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diet is also effective as a weight-
loss tool, and any weight loss in
those who are overweight can go
a long way towards improving
insulin sensitivity and overall
blood glucose management.”
Plus, alongside high blood
pressure and smoking, being
overweight is another risk
factor for diabetic neuropathy.
“If you are thinking of
reducing your carbohydrate
intake,” says Rush, “make sure
you speak to your diabetes team
first, about adjusting your
diabetes medication.”2
Take care of your feet.
Check your feet, including
between your toes, the soles and
even your lower legs, for cuts,
sores, bruises, redness or any
other signs of injury or
damage, at least once
a day. Also pay
attention to any
corns and calluses
that appear, as
they can be a
warning sign an
ulcer is forming if
you’ve already gotHow to avoid
becoming a statistic
The good news is there are
things you can do to avoid
developing a foot ulcer and the
likelihood of an amputation if
an ulcer does occur. These three
strategies are a good place to
start:1
Monitor and control your
blood glucose levels. High
BGLs, along with high fat levels,
in the blood are the major cause
of the diabetic neuropathy that
can lead to the formation of a
foot ulcer. In fact, good glucose
control in people with type 1 can
reduce the risk of developing
neuropathy by 60 per cent.
Rush says adopting a lower
carbohydrate approach to
managing diabetes can help with
blood glucose control. “We know
that carbohydrates directly
impact blood glucose levels, so it
makes sense that decreasing the
amount of carbohydrate in the
diet can help to reduce high
blood glucose and minimise
blood glucose fluctuations,” says
Rush. “A lower-carbohydratelimited feeling in your feet. You
should also take care to wear
shoes that fit you well, both
inside and out. And get your feet
professionally inspected at least
once a year, but more frequently
if you’ve already experienced
problems with your feet.3
Get any damage treated
immediately. Remember
that at least four out of five
diabetes-related amputations
are preventable if wounds on
the feet are detected and treated
early. “Don’t just think it’ll heal
on its own,” says Rush. “All
diabetes-related foot ulcers need
to be managed by a podiatrist,
doctor or wound care nurse.”
So, if your feet show any sign
of an injury, or you notice
swelling, pain,
throbbing,
changes to
skin colouration
or temperature
changes, make
an appointment
with your doctor
or podiatrist
as soon as possible. ■Manage your
type 2 diabetes with
a health professional.
Selected TerryWhite
Chemmart locations offer
Diabetes MedsCheck,
to help you to get the
most out of your
meds.health check
diabetic living JULY/AUGUST 2019 105