Diabetics are much more vulnerable to certain diseases when compared to other people. Because it is an autoimmune disease, diabetes causes the cells in your body to attack themselves.
While this doesn’t present too many issues directly, there are side effects which can severely affect your immune system. For example, diabetics are particularly at risk for a foot infection.
Damaged nerves can result in infection
This is primarily due to the fact that diabetes causes nerve damage, also known as neuropathy, all over your body. However, the neuropathy is especially prevalent in your feet and legs.
Once the nerves are damaged, it becomes harder for your body to detect and fight infections once they’ve started. It’s also more difficult for your body to get infection-fighting cells to the infected area due to poor blood flow.
If left unchecked, these infections can, in severe cases, lead to amputation. It’s not just your feet that are at risk as a diabetic. Additionally, you may be at greater risk for yeast and urinary tract infections.
This can lead to even greater complications, in that your body will be unable to use white blood cells to adequately fight off other diseases. There are a few ways that you can boost your immune system so that you’re not so prone to infection.
Ways to combat infection
One important thing to note is that you have to continue eating healthy. A good diet and proper nutrient intake is the key to maintaining a healthy and functioning immune system.
For example, vitamin C is very effective when it comes to combating infection. Therefore, you need to make sure you’re getting enough of it. While you can’t really overdose on it, too much of it can make you feel sick.
The recommended limit of it is around 2,000 mg per day. But you can take much less and still get the full immune system boosting effect. If getting a foot infection worries you, then there are a few things that you can do to make sure you don’t get one.
For example, be sure to always wear socks and shoes if possible, as to avoid any chance of getting cuts or scrapes. Additionally, be sure to check your feet each night to make sure there are no open wounds on them before you go to bed. If you discover any open wounds, be sure to sanitize them and contact your doctor for more information.
