People with diabetes need to keep an eye on their diet, feet and mouth. It is important to keep a tight control on carbohydrate intake and drink plenty of water to keep your body in water balance.
Caring for people with diabetes will not only make them feel good, but will also prevent common dietary, foot, and oral problems. This article describes top-notch daily care provided for people with diabetes.
Everyday care
Most people with diabetes already have their own daily routines, some without any help and some with reminders. If you are a new caregiver or family member of someone with diabetes, it is a good idea to know the following.
- Patients need to keep their blood glucose at normal levels. The patient records blood glucose readings, medications taken, exercise, diet, and feelings, and works with the doctor to find and understand the body’s pattern each month.
- If patients want to exercise, they should do it about an hour after eating, when their blood sugar may still be high. If you go out to exercise, it is a good idea to carry glucose tablets or a high-calorie snack, plenty of water, and a diabetes ID tag or card. Blood glucose should also be measured before, during, and after exercise.
- Stress can affect blood glucose, and some daily activities can help relieve stress, such as walking, deep breathing exercises, gardening, meditation, listening to music, or engaging in a hobby.
Help is available for patients who are unable to do any of the above things on their own (from monitoring their blood glucose to taking their medications).
Wash
People with diabetes are more likely to have oral problems, such as gum disease, fungal infections, and dry mouth. Therefore, oral care is very important. You should brush your teeth with a soft-bristled toothbrush after each meal and floss at least once a day.
Toenails that grow inward can lead to infections and other problems. A caregiver or family member can help check toenails once a week for signs of swelling or infection. Trim the toenails directly with a nail clipper and then smooth them with a nail file; do not trim the toenail crevices.
Bathing
Gentle cleansing soap and a warm (not hot) bath or shower are the best way to prevent dry skin. No hot water foot baths, which can dry out the skin. The feet need to be kept dry between the toes. A moisturizer approved by your doctor should be used, including one for the feet. Do not use moisturizer between your toes.
If there are calluses or small cuts on the feet, this can be a serious problem. If diabetes causes nerve damage, the wound or pain may not be felt and the skin, especially the feet, should be checked once a day after bathing. Provide the patient with a hand-held mirror or help him look at areas that cannot be seen. Check for erythema, blisters, and breakouts.
Use a pumice stone or nail file to gently smooth out corns and calluses. When lightly abrading, move in one direction only. Wash the small wound with soap and water. Check the small wound daily to make sure it is healing.
Wearing shoes
Most people with diabetes know how to take care of their feet. As a rule, you should not wear sandals or go barefoot, even if you only walk around the house.
It is best to choose soft leather lace-up shoes with cushioned soles, which provide good support. Shoes and slippers should not be open-toed. Always wear loose socks to avoid poor circulation.
If the shoes are new, wear them for 1-2 hours and then check your feet for cuts or blisters. After that, you can wear them for a few more hours and check your feet daily for problems until the shoes fit perfectly. If blisters appear on the feet, do not puncture them, wash them with soap and water, and rub on antibiotic cream. If it does not heal within a few days, you need to call your doctor immediately.
Diet
It is very important to try to keep your blood sugar levels as stable as possible. It is best to eat at the same time each day, to consume healthy snacks between meals, or to eat smaller meals each day. Skipping a meal at random can hurt your body and cause your blood sugar to drop.
Meal plans developed by your health care provider should be followed. These plans usually include the carbohydrate content of each meal and snack or the carbohydrate content of the whole day.
Consuming plenty of fluids such as water, decaffeinated sugar-free drinks, and other fluids to keep your body and skin hydrated is good for staying healthy.
Foot test
Diabetes slows blood flow to the legs and feet, and possibly loss of sensation. That’s why the American Diabetes Association believes foot tests should be done every year.
The doctor will check the foot for redness, cracking, abscesses, or open wounds, will look for abnormalities (such as toes squeezing each other), and then will perform a monofilament exam. The patient will need to close his or her eyes and the doctor will simply press a piece of nylon cloth onto various parts of the patient’s foot. If the patient cannot feel it, he may already have a nerve injury. He may also tap on the patient’s Achilles tendon to see if the nerve at the back of the ankle is in good condition. The foot automatically points downward to demonstrate good condition.
Don’t expect an annual test to save the foot from all the trouble; Robert recommends that patients check it daily at home. Wearing well-fitting shoes and more breathable socks can also be beneficial.