DIABETICS: WALK A MILE IN THEIR SHOES

November is National Diabetes Awareness Month and Wound Management Services (WMS) at Sturdy Memorial Hospital joins The American Diabetes Association (ADA) in bringing attention to the seriousness of this condition. According to the ADA, “29.1 million children and adults in the United States have diabetes.”

Those with diabetes whose blood sugar levels are not within target range are at greater risk for complications from non-healing wounds and infections which, in serious cases, can lead to amputation. WMS encourages diabetics to pay particular attention to shoes, as they can cause cuts and blisters that for diabetics can lead to skin ulcers when gone unnoticed. Here are some tips for diabetics to follow when it comes to footwear and foot care:

· Shop for shoes in the afternoon or evening because feet swell during the day.

· Buy laced shoes that match the width of your foot, and are made of soft leather with a cushioned sole over a thin, leather sole.

· Break in a pair of new shoes for an hour or two at a time, until they feel comfortable.

· Replace shoes when the heel or middle portion of the shoe is worn down.

· Wash your feet every day. Dry them carefully, especially between the toes.

· Protect your feet from hot and cold. Wear shoes at the beach or on hot pavement. Don’t put your feet into hot water. Never use heating pads, or electric blankets.

· Wear shoes and socks at all times. Never walk barefoot.

To learn more about Wound Management Services at Sturdy Memorial Hospital and the conditions treated, please call 508-236-7600 or visit www.sturdymemorial.org. Sturdy Memorial Hospital is a full-service, independent, financially stable, not-for-profit acute care community hospital in Attleboro, Massachusetts.