85% of Diabetes related amputations can be prevented

According to Diabetes Australia, if you have diabetes you are at a higher risk of an amputation.

The numbers related to annual diabetes related amputations in Australia are astounding. The economic impact alone is also staggering and this does not take into account the devastating emotional impact this has on peoples' lives BUT the good news is that 85% of Diabetes related amputations can be prevented, and investing in ' evidence based care'  could save around $2.7 billion years.

The information in this article has been sourced from the Diabetes Australia and their website has much more information and tools for you to use, should you feel you are at risk. They have a risk calculator as well as an app which supports people with diabetes with health and wellbeing checks, recipes and events.

How to prevent Diabetes Related Amputations

The two most important ways to prevent diabetes related amputations are:

• taking good care of your feet and
• regular feet check-ups by a health professional.

Personal foot care

Make it a habit to check your feet every day. Use a mirror or ask a family member for help if you can’t reach your feet.

Warning signs to look out for:

• dry skin or excessive moisture
• thickened skin, such as calluses or corns
• cracks, blisters, ulcers, or any breaks in skin
• signs of infection, such as redness or darkened skin
• changes in the shape and thickness of your nails, any in-grown nails
• changes in the shape of your feet, such as bunions or claw toes.

URGENT signs that you should seek help for immediately:

• signs of infection
• skin breakdowns/ulcers/cracks
• new pain, swelling, or redness (especially if there’s nerve damage)

Here are some tips for proper foot care:

• wash your feet every day, drying all areas especially between the toes
• Moisturise every day except between the toes which need to stay dry
• Don’t use OTC corn cures since they can cause ulcers
• Cut nails straight across and gently file edges to prevent in-grown nails
• Wear proper footwear: wear shoes that fit well, use fastening devices/enclosed helps for security, heels less than 2 cm, seamless and well-fitting socks, and replace worn shoes

Keeping your blood sugar levels and weight under control will also go a long way in prevent foot problems. If you have diabetes, you should:

• Eat healthy and well balanced meals—seek a dietician if you want personalized advice
• Exercise regularly—around 30 minutes daily
• Monitor blood glucose levels at the times specified by your doctor

Visit Diabetes Australia for more information about diabetes and foot care management

Where can I get help?

Foot checks should be done on a regular basis. by health professionals like a doctor, podiatrist, or diabetes educator.

During a foot check the professional will examine:

• The condition and shape of toes, skin, feet
• Pulses to check blood circulation
• Nerves in your feet by touching soles with a monofilament
• Your shoes to see if they fit your feet well

During the check your feet will be assessed as low or high risk feet.

• LOW risk feet have normal pusles, no nerve damage, and no changes in shape.
• HIGH risk feet may not have a pulse, have a degree of nerve damage, changes in shape, and/or a foot ulcer.

If you have low risk feet, you need to get your feet check once a year at minimum. High risk feet should be checked 3-6 months or sooner.

People with high risk feet should also:

• Always wear shoes, inside or outside
• Check inside our shoes for things that could injure your foot
• Keep heat packs, heaters, and hot water bottles away from feet
• See a podiatrist—a doctor who specializes in lower extremity disorders—on a regular basis
• Wear prescribed footwear and insoles

NDIS Registered Support?

Are you looking for service providers to assist in the care and treatment of diabetes related issues? Check out MyCareSpace’s directory for all your NDIS options for nutrition, podiatry, health management. Uee our key word search browser by  “dietician”, 'meals'  “diabetes” to get local help in your area. Speak to your NDIS provider to understand how you can include improved nutritition, learning how to cook for yourself and shopping for healthy food other important goals in your NDIS plan.

Here are a few personal stories from people who learned the importance of taking care of your health from the debilitating effects of diabetes:

Information sourced from diabetesaustralia.com