3 Things You Should Do to Manage Diabetes

Managing diabetes can feel overwhelming at times. Some days you feel like a winner. On other days, you may feel far from successful. It’s okay, and we are here to help. Whether you have been managing diabetes for a decade or 10 days, we hope a few tips will encourage you to stay the course.

As doctors at PodiatryCare, PC and the Heel Pain Center, we want our patients to know that there is a supportive team one phone call away. We would love to be a part of your care team and support your health for your feet and ankles. Common complications include diabetic peripheral neuropathy, diabetic foot ulcers, and poor circulation.

Here are three things you should do to manage your diabetes:

Pencil in podiatry appointments

Whether you use a paper calendar or one on your phone, we encourage you to keep up with podiatry appointments. For patients with diabetes, feet and ankles are common problem areas. Regular visits with our team help us prevent and treat problems. Foot ulcers left untreated can become infected. The risk is amputation.

  • Add a podiatrist to your care team

  • Never delay treatment

  • Contact your doctor immediately for non-healing wounds

Manage your blood sugar levels

We understand this can be a tough challenge. It takes time, and it helps to have support. Healthy blood sugar levels help to prevent many of the complications listed above. Proper diet and exercise are important, but here’s the best thing: check your blood sugar levels often.

  • Don’t skip blood sugar checks

  • Don’t guess levels based on feeling

  • Stay encouraged and try new food options

Increase your physical activity

There are so many ways to get moving. We often remind patients that running isn’t the only way to exercise. From water aerobics to pilates, find ways to stretch and move your body. Exercise helps with managing healthy body weight and improving circulation.

  • Bring a friend along

  • Stretch before and after

  • Take things slow and talk to your doctor

Diabetes affects many of our family and friends. You are not alone, and you are doing a great job. While you manage your blood sugar levels, we’ll help you keep your feet and ankles in tip-top shape.

Our board-certified team of foot and ankle  doctors at PodiatryCare, PC and the Heel Pain Center has experience with addressing foot needs, including bunions and hammertoes, pediatric foot care, custom orthotics, heel pain, diabetic foot care, and more. The team includes Dr. Charlotte George, Dr. Matthew Tschudy, Dr. Rebecca Wiesner, Dr. Kristen Winters, and Dr. Laura Vander Poel. We have two locations in Hartford County: 1379 Enfield Street, Enfield, CT, and 1350 Sullivan Avenue, South Windsor, CT. To schedule an appointment at our Enfield location, call (860) 741-3041; for an appointment at our South Windsor location, call (860) 644-6525.

diabetesPodiatryCare and the Heel Pain Centerdiabetes, blood sugar, exercise, podiatrist, feet