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Diabetic foot care

Diabetes is a disease in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin, a hormone that is necessary to maintain blood sugar concentration at normal levels. When insulin is not produced or properly used by the body, glucose remains in the bloodstream instead of being shuttled into cells for energy production, resulting in high blood glucose, or high "blood sugar" levels. Neuropathy is an impairment that affects about half of those with diabetes, and causes loss of feeling in feet, which increases the risk of undetected injury. Diabetics suffering from neuropathy can unknowingly develop minor cuts or scrapes, blisters, or pressure sores due to the feeling insensitivity. If such minor injuries are left untreated or fail to heal, complications may lead to ulceration, infection, and gangrene. any diabetics will develop a serious foot conditions at some time in their lives, which in some cases require toe amputations or even amputations of the entire foot. High blood sugar levels also affect the body's immune system and delays wound healing. Diabetic foot ulcers represent a special problem of diabetics, and appear to be due primarily to abnormal pressure distribution secondary to diabetic neuropathy. The ulcerous lesions are often worsened by concomitant peripheral vascular disease and infection. Diabetic foot ulcers can result in amputation of limbs and many times are followed by death. In fact, diabetic foot complications are the most common cause of non-traumatic lower extremity amputations in the United States. The risk of lower extremity amputation has been estimated to be about 15 to 46 times higher in diabetics than in non-diabetics. Importantly, the majority of diabetic foot complications begin with the formation of skin ulcers on the bottom of the foot. Diabetics are especially susceptible to both cardiovascular disease, which reduces blood flow to the feet, and nerve damage, which causes numbness in the feet. Oftentimes, diabetics aren't aware that an ulcer or sore is developing on the bottom of their feet because they experience a loss of feeling. One key component to preventative diabetic foot care is to visually examine foots regularly. Early detection of irritations can prevent the development of severe ulcers or infections.

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