Footwise July/August 2012
Volume 4, Number 4
Welcome… Welcome to FootWise, the newsletter from your friendly Podiatry & Foot Care team at ‘A Foot Above®’. As it is National Diabetes Awareness month, here at A Foot Above Limited - Podiatry and Foot Healthcare clinics, we thought it was a great opportunity to provide you with up to date and informative facts about Diabetes.
In This Issue
Diabetes
Contact us A Foot Above Limited 8 Wollaton Road Beeston Nottinghamshire NG9 2NR
Diabetes According to the latest figures, 1,766,391 people have been diagnosed with the disease in England. Diabetes UK estimates that the number of sufferers in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are 148,000, 92,000 and 47,000 respectively. There is up to an 80% relative increased likelihood of death within 5 years caused by Amputation or Foot Ulcer associated with inadequate foot care in those with Diabetes. There are two types of diabetes:
Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus results from the body’s failure to produce insulin, and presently requires the person to inject insulin. Type 1 Diabetes is also referred to as Insulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus (IDDM) or “juvenile” diabetes.
Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus results from insulin resistance. This is a condition in which cells fail to use insulin properly; sometimes combined with an absolute insulin deficiency. Type 2 Diabetes was formerly referred to as Non-Insulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus (NIDDM) or “adult-onset” diabetes.
0115 9223377 A Foot Above Limited 96 Bath Street Ilkeston Derbyshire DE7 8FE 0115 9328832 A Foot Above Limited 1 Market Square Daventry Northamptonshire NN11 4BH 01327 706844
Anyone diagnosed with diabetes should take time to look after their feet, more so than a Non-Diabetic, as anyone with diabetes is at increased risk of lower limb related complications. Such complications are as follows. Callus is a thickened area of skin, which develops at sites of high pressure and friction. It should not be allowed to become excessive as it can result in ulcers. Your Podiatrist or Foot Care Professional at A Foot Above can easily remove this callus (hard skin) as part of your treatment session. Swelling (Oedema) of the foot can lead to the formation of ulcers. This swelling may often cause shoes to become very tight fitting, which can result in excess pressure. To ease swelling, especially in the summer months, sitting with your feet raised with help drain any excess fluid.
info@afootabove.co.uk www.afootabove.co.uk
Skin Breakdown – At A Foot Above Limited, we will perform an active search for breakdowns in the skin over the entire surface of the foot and ankle - not forgetting the areas between the toes and back of the ankle. Fissures (cracks) and blisters are classed as skin breakdowns. Infections – Our Professionals will inspect any skin breakdown for signs of sepsis (infection). Signs and symptoms of infection are swelling, redness, warmth, odor and discharge from any lesion
Contact Us A Foot Above Limited 8 Wollaton Road Beeston Nottinghamshire NG9 2NR 0115 9223377
A Foot Above Limited 96 Bath Street Ilkeston Derbyshire DE7 8FE 0115 9328832
A Foot Above Limited 1 The Market Square Daventry Northamptonshire NN11 4BH 01327 706844
info@afootabove.co.uk www.afootabove.co.uk
Deformity - It is important to recognize deformity in the diabetic foot. Deformity often leads to bony prominences; this results in areas of high pressure on the overlying skin. This can cause ulceration (without any significant pain), especially if poor fitting shoes are being worn. Ischaemia is a loss of sufficient blood supply to the lower limb. An ischaemic foot often has thin skin, which is shiny, and with a lack of hairs. Skin colour is often dusky red or cyanotic blue. Your Podiatrist will take note of all these signs and symptoms along with checking your pulses in your feet. Neuropathy is a loss of sensation in feet due to nerve damage from the increased blood sugars. This can occur in up to 35% of all diabetic patients without obvious symptoms and in these patients neuropathy will only be detected by clinical examination. Necrosis – lesions of skin breakdown may progress to underlying necrosis (gangrene). This is identified by the presence of black or brown dead tissue. Our Podiatrists and Foot Health Care Professionals will carry out a diabetic foot screen; this examination checks for all of the above signs and symptoms and enable the Clinician to classify your foot type. They will also provide you with the appropriate education, information and referral for you to maintain healthy feet or to spot the signs and symptoms and take the correct actions to begin treatment if needed. If you are Diabetic and have concerns regarding any of the above please contact your GP or A Foot Above Limited to make an appointment.
Chiropody/Podiatry & Foot Healthcare Chiropody/Podiatry & Foot Healthcare are the treatments of human feet, in both health and disease. Our clinicians will help you to keep your feet healthy and will diagnose and treat disorders, diseases and deformities of your feet. Regular treatment can improve mobility and help maintain active, healthy feet.
CALL “A FOOT ABOVE®” TODAY to make an appointment
Visit us online… http://www.afootabove.co.uk