RAK Hospital Announces "Diabetes Detection And Awareness Campaign"
Special focus on Foot Care in Diabetics, Chances of limb amputation due to Gangrene 15 times higher in Diabetes
To mark World Diabetes Day, RAK Hospital located in Ras Al Khaimah has announced “Diabetes Detection and Awareness campaign. The week long program starting tomorrow, Saturday, November 17, 2012 and running until Thursday, November 22, 2012 will provide free:
• Diabetes Detection (fasting blood glucose test)
• Blood pressure assessment
• Body composition analysis (fat composition)
• And consultations with Endocrinologist
“Foot care in diabetes is one of the most overlooked aspects of diabetes management. Diabetes can limit the blood supply to your feet and cause a loss of feeling. This can mean foot injuries do not heal well, and the lack of feeling means you may not notice if your foot is sore or injured. If you have diabetes, you’re 15 times more likely to have a limb amputated due to Gangrene. Gangrene is a serious condition in which a loss of blood supply causes tissue to die. It can affect any part of the body but typically starts in the toes, feet, fingers and hands, said specialist Endocrinologist Dr. Alida Taniwallova - RAK Hospital.
“Ensure that your blood pressure and cholesterol levels are also monitored and controlled with medication if needed. Smoking is also not a good idea as it has a harmful effect on the blood supply to your feet”, added Dr. Alida.
Why foot care is so essential to people with diabetes
• Diabetes causes nerve damage known as peripheral neuropathy
• Diabetes affects the circulation, and poor circulation can affect how the body heals
• People with diabetes are more prone to infection
• Diabetes complications can also affect the feet
• Diabetes can affect the joints and make them stiffer
What happens with poor foot care?
A variety of foot problems can arise when poor foot care fails to catch issues at an early stage. These may include:
• Damage to the foot
• Foot ulcers
• Foot infections
• Charcot’s joints
• Amputation
Foot care tips if you have diabetes
• See a podiatrist at least once a year.
• Keep your feet clean and free from infection.
• Wear shoes that fit well and don’t squeeze or rub.
• Never walk barefoot, especially in the garden or on the beach
• Cut or file your toenails regularly.
• Get corns or hard skin treated by a podiatrist.
• Seek treatment from your GP or podiatrist if foot blisters or injuries do not heal quickly.
• Treat ulcers urgently, within 24 hours, especially if there is redness or swelling around the area, or in an area where you’ve previously been warned to seek immediate attention.
When to see a doctor
• You see breaks in the skin of your foot, or discharge
• The skin over part or all of the foot changes colour and becomes more red, blue, pale or dark
• You notice extra swelling in your feet where there was a blister or injury.
Emirate: Ras Al Khaimah
Date: Nov 18, 2012
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