What is Diabetes?

You may be surprised to know that diabetes is now the world’s fastest growing chronic disease. Over one million Australians have diabetes. Alarmingly, about 50 percent of people with diabetes are not even aware they have it. While prevention is certainly ideal, early diagnosis and treatment are the next best thing.

If diabetes is left undiagnosed or poorly treated it increases the chances of complications, which include heart disease, kidney disease, nerve and circulation damage, erection dysfunction (impotence), blindness and lower limb amputation. Early detection and management of diabetes allows people living with diabetes to enjoy a healthy life.

Diabetes is present when there is too much glucose (a type of sugar) in the blood. A high level of glucose causes health problems. There are two main types of diabetes, type 1 and type 2.

What is Type 1 Diabetes?

With type 1 diabetes, the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin because the cells which make insulin have been destroyed by the immune system. Insulin injections are needed to control blood glucose levels. Type 1 diabetes was previously known as Juvenile Onset Diabetes or Insulin Dependant Diabetes and it usually occurs before the age of 30. It affects 10 percent to 15 percent of those with diabetes.

What is Type 2 Diabetes?


This is the most common type of diabetes affecting about 85 percent to 90 percent of those with diabetes. It often affects people over 50 who have a family history or who are overweight. With type 2 diabetes, cells in the body usually become insulin resistant; which means insulin is no longer able to control blood glucose levels effectively.

Healthy lifestyle changes including healthy eating and regular physical activity can often delay (sometimes permanently) the need for medication. In over 50% of people with type 2 diabetes, successful weight management may result in normalising blood glucose levels. Regular physical activity can also play a key role in helping to improve blood glucose levels. Some with type 2 diabetes may require tablets and/or insulin to manage their diabetes optimally.

How can Diabetes affect your feet?

Your feet are supplied with blood to keep them healthy. They also have a multitude of nerves that act as an emergency warning system. For example, if you have a stone in your shoe, nerves will send a message to your brain to investigate. However, if your diabetes is poorly controlled for a long period of time, this may lead to:

  •   nerve damage, or ‘peripheral neuropathy’, which impairs sensation to  the feet.                                                                                                    AND / OR
  • reduced blood supply,also know as ‘poor circulation‘.

 

Nerve damage may mean that you no longer notice the stone in your shoes, due to loss of sensation to your feet.  This could then lead to an injury you can’t feel, and possibly infection.  If you have poor circulation, any injuries or infections to your feet( i.e cuts, burns or scratches) will take longer to heal.  This is due to less blood flowing into the arteries in your feet.  Blood provides energy to working muscles and aids in healing any tissue damage.  If you have poor circulation, you will need to take extra care to protect your feet from injury.  Most foot problems in people who have diabetes occur when injuries – often infections – go unnoticed and untreated, or when healing is delayed due to poor circulation.

WARNING : This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional podiatric advice. Treatment will vary between individuals depending upon your diagnosis and presenting complaint. An accurate diagnosis can only be made following personal consultation with a Podiatrist.