Diabetes affects nearly 20 million Americans, and it is the most common chronic illness among adults ages 18 and older. Diabetes can trigger an array of health conditions, including diabetic foot problems. The most common problem is peripheral neuropathy, which causes numbness and tingling in the feet. Such problems can be controlled through Bakersfield diabetic foot care.
The goals of diabetic foot care are to prevent complications from diabetes and to promote healing. It includes preventing skin infections, reducing pressure ulcers, and promoting healing.
The benefits of diabetic foot care include:
Reduced risk of amputation: The risk of amputation is greater in people with diabetes who have poorly controlled blood sugar or do not take their medication. The risk of amputation may be reduced by diabetic foot care. The longer you delay treatment for diabetic foot care, the greater the risk of developing severe complications that could require amputation.
Reduced inflammation: In some cases, ulcers can develop into open wounds, which may be painful and lead to bacterial infection if left untreated for too long. The inflammation caused by a wound is one of the main reasons why people with diabetes develop foot ulcers in the first place. Through diabetic foot care, you prevent this from happening and reduce your chances of developing an ulcer or re-infection from existing wounds.
Prevents deep pododermatitis: Diabetic foot ulcers can develop into serious skin infections called deep pododermatitis (DP), which may require amputation if not treated quickly. In fact, it is estimated that more than half of all people with advanced diabetes will require an amputation at some point in their lives because of poor blood circulation and poor wound healing caused by high blood sugar levels.
Diabetic foot care helps prevent DP by helping your body heal from other diabetic complications, such as peripheral neuropathy or nerve damage due to nerve damage from long-term high blood sugar levels that cause a lack of oxygen to your nerves.
Prevent wounds and injuries: The foot is a common site for wounds, usually caused by cuts or scrapes. These wounds can get infected, leading to complications such as ulceration or gangrene. Ulcers are open sores that may become infected and require treatment by a medical professional. Gangrene is a type of tissue death that occurs when only dead tissue remains and cannot heal itself, requiring amputation of the affected limb. Diabetic foot care prevents wounds and injuries, promoting good health in diabetic patients.
Prevent impaired circulation: Injuries to the foot can damage blood vessels that supply oxygen-rich blood to the area. This can cause poor circulation, which may result in tissue damage and tissue death in diabetic patients. If diabetic patients have poor circulation in their feet, they risk developing gangrene or ulcers if an injury occurs and does not get treated quickly enough. However, this can be prevented through diabetic foot care.
Diabetic foot care is a critical part of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Not only can it help prevent diabetes-related complications, but it can also improve your overall quality of life by improving your circulation and relieving pain. For more information about diabetic foot care, contact Heart Vascular and Leg Center.