Diabetes

The number of diabetics in society in the UK is soaring and a serious concern for the individual with the disease, as well as for the overall health of the nation. The side effects of this condition can be huge and far reaching and ultimately very costly in terms of screening and treating the many conditions associated with diabetes eg visual impairment, strokes, heart attacks and vascular diseases which are the concern of the Podiatrist.

Diabetics are considered as potentially "high risk" patients as the disease can cause a narrowing of the blood vessel walls. In this event, blood will have difficulty in reaching the extremities of the body supplied by the very narrowest blood vessels (the capillaries). In a scenario where there may be a wound on the foot ,this can have devastating consequences with the blood being unable to reach the wound. This could result in poor healing and possibly ensuing infection or in the worst case scenario, gangrene, resulting in probable amputation of toe(s), foot or leg. In addition to the complication of an impoverished blood supply to the foot, the diabetic may sometimes be rendered with no feeling in the foot either. This is known as neuropathy and may result in no feeling of pressure applied to a part of the foot, no sense of pain or no awareness of heat or cold. It is not only vital for the Podiatrist to screen their diabetic patients for neuropathy (which can come on gradually) but also to regularly check the vascular supply of the diabetics foot. In addition it is also vital that the clinician educates diabetics of the risks of the potential consequences of no feeling (or poor feeling) and an impoverished blood supply.

Treatment

Any diabetic with a wound on their foot or a condition they are unsure about should seek a medical specialist's help as soon as possible eg Podiatrist, GP or diabetic nurse. A foot or limb that can be brought back from the brink by ensuring a wound heals successfully (often in the case of treating diabetic ulcers) results in on going mobility of the patient and a huge cost saving to the health budget of the nation in preventing what might have been a resulting amputation, requiring long term hospitalization of the patient, months of physiotherapy, prosthetic limbs etc.

For further information on diabetes's or other conditions and services please call 01227 360940 / 01795 430020 / 07985014566 or send us an email info@hernebaychiropody.co.uk