Diabetes is a systemic metabolic disorder that impairs the body’s ability to absorb glucose from the blood stream and provide it to the tissue cells that require it for normal activity and health. The elevated blood glucose levels that remain in the bloodstream affect all body organs and systems, including the circulatory system and the peripheral nerves of the lower limb.

In simple terms, this accelerates the natural aging process of the lower limb circulation reduction (peripheral vascular disease – PVD), and the loss of normal protective sensation to the foot and leg (peripheral neuropathy) and an inability to fight infection via an impaired immune system. This process does not affect everybody the same way or with the same severity. Research has shown that strict adherence to medical treatment and regular exercise helps to stabilise blood glucose levels and is therefore the best way to avoid these complications.

Initially, changes may be minimal such as noticing dryness of the skin around the toes, or tingling of the toes at night. Eventually this may progress to complete numbness along the sole of the foot, which results in loss of protective sensation and eventually neuropathic ulceration. Reduced circulation to the feet and lower limbs further impacts on these neurological changes and prevents adequate oxygenation and nutrition to the extremities. You may have heard that some people with advanced Diabetes progress to foot or leg amputation, and this is a real threat if overall management is not adequate.

Diabetes Australia recommends an annual review by a qualified podiatrist to quantify your foot health status, and the level of risk and precaution you should take. As specialists in this field, Podiatrists are able to use diagnostic tests to assess your sensation and circulation and place that within the bigger picture of your overall health. Furthermore a Podiatrist will provide necessary treatment at the time of the consultation involving skin and nail care for corns, calluses or ingrown toenails or ulcer debridement in more advanced cases. Information about your foot health can then be forwarded onto your General Practitioner or specialist Endocrinologist and where further treatment can be recommended if necessary.

Listed below are some simple tips to help you maintain good foot health:

* Wash feet and dry feet thoroughly daily ensure special attention is taken between the toes
* Visually examine your feet daily to ensure there is no marks, spots, cuts, swelling or redness that is not normal. (Tip – if you have difficulty getting your leg up to see the sole of your foot, a well placed mirror may be of help)
* Choose correctly fitted shoes with adequate depth and width for the toes
* Cotton socks with no elastic in the tops will absorb sweat and reduce pressure at the top of the sock line
* Attend for an annual Podiatry Diabetes Foot assessment

It is quite easy nowadays to get sexy hair from the comfort of your home with only a couple of basic hair care and styling products. For example you only need to have some good quality shampoos and conditioners as well as a hair dryer and you’re well on your way to get that gorgeous hair that you’ve recently dreamed about.

One of the important points of hairstyling the proper way is knowing how your strands actually react to heat due to extreme weather conditions and various heat ranges coming from your favorite hairstyling product.

You need to wash your hair on a regular basis so the dirt that is caught on your head due to wind blowing is washed away. If you have a gentle daily shampoo at home, you can actually use it to wash your mane on a daily basis without any adverse effects. Also use good quality conditioners for moisturizing your strands. The scalp area is where you should focus your shampoo on, while the strands ends should be applied with the conditioner. In the process don’t forget to massage your scalp gently for extra blood flow that helps with proper health.

The next step is to dry your hair with a towel and there are a few tips here that you can use. First of all, you should avoid scrubbing the strands against each other to prevent tangling and breaking. Also don’t twist the hair inside your towel and definitely don’t leave it in for a long time, because this tends to leave your curls frizzy. Simply towel your hair to remove the excess water drops.

There are some great hair-dryers that you can use for drying your hair the proper way while keeping it healthy and fresh. Make sure that you use a good quality ceramic or tourmaline dryer for best results. Also avoid putting the heat on its strongest setting unless you are hurrying to work or someplace else. There are dryers with several heat settings that allow you to even use cold alternating with warm for best results.

A good hair dryer is also great for adding that needed volume in your hair. You can apply it to give your strands the proper direction so it stays always put and doesn’t fly away in a frizzy way.