Diabetes ...

Diabetes is a condition which involves an increase in blood sugar levels which can affect your body in a number of ways.  Maintaining good foot care becomes extremely important because of the possible impact of diabetes on the nerves and/or circulation of your feet.

Nerves

Diabetes can affect the nerves of the feet which may result in a loss of sensation called 'peripheral neuropathy'.  This loss of feeling often follows long periods of time and/or uncontrolled blood sugar levels.  This potential loss of feeling means that you may injure or damage your feet in some way without realising it, so regular checking and care of your feet is extremely important.

Circulation

Diabetes can also affect your circulation.  This change in circulation may mean that there is less blood flow to your feet.  With reduced blood flow your skin can be injured more easily and will have greater difficulty healing.

Any injury to the diabetic foot will consequently have an increased chance of complications such as infection, and makes regular checking of your feet an essential daily function.  Try to maintain regular exercise and stop smoking - even 6 cigarettes a day is too much.  Most important of all - keep your blood sugar levels under control!

See the 'Footcare' page for more information on taking care of your feet.