I am a Diabetes Qualified practitioner!
To celebrate National Diabetes Week from July 14th - 20th, I wrote up a series of posts on Facebook and Instagram about what Diabetes is, how it occurs, how it affects feet and who a typical team would be for a person living with Diabetes.
This was all occurred while I was finishing my course from Diabetes Australia to be a Diabetes Qualified practitioner!
If you, or if you know someone who is living with Diabetes, speak to me how Podiatry can benefit you in your annual check ups and preventative health. Feel free to give me a call on 0499 999 828 or book in online now at www.2rightfeet.com.au/book
We've all done it: advised our friends not to eat that donut, or the chocolate bar or a disgustingly huge nutella filled dessert as it will give them diabetes, but how accurate is that statement?
There are two types of Diabetes, type 1 (insulin dependent) and type 2 (non-insulin dependent) and their aetiology and pathophysiology are different.
Type 1 is an autoimmune condition where the body attacks its own pancreas, which disables its ability to produce insulin. This type has a genetic predisposition.
Type 2 makes up 95% of the diabetic population and are often caused by lifestyle choices such as diet and exercise. The pancreas will often still produce some insulin, but either the amount produced is not enough for the body's needs, or the body's cells are resistant to it.
So yes, you can get diabetes from eating excessive amounts of sugar. But that's not likely to be the only reason.
WHAT CAUSES DIABETES?
It's officially National Diabetes Week and today we are going to hash out some quick causes for Type 2 Diabetes - if you want elaboration on why, how and all the in-depth science, shoot me a message or wait until the end of the month where I will have a massive blog collating everything we talk about in relation to Diabetes this week!
UN-MODIFABLE RISK FACTORS: (The stuff that's out of your control)
1) Family history - a sibling with diabetes increases your risk by 4x, a parent by 2x!
2) Age
3) Ethnic background
4) Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)
5) Previous gestational diabetes
MODIFIABLE RISK FACTORS: (you can start changing these now!!)
1) Weight
2) Diet or food choices
3) Pre-diabetes
4) Physical inactivity
5) High Blood Pressure
6) High Cholesterol
7) Smoking
DIABETES AFFECTS FEET?
Yes! Because feet are the furthest away from our organs, it can be the first place to show signs of complications which arise from poor Diabetes management!
HOW?
Unmanaged or poorly controlled diabetes can result mainly in two ways:
1. Blood health slows/becomes less efficient
2. Nerve sensation diminishes
In worst case scenarios, something small such a stone in a shoe won't be felt (due to lack of sensation to the feet) and if a cut or wound forms, it takes a much longer time for your body to heal it (due to lack of blood flow).
This can result in diabetic foot ulcers, and sometimes, amputations.
THE PODIATRISTS JOB!
Prevention!! We check the feet every 3 to 12 months depending on the risk level, and do tests to ensure the blood and nerve health are functioning well. We also do assessments for your skin health. If there are complications, we flag this and work with your doctor to ensure it doesn't get worse.
If you have a diabetic foot ulcer, we can also manage it for you alongside your team of healthcare professionals.
Every superhero needs their team. Their support system.
And that is why a person living with Diabetes is not alone. Together, we aim towards 5 primary goals to live well and happily:
🍎 Eating well
🏋️♀️ Maintaining physical activity
💉 Blood glucose monitoring (as advised by your GP)
💊 Medication and insulin (should you need it!)
👨⚕️ Continuing annual cycle of care (that's us!!)
The main team will consist of:
👩⚕️ Family doctor
👨⚕️ Diabetes educator
🍎 Dietician (to eat well!)
🦷 Dentist (to maintain good gum and oral health!)
💊 Pharmacist (to help manage any medications you may have!)
👣 Podiatrist (that's me! To check your feet for any blood/nerve health complications)
👀 Optometrist (to keep an EYE on your eye health 😉)
🏋️♀️ Exercise Physiologist or Physiotherapist (for exercise advice!)
Other professionals may include medical specialists, obstetricians or mental health professionals should there be other medical conditions involved, if any complications arise or if guidance is required.
Remember: there are always people to support and guide a person living with diabetes.