Diabetic Footcare

What is Diabetes

There are two types of diabetes: type 1 and type 2. Type 1 is often diagnosed in childhood and involves injecting a hormone called insulin to help regulate your blood sugar levels. Type 2 is often diagnosed in adulthood and is usually monitored through diet and medication; however it may become necessary to take insulin injections as well. Our body uses hormones (insulin and glucagon) to help regulate our body’s blood sugar levels. Diabetes is caused when these hormones do not work as effectively and so fail to maintain a steady blood sugar level. Some of the most common symptoms of diabetes include increased thirst, increased urination, losing weight without meaning to and feeling very tired.

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms you should see your GP to be tested for diabetes. When the diagnosis has been confirmed, every 3-6 months your doctor will complete a blood test that will monitor your Hba1C levels. This is the average blood sugar level across that time period. Your GP or diabetic nurse will use this figure to help determine what your treatment plan will be. If your sugars are too low you may be at risk of having a hypo (hypoglycaemic attack). It is important to know the symptoms so that you can raise your blood sugar levels quickly and safely.

The main symptoms are sweating, fatigue and dizziness. Usually eating something sweet is sufficient at stopping this attack. High blood sugar levels (hyperglycaemia) can be just as dangerous and it is important to monitor this as it may mean alterations need to be made to your treatment plan. The main symptoms are: increased thirst, increased urination and unintentional weight loss

How can diabetes affect me and my feet?

Diabetes can affect the larger blood vessels which can lead to changes in your circulation and reduction of blood flow reaching your feet. Diabetes can also affect the smaller blood vessels that lead to your eyes, kidneys and nerve endings. This is why it is important to have yearly eye tests and regular blood tests done through your GP. Changes in the blood flow to the nerve endings may lead to a lack of sensation and in some cases changes to your sweat production. Diabetes can also change the delicate Ph balance of your skin and make you more prone to fungal infections.

Why do I need to see a Podiatrist?

It is important to see a Podiatrist so that we can monitor your feet for any of these changes. Each year (or as often as necessary) we complete a diabetic screening which allows us to monitor any changes as well as give the appropriate advice if and when they do. Having your feet treated correctly and professionally by a Podiatrist also helps to manage conditions and limit your risk

Whats involved in my Diabetic Screening?

Your diabetic screening involves an assessment of your circulation and sensation. We use a machine called a doppler to listen to the pulses in your foot. We will also carry out several pain free assessments which will test the different branches of your peripheral nervous system. We test for your response to pressure, vibration and to a sharp object. These are important to check as a loss of these in areas of your feet can make you more prone to injury; e.g. you could stand on something sharp and not be aware. Once we complete this screening, we retain a copy and then send one to your GP. You may still require a diabetic screening to be completed at your GP surgery at your Doctor’s discretion. Your diabetic screening allows us to record any changes to your feet and monitor them for any possible further changes. It also allows us to act quickly by either treating the issue or referring you to a specialist for further investigation.

Additional Screening to help prevent foot ulcers

We can now offer you an additional test with our foot pressure scanner. We can now determine your risk for ulceration based on the pressures under your feet and monitor this over time. Prevention is always better than cure and if we can spot and early sign of an ulcer possibility then we can put treatment in place to prevent this. Please ask about this extra service we now offer as part of our diabetic screening.