Diabetes Foot Complications

Suffering from diabetes basically means that your glucose level is too high. This, however, can lead to other serious problems including foot and skin problems. Along with this diabetics can also suffer from heart and kidney disease, strokes, and eye damage.  The problem most widely associated with diabetes is those from foot complications.

The two main reasons for diabetes foot problems are from diabetic neuropathy, this is where your nerve endings become damaged and you cannot feel sensations in your feet properly. This allows cuts and infections to go unnoticed for longer periods of time before treatment is administered.

The next reason is from peripheral vascular disease, this affects the blood flow going away from your heart and can have serious effects on your circulatory system. 

What can happen from either of the two reasons mentioned above is that an injury does not receive the correct blood flow and tissue repair from your body. The tissue ends up dying and this is when the possibility of amputation comes into play.  Because diabetic patients do not feel an injury, it is not noticed until it becomes a serious health risk. By this time it can be too late for treatment and the loss of a limb is imminent.

The risk of foot complications can be easily reduced just by taking better care of your feet. This includes getting regular checkups every two to three months.  Many foot problems can quickly lead to a more serious condition and these include suffering from any of the following:

•       Athletes’ foot

•       Fungal infections

•       Plantar warts

•       Corns

•       Calluses

•       Blisters

•       Bunions

•       Dry feet

•       Foot ulcers

•       Hammertoes

•       Ingrown toenails

For people who don’t suffer from diabetes these conditions are easily treated, though often uncomfortable and frustrating to deal with. For the diabetic patient they can all lead to severe problems if left untreated.

If you notice any signs of discoloration, swelling, pain in your legs, smelly foot odor or any condition that suddenly appears, then you want to seek medical advice immediately.  Make it a habit to check your feet daily and to wash them with warm water. A good moisturizing foot lotion helps to alleviate dry skin, caused by poor circulation.

Using a foot spa or home massage system can also help keep your feet in great condition.  A little bit of extra care can go a long way in avoiding diabetes foot complications from occurring in the first place.