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The term diabetic foot emerged because of complications from this disease caused by high levels of sugar in the blood. This condition can actually be prevented as long as you follow all the treatments and control your blood sugar with discipline.
What is diabetic foot?
Diabetes itself is a disease caused by problems with insulin, either inability or insufficient production. Apart from that, insulin insensitivity can trigger this disease.
In fact, insulin is an important hormone that is responsible for helping body cells absorb sugar from the blood to be used as energy. When this problem is not treated properly, the sugar in the blood can cause health problems.
One of the problems that arises is in the feet, around 6 percent of people with diabetes experience this problem, including infections, ulcers and destruction of tissue in the feet.
As a result, when this disease is out of control, amputation becomes the solution. A 2018 publication noted how diabetes is responsible for 50 percent of amputations in the United States.
What diseases occur in the feet due to diabetes?
There are two types of problems that appear in the feet of diabetics. Among others are:
- Diabetic neuropathy: This condition occurs when diabetes causes the nerves in the feet to become damaged to the point where they become numb
- Peripheral vascular disease: Damaged blood vessels cause low blood flow to the legs, resulting in pain, infection and wounds that heal slowly
Both conditions can cause serious and ongoing complications. Among others are:
- Wounds on the legs that won’t heal
- Infections, including infections of the skin, bones and abscesses
- Tissue death due to infection
- Foot deformity
- Changes in the shape of the foot because the bones in the foot change or break
Sometimes doctors can reverse complications that arise. But in cases of legs that have changed shape, the doctor may recommend amputation.
What are the causes of diabetic feet?
Foot problems in diabetes sufferers are usually caused by:
- Poor circulation
- High blood sugar levels
- Nerve damage
- Wounded or irritated feet
Poor blood circulation is caused by vascular disease which prevents blood from flowing effectively to the leg area. This poor circulation also makes it difficult for wounds that appear on the feet to heal.
High blood sugar can slow down the healing process and cause infected foot wounds. Therefore, blood sugar management is important.
Nerve damage is a long-term effect and can cause you to lose feeling in your feet. Damaged nerves usually cause a tingling and painful sensation. Apart from that, sensitivity in the feet can be reduced so that the wound is not felt at all.
How to overcome this condition?
Treatment for diabetic feet varies, depending on how severe your condition is. This treatment step also consists of surgical or non-surgical measures as follows:
Treatment without surgery
Doctors will usually treat diabetes problems in the feet using non-surgical methods first. Namely by:
- Keep wounds clean
- Wearing movement assistance devices on the feet such as walking boots
- Check carefully for any deformities in the feet
Treatment with surgery
When non-surgical treatment is not successful, the doctor may consider the following surgical steps:
- Lifting dead tissue
- Amputation, can be one finger to one whole foot below the knee or even above the knee
- Arterial bypass surgery for peripheral vascular disease which can help improve blood circulation in the injured area
- Endovascular surgery by placing a stent which will keep the blood vessels open
These are various explanations about the dangers and treatment of diabetic feet. Always apply good blood sugar management, OK!