Diabetic foot: causes, symptoms, treatment methods
Diabetes mellitus is one of the most dangerous diseases, which is accompanied by a large number of additional complications, and the diabetic foot (aka SDS) is the most formidable among them. According to statistics, such an ailment occurs in 15% of people who have been suffering from high blood sugar levels for 5 years or more.
What is VTS?
Diabetic foot syndrome is formed due to pathological changes in the functioning of the nervous system, arterial and capillary beds. As a result of these processes, ulcerative-necrotic formations arise, subsequently leading to gangrene. The disease is expressed in the form of an ulcer that forms on the surface of the foot, but that’s not all. In advanced stages, the patient’s joints can be seriously affected (purulent arthritis appears) and the complication can have a destructive effect on the state of the bone tissue.
What provokes the disease?
The causes, symptoms and treatments for a diabetic foot is a vast topic that needs careful study. Consider the factors affecting the development of the disease:
- Severe dryness of the skin;
- Deformation of the anatomy of the foot (manifested due to low sensitivity of the limb);
- Impaired blood circulation in arteries and small vessels;
- Ignoring the problems of the state of their own feet, again, due to reduced sensitivity.
Self-diagnosis and constant monitoring of the condition of the feet is an important point in the process of home therapy! A conscientious attitude towards one’s own health allows you to detect an ailment in time and take up its elimination. Modern treatments are effective in combating SDS.
How does the problem affect the body?
Diabetes is characterized by the fact that the hormone insulin, which is responsible for the processing of glucose obtained from food, is in short supply. It is not enough for the normal process of delivery of the substance to the cells of the body, because of which the vessels are clogged, and ischemia (insufficient blood supply) is formed. As a result, nerve fibers become under attack, the sensitivity of the limbs decreases (the fingers first of all suffer, and only then the feet, palms). Wounds also heal more slowly. Even a small wound on the surface of the foot eventually develops into an ulcer. If you run it, the injury will provoke gangrene, and any abrasion or crack on the skin is comparable to a time bomb. Finding a wound is a serious difficulty, since it becomes difficult to notice it under the stratum corneum. Modern treatments for diabetic foot may not work if the problem is discovered too late. Due to impaired sensitivity, the patient may not even notice an open wound, but additional trauma during walking leads to an aggravation of the problem. The result is limb amputation, since the ulcer affects not only the skin, but also the tendons and bone tissue.
In medical practice, there are “diabetic foot rooms”. Statistics show that 70% of amputations in the world are due to diabetes, and with timely treatment, 85% of such cases could be prevented. With the help of qualified pediatricians, the death rate from diabetes mellitus was reduced by 2 times. It is extremely important to monitor your own condition, and periodically examine, palpate the limbs to look for foot injuries.
Danger of reduced sensitivity
As the elevated glucose levels constantly affect the nerves, the tissues gradually atrophy. Pathology is not dangerous in itself, since it does not cause necrotic processes. The threat lies in the following factors:
- There is a slow decrease in pain sensitivity and the rate of wound regeneration;
- The patient does not notice discomfort when wearing the wrong shoes. Burns or frostbite are also difficult to notice;
- The result is a constantly progressive trophic ulcer.
Diabetics need to be careful about the choice of footwear, since 33% of cases of SDS are just dependent on this factor.
Danger of impaired blood flow in arteries and capillaries
Damage to the tissues of the legs often occurs due to atherosclerosis, and the patient’s legs ar