Diabetes Treatment

Diabetes is a medical condition whereby the body is unable to convert sugar into energy due to inability to either produce or use insulin (pancreatic hormone). In both types, it causes a high level of sugar to accumulate in the blood. The feet are one of the first parts of the body to experience symptoms in longer term, poorly controlled diabetes.

Complications that affect the feet include:

Neuropathy – Diabetes causes damage to the nerves. This results in loss of sensation (feeling) e.g. numbness, tingling, burning and tightness. Loss of sensation greatly increases the risk of damage to the skin.. Pressure sores may develop and if not noticed quickly they can result in ulceration. High sugar levels and ulceration increases the risk of foot infection. Foot infection increases the risk of amputation. Nerves also innervate muscles so you may also experience muscle weakness in the feet and legs and possibly even in the hands if your nerves are affected by high sugar levels.

Ischemia (poor blood flow) – A vascular disease involving inadequate flow of blood to the foot due to constriction of the blood vessels. Excess sugar accumulates in the walls inside the blood vessels making it difficult to pump the blood down to the feet. If blood flow is limited or absent, the body’s ability to heal broken skin and fight infection is reduced. This can allow infection to spread into the tissues and leg resulting in cellulitis, gangrene or amputation.

Dry skin – Diabetes can affect the elasticity of the skin. This means that the skin is less resistant to pressure and friction. If your skin is dry, you are more likely to suffer from cuts and abrasions. It is best to apply a diabetic emollient to your feet and legs to maintain good skin health and reduce the risk of breaking the skin.

Your Podiatrist will conduct specific diagnostic tests to assess the presence or progression of diabetic complications such as those mentioned above, and to also determine if you have any other conditions that may place you at higher risk of complications. They educate in proper diabetic foot health.

If you would like to know more about looking after diabetic feet please contact us today at Chesterfield Podiatry in Mirrabooka.