Have you ever wondered why a number of patients with diabetes end up as amputees?
The condition, called diabetes foot complications, is the cause of these amputations.
It occurs when an open sore or wound forms at the bottom of the foot. It affects approximately 15 percent of patients with diabetes.
According to Lions SightFirst Eye Hospital, diabetes is the leading cause of nontraumatic lower extremity amputation.
Approximately 14 to 24 percent of patients with diabetes who develop a foot ulcer have an amputation, Lions adds.
People who use insulin are at a higher risk of developing the foot ulcer, as are patients with diabetes- related kidney, eye and heart disease.
Further, people who are overweight and, those who use alcohol and tobacco are also at risk.
How do diabetic foot ulcers form?
According to Dr Kevin Muriithi of Marie Stopes Clinic, diabetic foot is caused by atherosclerotic changes of peripheral arteries causing reduced blood supply, peripheral neuropathy which is destruction of the nerves leading to loss of sensation on the foot.
In a layman term, Muriithi says, “So the causes could be summarised as neuropathy, arterial disease, pressure, and foot deformity.”
The loss of sensation can lead to unnoticed injuries or repetitive stress and deformities in the foot.
With the reduced blood supply, the wounds take long to heal or may not heal, leading to a risk of loss of the limb.
Lions say ulcers can form due to a combination of factors, including lack of feeling in the foot, poor circulation, foot deformities, irritation, trauma, and the duration of diabetes.
It states that people who have had diabetes for a long period can develop neuropathy—a reduced or complete lack of ability to feel pain in the feet due to nerve damage caused by elevated blood glucose levels over time.
The nerve damage can often occur without pain, and one may not be aware of the problem.
Lions further states that vascular disease can complicate a foot ulcer, reducing the body’s ability to heal and increasing the risk of infection.
Additionally, elevation in blood glucose can reduce the body’s ability to fight off a potential infection and also retard healing.
In relief to diabetes patients, research conducted showed that the development on the foot ulcer is preventable.
How a foot ulcer can be prevented
According to Lions SightFirst Eye Hospital, the best way to treat a foot ulcer is to prevent its development.
One is also advised to see a podiatrist or a physician on a regular basis to determine whether or not you are at high risk of developing the ulcer.
A podiatrist is a medical specialist who deals with foot and leg problems.
Lions also advises the reduction of risk factors being smoking, drinking alcohol, high cholesterol, and elevated blood glucose.
Further, wearing the appropriate shoes and socks will go a long way in reducing factors.
How diabetes foot ulcer should be treated
In case one develops a diabetes foot ulcer, Lions Hospitals underlines that the wound should be taken care of, to prevent infection.
Some of the ways to treat it, is to take pressure off the area called "offloading," removing dead skin and tissue called “debridement”.
Other ways are applying medication or dressing the ulcer and managing blood glucose and other health problems.
Dr Muriithi states that management requires daily washing of the wound, surgical debridement, and antibiotic therapy.
“Depending on the extent of the wound and position different techniques of dressing are applied, with some requiring more invasive surgical debridement,” he says.
“Good hygiene routine, change of footwear also helps, and safety measures to prevent further injury. Proper control of sugar levels helps a lot in healing the wounds.”
