Introduction
Certain conditions can have a wide spectrum of manifestations, extending their deteriorative impacts on various systems and parts of the body. Such conditions often necessitate an integrative and multidisciplinary approach to tackle the complications. Diabetes is one such medical condition, which can bring in various foot complications. Healthcare professionals often advise diabetic patients to keep track of their foot health. Certain accepted guidelines need to be followed by such patients, which promise a healthy foot even in the presence of factors that contribute to the deterioration of foot health.
What Is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a frequently encountered disease condition where the patient exhibits boosted blood sugar levels. The sugar level is maintained and modulated by the action of certain hormones, particularly insulin and glucagon. Disparities or errors in the action of these enzymes can bring in imbalances in glucose homeostasis. Insulin is concerned with the depreciation of blood sugar, released by a specific organ called the pancreas. Restricted insulin supply is a prominent factor that can potentially result in diabetes. Sometimes, insulin production remains optimal, but the body’s response to it depletes due to issues with the insulin receptors. Other influential factors that contribute to diabetes encompass familial association.
Since appreciably more sugar molecules circulate through the bloodstream, diabetic patients are more susceptible to having broader impacts on various organs and structures within the body. Being a persistent condition, diabetes can bring out various health complications in the long run, which diminishes the patient’s quality of life. Diabetes can harm the heart, skin, eyes, nerves, kidneys, blood vessels, and feet. However, its effects are not restricted only to these organs, it elicits an extensive involvement flagging multiple organ impairments.
How Does Diabetes Impact Foot Health?
Boosted blood sugar levels impair the tiny blood vessels that are concerned with the nutrition of the nerve cells. Nutrient-deprived nerve cells fail to function and convey signals upon appropriate stimulus. This kind of nerve damage is elicited through tingling, numbness, and impaired sensations upon touch and temperature exposure. Numbness is often experienced in the foot, as the sugar molecules preferably impact the peripheral nerve cells concerned with the foot sensations. As a result of numb feet, the patient experiences challenges in identifying heat, cold, and pain in the feet. It masks injuries or cuts in the feet, and the patient may miss out on identifying such foot injuries because of sensation loss. Specific injuries, when left without medical attention, can progress remarkably, precipitating complications.
Diabetes-induced changes in the blood vessels compromise the blood flow to the feet. Diminished blood flow impedes and slows the healing process, eventually enhancing susceptibility to infections. Impaired nerve function and healing together favor the formation of larger wounds and ulcer-like lesions from minor cuts. In addition, the enhanced sugar level hinders and disables the immune cells, which creates an environment that facilitates pathogenic growth and invasion into the body. Unresolved and large ulcers in the foot may eventually necessitate amputation and disable the patient functionally.
Diabetes also contributes to severe skin dryness, particularly in the feet, which brings about cracked heels and itchy sensations. Upon severe itching tendency, the patient may end up making sores and scratches in the foot unknowingly. These minor sores, which otherwise would have healed in a couple of days, remain longer and may progress into ulcers due to compromised blood flow and other favorable factors that diabetes contributes to.
What Are the Foot Conditions That Diabetes Brings About?
Diabetes exposes one to several foot conditions. Some of the widely reported diabetes-induced foot conditions include the following:
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Foot ulcers (sores).
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Diabetic neuropathy (foot numbness).
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Foot swellings.
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Pigmented foot.
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Foot infections.
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Foot gangrene (foot cell death triggered by oxygen deprivation).
How to Maintain Foot Health in Diabetic Patients?
Diabetic patients need to be of utmost care with their feet to check the development of foot complications. Diabetic patients are instructed to adhere to the instructions and guidelines suggested by their concerned specialist doctors. Strategies for keeping the foot healthy and functional include the following:
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Regular Feet Inspection: The feet should be monitored and assessed regularly for signs of cuts, infections, cracks, color change, and ingrown nails. Compromised foot sensations, precipitated by diabetes, mask the pain associated with a foot injury. Thus, the injury remains occult and hidden, which provides room for the sores to flourish into ulcers.
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Maintaining Cleanliness: Foot bathing using lukewarm (90 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit) water provides a soothing effect and keeps it germ-free. However, do not let the foot get soaked, as it can further potentiate the dryness. After cleaning, pat dry the foot, preferably with a soft cotton cloth. If the foot skin is severely dry and itchy, appropriate moisturizers can be applied on the foot skin surface. However, care should be employed to keep the toes and interdigital space moisture-free, as it can facilitate microbial growth. Keep the toenails trimmed and ensure the trimmed edges are fixed to eliminate sharp edges.
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Foot Protection: Diabetes patients are always advised to wear foot protectors like socks and shoes to act as a first line of defense against a foot injury. Even at sleep, it is advised to have the socks on as they offer sufficient warmth. Shoes should be chosen based on the comfort rather than the design and style. Shoes should never be too tight and compact; instead, they should ensure enough breathing space. Doctors may also recommend certain therapeutic shoes, considering the possibility of foot complications.
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Refrain From Self-Treatments: Certain areas of the foot develop calluses (thickened skin) in response to persistent frictional contact. Attempts should only be made to remove it if instructed by the doctor. Professional advice must be sought before trying out any non-prescription topical gels for callus removal.
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Antiperspirant: For diabetic patients with exaggerated foot sweating, antiperspirant sprays are employed to mitigate the sweating. Persistent sweating keeps the foot moist and wet, which favors microbial invasion, thereby leading to infections.
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Antidiabetic Medications: In addition to the foot care strategies, another elemental measure to warrant foot health is to ensure that the blood sugar is kept within the safer limits. This can be achieved with the help of anti-diabetic medications. Checking smoking and bringing necessary changes in dietary choices help curb foot complications.
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Exercises: Exercising that facilitates and enhances the foot’s blood flow also alleviates foot complications.
Conclusion
Foot health is an important therapeutic aspect of every diabetic patient. Since diabetes exposes the foot to various complications, initiating and practicing preventative measures to keep the foot healthy aids in tackling it. Employing proper foot care techniques and therapeutic interventions to maintain the sugar level within the intended range ensures the functional status of the foot for extended periods. It is advised to regularly check with the concerned doctors to look for foot health. Periodic foot evaluation often aids in tackling the complications at a very early stage, thus safeguarding the foot from getting amputated. Physical activities, particularly involving the foot and legs, contribute immensely to foot health and ensure foot vitality.
