Dr. F. Rasdien

23/08/2025

23/08/2025

All about Feet 👣

Diabetes can significantly impact foot health due to its effects on blood vessels, nerves, and the body’s ability to fight infections. Here’s a concise overview of how diabetes affects the feet:
1. Neuropathy (Nerve Damage): High blood sugar levels over time can damage nerves, leading to diabetic neuropathy. This causes:
• Loss of sensation, making it hard to feel cuts, blisters, or injuries.
• Tingling, burning, or pain in the feet.
• Increased risk of unnoticed injuries that can worsen due to lack of pain signals.
2. Poor Blood Circulation: Diabetes can narrow and harden blood vessels (peripheral artery disease), reducing blood flow to the feet. This:
• Slows healing of cuts or sores, increasing the risk of infections.
• Can cause cramping, pain, or weakness in the legs and feet.
• In severe cases, may lead to tissue death (gangrene), potentially requiring amputation.
3. Infections and Ulcers: Reduced sensation and poor circulation make the feet prone to:
• Infections from minor cuts, blisters, or calluses that go unnoticed or heal poorly.
• Foot ulcers, which are open sores that can become severe if untreated.
• Fungal infections like athlete’s foot due to impaired immune response.
4. Skin and Nail Changes: Diabetes can cause:
• Dry, cracked skin due to reduced moisture, increasing infection risk.
• Thickened or discolored toenails, often due to fungal infections.
5. Charcot Foot: A serious complication where weakened bones in the foot fracture and deform due to neuropathy, leading to swelling, instability, and potential disability if untreated.

Thank you Nazira Nana for this informative talk

15/08/2025

I was so inspired by these siblings , Fatima Domingo and Ruwayda Docrat, that i looked up studies on families with diabetes . I found one particulrly interesting :
Family-Focused Interventions for Type 2 Diabetes
• Overview: A qualitative study within the Family/Friend Activation to Motivate Self-care (FAMS) intervention examined family dynamics in adults with Type 2 diabetes, including how family functioning impacts self-management. The study categorized family dynamics into four types: Collaborative & Helpful, Critically Involved, Satisfied with Low Involvement, and Want More Involvement. While not limited to sisters, it included family members like siblings in the analysis.

• Findings: Participants reported increased family communication about diabetes, with varying preferences for emotional or instrumental support. Harmful family involvement (e.g., criticism) was noted across types, but participants hesitated to label it as such. The Collaborative & Helpful group engaged well but saw minimal benefits, while the Want More Involvement group benefited most. The study validated a typology for tailoring interventions based on family dynamics

Fatima and Ruwayda were so inspiring , especially Ruwayda 😂😂😂😅😅😅😅who took charge of their journey to learn as much as possible about living with diabetes ..
She is driven and motivated and inspired lively discussions . Fatima Fredericks had her hands full , keeping up with these intelligent young ladies . Thank you 🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🙌

15/08/2025

In the first 10 years after being diagnosed with diabetes, individuals may experience complications like diabetic neuropathy, retinopathy, and nephropathy. These complications, stemming from nerve damage, eye damage, and kidney damage respectively, can develop even within the first decade after diagnosis, though they often progress gradually.
Fortunately, some patients get diagnosed very early in the disease and those first ten years, if managed well, sets the precedent for fewer complications in the future.

15/08/2025

Reiaaz Rajah… thank you for being so interested and conscientious.
Fatima and I have learned so much from you !!!
I’m confident that this journey will be a turning point in your health.
Many of our conversations have been around lifestyle and foods consumed . I hope you can share all your knowledge with people living with Diabetes 🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌

15/08/2025

Two Diabetes
Sunitha Naiker … it’s been 3 months since you did this course and your HBAic has improved so significantly . Fatima Fredericks is so proud of you dear Sunitha.
Sunitha started this journey with fear and anger. She has been an amazing learner and her transformation is evident in her blood results .
So proud of you 👍

03/05/2025

Diabetes significantly increases the risk of heart disease. People with diabetes are more likely to develop coronary artery disease, heart failure, and other cardiovascular problems. High blood sugar levels from diabetes can damage blood vessels and nerves, increasing the likelihood of heart attacks, strokes, and other complications.
I was watching a news campaign in Tv in India where the awareness of strokes was addressed.

In India, the prevalence of stroke has significantly increased, with over 1.25 million new cases reported in 2021, a 51% increase from 1990. The Heart and Stroke Foundation South Africa (HSFSA) reports that an average of 10 adults experience a stroke every hour in South Africa. India contributes 10% to the global burden of stroke.
Thank you FATIMA FREDERICKS for really encouraging KEVIN BOUGAARD to complete his education and Dr Chisi for treating his peripheral neuropathy!

03/05/2025

I keep coming back to the ultraprocessed foods in our diet and wonder how we came to rely on these foods. Ultra-processed foods are popular due to a combination of factors, including their affordability, convenience, extended shelf life, and the way they are marketed. They are often cheaper than unprocessed foods, a key factor for many consumers, and their shelf stability is an advantage, especially for those without reliable access to refrigeration. Aggressive advertising and celebrity endorsements also contribute to their popularity. We need to break this cycle of dependence on instant foods. We need to go back to basics… home-cooked whole foods!!! Like our grandparents ate. So proud of SHEHERIZAAN GAMIET and NICHOLAS MENTOR for striving to change their lifestyles. Nicholas has done so well. He has a spreadsheet, which he presents to us at each encounter 🙂 🙂 🙂. My wish is that medical aids will start paying for continuous glucose monitoring. The device is placed on the arm and gives valuable information, especially when the patient is asleep.

03/05/2025

I keep observing and thinking about the foods that are served in the hotels here in India and also about our diet at home in South Africa.
Recent research has highlighted how Ultraprocessed foods contribute toward the obesity pandemic and heart health and indeed development of chronic illnesses ..

Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) play a significant role in the global obesity epidemic by promoting increased energy intake, weight gain, and metabolic dysregulation. Studies consistently show a positive correlation between UPF consumption and higher body mass index (BMI). This is partly due to the fact that UPFs are often high in unhealthy additives, sugars, and fats, while lacking in essential nutrients like fiber.
Thank you BRIDGET BENNETT AND WENDY THOMAS
For your enthusiasm and commitment to learning about diabetes and diet !!!!!

03/05/2025

Obesity is a major risk factor for type 2 diabetes, with the risk increasing significantly as body mass index (BMI) increases. Excess body fat, particularly abdominal fat, can lead to insulin resistance, making it harder for the body to regulate blood sugar levels, ultimately increasing the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Obesity is a major problem in India , as in South Africa .
While both India and South Africa have increasing obesity rates, South Africa generally has a higher prevalence of overweight and obesity compared to India. In South Africa, a significant portion of the population is overweight or obese, with women being more affected than men. India, while also experiencing rising obesity, has a lower overall prevalence compared to South Africa.
While both India and South Africa have increasing obesity rates, South Africa generally has a higher prevalence of overweight and obesity compared to India. In South Africa, a significant portion of the population is overweight or obese, with women being more affected than men. India, while also experiencing rising obesity, has a lower overall prevalence compared to South Africa.
Well done to WENDY BUTLER for REAlly making an effort to combat the obesity pandemic !!!!!
You make me proud 🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰

03/05/2025

I am currently travelling through India and was thinking about how proud i am of my oatients who are striving to educate themselves and live with diabetes!!!
India faces a significant diabetes epidemic, with an estimated 77 million people living with diabetes, and this number is projected to rise to over 134 million by 2045. The prevalence of diabetes in India is around 8.9%. This makes India the second-highest country globally in terms of the number of diabetic patients.
Salute to my superstar Rubiaa Caster.
She was very hesitant to do the education course !!!!! But she was a super super patient !!!! Well done Rubiaa

07/02/2025

Type 2 diabetes – is caused when the insulin, which the pancreas produces, is either not enough or does not work properly. Approximately 85 – 90% of all people with diabetes are type 2, and many people who have this condition are undiagnosed.

Most type 2’s are over 40. They are usually overweight and do not exercise. Type 2 diabetes may be treated successfully without medication. Often loss of weight alone will reduce glucose levels. Eating patterns and exercise play important roles in management. Tablets may be prescribed to help improve control, however, many type 2’s will eventually use insulin.
Thank you Fatima Fredericks for an awesome group session with Sister Thamie Bogatsu, Nonzi Bogatsu , and Isaac Kolbe . You guys were the best group !!!!!!!!!