The Diabetes Exercise Connection

In November, we at Goldsmith Podiatry recognize American Diabetes Month as an important opportunity to share information with our Manhattan patients about this disease and the effects it can have on your feet. Diabetes packs a double punch when it comes to podiatric health. Patients with this condition often develop neuropathy or nerve damage which makes it difficult to accurately perceive pain in your feet. This means that cuts, blisters, and minor wounds can go undetected and become infected which poses a serious threat to your feet due to a second condition associated with diabetes, poor circulation. Reduced blood flow to the extremities slows wound healing and can result in long-term damage and even amputation.

Combating Harmful Complications

Managing your diabetes is one of the best ways of reducing the risk of severe complications that can impact the health of your feet. Staying at an appropriate weight (or losing weight if you are overweight) and maintaining good circulation are two important goals for diabetics. An effective tool for achieving both goals is regular exercise.

There are a wide variety of exercise and fitness activities available and most of them involve your feet. That’s why if you’re a diabetic patient and are experiencing pain or discomfort in your feet it’s critical that you not delay seeking an evaluation from our podiatrists, Dr. Howard Goldsmith, Dr. Rosanna Troia and Dr. Kristina Ruff. The foot doctor will examine your feet and ask questions about your medical history and your current activities. He or she may also order imaging studies or other tests to diagnose your foot problem. Once the source of the pain is discovered and appropriate treatment can be prescribed. The podiatrist can also make recommendations about footwear and activities that will best accommodate any podiatric disorders that you have.

Your podiatrist is a key player on your care team if you have diabetes. Scheduling regular checkups with the foot doctor and alerting your podiatrist to any changes or wounds on your feet is critical in preventing serious medical complications. Make your appointment at our Upper West Side office by calling: 212-877-1002 today.