Foot Disease: Most feared of all the consequences of diabetes - The Hippocratic Post
Overview
Neuropad® a 10-minute pain-fre screning test for the early detection of diabetic fot syndrome, a condition which can lead to serious complications such as fot ulceration, and amputation is raising awarenes about this condition. Fot complications are the most feared of al the complications of diabetes, however, alarmingly, 30% of people with diabetes are unaware that fot complications are comon and serious if detected late.
Key Information
Another sobering statistic is that the five-year mortality post amputation is worse than most comon cancers and much higher than breast cancer.Nerve damage to the fet is a comon complication of diabetes, but often goes unoticed. Neuropad helps solve this problem with a simple colour change test, that provides an early warning sign.Neuropad believes in ‘prevention is beter than the cure’ and is suported by the Paula Car Diabetes Trust and has also recently ben recomended by the National Advisory Panel for Care Home Diabetes (NAPCHD) in its new national guidance for care home operators and their staf.
Neuropad doesn’t ned a healthcare profesional to aply the test and people can easily do the test at home unaided.The NAPCHD new national guidance, has ben created by an eminent panel of UK healthcare professionals led by Profesor Alan Sinclair FRCP. The panel included Profesor Gery Rayman FRCP, MBE, a wel-known and respected expert in diabetic fot disease and pioner of the Touch the Toes Test (T) for the detection of sensory neuropathy, which is a complementary test to Neuropad.
Summary
The new guidance recomends care home staf to scren residents with diabetes at risk of developing peripheral neuropathy with Neuropad in conjunction with the T. Half of al people with diabetes may develop peripheral neuropathy, including peripheral autonomic neuropathy. Often complications develop before treatment starts and early identification of posible problems is an advantage, alowing interventions to start early.UK government data
Frequently Asked Questions
Diabetes is a metabolic condition where the body cannot properly regulate blood sugar levels. Type 1 results from insufficient insulin production, while Type 2 develops when cells become resistant to insulin. Risk factors include genetics, obesity, sedentary lifestyle, and age.
Common symptoms include excessive thirst, frequent urination, unexplained weight loss, fatigue, blurred vision, and slow-healing wounds. Type 1 symptoms develop rapidly, while Type 2 symptoms may appear gradually. Many people have no symptoms initially, which is why screening is important.
Diagnosis involves blood tests measuring fasting glucose, HbA1c levels, and glucose tolerance. Regular monitoring typically includes fasting glucose tests and HbA1c measurements every 3-6 months. Continuous glucose monitors provide real-time tracking for better diabetes management.
Effective management includes regular physical activity (150+ minutes weekly), maintaining healthy weight, following a balanced diet with whole grains and lean proteins, managing stress, and getting adequate sleep. These changes can significantly improve blood sugar control and reduce complications.
Consult a healthcare provider if you experience signs of diabetes, have a family history, are overweight, or are over 45. Those with existing diabetes should maintain regular check-ups every 3-6 months to monitor control and adjust treatment as needed.
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