Diabetes is a chronic disease that occurs either when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin or when the body cannot effectively use the insulin it produces. Insulin is a hormone that regulates blood glucose.

Hyperglycaemia, also called raised blood glucose or raised blood sugar, is a common effect of uncontrolled diabetes and over time leads to serious damage to many of the body’s systems, especially the nerves and blood vessels.

According to the world health organization (WHO), in 2014, 8.5% of adults aged 18 years and older had diabetes. In 2019, diabetes was the direct cause of 1.5 million deaths and 48% of all deaths due to diabetes occurred before the age of 70 years. Another 460,000 kidney disease deaths were caused by diabetes, and raised blood glucose causes around 20% of cardiovascular deaths.

Between 2000 and 2019, there was a 3% increase in age-standardized mortality rates from diabetes. In lower-middle-income countries, the mortality rate due to diabetes increased 13%.

The major problem most diabetics face is late diagnosing of the disease. This is the main reason why management of the disease is sometimes difficult as major body organs may have been seriously affected before diagnosis.

Diabetes according to Webmd, may show signs such as; frequent urination, frequent thirst, blurry vision, weak erection, general feeling of fatigue, confusion and fruity smell in the mouth etc.

The signs of diabetes that may be seen on the feet are as follows:

1. Coms and calluses.

Some portions of the skin around the feet may begin to show hard patches of skin. This hard patches of skin are called coms and calluses.

They may signify nerve damage. If you have not been diagnosed yet and you begin to see this hard, skin patches on your feet without any reason, please check your blood sugar levels.

2. Discoloured skin.

When blood supply is not sufficient in any part of the body, the colour of the affected area may begin to change. Diabetes affects blood circulation especially around the feet . So diabetes may affect the colour of the skin around the feet.

3. Swollen feet.

Diabetes may cause the feet to get swollen. This may be due to poor blood circulation or it’s effect on other body organs such as the heart.

4. Sores on the feet.

Diabetes may cause sores to form on the foot. This is because many diabetic patients may loose sense of pain around their feet. This may make it easier for such people sustain injuries on their feet.

5. Numbness and tingling on the legs.

When the peripherial nerves are affected by diabetes, the result may be numbness and tingling on the legs.

6. Burning Sensation on the feet.

Most diabetics may encounter burning sensation on their feet. These burning sensation may signify nerve damage around the peripheral nerves.