Taking care of your feet is essential if you have diabetes since this illness naturally makes your feet more vulnerable to health issues. This is due to the fact that diabetes can lower blood flow and damage the nerves in your feet. Tasha Kennon is the Medtronic Diabetes Clinical Manager and a Diabetes Foot Specialist and she has shared 15 tips that can help you to take care of your feet to ensure you have healthier feet with diabetes.

At this time of the year, you likely want to go swimming at your local beach or even visit a pool. However, before you put on those flip flops or put your feet in the sand, you need to think about proper foot safety as a diabetic.

Unfortunately, when you have diabetes, you have a much higher risk of foot injury or infection because of lower blood flow and nerve damage. Unfortunately, 1 in 5 people with diabetes are forced to seek medical care due to foot issues according to the ADA (American Diabetes Association). Due to the higher risk of injury, small issues can become much bigger issues. If you get a small cut or even a blister on your foot, this can potentially cause an infection. This can escalate into a much bigger problem where you can potentially lose a toe or as much as an entire leg.

We will now cover a couple of foot care guidelines for those who suffer with diabetes so that you can remain safe and take care of your feet throughout the summer and the entire year.

Routines

Examine your feet on a daily basis and check for any cuts, sores, blisters, redness etc. In the event that you can’t examine each foot properly, be sure to get help from someone you trust or use a mirror.

Make sure to wash your feet thoroughly every day. Once you’ve finished washing them, thoroughly dry your feet, and this includes between each toe.

Aim to be more active on a daily basis and walk regularly. You should talk to your doctor about how much exercise you should get.

Get your toenails professionally cut if you are unable to cut them yourself. Once you can do it yourself, be sure to avoid cutting too short and always file them using a nail file.

When applying lotion or cream, make sure to avoid using too much and only use a thin layer. Also, don’t apply cream or lotion in between your toes.

Go to your podiatrist or a reputable foot care specialist at least once every year to get your feet checked.

Footwear

Avoid walking barefoot and this includes at the pool or on the beach.

When wearing shoes, ensure that you only wear shoes that are appropriately sized, comfortable and offer full foot protection. Find the perfect shoes at Orthoticshop.

Be sure to speak to your doctor about shoe coverage as a diabetic. When you wear shoes that fit well, this will greatly lower your risk of experiencing foot issues and complications.

Before you put on your shoes, be sure to check the interior first. They should be free of any foreign objects and the shoe lining should be smooth.

Prevention

Always protect your feet from extreme hot or cold temperatures, especially the bottom of your feet. Avoid placing your feet in water that is hot and always test the temperature of the water before you place your feet in first.

Avoid using electric blankets, hot water bottles and even heating pads. Unfortunately, these can actually burn your feet accidentally.

When sitting, don’t cross your legs. If you usually experience swelling of your feet or ankles, make sure to elevate your feet when you do sit. Also, move your toes and feet when you sit.

Don’t smoke since this can cause serious issues and complications.

In the event that you get an ingrown nail or callus, be sure to visit your foot care specialist.

It is essential that you take good care of your feet once you have diabetes. You should always strive to keep your blood glucose levels and A1c in the normal range to keep your diabetes under control.

The Uvalde shooting in Texas – which robbed the lives of two teachers and 19 innocent children – has undoubtedly shaken the country to its core.

The attack by the 18-year-old Salvador Ramos at the 600-student Robb Elementary School marked the deadliest school shooting in the history of Texas.

The fury that followed the incident has elicited a lot of debate on various issues, ranging from mental health to gun control in the US.

Even as the police chief resigns from the City Council seat over the delayed response to the shooting, the wound is still fresh for many teachers, parents, and children in Texas and across the country.

As a result, North Texas schools are now stepping up to the plate by pushing for mental health in the aftermath of the deadly Uvalde shooting.

No one can fathom the fear, grief, and anxiety families in Texas and across the country are going through. Yet, educators in North Texas schools want them to rest easy, knowing that the well-being and safety of their children are their top concern.

Tabitha Branum, the acting superintendent of North Texas Schools, termed the incident a “horrific tragedy” in an emotional email sent to the entire school district.

In addition, she stated that children who may read or hear about the shooting could become justifiably worried and want to talk to someone to process the news healthily.

The educators want to provide mental health counseling to young people, their parents, and other loved ones who may be concerned.

They don’t want a repeat of what happened after the 1999 Wedgwood Baptist Church shooting, in which an armed person attacked a youth rally and fatally shot seven people before turning the gun on himself.

In the incident mentioned above, educators at Fort Worth Independent School District (FWISD) were reluctant to help students process the news of the traumatic event.

The aftermath of the 1999 shooting was messy and hectic despite hundreds of kids affected by the incident needing help processing what transpired. School districts that weren’t well-equipped and prepared for such a tragic event.

Many mental health experts and educators, including Kathryn Everest (the director of counseling services at FWISD), acknowledged then that schools were in dire need of training in trauma response.

In addition, they needed to develop a plan for tragic events that affected the whole community. Today, Everest and her team at FWISD have since helped other Texas school districts that have experienced traumatic events.

Taking it one step at a time

With the Uvalde shooting, educators want to focus on daily steps to make students feel safe and foster confidence to seek help.

In addition, identify staff who children can get in touch with if they feel anxious, in danger, or alone.

More than that, the prevention and crisis response team hopes to identify students who might be suicidal, as that can make a huge difference in keeping tragedies at bay.

And it makes excellent sense: research has shown that a typical school shooter is generally suicidal before resorting to shooting.

Connecting a young person who may be suicidal to the proper support, help, and rehab facilities could save many innocent lives.

Others can seek care in person at private practices like Geode, opening locations in Texas from Frisco to Plano.

In a push for mental health, many officials and educators in the area are encouraging students and families to come forward with any info about extreme behavior or troubling activity.

They can report via anonymous reporting apps set by the school districts or to school counselors.

Families must remember to take advantage of mental health services available to staff and students who need support.

In addition, the district’s counselors regularly talk to staff or students who need help processing the recent tragic event

Beyond the school hours

School administrators are also encouraging parents to limit how much news coverage about the incident their children see to prevent anxiety flare-ups.

They recommended parents openly converse with their children about what happened and listen to their concerns. Therefore, address any anxiety and stress that parents may have.

Families are also advised not to disrupt their everyday routines.

Instead, they let their children attend school as usual because predictability can provide them with the necessary confidence and security.

School districts’ officials emphasized to families that they have put in place several protocols and security measures to ensure the safety of their campuses. These include emergency response training and practicing with staff, faculty, and students.

That persistent ache in your jaw isn’t something to ignore. Whether it disrupts meals, sleep or your day, jaw pain affects life quality and calls for attention.

Jaw pain affects 5–12% of people, with causes ranging from common teeth grinding to serious conditions.

Most jaw discomfort stems from three main sources: temporomandibular joint problems, nighttime teeth grinding, or dental issues.

Sometimes it signals something requiring urgent care.

This guide explains what’s going on and exactly what you should do next.

⚠️ Emergency: Ring 999 immediately if jaw pain comes with chest pain, shortness of breath, or arm pain — possible heart attack.

Is Your Jaw Pain an Emergency?

Act fast and call 999 if you have:

• Jaw pain with chest pressure or pain

• Difficulty catching your breath

• Pain spreading to arms, back or neck

• Unable to open or close your mouth after an injury

Contact your GP today if you notice:

• Fever with jaw pain

• Facial swelling, redness, or discharge

• Severe pain after facial trauma

• Signs suggesting infection

If none of these apply, read on to identify your jaw pain type.

Quick Pain Assessment: When Does It Hurt?

• Morning pain: Commonly teeth grinding (bruxism)

• Pain while chewing/talking: Likely TMJ disorder or dental problem

• Constant pain: Potential infection or inflammation

7 Most Common Causes of Jaw Pain

1. Teeth Grinding (Bruxism)

Nighttime grinding affects 8–10% of people in the UK, pressing your jaw muscles harder than chewing.
You may wake with stiff jaw, headaches, sensitive or worn teeth, or hear grinding sounds.
Dental guards and stress management help.
(UK Bruxism Association stats)

2. Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Disorder

TMJ disorders affect your jaw joint near the ears. Women get TMJ at twice the rate of men.
Symptoms: clicking, jaw locking, pain with chewing, ear ache, headache, limited jaw opening.
TMJ often fluctuates — many sufferers underestimate it.
(See NHS TMJ Guide)

3. Dental Issues

Abscesses, cavities, gum disease, and erupting wisdom teeth cause throbbing, sharp, sensitive pain.
Often worse with hot/cold and biting.
Visible swelling/infection need urgent dental care.

4. Stress & Muscle Tension

Stress fuels day clenching, causing jaw muscle tightness and pain.
Pain often improves on relaxing or weekends.
Muscle ache with associated tension headaches common.

5. Previous Injury or Trauma

Facial/jaw injuries can cause delayed, chronic jaw pain, unilateral pain, and worsening symptoms.
Pain often changes with weather or over time.

6. Arthritis

Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis can affect the jaw joint cartilage causing pain, stiffness, and limited movement.
Often coincides with arthritis in other joints.

7. Heart Attack Warning Signs

Jaw pain can signal cardiac issues, especially in women.
Associated chest tightness, breathlessness, sweating, nausea or arm/neck pain require 999 emergency call immediately.

Evidence-Based Treatments

Immediate Pain Relief

• Use warm compresses for 15–20 minutes to reduce muscle tension

• Apply ice for inflammation reduction (max 10-15 minutes, wrapped)

• Gentle jaw stretches: slow opening/closing, side to side

• Eat soft foods; avoid gum, tough meats, chewy foods

• Take paracetamol or ibuprofen as per instructions

• Manage stress with mindfulness, exercise, counselling

Condition-Specific Care

• Custom night guards for bruxism

• Physiotherapy and jaw exercises for TMJ disorders

• Dental treatment for abscesses, cavities, gum infection

• Specialist interventions (injections, surgery) are rare and for severe cases

Prevention Tips

• Avoid excessive chewing, nail or pen biting, gum

• Maintain relaxed jaw posture: lips closed, teeth apart

• Sleep with proper neck/head support; wear night guard if advised

• Manage stress proactively with regular exercise and relaxation techniques

• Address dental issues early to prevent worsening

Professional Help: When and Who

See your GP if:

• Cause unclear or sudden severe pain

• Symptoms suggest systemic illness

• Need documentation for work/sickness

See your dentist if:

• Suspect tooth/gum problem

• Need night guard evaluation

• Pain worsens chewing or is persistent

Consider specialist referral if:

• No improvement after 6-8 weeks of treatment

• Frequent jaw locking or severe pain

• Daily function severely affected

FAQ

Why does my jaw hurt when I wake up?

Usually grinding (bruxism) during sleep causing muscle strain and joint tension.

Can stress cause jaw pain?

Yes. Stress-induced clenching/grinding is a major cause.

How to differentiate dental pain from TMJ?

Dental pain is sharp, localized, especially sensitive to hot/cold. TMJ pain is dull, often bilateral, worsens with talking/yawning.

What if my jaw locks?

Jaw locking is a common TMJ symptom; sudden or painful locking requires immediate evaluation.

Could jaw pain mean heart attack?

Jaw pain with chest pain, sweating, or breathlessness can be cardiac. Call 999 immediately.

Conclusion

Jaw pain isn’t just an irritation. Most causes are manageable but some require fast medical attention.

Understand symptoms, try appropriate home relief, and always see your GP or dentist if pain persists or red flags arise.