HOW CAN DIABETES LEAD TO FOOT AMPUTATIONS?
People with diabetes are far more likely to need their toes or feet amputated because their injuries do not heal normally.
High blood sugar can cause nerve damage which means patients cannot feel their skin as well and may not know when they have a wound, or feel how serious it is.
And diabetes restricts circulation in the legs, which slows down healing because oxygen and nutrients are in short supply.
The combination of these two factors means it can take longer for people to get over injuries and the healing time means there is more opportunity for it to become infected or for flesh to die because of gangrene.
If an injury becomes too infected or untreatable the affected part of the body may have to be cut off
Source: American Podiatric Medicine Association
WHAT IS TYPE 2 DIABETES?
Type 2 diabetes is a condition which causes a person's blood sugar to get too high.
More than 4million people in the UK are thought to have some form of diabetes.
Type 2 diabetes is associated with being overweight and you may be more likely to get it if it's in the family.
The condition means the body does not react properly to insulin – the hormone which controls absorption of sugar into the blood – and cannot properly regulate sugar glucose levels in the blood.
Excess fat in the liver increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes as the buildup makes it harder to control glucose levels, and also makes the body more resistant to insulin.
Weight loss is the key to reducing liver fat and getting symptoms under control.
Symptoms include tiredness, feeling thirsty, and frequent urination.
It can lead to more serious problems with nerves, vision and the heart.
Treatment usually involves changing your diet and lifestyle, but more serious cases may require medication.
Source: NHS Choices; Diabetes.co.uk
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