A Step In The Right Direction

Karen Bedwell

In 2012 the State of the Nation audit reported that there are currently 2.9 million people in the United Kingdom diagnosed with diabetes and it is expected that this number will rise to 5 million by 2025. In 2011 the NHS spent approximately £1 million per hour on treating diabetes and it's associated conditions and 80% of this goes into managing potentially preventative complications. 
One of the associated problems of diabetes is acute foot conditions which can lead to infection and amputation. In the UK one in twenty people with diabetes will develop a foot ulcer and one in ten of these will develop into an amputation of part of the foot or lower limb. 
Changes to our diet, exercise, lifestyle and reduction in weight gain and waist circumference can reduce the risks of developing type 2 diabetes and can even reverse the early stages of glucose intolerance. Good foot care and regular foot checks with qualified Chiropodists/ Podiatrists registered with the Health Care Professions Council (HCPC) can reduce the risks of developing acute foot conditions.