Diabetes-your podiatrist talks about

Your Podiatrist Talks About

DiabetesDiabetes

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Ensure your shoe is —

deepenough

and

broad enough

Inspect your feet every day

With diabetes,even cornsbetween toesshould be treated seriously.

The bruisingthat hasappearedbeneath thiscorn is a warning signthat ulcerationand infectionmay soon develop.

What is diabetes?Diabetes is a condition in which theamount of glucose (sugar) in the bloodis too high because the body is unableto use it properly. This is because thebody’s method of converting glucoseinto energy is not working as itshould.

THERE ARE TWO COMMONFORMS OF DIABETES —◗ Type 1, also known as insulin dependent diabetes. This usually affects children and young adults. People with this type of diabetes require daily insulin injections.

◗ Type 2, also known as non-insulin dependent diabetes, is by far the most common and usually affects people over the age of 40 years.

How diabetes can affect your feetYour feet are supplied with blood tokeep them healthy. They also have amultitude of nerves that act as anemergency warning system. Forexample, if you have a stone in yourshoe, nerves will send a message toyour brain to investigate.

However, if your diabetes ispoorly controlled for a long period oftime, this may lead to:◗ nerve damage, or ‘peripheral

neuropathy’, which impairs sensation to the feet, and/or

◗ reduced blood supply, also known as ‘poor circulation’.

Nerve damage may mean thatyou no longer notice the stone in yourshoe, due to loss of sensation to yourfeet. This could then lead to an injuryyou can’t feel, and possibly infection.

If you have poor circulation, anyinjuries or infections to your feet (iecuts, burns or scratches) will takelonger to heal. This is due to lessblood flowing into the arteries in yourfeet. Blood provides energy to workingmuscles and aids in healing any tissuedamage.

If you have poor circulation, youwill need to take extra care to protectyour feet from injury.

Most foot problems in peoplewho have diabetes occur when injuries— and often infections – go unnoticedand untreated, or when healing isdelayed due to poor circulation.

How can I detect any changes early?A six monthly foot assessment by your podiatrist will help to detect anychanges early — before they become aproblem.

In an assessment, your podiatristwill examine your circulation byfeeling foot pulses. They will alsoexamine sensation by testing reflexes,vibration and pressure sensitivity.

Your podiatrist will also look for general foot conditions which maylead to future problems. They willwork with you to show you how tomonitor your own feet, in betweenconsultations.

TO PREVENT PROBLEMS◗ Protect your feet from injury◗ Inspect your feet every day (your podiatrist can show you how)

◗ See your podiatrist immediately if something is not healing.

AS A GENERAL GUIDE:◗ Maintain acceptable blood sugar level control

◗ Don’t smoke◗ Exercise regularly◗ Avoid barefoot walking◗ Keep your feet clean◗ Wear well-fitting shoes◗ Cut and file nails carefully ◗ Have corns, calluses and other foot problems treated by a podiatrist

◗ Seek your podiatrist’s advice before using a commercial corn cure

Footwear adviceThe best type of footwear fits well andprotects your feet. Wherever possible,wear shoes to avoid injury.

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Your Podiatrist Talks About

Published in the interest of foot health by the Australasian PodiatryCouncilACN 008 488 748 Co

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DiabetesDiabetes

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Some other pointers —◗ Where possible, wear lace-up shoes

as they don’t cause foot and leg fatigue or lead to toe-clawing.

◗ Check inside your shoes for rough edges or exposed tacks — shake them out to make sure there is nothing inside.

◗ Cotton hosiery, socks and tights, worn with leather upper shoes are good choices.

REMEMBER —◗ Altered sensations may lead to

numbness in the feet. Cuts, blisters, ingrown toenails and corns may go unnoticed.

◗ Reduced blood supply (poor circulation) can slow down thehealing process.

◗ PROTECT your feet from injury.

◗ INSPECT your feet every day.◗ Have a REGULAR foot

assessment.

How your podiatristcan helpPodiatrists are highly skilled healthprofessionals trained to deal with theprevention, diagnosis, treatment andrehabilitation of medical and surgicalconditions of the feet and lower limbs.

Podiatrists have completed aBachelor of Podiatry or higher degree,and are continually upgrading theirskills and knowledge through furthereducation and training.

See your podiatrist for a regularfoot assessment to help preventproblems, alleviate pain and help keepyou on your feet and mobile.

Where can I find a podiatrist?Refer to your Yellow Pages (TM) forpodiatrists who are members of theAustralian Podiatry Association or theNew Zealand Society of Podiatrists.

Many health funds in Australiaand New Zealand provide cover forpodiatry services on their ancillarytables and government fundedservices are available through theDepartment of Veterans’ Affairs, somepublic hospitals and communityhealth centres.*This information is not to be used as asubstitute for podiatric or medical assistance.