Diabetes

Foot Care For Those With Diabetes in Tamworth

Prevent Serious Complications

It goes without saying that you need to take good care of your feet when you have diabetes. Fail to do this and you risk serious complications, such as a diabetic neuropathy related issue. Taking care of your feet can help to prevent serious problems; amputation being one of them.

Diabetes can damage the nerves and impede blood supply to your feet. These issues are more likely when:

You’ve had diabetes for a long time
Your blood glucose levels are too high for extended periods
You’re a smoker
You’re inactive

That’s why it’s important to have your feet assessed by a doctor, podiatrist, or Credentialled Diabetes Educator. Knowing the risks is important for you to understand. If you’re at risk, it helps to be better informed and to get the appropriate treatment in a timely fashion. At Country Podiatry in Tamworth, we can help you take care of your feet if diabetes is a concern.

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Get Regular Check-ups

Regular check-ups are important. Even without experiencing common symptoms and despite your feet having good blood-flow and normal sensation, it’s entirely possible to become a high-risk diabetic. It’s recommended that high-risk patients have their feet seen by a doctor or podiatrist every 3-6 months and low-risk diabetics at least once per year.

This should include checking:

Blood flow to the feet (circulation)
Feeling and reflexes (nerves)
Foot malformation, including bunions, claw toes, hammer toes
Toenails
Dryness, calluses, corns, cracks, infections

Your podiatrist can also remove calluses or corns before they become infected. Need to book an appointment?

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Symptoms to Watch Out For

Diabetes and poor blood glucose control can cause nerve damage to feet. See your podiatrist, doctor or Credentialled Diabetes Educator if you have any of these symptoms:

Numbness
Coldness of the legs or feet
Tingling, ‘pins and needles’ sensation in the feet
Burning pain in legs and feet, often more noticeable when trying to sleep
Sharp leg cramps after walking short distances or upstairs
Pain in the feet (often early morning)
Feet looking a reddish-blue colour
Cuts that are slow to heal

When there’s loss of sensation in the feet, you’ll be at increased risk of injury. If you suffer an infection, for example, and it isn’t treated early, ulceration may occur. Left untreated, the result could be the removal of a toe, foot or limb. If you’re concerned, don’t risk it! Give us a call immediately.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic medical condition that affects the way your body processes blood sugar (glucose). Glucose is an important source of energy for your body's cells, but it needs insulin, a hormone produced by the pancreas, to enter the cells. In people with diabetes, either the pancreas doesn't produce enough insulin, or the body's cells don't respond properly to insulin. This results in high levels of glucose in the blood, which can cause a range of health problems and complications including:
- Cardiovascular disease (heart attack and stroke)
- Kidney disease
- Nerve damage (pain, numbness and tingling in the hands and feet)
- Eye disease (vision problems and blindness)
- Foot problems (ulcers, infections and amputations)
With proper management, people with diabetes can prevent or delay these complications. This includes regular monitoring of blood glucose levels, taking medication as prescribed, eating a healthy diet, being physically active and maintaining a healthy weight. It’s important to work closely with a healthcare provider to manage diabetes and prevent complications.
How is Diabetes diagnosed?

Diabetes is diagnosed through a blood test that measures the level of sugar (glucose) in your blood. There are different types of blood tests, but the most common ones are the fasting plasma glucose (FPG) test, oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) test. The FPG test measures your glucose level after you haven't eaten for at least eight hours, the OGTT measures your glucose level after you drink a sugary drink, and the HbA1c test measures your average glucose level over the past two to three months. If the results show that your glucose level is consistently high, you may be diagnosed with diabetes.

If you think you may have diabetes, it’s important to see a healthcare provider as soon as possible. Diabetes can cause serious health problems if left untreated, but with proper management, you can live a healthy and active life. Your healthcare provider can help you manage your condition through medication, lifestyle changes and regular monitoring of your blood glucose levels.