How does diabetes affect the feet and balance?
When blood sugar stays high for years, it can damage the small nerves and blood vessels, especially in the feet. The result is numbness, tingling or burning, and weaker sense of where your feet are on the ground.
The 2023 National Health and Morbidity Survey found 15.6% of Malaysian adults, about 3.6 million people, have diabetes [1]. So this is a family question in Ipoh homes.
What is the danger?
There are two. First, you may not feel a cut, blister or burn, so a small wound can go unnoticed and heal slowly. Second, with less feeling in the feet, balance gets worse and falls become more likely.
Falls can hurt at any age, but for older adults they are more serious. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends tailored exercise that challenges balance and improves strength with regular progression for older people in the community to prevent falls [2].
Who looks after what?
Your doctor and diabetes team manage blood sugar, medicines and wounds. A foot-care nurse or podiatrist handles wounds, nails and footwear. Keep your regular appointments with them.
Physiotherapy adds balance training, strength, safe walking and the confidence to move. We work with their advice, and we refer you back whenever we see something on a foot that needs their attention.
What is a daily foot check?
A two-minute check every evening catches problems early. Sit under good light and look at both feet.
- Check the tops, soles and heels for blisters, cuts, cracks or redness.
- Look between the toes, where moisture collects in humid weather.
- Feel for warm patches or swelling compared with the other foot.
- Look at the toenails for thickening or ingrown edges.
- Shake out your shoes before putting them on, and feel inside for stones or rough seams.
If you cannot bend to see your feet, use a hand mirror or ask someone at home. Report any wound, swelling or colour change to your doctor the same day.
How does physiotherapy help balance?
We begin by testing how you stand, walk and turn, with eyes open and, when safe, closed. Then we choose exercises to match.
- Standing balance at the kitchen counter, feet together then in a line.
- Ankle and calf strengthening so the legs react faster when you wobble.
- Sit-to-stand and step practice for stronger legs.
- Walking practice, including turning and stepping over small obstacles.
- Advice on footwear, walking aids and the layout of the home.
Our guides on neuropathy and balance in Perak and diabetes and exercise add everyday tips.
What should you do about the Ipoh heat and wet floors?
Ipoh’s heat and humidity make feet sweat, which softens the skin and invites fungus and blisters. Dry between the toes after washing, and wear breathable socks.
Bathroom tiles, wet kitchen floors and the front step after rain are slip points. Use non-slip mats, keep a light on at night and wear protective slippers with grip. The home safety checklist lists more.
When should you see a doctor?
See a doctor the same day for a wound that is not healing, a blister, a hot red swollen foot, a black or blue patch, or fever with a foot problem. Go to the emergency department for severe foot pain with fever or spreading redness.
Do not start a new exercise plan with an open wound before a doctor clears it. See when to seek medical care.
What does a home visit look like?
The physiotherapist checks your feet, balance and walking, and sees the floors and steps where you need to be steady. We ask about your sugar control, medicines and past falls.
We then teach a short balance and strength routine for the kitchen counter, and agree how often to visit. See home physiotherapy in Ipoh.
Questions families ask
Send any other question on WhatsApp. Home visits are available across Ipoh now, and our Canning Garden centre is opening soon.