Foot Care

It is very important for you  to inspect your feet daily even if you do not feel like you have a problem. Many times a wound can be forming due to ill fitting shoes or a small injury that you do not feel due to diabetic neuropathy. Consider having a partner look at your feet daily or use a mirror to inspect the bottom of your feet. You should see a podiatrist once a year and discuss proper fitting shoes or inserts to support your foot health. 
http://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/dm/pubs/neuropathies/

Exercise

What a beautiful day in Texas to exercise! Remember to wear well fitting shoes before taking off on a trek. Also, it is important to carry a snack just in case you need a pick me up from low blood glucose. It is always a good idea to check your blood glucose before you start and after you finish exercising especially if you are starting a new routine. As always, check with your physician when considering a routine that is new for you. I would also highly recommend exercising with a friend or to carry some type of identification with you that identifies your diagnosis. What is your favorite type of exercise?

Sick Day Prevention

We discussed during the series the importance of having a plan for sick days. It is equally important to guard yourself against illness. Eating healthy, drinking plenty of water, and getting adequate sleep are three important facets to good health. Washing your hands or using hand sanitizer after leaving crowded places like church, the grocery store, or sporting events will go a long way to prevent the spread of infection. You should also discuss with your Doctor the benefits of getting the Pneumonia and Flu Vaccine!

Diabetic Series

You are probably reading this blog after participating in Brownwood Regional Medical Center's four part series on Diabetes Management. This series was developed to give you a starting point  to understand:

1. What is Diabetes? (Presented by a Registered Nurse)
2. Nutritional Awareness (Presented by a Registered Dietitian)
3. The Importance of Exercise (Presented by a Physical Therapist)
4. Prevention of Illness (Presented by a Wound Care Nurse)

During this four week series you forged relationships with your peers and became each others greatest support system! You shared your suggestions on all of these topics and though not every suggestion works well for everyone we all learn from each other. I hope this blog will give you an opportunity to grow what has started and eventually link you to other people in your community who share a common interest; Diabetes Awareness!