How do I do a Foot Check for people with Diabetes?

Dr Mushtaqur Rahman, Consultant Endocrinologist and Diabetologist gives advice on staying healthy with Diabetic Foot problems. He talks about checking your own feet and looking out for problems. He also talks about using simple measures to keep you feet healthy. He says that if people develop nerve damage then the usual protective mechanisms of feeling pain don't work as well for you. Hence being more vigilant than other people is suggested - in the same way Bear Grills might check his boots for scorpions in the jungle!

Jayne Robbie, Senior Lecturer in Diabetes Care, Specialist Podiatrist explains how often you should have Foot Checks for people with Diabetes. She explains that an assessment is made at your annual health check if you are at high or low risk. If you have any degree of problem then every three months would be normal. If you have ongoing foot problems then you may well be on a more individualised program.

Dr Mushtaqur Rahman, Consultant Endocrinologist and Diabetologist talks about how often you should have foot checks done as a person with Diabetes. He stresses that having numbness or nerve damage in the feet is a very important to tell your healthcare providers. He explains that if you have any risk factors picked up by the yearly checks then you should be looked after by Podiatrists and potentially have more frequent foot checks done.

Daniel talks about screening tests for people with Diabetes. He describes them as 'check points' in his life to see how he is doing. Daniel talks about these tests giving him comfort in that picking up problems earlier allows him to be able to deal with things earlier and avoid problems. He ends by saying he's welcoming of them.

Richard talks about issues around alcohol and Diabetes. He speaks openly about his experiences around excessive alcohol use following the death of his wife. He talks about how he ended up in hospital and developed ulcers on his heels. This lead to a change in his life for the better which he is pleased with. Support from family has been very important to his path.

Abdul Rais explains that people from a South Asian background have a much higher chance of developing Diabetes compared to the rest of the population. He talks about having blood glucose checks done and shares that these are often freely available. He also talks about the sorts of symptoms to look out for which might suggest you may have Diabetes.