Citizens Memorial Hospital | Vitality | Fall 2018

citizensmemorial.com 7 Diabetes: Be sweet to your feet Foot problems are common in people with diabetes. So if you have diabetes, you want to be extra sweet to your feet. One way you can treat your feet right is by controlling your blood glucose levels. Here are a few other nice—and healthy—ways to be kind to your feet. Examine your feet daily. Look for cuts, sores, ingrown toenails and other problems. Using a mirror can help. And don’t forget to check between your toes. Wash your feet every day. Use warm, not hot, water. After drying, put talcum powder or cornstarch between your toes. Call out corns or calluses. Let your doctor know if you develop these thick patches of skin—they can turn into ulcers if not treated. Keep your toenails trim. Use clippers to cut them straight across. Don’t round the edges. Use an emery board to smooth each nail. Always wear socks and shoes. Indoors and out. Look for lightly padded socks with no seams. Protect your feet from hot and cold. Don’t use a heating pad or hot water bottle on your feet. And wear socks in bed if your feet get cold at night. Elevate your feet. Keep blood flowing to your feet by putting them up when you sit down. Wiggle your toes now and then, and move your ankles up and down. Show them off. Ask your doctor to check your feet at every visit. Source: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases What—and how—you eat can affect your breathing. That may not mean a lot to someone without lung disease. But it’s very important to someone like you who has chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). You expend a lot of energy breathing, more so than people who don’t have COPD. And you get that energy from eating a healthy diet. Plus, eating well can help prevent lung infections. Go for complex carbs like fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Limit foods and drinks high in sugar, such as candy, cakes and regular soft drinks. These simple carbohydrates can cause your body to hold in too much carbon dioxide, which can make you tired. Eat some protein— such as lean meats, chicken, turkey, fish, beans, eggs and nuts—at least twice a day. Drink plenty of fluids, preferably water, throughout your day. This will help thin and clear the mucus. Finally, try these tips for decreasing shortness of breath while you eat: » » Try to rest 30 minutes before eating. » » To help expand your lungs, sit straight up in your chair and lean forward, elbows on the table. Put your feet on the floor. » » Eat foods that are easy to chew, such as soft vegetables and thick soups. Sources: American Lung Association; COPD Foundation Eat well, breathe easier with COPD Call it quits for your feet Smoking hinders blood flow to feet, makes wounds heal slowly and increases the risk of amputations in people with diabetes. Source: American Diabetes Association Manage your diabetes. Learn more about keeping your diabetes in check by calling 417-328-7957 or visiting citizensmemorial.com . WELLNESS