Diabetes UK (Version 3, March 2014) has found 3.2 million people are diagnosed with diabetes in the UK in 2013. Also, by 2025, five million people might have diabetes in the UK.
While diabetes is a serious problem, your health may get worsened if you find you are suffering from foot problems because of diabetes. Yes, it has been found that many Britons who have diabetes suffer from foot problems. So, if you have diabetes, Type 1 or 2, you must take proper care of your feet to keep it healthy and fit in all seasons and weather.
If you have a rash on your face or hands, you notice it immediately. Unfortunately, most of the time a rash or cut in our foot goes unnoticed which if left untreated for a long time leads to serious complications such as amputation.
If you don't control diabetes, it starts affecting your nerves, muscles, sweat glands and disrupts blood circulation in the feet and legs resulting in amputations. You must therefore check your feet every day when suffering from diabetes to prevent foot related complications.
Mostly, people suffer from lower limb amputations according to the findings of Diabetes UK. In 80% cases, amputations in diabetes patients are preventable. You must visit a good doctor every month to get your feet checked properly.
The check-up may include carefully seeing your foot skin, whether any rashes or redness has appeared and reading the pulses and temperature of your foot.
How Can Diabetes Affect Your Feet?
Diabetes can cause two main problems that can affect your feet: Diabetic neuropathy and Peripheral vascular disease.
- Diabetic Neuropathy
Leaving cuts untreated for days might lead to serious complications including fungus infection. Moreover, your foot muscles may stop functioning because of damaged nerves in the foot muscles. Inactive foot muscles might lead to exerting too much pressure on one area of your foot leading to balance and posture problem.
According to some studies, many amputations lead to foot ulceration due to nerve damage and poor blood flow to the foot and leg. Various studies have also suggested that there are about 80,000 people with foot ulcers in the UK.
- Peripheral Vascular Disease
Tips for Diabetes Foot Care
- Daily Care
- Weekly Care
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