Yvette (54) a journalist from Kent, started experiencing pain in her hip seven years ago in 2015. An ex-national gymnast who had been incredibly active and flexible her whole life, Yvette felt concerned about the growing discomfort impacting her quality of life, and so sought help from her GP.
Diabetes
TYPE 1 AND TYPE 2 DIABETES AND DIABETIC FOOT
Diabetes is a chronic condition that causes glucose in your blood to become too high. It can also cause foot problems.
What are the types of diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious, lifelong condition. There are two main types of diabetes as well as some rarer ones. They all cause the level of glucose (sugar) in people's blood to become too high.
- The two main types are:Type 1 diabetes, this is where insulin-producing cells are attacked by the immune system
- Type 2 diabetes, not enough insulin is produced by the body.
Need to know
The hormone insulin is made by the pancreas and controls your blood sugar levels by shifting glucose from the blood into our cells. Here, it’s broken down to give us energy. If you have diabetes, this process doesn’t work and the body can’t convert glucose into energy.
The main symptoms associated with diabetes are:
- feeling very thirsty
- urinating more than usual, especially at night
- extreme tiredness
- losing weight
- itching around the genitals, or infections like thrush
- slow healing cuts
If you experience a range of these symptoms it’s important to see a consultant as soon as possible, as type 1 diabetes can develop quickly.
Diagnosing both types of diabetes usually involves:
Over time, high glucose levels in your blood can lead to complications in your kidneys, heart, eyes and feet. People with diabetes are at much greater risk of foot disease and foot ulcers. This is because diabetes can cause nerve damage known as .
Signs of foot problems in diabetes include:
Your consultant will look for these signs and develop a personalised care plan if they detect any foot problems developing.
- blood tests to check blood sugar levels
- urine tests
Over time, high glucose levels in your blood can lead to complications in your kidneys, heart, eyes and feet. People with diabetes are at much greater risk of foot disease and foot ulcers. This is because diabetes can cause nerve damage known as .
Signs of foot problems in diabetes include:
- swollen feet
- numbness or tingling sensations
- loss of feeling
- sores that don’t heal
Your consultant will look for these signs and develop a personalised care plan if they detect any foot problems developing.
Type 1 diabetes
If you have type 1 diabetes you need to take insulin by injecting with an insulin pen or using an insulin pump. Other treatment includes incretin memetics (medication that helps the body to produce insulin when it’s needed).
Type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 diabetes you may need to take insulin or medication such as metformin. This is the first line drug in the management of the condition. Diet and exercise can also be instrumental in keeping blood sugar levels under control.
More recently metabolic surgery, which changes the anatomy of the gastrointestinal tract, has been proven to be a powerful treatment for Type 2 diabetes. This is a NICE approved surgical option (using bariatric procedures) for individuals with Type 2 diabetes and obesity. Performed laparoscopically, (keyhole surgery), the procedure alters metabolic function to improve glycaemic control, and 50% of patients become diabetes-free. The benefits include a reduction in medication usage, a lowering of cardiovascular disease risk, greater weight loss and ultimately a better quality of life. For more information visit London Bridge Hospital’s Metabolic and Bariatric Centre.
Diabetic foot
Treatment for diabetic foot disease may include:
- offloading (a plaster cast is used to take the pressure off and help with healing)
- clearing away any dead, damaged and infected skin (debridement)
- vascular surgery to ensure the foot has adequate blood supply
- In severe cases, orthopaedic surgery to reconstruct ‘diabetic foot’ is now effective and at preventing the need for amputation
Patient stories
Yvette's story: From back pain to hip replacement surgery
A new hip and straight back into the spin of things
David’s gym video shows him repeatedly pushing up to 100kg on a single leg press – not particularly unusual for this keen cyclist, former competitive squash player and all-round fitness enthusiast. What is unusual is that 52-year-old David had hip surgery just 12 weeks earlier.
Michael's MAKO hip surgery to treat his arthritis
73 year-old Michael, an avid walker and charity worker, was diagnosed with arthritis in January 2021. After facing long waiting times and increasing pain that was becoming more frequent, he started to look elsewhere for treatment.
This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.