Erectile dysfunction is generally associated with Diabetes Mellitus. Diabetes is a debilitating disease that causes severe damage to nerves, blood vessels and arteries throughout the body. In men, diabetes can cause erectile dysfunction including other forms of erection problems.
Both erectile dysfunction and diabetes are undergoing vascular damage. The inability of the damaged blood vessels and nerves to sustain adequate blood flow to the penis will, thereby result to erectile dysfunction.
On the other hand, other effects of diabetes in the vascular system includes the eyes, kidney and leg problem. Diabetics should also pay close attention, especially with the potential harm it can do with their feet.
Foot problems with diabetes take place in later stages. As diabetes progress, it can lead to amputated leg and toe including other foot ailments. However, there are no studies so far that will prove if foot injuries can cause erectile dysfunction.
Here are a few ways pertaining to foot problems with diabetes:
Neuropathy
Diabetes damages blood vessels which often lead to less sensation of the legs and feet. As a result, diabetic patients fail to recognize pain from foot injuries, cuts or sprains. They often continue to walk with foot injuries which as a result, exacerbate a minor injury. An untreated foot injury can easily lead to infection.
Peripheral Vascular Disease
Foot problems with diabetes are often a result of peripheral vascular disease. Diabetes reduces blood flow to the lower extremities. Hence, it is more difficult for a sore or infection to heal properly.
Peripheral vascular disease (PVD) is even worse in diabetics who smoke than those who don’t.
Skin Problems
Diabetes stops the production of important oils and moisture in the foot. As a result, dryness often manifested by a cracked feet take place.
There are manifold foot care tips for diabetics. Some of which include proper foot drying after taking a shower and application of lotion. However, avoid getting lotion in between the toes. This can result to further skin breakdown and overgrowth of yeast infection.
Foot Ulcers
Diabetic patients suffer from poor wound healing. Therefore, small cuts, sores or even foot blisters can worsen over time.
Foot Calluses
Calluses are easily built up on patients with diabetes. This caused by high pressure areas under the foot. Diabetics with too many calluses should use therapeutic shoes.
Here are some foot care tips for diabetics:
- Cut your toenails once a week. Be sure not to cut them too short, file the edges with an emery board. This will help prevent foot problems with diabetes.
- Always make sure you’re wearing the right footwear when walking or going outside of the house. Diabetics are told to use close fitting shoes instead of slippers. This will avoid unwanted cuts and injuries in the feet.
- It is better to choose a footwear that has enough padding to prevent callus and blister from forming.
- Check your feet daily for sores, blisters, redness, calluses or anything that seems abnormal. If foot problems arise, better seek for medical help.
- It is best to stop smoking. Cigarettes contain harmful compound that damages the blood vessels and hinders proper blood flow. In severe cases, leg amputation is done.
- See your podiatrist (foot doctor) at least once every 2-3 months for professional assessment of your foot.
- Protect your feet from heat and cold. Wear shoes at the beach or on hot pavement. Wear socks at night if your feet get cold. This will also prevent from foot problems with diabetes to arise.
