Diabetic changes occur in connection with untreated or poorly treated diabetes. A diabetic wound is formed at a site of constant pressure or trauma, leading to changes in the skin, subcutaneous tissue and even bones.


Diabetic Foot Ulcer


The World Health Organization estimates that in 2030 diabetes will be responsible for 1/7 of patients' deaths. Currently, it is at the forefront of diseases causing the greatest number of complications: kidney failure, blindness, heart attacks, strokes and amputation of the lower limbs as a result of the diabetic foot syndrome. DFU affects an average of 6 to 15% of diabetics, and the chance of developing a diabetic ulcer is 25%.

What is a diabetic ulcer?

A diabetic foot is an ulcer located on the lower extremities below the ankle. This disease is associated with infection or destruction of the deep tissues of the foot combined with the occurrence of neuropathy and peripheral vascular diseases of varying degrees of severity. It is an extremely dangerous complication of diabetes.

How to recognize a diabetic foot?

If you complain of foot pain during the day and worsening at night , and if you feel tingling and pricking, and muscle spasms in the lower limb, it is possible that you are suffering from ischemic diabetic ulcer , Symptoms that leave no doubt that we have to dealing with a diabetic foot is also a deterioration of the skin condition on the feet - peeling and cracking of the epidermis. A sick person may also complain of imbalance, numbness in the limbs and loss of sensation in the foot while maintaining the warmth of the limb - then we are talking about the diabetic neuropathic foot.  In the case of both types of disease, the non-healing of wounds on the feet is also characteristic. It is assumed that each wound on the diabetic's foot is considered a diabetic foot syndrome.

Reasons for formation

Diabetic ulcers are caused by poorly managed or untreated diabetes. The immediate cause may be an infection accompanying the disease, e.g. mycosis, as well as constant pressure or trauma. The formation of wounds is favored by uncomfortable and mismatched footwear. Diabetic foot can even lead to amputation - it is carried out up to 10-30 times more often than in the case of other diseases that require this procedure. The percentage of deaths after amputation is as high as 5-17%.

Diabetic foot prophylaxis

People suffering from diabetes should pay special attention to hygiene and foot care. Primary prevention consists in the correct treatment of diabetes, i.e. glycemic control, blood pressure, lipid profile parameters or general urine tests. Any changes in the feet should be monitored as a wound can develop rapidly. The patient should monitor the color of the feet and swelling , especially of the fingers. A person struggling with the disease should be educated in the care of feet, incl. must avoid too hot water and high temperature. You should also avoid injuries, e.g. remember to wear protective shoes, do not warm your feet by direct contact with a heat source, and do not wet your feet to avoid maceration of the skin. Sick should also choose shoes with particular care: let them be made of natural leather, with a thick sole and with high toes.

Treatment of diabetic ulcer

The fight against the diabetic foot syndrome requires the participation of many specialists: diabetologists, vascular surgeons, orthopedists, physiotherapists, psychologists, nurses and nutritionists. During treatment, the patient should take the burden off the diseased leg: wear individual insoles and orthopedic shoes. Ulcers and wounds are treated locally, using, for example, foam dressings, while in the case of extensive ulcers with exudate and infected wounds, dressings, e.g. with silver , are recommended, which are characterized by bactericidal properties. Treatment of a diabetic foot is long and extremely difficult, so it is important not to lead to the development of a wound and to properly care for the feet. To get more information consult the specialists for diabetic foot ulcer treatment in Coimbatore


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