d. 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 are affected first of all, which leads to a serious deterioration in the quality of life and health. Main risks:
- The pathological process occurs simultaneously on both legs;
- The risk of developing the disease at an early age increases, in contrast to people without problems with blood sugar levels.
The danger of atherosclerosis lies in the fact that this ailment independently provokes necrosis of the skin, and ulcers occur without mechanical damage. If the patient is not aware of the risks, then even with the formation of a small scratch, the area of the trophic ulcer becomes much larger. When the problem is ignored, the most dramatic outcome is shin-deep amputation. If the measure was not taken, then necrotic processes lead to the patient’s imminent death, which again speaks of the need for timely treatment of DFS!
Symptoms of the disease
The symptoms of a diabetic foot include a huge number of factors, each of which needs to be learned by every patient. The main symptom is a decrease in sensitivity. It makes itself felt in several stages:
Severe swelling of the legs, jumps in the temperature of the skin surface are expressed. Its constant change from hot to cold indicates a serious violation of blood circulation or the penetration of a bacterial infection, which is a clear sign of an illness. After the initial stages of development of SDS, the following symptoms appear:
- Legs get tired even when walking slowly;
- Calves ache when resting. Physical activity can make things worse;
- The skin on the feet changes shades (from pale to reddish and bluish);
- Hair falls off the legs;
- Wounds and scratches do not heal in 1-2 weeks, but in 2-3 months (at best);
- Nails change shape and color. In the later stages, black bruises form under the nail plate;
- The final symptom is an open sore on the surface of the skin.
In order to prevent further development of SDS, it is necessary to periodically check your own feet for the listed visual symptoms. In the process, use a mirror to inspect hard-to-reach areas. Pay partic