In connection with World Diabetes Day that is coming up this weekend, the Collective Preventive Services (CPS) would like to draw attention to the fact that people with diabetes are prone to having foot problems, often because of two complications of diabetes.
Firstly, nerve damage and secondly, poor circulation. Nerve damage causes loss of feeling in your feet, taking away the ability to feel pain and discomfort, whereby one may not detect an injury or irritation. Poor circulation in your feet reduces your ability to heal, making it hard for even a tiny cut to resist infection.
Having diabetes increases the risk of developing a wide range of foot problems. With diabetes, small foot problems can turn into serious complications.
The Health Survey of 1999 indicated that diabetes and hypertension was a major problem on the island and that 28 per cent of persons 65 and over had diabetes and was in the top five chronic health groups.
Diabetes related foot and leg problems are infections and ulcer, sores that don’t heal; corns and calluses; dry, cracked skin; nail disorders; hammertoes and bunions; charcot foot; and poor blood flow.
Proactive measures that persons can take to reduce complications are: inspect your feet daily; don’t ignore leg pain; nail cutting; never trim calluses or corns; keep floors free of sharp objects; don’t go barefoot, wear shoes indoors and outdoors; check shoes and socks before putting them on; and have your family physician check your circulation and sense of feeling.
The Sint Maarten Diabetes Foundation trained 23 persons on how to examine for diabetic foot. The foundation is reminding diabetic patients and family members to observe to foot of their family member on a regular basis and to carry them on a regular basis to their family physician for an examination.
Dr. G. Spencer’s practice has provided the opportunity to create awareness about diabetic foot and is offering every Thursdays to examine persons with diabetes for diabetic foot. This is only by appointment, and persons can call 542-2391 to set a time.
World Diabetes Day is celebrated on 14 November to mark the birthday of Frederick Banting who along with Charles Best, were instrumental in the discovery of insulin in 1922, a life-saving treatment for diabetes patients.
World Diabetes Day is part of CPS’s calendar of observances where the latter raises awareness of diabetes and how to prevent the illness.
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that more than 220 million people worldwide have diabetes. This number is likely to more than double by 2030 without intervention.