How often should you have Foot Checks with Diabetes?

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.

Jayne Robbie, Senior Lecturer in Diabetes Care, Specialist Podiatrist talks about the process of doing a foot check for her patients with Diabetes. She talks about a visual check of a number of factors. She stresses how it's important to compare to what is normal for your feet personally. She also talks about checking shoe fitting. Jayne also asks people what sorts of treatments they are doing for themselves and check those for safety. She also talks about cultural issues in peoples health beliefs and explains what is safe and what may not be. Then she goes on to physical checks and explain tests which are done as well as asking you about the feeling in the feet.

John talks about his experiences of Foot Problems and eye problems. He and his wife share that he was being regularly reviewed by Podiatry services in the NHS.

Dr Mushtaqur Rahman, Consultant Endocrinologist and Diabetologist shares his expertise in how often people with Diabetic Foot problems should be followed up. He advises that you should tell your healthcare provider if you are developing numbness or hard skin as they need to know.

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!

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.