HEADS

UP

ON DIABETES FEET HEALTH

HEADS

UP

ON DIABETES FEET HEALTH

How Are you looking after yourself?

Did you know that people living with diabetes can make up to 180 extra decisions each day covering everything from food to medication to exercise and more just to stay well and healthy?* And 2020 is certainly throwing quite a few curve balls with not only how to manage diabetes, but also how you go about your daily life.

So, it makes this 'National Diabetes Week' even more important as we focus on diabetes and your mental and emotional health. And for those living with diabetes, managing your feet can certainly be draining, especially if you live with diabetes-related foot disease. So, while we all have that little bit more time at home, we thought it would be a nice mental health break to remember the simple and practical things you can do to help take care of your valuable feet.

*Sourced from Diabetes Australia

So...how well are you taking care of yourself?

From your head to your feet!

Did you know?

Mental health 2

How you feel
can start with your feet

Foot problems can be associated with lower quality of life, restrictions in physical activity and distress in those living with diabetes and their caregivers.

DFA_patients group

80% of diabetes-related amputations are preventable

Foot care is vital for people with diabetes and fortunately, many foot problems are actually preventable with best practice treatment and on-going management.  By introducing simple steps into your daily routine, many people with diabetes are able to prevent foot ulcers and their more serious complications, such as amputation.

foot signs

Checking in with your feet
only takes a few minutes every day

With various lock downs happening around the country, our daily lives have certainly changed. But extra time at home also gives an excellent opportunity to spend a few minutes a day checking in and getting to know your feet. Checking your feet is one of the best things you can do to prevent foot problems associated with diabetes. So check out our daily check list and start ticking an easy task off the daily to-do list.

Did you know?

Mental health 2

How you feel
can start with your feet

Foot problems can be associated with lower quality of life, restrictions in physical activity and distress in those living with diabetes and their caregivers.

connector

"A common symptom of diabetes is damage to the nerves in your feet."

"Wearing the right footwear is one of the easiest ways to help take care of your feet."

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DFA_patients group

80% of diabetes-related amputations are preventable

Foot care is vital for people with diabetes and fortunately, many foot problems are actually preventable with best practice treatment and on-going management.  By introducing simple steps into your daily routine, many people with diabetes are able to prevent foot ulcers and their more serious complications, such as amputation.

foot signs

Checking in with your feet
only takes a few minutes every day

With various lock downs happening around the country, our daily lives have certainly changed. But extra time at home also gives an excellent opportunity to spend a few minutes a day checking in and getting to know your feet. Checking your feet is one of the best things you can do to prevent foot problems associated with diabetes. So check out our daily check list and start ticking an easy task off the daily to-do list.

connector

"Checking your feet each day is one of the best things you can do to prevent foot problems associated with diabetes."

So...when did you last have your annual diabetes foot check?

 

We know...we don't mean to nag you as well. But, we also know that people who live with diabetes can experience greater levels of emotional distress, and the impacts of Covid 19 understandably can heighten stress and fears around receiving safe medical care.

The good news is, our healthcare professionals are still open, following the tightest safety requirements, and are available to help you with your valuable feet. And they are now even more skilled in remote (video) consultations which might be more suitable during the current Covid 19 restrictions. 

In fact, some experts from around the world are noticing a positive shift in both people living with diabetes and health care professionals talking more about emotional and mental wellbeing as part of a consultation. So, instead of clogging your brain with thinking about making an appointment, just give your health professional a call and cross it off the 'to-do' list. Depending on where you live...we can even spin it as a positive as it gets you out of the house!

What's happening in Latest research?

A recent article published in Diabetes Metabolism Research and Reviews looks at the literature around psychosocial aspects of diabetes-related foot disease. The article examines the current understanding of the association between diabetes-related foot disease (DFD) and lower quality of life, depression, cognitive representations and the emotional responses to DFD. More recently, the role of stress has also been investigated. Another key theme of the article is the behavioural determinants of self-care, especially offloading. The authors conclude that although interventions that target psychosocial problems in people with diabetes-related foot disease are limited at the moment, there is evidence in the general diabetes population that they can be effective.

brain image
brain image

What's happening in Latest research?

A recent article published in Diabetes Metabolism Research and Reviews looks at the literature around psychosocial aspects of diabetes-related foot disease. The article examines the current understanding of the association between diabetes-related foot disease (DFD) and lower quality of life, depression, cognitive representations and the emotional responses to DFD. More recently, the role of stress has also been investigated. Another key theme of the article is the behavioural determinants of self-care, especially offloading. The authors conclude that although interventions that target psychosocial problems in people with diabetes-related foot disease are limited at the moment, there is evidence in the general diabetes population that they can be effective.