When someone has diabetes, their body has too much glucose in the blood. Glucose is a form of sugar. And sugar is the primary source of energy for our bodies. People with diabetes don’t produce enough insulin to convert glucose from food into energy. Glucose comes from most foods in different levels (e.g. bread, cereals, fruit and starchy vegetables, legumes, milk, yoghurt and sweets).
Instead of turning into energy, the glucose stays in the blood, resulting in high blood glucose levels. Blood glucose levels can be monitored and managed through self-care and treatment.
A few facts about diabetes
Diabetes:
- is serious but can be managed
- is the leading cause of blindness in working age adults
- is a leading cause of kidney failure and dialysis
- increases the risk of heart attacks and stroke by up to four times
- is a major cause of limb amputations
- affects mental health and physical health. Depression, anxiety and distress occur in more than 30% of all people with diabetes
How diabetes can affect your feet
High blood glucose levels damage the small blood vessels in your feet that feed the nerves. In turn, the nerves are damaged. This results in a loss of feeling. Nerves in your feet (which are meant to send a message to your brain to say they are in pain or discomfort) stop working. This leads to injury, further damage and possibly an infection.
If you have poor circulation, injuries, wounds or infections to your feet such as cuts, burns or blisters, they will take longer to heal.
When you have nerve damage and/or poor circulation, you will need to take extra care to protect your feet. Wounds and delayed healing can result in severe ulcers and amputation of parts of the foot in severe cases.
How can you detect changes early?
A regular check-up by your podiatrist will help to detect any changes early before they become a severe problem. Your podiatrist will examine your circulation by measuring foot pulses. They will also examine your nerve sensation by testing pressure sensitivity, vibration and/or reflexes. Other tests may be considered necessary.
To prevent problems, you should do the following:
- Protect your feet from injury by wearing suitable footwear
- Inspect your feet every day – your podiatrist can show you how
- See your podiatrist immediately is something is not healing or you find any swollen, red areas on your feet
Additional advice
- Where possible, wear lace-up shoes deep and broad enough for you, especially at the toes.
- Check the inside of your shoes for rough edges; shake them out before use to ensure there is nothing loose inside.
- Cotton hosiery, socks and tights, worn with leather upper shoes are good choices.
A general health guide
- Maintain recommended blood and sugar levels
- Don’t smoke
- Exercise regularly
- Avoid walking barefoot
- Keep your feet clean
- Wear well-fitting shoes
- Cut and file your toenails carefully and regularly
- Have corns, calluses and other foot problems treated by a podiatrist
“Seek your podiatrist’s advice if you have and foot concerns sooner rather then later.”
Important
With nerve damage or altered sensation, you may experience numbness in your feet. Cuts, blisters, ingrown toenails and corns may often go unnoticed. Reduced blood supply and poor circulation can slow down the healing process.
- PROTECT your feet from injury.
- INSPECT your feet every day.
- Have your feet ASSESSED by your podiatrist.
How can you detect changes early?
A regular check up by your podiatrist will help to detect any changes early, before they become a serious problem. Your podiatrist will examine your circulation by measuring foot pulses. They will also examine your nerve sensation by testing pressure sensitivity, vibration and or reflexes and other tests may be considered necessary.
To prevent problems you should do the following;
- Protect your feet from injury by wearing suitable foot wear
- Inspect your feet every day – your podiatrist can show you how
- see your podiatrist immediately is something is not healing or you find any red swollen areas on your feet
Additional advice
- Where possible wear lace up shoes which are deep and broad enough, especially at the toes for your foot.
- Check the inside of your shoes for rough edges, shake them out before use to make sure there is nothing loose inside.
- Cotton hosiery, socks and tights, worn with leather upper shoes are good choices.
As a general health guide
- Maintain recommended blood and sugar levels
- Don’t smoke
- Exercise regularly
- Avoid walking barefoot
- Keep your feet clean
- Wear well fitting shoes
- Cut and file your toenails carefully and regularly
- Have corns, calluses and other foot problems treated by a podiatrist
- Seek your podiatrist’s advice if you have and foot concerns sooner rather then later
REMEMBER: With nerve damage or altered sensation you may experience numbness in your feet. Cuts, blisters, ingrown toenails and corns may often go unnoticed. Reduced blood supply and poor circulation can slow down the healing process. PROTECT your feet from injury. INSPECT your feet everyday. Have your feet ASSESSED by your podiatrist.