Diabetes And Swollen Feet.

[jonah hart]

My mum as type2 diabetes, after walking short distances her feet swell, would it help and be ok for her to soak her feet in cool water? Or could anyone recommend anything she could do to ease the swelling? X

[albaqwerty]

no harm in soaking feet.

Have been recommended Capsaicin Cream by a fellow ab'er and have been told to check with GP.

[Sqad]

\\\\\ after walking short distances her feet swell, would it help and be ok for her to soak her feet in cool water? \\\

I am supposing that her feet are not permanently swollen and only swell and go down following rest after exercise and if this is the case then soaking her feet may well give relief although I can't see that it will do anything for the swelling.

If however, we are dealing with a more "permanent" swelling, then i would suggest a visit to the GP as diuretics may be indicated.

[albaqwerty]

diabetic neuropathy sqadlet?

FIL takes water tablets but feet still swell.

[Buenchico]

Possibly relevant:
http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/foothealth/Pages/Diabetesandfeet.aspx
(Note particularly "See a private or NHS podiatrist at least once a year").

It certainly shouldn't do any harm to soak for her to soak her feet in cool water but it would still be sensible for her to speak to her GP as she might have a condition not directly related to her diabetes (such as a heart problem).

[Baldric]

Hi, type 2 here, if I have a day off from walking the dogs, 2 x 1 to 1½ hours a day my feet swell, if I walk them as normal, no swelling.

[woofgang]

If the swelling is temporary, then better than a foot soak would be to elevate them as high as her hips and wriggle the toes and do circles with her ankles. A cooling footspray, even plain water kept in the fridge will be comfortable. The idea is to encourage mechanical fluid drainage, like draining a hose, and also to make venous return easier by eliminating gravity. The toe and ankle movement has a compressing and relaxing effect and will also help with the venous return.

[Sqad]

alba........I don't think that swollen ankles have anything to do with diabetic neuropathy............which as it's name implies, is a nerve thing.

[albaqwerty]

yep, the nerves on his feet are irksome.

I'm only just taking over the nursey thingy for him, so please be patient with me til I get to grips with all his thingies

[jonah hart]

Thank you for all your advice, she's been to their caravan and walked more than normal on uneven ground which as also brought pain and swelling in her knee. I think maybe she may need to exercise more. She is on medication for high BP. Thank you again x

[woofgang]

Can I suggest a stick for walking over rough ground? You can get very posh and pretty ones now and if she stumbles and has a fall, she will really regret it.

[pixie373]

I agree with woofgang- elevation and rotating ankles. Soaking feet softens the skin temporarily, so not always advised in diabetic people. They need to be scrupulously dried, anyway. And as sqad says, if it is not going down, see the GP. Sqad may correct me here (fair enough), but if you press the ankles and it leaves indentations, it suggests water and possibly diuretics needed.

[murraymints]

I bought dad a pedal exercise machine ..helps a lot with his replacement knees ..capsaicin cream for diabetic neuropathy ...

[woofgang]

re scrupulous drying, a hairdryer set on cool does an excellent job and is also useful if you are struggling to control foot fungus.

[Eve]

I have permanent fluid in my legs and feet which dents but they are going crazy in this weather, swelling with heat and movement.

I have had two courses of water tablets which haven't got rid of the existing fluid but do seem to help a bit in that they don't tend to go huge in the heat which is so painful (my feet are painful anyway) and the skin feels so tight. All that really helps them is to get my feet up and drain the fluid out of them and trying to keep them cool and not aggravate them.

I have cool gel (also has pain stuff in), freeze spray (maybe check as I'm not sure about diabetic feet) and cooling sprays and fans etc...

I do try to keep them gently moving up and down and circling my ankle gently though this helps more before the event as once they are swollen and tight it's much more difficult and uncomfortable.

I have a walking stick and it's fantastic, I honestly couldn't be without it and it helps me with standing as well as walking as something to lean on and take some pressure off.

In this heat though it's difficult, especially if you have to get out and about. Mine are badly swollen now so got in, put them under the cold water tap and now have them raised with a fan on them.