Melton Times letter: Knowing what to look out for with diabetes

Many of your readers with diabetes may be unaware that diabetes could put their feet and limbs at risk if not cared for correctly.
Grantham Journal letter.Grantham Journal letter.
Grantham Journal letter.

Around 130 diabetes-related amputations take place every week in this country alone, mainly as a result of foot ulcers. Astonishingly, 80 per cent of these are avoidable with proper foot care.

People with diabetes should have their feet checked at least once a year and should also be taught how to look after their feet themselves. In many cases, this is not being provided in the NHS.

At the InDependent Diabetes Trust, we want to try to reduce the risks of amputations in people with diabetes, so we have published a new booklet called Diabetes – Looking After Your Feet.

This is designed to help people to look after their feet by knowing what to look for and when to seek treatment to keep their feet healthy and avoid ulcers.

If foot ulcers are left untreated, they can eventually lead to an amputation, which drastically changes a person’s quality of life.

If people have more information to help them through our booklet, we hope that this will help to drive down the spiralling number of amputations.

Our booklets are free and can be obtained by calling 01604 622837 or e-mailing [email protected]

Jenny Hirst, InDependent Diabetes Trust

Related topics: