DIABETES & FOOT CARE

Diabetes is a condition that causes a person's blood sugar level to become too high.

There are 2 main types of diabetes:

• Type 1 diabetes – a lifelong condition where the body's immune system attacks and destroys the cells that produce insulin.
• Type 2 diabetes – where the body does not produce enough insulin, or the body's cells do not react to insulin properly.

Type 2 diabetes is far more common than type 1. In the UK, over 90% of all adults with diabetes have type 2.

High blood sugar that develops during pregnancy is known as gestational diabetes. It usually goes away after giving birth.

Diabetes can damage the nerves in your feet and cause a loss of feeling. It can also reduce the blood supply to your feet. This means you may not notice if your foot is sore or injured, and foot injuries do not heal as well. This can lead to ulcers and infections, and sometimes amputations can be needed in serious cases.

Caring For Your Feet

It is important to get your feet checked and maintained regularly if you are Diabetic. As well as having routine Podiatric treatment, an in depth circulatory and sensation test can be undertaken at a regular intervals.

ACT NOW BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE

The lack of sensation and poor blood supply is directly related to the number of years you have had the condition. Research suggests that one in three sufferers will experience a loss of sensation. This is obviously dangerous as patients are often unaware of sustaining a foot injury. Regular attention avoids ulceration and amputation.

It's important to see a Registered Podiatrist at specified intervals for your routine care. Advanced clinical examinations where your circulation and nerve sensation are also checked are recommended. This gives a clear indication of any changes and also detects irregularities that could be life changing much earlier on.

TESTIMONIAL

"I was diagnosed with diabetes in my teens. Thereafter, I started experiencing numbness in my feet and over the years I have also sustained multiple injuries. I attend The Foot Surgery on a regular basis and have a maintenence treatment. I know by doing this I have saved myself from further complications."

- Jude Young