Diabetes South Africa, the non-profit organization, that supports and advocates for all people with diabetes in South Africa, is running a campaign to #STEPUP South Africa, to a healthier YOU. Through the campaign they are spreading awareness about Diabetes in South Africa and encouraging every person to be aware of this disease, facing so many South Africans. Follow them on facebook to be part of
Proper foot care is extremely important for all people suffering from diabetes. Taking good care of your feet every day can lower your chances of losing a toe, a foot or a leg. Managing your blood sugar can also help keep your feet healthy. Diabetes can lower the amount of blood flow to your feet, causing numbness and tingling, as well as changes to the
Foot problems are very common in diabetics because diabetes can lead to nerve damage (neuropathy) and/or poor circulation. This hinders the bodies ability to heal and as a result, ordinary foot problems can get worse and lead to serious complications. It is of utmost important to catch foot problems early. A small dray crack in the heel or toe can become a serious infection or
Peripheral neuropathy is nerve damage caused by chronically high blood sugar and diabetes. It leads to numbness, loss of sensation, and often pain in your feet, legs or hands. It is one of the most common complications of diabetes. The key to prevention and managing Peripheral Neuropathy is to effectively managing your diabetes. Over and above this there are many things that can be done
Whether you have a diabetic in your family or not, caring for your feet is an important part of caring for yourself. There is a lovely quote “Your feet take you to where your heart wants to go”. We forget this and we take our feet for granted. In general, only once feet problems arise, do we start taking greater care of them. However,
Work with your health care team to manage all aspects of your diabetes: diet, exercise, medication & supplementation You may have serious foot problems but feel no pain Visually check for cuts, sores, red spots, swelling and infected toenails Wash your feet in warm water everyday without soaking them as this may cause dryness Dry your feet well, especially between the toes
During the winter, it is important for people with diabetes to take special care of their feet. The cold and dryness in the winter months increase the risk of diabetic foot problems such as infection and injury. Health experts advise that all diabetes patients should check the condition of their feet every day. Follow our top tips for caring for feet during the winter months: