DIABETIC FOOT

Diabetic foot

Diabetes is a disease characterized by constantly high levels of blood sugar in the body.If left untreated, it can lead to various health complications, including disorders of the cardiovascular system, nerves, eyes and kidneys.

Diabetic foot is one of the most common and severe complications of diabetes mellitus and can lead to an amputation. It is associated with multiple changes in the feet and lower limbs as a result of :

• Peripheral nerve damage (neuropathy).

Neuropathy causes numbness, tingling, cold and/or burning sensations, pain, and loss of sensation in the feet/legs. When sensation is lost, a person may injure themselves without realizing it. For example, a person with loss of sensation in their feet may walk on a pebble in their shoe all day without realizing it, eventually causing a wound. Nerve damage can also cause foot deformity (change in the shape of the feet and toes).

• Damage to the vessels of the legs (angiopathy).

It is associated with narrowing and/or occlusion of the arteries of the lower limbs and poor blood supply. Poor blood flow to the extremities causes wounds to heal more slowly, which increases the risk of infections that can lead to gangrene and amputation. Besides high blood sugar levels, additional risk factors are smoking, hypertension, high cholesterol, etc.

• Skin changes.

Different types of dermatological problems are noticed in a large percentage of diabetic patients. Over time, the skin on their feet dries out, starts to crack and peel, and corns often appear. Blisters can form on the feet, which, when ruptured, turn into an open wound that can easily become infected. Such ulcers appear most often at the base of the toes, but they can also appear on the lateral surfaces of the feet. Treatment of foot ulcers varies depending on the cause of their appearance and the presence of infection

Symptoms

Usually the symptoms develop gradually. You may not notice that something is wrong until significant damage has occurred. Signs and symptoms of diabetic foot may include:

• Numbness and loss of sensation – reduced ability to feel pain and temperature changes
• Burning and/or coldness
• Swelling
• Redness or other change in color of the limb
• Pain that may be constant or shooting
• Muscle stiffness in the lower limbs, cramps
• Muscle weakness
• Dry and cracked skin on the feet
• Calluses, blisters and sores that do not heal
• Fungal infections of the skin and nails on the feet

Treatment

Treatment of diabetic foot is complex, individual and depends on the stage of development of the disease. In the initial stages, it is aimed at controlling the symptoms and improving the general condition, including:

• Blood sugar control
• Improving blood supply
• Controlling the infection (if present)
• Surgical treatment - restoration of the vessels, removal of dead tissue and infected areas in the vicinity, amputation

Early diagnosis and selection of appropriate treatment is essential for the outcome of the disease.

Prevention

Visit your specialist doctor regularly and strictly follow his recommendations strictly. Diabetic foot is a complication of diabetes that can be avoided with timely prevention.

To improve blood circulation:

• Cholesterol control
• Blood sugar control – try to maintain levels close to normal.
• Stop smoking – smoking causes spasm and narrowing of blood vessels, accelerating the process of atherosclerosis. Smokers have more heart attacks, strokes and blood circulation problems than non-smokers.
• Do exercise daily

Foot care

• Keep your feet clean. Take frequent foot baths (without soaking) with lukewarm water, dry well and apply cream to the dry areas, but not between the toes. Daily cleaning is important to prevent infections.
• Check your feet every day, observing whether there is redness, swelling or the appearance of a wound. If you find any changes (calluses, cuts, etc.) in your feet, seek medical help. Never self-medicate.
• Nail care. Use a paper file to maintain your nails, do not use a metal file or scissors to avoid injury.
• Wear clean socks, making sure they are not tight elastic. You can use specialized socks with copper yarn, which are designed for people with diabetes and/or sensitive feet and wounds on the feet. Copper yarn promotes collagen production and helps wounds heal. It also has antifungal and antibacterial effects, thus preventing the appearance of fungus and bacteria on the feet and helping to eliminate bad odor. They are made of soft material that prevents blisters and abrasions.
• Don't go barefoot.
• Wear comfortable shoes
• Warming procedures are not recommended.