Diabetic feet need extra care. Even small foot problems can become serious for people with diabetes. Always check with your doctor before treating a foot issue at home.
Diabetes is an insidious disease that is increasingly reaching endemic proportions the world over. According to the national statistics released in 2012, 29 million adults in the US alone are living with either Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes. Diabetes is not just a stand-alone disease but one that gradually takes its toll on all major organs of the body, leading to organ failure and death. As a consequence, the medical and financial burden exerted on those affected is tremendous.
Amputation of the feet is, by far one, of the most dreaded complications brought on by diabetes. The fear factor is validated by the fact that the number of lower extremity amputations carried out on patients stricken with diabetes is increasing every year. In 1979, the number of lower limb amputations due to diabetes was 31,691. Since, the early 90s it has been on an upswing, reaching epic proportions in 2010 at an alarming 73,000 amputations. Complications as a result of diabetes, and diabetic ulceration of the feet in particular, have contributed to a high mortality rate among patients stricken with the disease. Today, diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death in the United States.
The loss of a limb as a result of diabetic foot ulceration can be debilitating for anyone. It can adversely impact the quality of a person’s life, restricting their physical activities. Moreover, losing a limb takes a huge emotional and financial toll, as being an amputee compels one into an early retirement, resulting in a loss of income. Acute depression is prevalent among amputees as they come to terms with a new lifestyle that restricts their mobility. Although amputation is irreversible, it can be prevented. As we have established earlier in this ebook, being a diabetic doesn’t necessarily mean that you will suffer from foot ulceration. Controlling your blood sugar through diet and daily physical exercise is half the battle won for most diabetics. Also, by abstaining from physically harmful activities that include smoking and excessive alcohol use, one can significantly reduce the risk of almost all diabetic co-morbidities including foot ulceration.
Some diabetics are more predisposed to the risk of developing foot ulceration than others by virtue of genetic predisposition, the presence of co-morbidities such as peripheral arterial disease, or peripheral neuropathy, and a largely sedentary lifestyle or medical negligence. As discussed earlier, members of certain ethnic minorities, in particular African-Americans, have the highest reported incidence of amputation as a result of diabetic foot ulceration. Other high risk ethnic groups include Hispanics/Latinos, Asians, Alaskan/ Native Americans, Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders. Whites have comparably lower incidences of amputation. So, if you belong to any of the above-mentioned ethnic minority groups, you must exercise greater precaution by adopting a healthier lifestyle and consulting regularly with a medical specialist to prevent the deterioration of any existing complications as a result of diabetes.
According to various studies on the long-term course of diabetes, most foot ulceration problems begin to surface after the age of 40. Senior citizens, in particular, are at a greater risk as many have developed peripheral arterial disease and peripheral neuropathy as a result of old age. If left undiagnosed and untreated, PAD and PN can lead to foot lesions, which over time become ulcerated and infected, leaving no choice but to amputate the affected limb to stop the spread of gangrene to other parts of the body. Proper foot care is thus essential to extend health and longevity. The feet must be checked daily for any signs of injury, deformity or loss of sensation. They must be washed regularly and well dried to reduce the accumulation of moisture. Comfortable socks and footwear is a must as well. Investing in specially-manufactured diabetic footwear would be your safest bet. These products are designed in consonance with medical requirements and will ensure that your feet breathe easy. Statistics have shown that with proper foot care alone, diabetic patients have cut their risk of developing ulceration by 50 percent.
In the event of an ulceration or foot injury, consult your physician immediately. Detecting the complication early, followed by an effective treatment method, can save the loss of your limb, while adding a good many years to your life. Depending on the severity of the condition, medical experts would recommend either corrective shoes or adopt a more aggressive treatment procedure, which could include corrective surgery or managing the ulcer using a course of antibiotics.
FUN FACT Many people have one foot larger than the other, so it•s best to fit the larger one while standing.
113 113
