Diabetes is a chronic disease characterized by a lack of insulin and/or its inability to exercise its role in maintaining blood glucose levels. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), regarding 463 million people live with the disease across the planet.
If not treated correctly, the condition can lead to a series of complications for the patient: one of them is the diabetic foot, which happens when an injured or inflamed area in the feet becomes an ulcer.
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Vascular surgeon Fernando Bacalhau explains that circulation problems caused by diabetes make it difficult for blood to reach the feet, meaning that the patient no longer feels pain in the region and delays diagnosis and treatment.
“The lack of blood can cause the tissue to die, turning a simple injury into a very serious problem, such as necrosis”, says Bacalhau.
He adds that those with diabetes should frequently observe their feet and look for small wounds, reddened areas, changes in the nails, blisters and changes in the shape of the limb, in addition to local sensitivity.
The vascular surgeon also lists some important precautions to prevent foot wounds:
- Examine the feet daily to check for changes or injuries;
- Protect your feet with proper socks and shoes;
- Put your feet up when you’re sitting;
- Move your fingers daily and exercise frequently if you don’t have sores;
- Cut your toenails straight across, keeping them short at all times (rounded toenails can grow inward, causing infection);
- Never scrape calluses or remove excess skin from your feet, as this can increase the risk of infection.
- Moisturize your feet, but keep the area between your toes dry.
Unfortunately, there is no cure for diabetic foot, but there are treatments available in case of complications. Therapies must be adapted to the patient’s complaints and the causes of the problem.
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The post Understand the dangers of diabetic foot and how to prevent wounds first appeared on Metropolis.