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Diabetes is the leading cause of amputation of the lower limbs. And problems with their feet are the most frequent reasons for hospitalization in patients with diabetes. Many of these amputations and hospitalizations could be prevented through simple preventive foot care. If you have diabetes, you should ask your doctor during routine exams for foot check-ups as well.
Other steps you can take to have healthy feet include:
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quitting smoking (ask your doctor for help if you are having problems quitting)
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checking your blood sugar levels carefully
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eating a healthy, balanced diet
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being physically active to maintain strength, flexibility, and blood flow to damaged areas and to control pain (good exercises include bicycling, swimming, and aqua aerobics)
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seeing your doctors regularly
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controlling your weight
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checking feet each day for small cuts or blisters, since most diabetic foot problems begin with the sores on the skin
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checking with doctors before using heating pads or electric blankets to avoid burning your skin, since feelings in your limbs could be lost
Publications
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Amputation Fact Sheet - This fact sheet discusses the common sources of amputation in the workplace, steps employers can take to prevent them and the OSHA standards that cover amputation hazards.
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Diabetic Neuropathies: The Nerve Damage of Diabetes - This fact sheet describes the causes, symptoms, and major types of neuropathy. It also provides information about diagnosis and treatment, as well as findings of the Diabetic Control and Complication Trial as they relate to neuropathy. Neuropathies lead to numbness and sometimes pain and weakness in the hands, arms, feet, and legs.
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Diabetic Retinopathy: What you should know - This pamphlet has been written to help people with diabetic retinopathy and their families better understand the disease. It describes the cause, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of diabetic retinopathy.
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Feet Can Last a Lifetime - A Health Care Provider's Guide to Preventing Diabetes Foot Problems - This comprehensive kit for health care providers contains ready-to-use foot exam forms, Medicare certification forms for therapeutic footwear, a sample disposable sensory testing monofilament, reproducible patient education materials, and current resource and reference materials.
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Prevent Diabetes Problems: Keep Your Eyes Healthy - This booklet discusses eye problems caused by diabetes. You will learn the things you can do each day and during each year to stay healthy and prevent diabetes problems.
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Take Care of Your Feet For a Lifetime - A Guide for People with Diabetes - The following publication discusses the importance of foot care for people with diabetes. Loss of feeling in their feet, changes in the shape of their feet, foot ulcers or sores that don't heal are some of the problems discussed.
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Financial Assistance for Prostheses and Other Assistive Devices (Copyright © ACA/NLLIC) - This fact sheet discusses who is eligible for financial assistance and lists the organizations that can provide assistance.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Diabetic Retinopathy (Copyright © Prevent Blindness America) - Online answers to consumers' frequently asked questions concerning Diabetic Retinopathy.
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Limb Loss FAQ's (Copyright © ACA/NLLIC) - This publication contains information about caring for and reducing the risk of amputations in addition to a list of terms commonly used when discussing amputation.
Organizations
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Lower Extremity Amputation Prevention (LEAP) Program, DPSP, BPHC
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National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse, NIDDK, NIH, HHS
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National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, NIH, HHS
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American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists
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American Diabetes Association
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Amputee Coalition of America
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National Amputation Foundation
= Indicates Federal Resources
From the National Women's Health Information Center
Last updated: August 2004
http://www.4woman.gov/wwd/wwd.cfm?page=28
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