The Diabetic & Foot Ulcers

The most important question a diabetic should ask is, why do foot ulcers occur? One of the reasons for the occurrence is because diabetics lose the sense of feeling in their feet. What does remain is a numbness not unlike the sensation experienced as Novocain wears off following a dental appointment. Because of this lack of feeling, minor irritations are seldom noticed. They eventually fester, infection forms and ulceration follows.

Pitfalls of having reduced sensations in the foot are vast. Poor fitting shoes can easily create friction spots that can cause tissue breakdown. Another serious problem for the desensitized patient is walking barefoot. The danger here is hidden, pointed objects and overheated pavements, both of which can inflict wounds to the feet.

Patients with diabetes also suffer from reduced or insufficient circulation to and in the feet and legs. This impaired circulatory situation can lead to severe complications. Decreased blood supply is concomitant with decreased oxygenation of the cells, a situation that compromises the immune systems ability to fight infection. This situation makes it very important that the diabetic examine his feet as often as daily.

Diabetics are very prone to foot deformities such as hammer or claw toes and bunions. They also suffer from a weakness of pedal musculature. It is assumed that some of these problems stem from the loss of sensation as well. Worse, diabetics may have fractures that go untreated which will contribute to deformation of the foot accompanied by chronic edema. Diabetics heal more slowly due to the impaired blood supply.

One further detriment to the disease is the reduced amount of perspiration. The result is dry, flaky, scaly skin that becomes an ideal entryway for disease organisms.

Statistics show that approximately 2.4 million of the 16 million diabetics in the United States will develop ulcers on the feet. Actually, foot problems account for almost 25% of all diabetic hospital admissions. Statistics further demonstrate, one of the most serious pedal complication results is amputation. Diabetics are 15 times more likely to have an amputation than a non-diabetic.

How does one prevent these problems? There are two very important steps that must be followed if the diabetic patient is to avoid foot problems. These are continual monitoring of the blood- sugar level, and vigilance in examining the feet on a regular schedule.

Pedal examination should include a careful check of the color of the skin, temperature, swelling and tenderness. Examination should continue checking the heels, between the toes and, with the use of a mirror, the soles of the feet. Learn to check the pulses in the feet as a guard against unknowingly losing circulation. Healthy feet, normal blood pressure and blood sugar levels will go a long way toward protecting against foot ulcers.

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