World Diabetes Day 2022
14 November marks World Diabetes Day, described as the primary global awareness campaign focussing on diabetes and its related themes. It was launched in 1991 by the International Diabetes Federation and World Health Organisation in response to the rapid rise of diabetes around the world.
Diabetes is a life-long condition that causes a person’s blood sugar level to become too high. There are two types, Type 1 and Type 2. In the former case the body’s immune system attacks and destroys the cells that produce insulin and in the latter the body does not produce enough insulin, or the body cells do not react to insulin. Type 2 is far more common in the UK.
The amount of sugar in the blood is controlled by insulin which is produced in the pancreas. When food is ingested and enters the bloodstream insulin moves glucose out of the blood and into the cells which are broken down to produce energy. However, sufferers with Diabetes are unable to breakdown the glucose into energy. There are no lifestyle changes that can be made to lower the risk of Type 1 Diabetes but Type 2 Diabetes can be managed through healthy eating, regular exercise and achieving a healthy body weight.
We have been instructed in a number of cases relating to complications of Diabetes which, in some cases, have led to amputation of limbs. This year, we successfully recovered £60,000 on behalf of a client’s estate who brought a claim against two of his former General Practitioners and his local health board for failing to spot the signs and symptoms of Diabetes complications in his right foot. He had initially injured his foot whilst exiting a train. He was experiencing pain and discomfort in the right foot and wondered whether an ulcer was beginning to form. He met with his General Practitioners and his local hospital reporting a loss of sensation and a number of his toes were turning black. He was unable to weight-bear on the foot without pain. He should have been referred to an urgent Diabetic Foot Clinic or vascular surgeon for immediate treatment to restore blood flow to the right foot. Unfortunately, by the time this referral was made it was too late and a number of his toes had to be amputated.
How we can help you
If you have been affected by such issues and would like to speak with one of our medical negligence specialists, call us for a free consultation on 02920 391773 or contact Linda Williams by email at linda.williams@geldards.com.