Before learning about foot diabetes, we first need to know what diabetes is. Diabetes can be identified as a condition which impairs our ability to respond and react to the hormone insulin which in turn, disrupts our overall metabolism.
What is a diabetic foot exam and why is a foot exam important?
People that have been diagnosed with diabetes are prone to a variety of foot health problems as they are highly at risk of it. Foot diabetes is something very serious that needs to be taken care of. In addition to monitoring glucose levels, having a balanced diet, and taking medications, a diabetic needs to have foot exams daily. This would make the patient less prone to developing serious complications that may arise from a foot condition.
The diabetes feet exam checks for problems like injuries, infections, or bone abnormalities. There are various causes of diabetes feet problems of which the most common are poor blood circulation and nerve damage. Nerve damage, also known as neuropathy, is a cause of diabetic foot which makes your feet feel numb and sometimes a loss of feeling in your feet.
Causes of diabetic foot :
- Peripheral artery disease: In this, due to diabetes, arteries narrow down hence causing poor blood circulation in the feet and legs. This may lead to diabetic foot ulcers and reduced capability of the body. People that have diabetic foot ulcers suffer from peripheral artery disease; this is in almost half the cases that have been treated.
- Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy: Patients lose the sense of pain as high blood glucose levels lead to sensory, automotive, and motor nerve damage. Due to this, people don’t tend to realise they are hurt, open wounds lead to infections that cannot be healed because the body isn’t able to cure it due to reduced ability.
Tips for diabetic foot care
Diabetic foot care is very important. It ensures that no complications arise and even if complications are diagnosed, the diabetic foot treatment is done as soon as possible to avoid any further complications. Some of the tips for good foot care are:
- Following a proper diet, getting exercise and medication on time to keep blood sugar levels in control as recommended by your doctor
- Wash your feet in warm water, with a mild soap, every day. Dry feet properly, especially between toes, and do not soak your feet.
- Check for sores, blisters, redness, calluses, or any problems in the leg. Having a diabetic toe can lead to many complications so it is always better to stay cautious.
- Check toenails regularly and trim them regularly.
- Wear close-ended shoes and slippers and always wear socks or stockings that have a soft elastic. Don’t wear tight shoes, wear those that fit well or are a bit wide.
How to give yourself a foot exam
People who have diabetes are advised to check their feet and maintain proper health and care for their feet. Some of the basic ways of examining your feet and looking for any diabetic foot problems are:
- Checking for cuts, cracks, blisters, sores, infections, etc.
- Calluses: This is a thick and hard part of the skin or soft tissue that has been subjected to friction.
- Changes in foot color and temperature, as well as redness, tenderness, and swelling
- Hammertoes or bunions: These are deformities in your feet that are caused by wearing shoes that don’t fit properly. Also, changes in the size and shape of the foot.
These are some of the things you need to check for and if any are there, then one should directly seek diabetic foot treatments.
What are the treatments available at the New Life Hospital Meera Multispeciality?
During a diabetic foot treatment examination, the doctors will do a few processes in the test. This would include:
- General assessment:
This includes questioning by a doctor about previous issues that the patient has encountered with their feet, checking for shoes, and if they fit properly or not.
- Dermatological assessment:
Looking for various skin problems like dryness, cracking, blisters, etc. If an ulcer is seen, then one would need to do diabetic foot ulcer treatment.
- Neurological assessment
This includes a monofilament test to test foot sensitivity, a tuning fork and visual perception test to see if you can feel the vibration, a pinprick test to see if you can feel things, and ankle reflexes. This also checks to see if you have any foot nerve pain or not.
- Musculoskeletal assessment
Looking for abnormalities in the structure of your foot.
- Vascular assessment
Use Doppler ultrasound to see how well blood is flowing in your feet.
The New Life Hospital Meera Multispecialty is one of the top hospitals that provide treatments for various illnesses. They provide top-notch service using the best facilities that are modern. To get great services and professional treatments for diabetic foot problems and many others at affordable prices.