FOOT TROUBLE
Diabetes, a disease, which more or else everyone knows about. It is one of the major non-communicable diseases, everyone is concerned about. But does anyone know what serious effect it can have? Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is a disease where the blood glucose levels are high, and this high glucose levels over time can damage the nerves, kidneys, eyes and even blood vessels. It also decreases the immunity of the body, leading to a decrease in the body's ability to fight infection. In one sense it numbs the whole body, resulting in damage escaping notification.
Foot problems commonly develop in people with diabetes and can quickly become serious. According to CDC research, 'In 2008 alone, more than 70,000 people with diabetes had a leg or foot amputated. Amputations in people with diabetes account for more than 60 percent of the amputations of legs and feet not resulting from an injury, such as from a car crash. People with diabetes were eight times as likely to lose a leg or foot to amputation as people without diabetes'
Diabetic foot problems are a major health concern and are a common cause of hospitalisation. The diabetic foot arises from two serious complications of long term diabetes- nerve damage and poor blood circulation. (You may have noticed, injuries in diabetic patients don't get healed easily, this is solely due to lack of blood supply to that area).
Hence it is obvious, that our foot being the most depended part of the body, and being prone to constant pressure, have a high risk of getting minor injuries. The lack of feeling and poor blood flow to the injuries in the foot can allow a minor cut to progress to a serious infection in a matter of days. Nerve damage can cause dry and cracked skin, which becomes a fertile ground for bacteria to enter and cause infection.
Risk Factors
People with diabetes have chances of developing diabetic foot due to the following causes-
Foot wear: Poorly fitting shoes results in blisters, corns, sore spots, etc which may lead to diabetic foot.
Trauma: Any sort of trauma, is a major risk factor for people with diabetes for developing diabetic foot.
Nerve damage: Diabetes results in nerve damage, which sequentially leads to loss of sensation. Diabetic patients may be unable to feel their feet normally, making it more prone to trauma getting unnoticed.
Infections: Fungal infection of the skin or toenails are common from constant use of shoes. Ingrown toenails invariably result in traumas and infection. All these increase the chance of developing diabetic foot.
Smoking: Undoubtedly, the root of all troubles, smoking accelerates blood vessel damages, hence superimposes the risk of developing diabetic foot.
When to Seek Medical Attention
If you have diabetes and if you experience any of these symptoms, contact your health care provider right away
Not being able of feel hot or cold in your peripheries very well- loss of sensation
Your feet tingles or hurts
Change in color or temperature of your feet.
Skin on your feet gets dry or cracked.
Tingling, burning or Pain in your feet.
Cramping in your thighs or calves whenever you do some physical activity
Toenails turning thick and yellow
Fungal infection between your toes, unusual itching
Any sort of abnormality such as blisters, ulcers. Sores, corns, etc in your feet.
Self Care and Prevention
Diabetic patients should take the following steps to prevent losing their leg-
Hygiene: Wash your feet everyday with mild soap and warm water, before going to bed. Pat dry them rather than rubbing vigorously.
Moisturiser: Use lotion to keep feet soft and moist. Prevent dry skin and skin cracks.
Trimming nails: Toe nails should be trimmed right across. Avoid the corners; this will prevent injuries from sharp nail corners. Use the nail file carefully and effectively.
Not walking barefoot: Barefoot walking, increases chances of minor injuries. Always use slippers or shoes, to protect the feet.
Stop smoking: Nothing to say about it. It's the cause of almost any disease you can get.
Foot examination: Regularly examine your foot. Don't avoid the slightest of injuries. Seek immediate care.
Keep the floor clean: Keep the floor off from sharp objects or from anything that you can get hurt from.
Exercise: Regular exercise increases blood flow to all the organs. It also helps keeping the glucose level in check.
Diabetes control: Lastly, get an appointment with a diabetes specialist. Keep your diabetes in control. Remember, diabetes is indifferent from AIDS, only that it can be controlled.
Treatment of diabetic foot is antibiotics and amputation. Save that leg of yours. Diabetes may be hereditary in some cases but diabetic foot is not. It is you who can prevent it.
The writer is a Research Physician of Centre for Child and Adolescent Health (CCAH), ICDDR,B.
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