Diabetes mellitus represents several diseases in which high blood glucose levels over time can damage the nerves, kidneys, eyes, and blood vessels.

Diabetes can also decrease the body’s ability to fight infection. When diabetes is not well controlled, damage to the organs and impairment of the immune system is likely.

Foot problems commonly develop in people with diabetes and can quickly become serious. With damage to the nervous system, a person with diabetes may not be able to feel his or her feet properly.

Normal sweat secretion and oil production that lubricates the skin of the foot is impaired. These factors together can lead to abnormal pressure on the skin, bones, and joints of the foot during walking and can lead to breakdown of the skin of the foot.

Damage to blood vessels and impairment of the immune system from diabetes makes it difficult to heal these wounds. Bacterial infection of the skin, connective tissues, muscles, and bones can then occur.

The main problem to notice here is that because of the poor blood flow, antibiotics drugs cannot get to the site of the infection easily. Often, the only treatment for this is amputation of the foot or the whole leg.

If the infection spreads to the bloodstream, this process can become life threatening. People with diabetes must be fully aware of how to prevent foot problems before they occur, to recognize problems early, and to seek the right treatment when problems do occur.

Although treatment for diabetic foot problems has improved in recent years , prevention  including good control of blood sugar remains the best way to prevent diabetic complications.

People with diabetes should learn how to examine their own feet and how to recognize the early signs and symptoms of diabetic foot problems.

They should also learn what is reasonable to manage the foot care at home as a regular routine. This helps patients to recognize when to call the doctor, and how to recognize when a problem has become serious enough to seek emergency treatment.

Causes

Several risk factors increase a person with diabetes chances of developing foot problems and diabetic infections in the legs and feet.

Important to mention here is the footwear; poorly fitting shoes are a common cause of diabetic foot problems. If the patient has red spots, sore spots, blisters calluses, or consistent pain associated with wearing shoes, new properly fitting footwear must be obtained as soon as possible.

Another cause is the nerve damage; People with long-standing or poorly controlled diabetes are at risk for having damage to the nerves in their feet. The medical term for this is peripheral neuropathy. 

Because of the nerve damage, the patient may be unable to feel their feet normally. Also, they may be unable to sense the position of their feet and toes while walking and balancing.

With normal nerves, a person can usually sense if their shoes are rubbing on the feet or if one part of the foot is becoming strained while walking.

A person with diabetes may not properly sense minor injuries such as cuts, scrapes, blisters, signs of abnormal wear and tear that turn into calluses and corns, and foot strain.

Normally, people can feel if there is a stone in their shoe, then remove it immediately. A person who has diabetes may not be able to perceive a stone and  Its constant rubbing can easily create a sore. 

Other causes are; poor circulation, trauma to the feet, fungal infection and smoking are other possible causes of the diabetes foot. 

Smoking any form of tobacco causes damage to the small blood vessels in the feet and legs. This damage can disrupt the healing process and is major risk for infections and amputations.

Symptoms

Persistent pain, Redness can be a sign of infection, especially when surrounding a wound, swelling of the feet or legs can be a sign of underlying inflammation or infection, improperly fitting shoes, or poor venous circulation.

A limp or difficulty walking can be sign of joint problems, fever or chills in association with a wound on the foot can be a sign of infection. 

Red streaking away from a wound or redness spreading out from a wound is a sign of a progressively worsening infection. New or lasting numbness in the feet or legs can be a sign of nerve damage from diabetes, which increases a persons risk for leg and foot problems.

Prevention

Prevention of diabetic foot problems involves a combination of factors such as Good diabetes control,  regular leg and foot self-examinations,  Knowledge on how to recognize problems, Choosing proper footwear,  regular exercise, if possible , avoiding injury by keeping footpaths clear.

Having a doctor to examine the patient’s feet regularly is very important.

Treatment

Once the diabetes foot disease is detected, amputation that involves the removal of the infected part is currently being used as curable treatment. In case of wounds, patient is treated with antibiotics and clean conditions.  

Ends