not walk barefoot, especially on hot pavement or hot sandy beaches. Remove your shoes and socks during visits to your health care provider so that they can check your feet.Shoes and SocksWear shoes at all times to protect your feet from injury. Before you put them on, always check the inside of your shoes for stones, nails, or rough areas that may hurt your feet.Wear shoes that are comfortable and fit well when you buy them. Never buy shoes that are tight, hoping they will stretch as you wear them. You may not feel pressure from shoes that do not fit well. Blisters and sores can develop when your foot presses against your shoe.Ask your doctor about special shoes that can give your feet more room. When you get new shoes, break them in slowly. Wear them 1 or 2 hours a day for the first 1 or 2 weeks.Change your broken-in shoes after 5 hours during the day to change the pressure points on your feet. Do not wear flip-flop sandals or stockings with seams. Both can cause pressure points.Wear clean, dry socks or non-binding panty hose every day. They will help protect your feet. Holes in socks or stockings can put damaging pressure on your toes.You may want special socks with extra padding. Socks that move moisture away from your feet will keep your feet drier. In cold weather, wear warm socks, and do not stay out in the cold for very long. Wear clean, dry socks to bed if your feet are coldSIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF HYPO/HYPER GLYCEMIA

Healthy diabetic eating includes Limiting foods that are high in sugar Eating smaller portions, spread out over the day Being careful about when and how many carbohydrates you eat Eating a variety of whole-grain foods, fruits and vegetables every day Eating less fat Limiting your use of alcohol Using less saltRecommended foodsMake your calories count with these nutritious foods: Healthy carbohydrates.During digestion, sugars (simple carbohydrates) and starches (complex carbohydrates) break down into blood glucose. Focus on the healthiest carbohydrates, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes (beans, peas and lentils) and low-fat dairy products. Fiber-rich foods.Dietary fiber includes all parts of plant foods that your body can't digest or absorb. Fiber can decrease the risk of heart disease and help control blood sugar levels. Foods high in fiber include vegetables, fruits, nuts, legumes (beans, peas and lentils), whole-wheat flour and wheat bran. Heart-healthy fish.Eat heart-healthy fish at least twice a week.Fish can be a good alternative to high-fat meats. For example, cod, tuna and halibut have less total fat, saturated fat and cholesterol than do meat and poultry. Fish such as salmon, mackerel, tuna, sardines and bluefish are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which promote heart health by lowering blood fats called triglycerides. However, avoid fried fish and fish with high levels of mercury, such as tilefish, swordfish and king mackerel. 'Good' fats.Foods containing monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats such as avocados, almonds, pecans, walnuts, olives, and canola, olive and peanut oils can help lower your cholesterol levels. Eat them sparingly, however, as all fats are high in calories.Foods to avoidDiabetes increases your risk of heart disease and stroke by accelerating the development of clogged and hardened arteries. Foods containing the following can work against your goal of a heart-healthy diet. Saturated fats.High-fat dairy products and animal proteins such as beef, hot dogs, sausage and bacon contain saturated fats. Get no more than 7 percent of your daily calories from saturated fat. Trans fats.These types of fats are found in processed snacks, baked goods, shortening and stick margarines and should be avoided completely. Cholesterol.Sources of cholesterol include high-fat dairy products and high-fat animal proteins, egg yolks, shellfish, liver, and other organ meats. Aim for no more than 300 milligrams (mg) of cholesterol a day. Sodium.Aim for less than 2,300 mg of sodium a day.