Take off your shoes and socks while you wait for the doctor to come into the examining room. That can serve as a reminder to your physician that diabetics need to give their feet special care. Too much glucose — or sugar — in the blood over a long period of time can cause problems for diabetics. It can damage the kidneys, heart, eyes and blood vessels. People with diabetes can take preventive action to slow down the effects of their condition. High blood sugar causes problems for patients in two ways, according to Shirley Lisk, registered nurse and manager of St. Joe’s at the Mall. The site at the Eastwood Mall hosts a periodic Diabetic Wellness Connection, where clients can have their blood sugar tested, receive a foot screening by a podiatrist and attend a brief program, she said. One problem is damage to nerves in the feet and legs. With damaged nerves, diabetics might not feel heat and cold as well as a healthy person.