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World Diabetes Day: Eating Healthily To Prevent Complications

Written by Michelle Champlin BSc Pod., M.Ch.S., S.R., Ch., (UK)
In our previous blog, we looked at the differences between Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes. Let’s look at how Diabetes, if left unmanaged, can impact health. And importantly, the changes we can all make to improve our health and reduce the risk of complications – including eating healthily.
Impact on health
The long and short-term complications of uncontrolled diabetes can impact on a wide variety of parts of the body including eyes, heart, kidneys, nerves and feet. Read our 15 point checklist on keeping your feet healthy. To find out more about complications, and how to reduce the risk of developing them, read about managing wounds, loss of sensation (neuropathy) and loss of circulation (angiopathy). Other foot complications can include dry skin, clawing of toes and increased risk of stress fractures. With all complications, keeping blood glucose, blood pressure and blood fat levels under control will greatly help to reduce the risk of developing complications. Regular check-ups are essential to help manage the condition – find out what happens when you see the Podiatrist for your annual foot check here.
World Diabetes Day – 14 November
Eating healthily is the key message to managing both types of diabetes for this year’s World Diabetes Day (14 November every year). It is estimated that healthy eating could prevent up to 70% of Type 2 Diabetes. Check out the infographic below for quick advice on what to eat more or less of – just small changes every day for the whole family. Speak to your Podiatrist, Nutritionist and GP too about the steps you can take to improve your control. You can also find out more information online by searching for the ‘International Diabetes Federation’ and ‘Diabetes UAE’.
Preventing Complications
Preventing foot problems involves managing your diabetes well, controlling blood glucose levels (along with your cholesterol and blood pressure) and leading a healthy active lifestyle. Your chances of doing this will be great increased if you do not smoke. By adopting these measures, you can prevent or slow down any changes to the nerves and blood vessels that supply your legs and feet.
In addition, regular foot care is important from preventing the build-up of hard skin to moisturizing your feet in order to keep the skin supple and always wearing the right shoes and socks that fit properly. Find out more about how to care for your feet here.
Everyone who has diabetes should also have their feet checked regularly with a Podiatrist and at the very least once a year at their annual review. However, if you are at increased risk of complications, these checks may be done more frequently.
When Should You See A Podiatrist?
If you experience any form of neuropathy, pain or discomfort, it is important to consult your Diabetic Clinic or Podiatrist straight away, since it is easier to stop these developing into more serious issues such as ulcers or peripheral vascular disease.
If you see any of the following in your feet, you should see your Podiatrist:
• Walking becomes more difficult
• Wearing shoes becomes more difficult
• Tingling sensation / pins and needles
• Part / all of your foot becomes swollen
• Breaks in the skin, opens sores/blisters or a discharge
• Skin colour changes (redder, bluer, paler, blacker) over part / all of the foot
• Swelling in your feet and/or an unusual odour
• Part / all of your foot feels hotter or colder than usual
• Hard skin (callous)
• Cramps in your calves
• Shiny smooth skin and/or losing hair on your feet and legs
Contact the leading UK qualified Podiatrists at Dubai Podiatry Centre, who are trained in the latest diabetic management and wound care through the UK’s NHS and private practice on +971 4 3435390.


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