What is Diabetic Foot Care?

Posted by editor2 on Thursday 02 Apr 2009

Diabetes mellitus represents many diseases in which high blood glucose levels over time can damage the nerves, blood vessels, kidneys and eyes. Diabetes is also a causative to decrease the body’s ability to fight infection. If diabetes is not under control, damage to the organs and impairment of the immune system is more common. Foot problems normally develop in people with diabetes and can easily become very serious.

A person with diabetes may not be able to feel his or her feet properly because of the damage to the nervous system. Normal sweat secretion and oil production that lubricates the skin of the foot is damaged in diabetic patients. These factors together can lead to abnormal pressure on the bones, skin and joints of the foot during walking and can lead to breakdown of the skin of the foot. Sores may also develop.

Damage to blood vessels and impairment of the immune system from diabetes worsens these wounds. Bacterial infection of the skin, muscles, connective tissues, and bones can then occur. These infections can lead into gangrene. Because of the poor blood flow, antibiotics cannot reach to the site of the infection easily.

Most often, amputation of the foot or leg is the only treatment left. If still the infection spreads to the bloodstream, this process can be life-threatening.

People with diabetes must be aware of the foot problems associated with diabetes, they must recognize problems early, and to seek the right treatment when problems do occur. Good control of blood sugar level helps to prevent diabetic complications.

Diabetic patients should learn how to examine their own feet and how to recognize the early signs and symptoms of diabetic foot problems. They should know how to manage routine foot care at home, how to recognize when to meet a doctor and how to recognize when a problem has become serious enough to seek emergency treatment.