Information on Diabetes (diabetes mellitus)

Diabetes is a disease where the blood sugar is higher than normal. 

More than three-quarters of people with diabetes have what is called type 2 diabetes. This used to be known as non-insulin dependent diabetes (NIDDM) or maturity-onset diabetes.

The remainder have type 1 diabetes, which used to be known as insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.

What's the difference?

In type 1, the body is unable to produce any insulin. This usually starts in childhood or young adulthood. It's treated with diet control and insulin injections.
In type 2, not enough insulin is produced or the insulin that is made by the body doesn't work properly. This tends to affect people as they get older, and usually appears after the age of 40
All diabetics are advised to see a qualified podiatrist for a foot check at least once a year, regardless of how good their control.

How does diabetes affect my feet?
An increase in blood sugar can affect the small blood vessels in the feet causing changes to the circulation and resulting in poor healing. Poor healing can be very serious and result in breakdown of the skin and the underlying tissue (ulceration) and in serious cases, gangrene. The nerves are also affected by changes in blood sugar levels and can cause numbness, tingling and loss of sensation in the feet. A loss of sensation can mean that you will lose your ability to feel pain which will result in injuring yourself without realising. Both of these complications can have very serious consequences for the health of your feet.

What can I do to look after my feet?

Good glucose control is known to reduce the risk of developing complications, which means keeping the blood sugar as close to normal as possible
A basic foot care routine is essential (see Top tips for healthy feet), taking care to wash your feet daily, dry them properly and apply moisturising cream to prevent the skin from drying and cracking.