My Diabetes Information Blogs
Diabetes Complications: Foot Ulcers
08/19/08
Disease Basics
When people think of diabetes, they usually associate the condition with strict sugar intake control, but few people understand the great importance behind blood sugar control.
There are several complications of diabetes that can have an equally devastating effect on health, and all are related to high blood sugar levels. Diabetic complications can affect several different systems and parts of the body. One of the most tragic is foot ulcers.
Diabetic foot ulcers are "sores or wounds on the feet that occur in people with diabetes." If those ulcers do not heal, or if a person does not treat his or her foot ulcers, they can become infected and cause serious health problems--the most dramatic of which is foot amputation.
Even diabetic foot ulcers are related to high blood sugar. When blood sugar levels remain elevated for extended periods of time, peripheral neuropathy (or nerve damage in the feet) can occur. That damage can cause deformities and loss of sensation in the feet. Existing foot problems like calluses and hammertoes, repeated minor trauma to the feet (like a lot of walking), or more significant injuries can increase the risk of developing diabetic foot ulcers. Poor circulation--a problem common in people with diabetes--can slow the healing process and increase risk of infection or amputation.
There are some ways to prevent diabetic foot ulcers. The best way of course, is to control diabetes with diet, exercise, and appropriate medication and treatment as recommended by a doctor. Regularly examining the feet can prevent a foot ulcer from going untreated and becoming infected. Good hygiene can go a long way, as can properly fitted shoes.
In the event that a person with diabetes develops foot ulcers, there are treatments available. Start with seeking professional medical attention. Stay off the affected foot as much as possible, and keep the wound clean and well cared for, as instructed by a medical professional.
There is also an investigational diabetic foot ulcer clinical trial accepting participants. This trial will evaluate the effectiveness of a new topical treatment for diabetic foot ulcers. Click here for more information.
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