World Diabetes Day

3rd November 2020

In November we turn our attention to World Diabetes Day, which takes place on Saturday 14th. The goal of World Diabetes Day is to raise as much awareness as possible. This is particularly important to us at Ortho Europe, as someone living with diabetes is 20 times more likely to have an amputation than someone without the condition. Therefore, it is crucial that we share information and talk about diabetes because many people do not know what early indications to look out for, and more people are receiving a diagnosis.

What is diabetes?

There are different types of diabetes – Type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes. Diabetes is a chronic disease that occurs when the level of glucose in the blood is too high. Hyperglycaemia is a common effect of uncontrolled diabetes and can lead to serious health problems if left untreated.

What are common symptoms of diabetes?

Some of the early symptoms to keep an eye out for are:

• Thirst
• Extreme fatigue
• Blurred vision
• Slowly healing cuts or wounds
• Unexplained weight loss
• Frequent urination

What do I do if I think I have diabetes?

If you are recognising any of the above symptoms, or someone you know is worried they may be diabetic, it is essential that any concerns are raised with a healthcare professional straight away. Your GP will be able to advise you on medicine, as well as diet and exercise, in order to keep up a healthy lifestyle.

If you have been diagnosed with diabetes, it is very important that you check your feet regularly. You will need to look out for redness, bruising, ulcers and blisters. It is common to experience less feeling in your feet, meaning that you are more prone to injury and may not realise when you have hurt yourself, so please take the time to check!

Below are some useful links about diabetes if you wish to find out more.

• https://www.diabetes.org.uk/
• http://worlddiabetesday.org/about/

References

• World Health Organisation
• https://www.diabetes.org.uk/about_us/news/lower-limb-amputations

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