What is Diabetic Foot?

Diabetics suffer from many problems in the feet, even minor problems may develop and cause serious complications, and the diabetic foot problem often occurs when the nerves of the feet are damaged (diabetic neuropathy).

• Simple problems in the feet can develop in a diabetic patient and cause serious complications.
• Problems may begin with a loss of sensation in the feet.
• Diabetic neuropathy often begins in the feet and legs, followed by the hands and arms.
• The condition can be treated with either non-surgical or surgical treatment.
• To prevent foot problems, it is recommended to control the level of sugar in the blood and follow the instructions for taking care of the feet.

The Effect of Diabetes on the Blood Vessels and Nerves of the Feet

When blood sugar rises in people with diabetes, the blood vessels and nerves are affected over time, and the affected nerves lead to a loss of feeling in the feet, i.e. not feeling the wounds and ulcers that affect the foot; Which leads to inflammation, while the effect of blood vessels may lead to insufficient delivery of oxygen-laden blood to the feet, as well as making it difficult for the wound healing process or changing the shape of the foot.

The Effect of Diabetes Mellitus on the Feet

Loss of Sensation: Sensation of pain, cold, and heat: when the patient’s foot is injured, the patient will not be able to know that, for example when pebbles enter the shoe, the patient cannot know that, and it remains inside the shoe and hurts the foot.

Foot Deformity: a change in the shape of the foot when wearing tight shoes for a long time because of diabetic neuropathy.

Skin Changes: Over time, the feet may begin to dry out; As a result, it peels and cracks because of damaging the nerves responsible for moisturizing the feet.

Foot Nail: Foot corns form quickly and abundantly in people with diabetes, and may develop and thicken and turn into foot ulcers.

Foot Ulcers: It often occurs on the lower front of the foot or the sole of the big toe, and sores appear on both sides of the foot often due to improper shoe size thus it is caused by non-healing wounds or infection.

Poor Circulation: This results in the feet being unable to fight off and heal the infection, because diabetes works to narrow and increase the thickness of blood vessels.

Gangrene: It is a condition that occurs when tissue dies as a result and incomplete blood supply to cells or severe infection.

Amputation: Occurs in the advanced stages of ulcers as a result. Loss of sensation, poor blood circulation.

Symptoms and Signs of Diabetic Neuropathy of the Extremities

It often affects the feet and legs first, followed by the hands and arms, and is more severe in the evening. It includes:

• Numbness and loss of feeling of pain and heat.

• Feeling of numbness.
• Sensations may increase (such as not bearing the weight of the bed sheet when covering the feet).
• Muscle weakness.
• Loss of flexibility (especially the joint of the foot).
• Loss of balance and coordination.
• The emergence of problems in the feet, such as: ulcers, infection, deformity, pain in the bones and joints.
• Change in skin color

When you have to visit your Physician?

• When there are sores, even if they are simple.
• When wounds do not heal or are in poor condition.
• When numbness, weakness, and pain affect daily life.

Treatment

Non-surgical Treatment:

• Clean wounds and cover them with gauze.
• Use of antibiotics when infection occurs.
• The deformity of the foot can be treated using splints or medical gypsum.
• Use medical shoes.
• Control gangrene with appropriate medications.

Surgical Treatment:

• Severe infections may be treated by removing or amputating the inflamed tissue.
• Treating foot deformity with an operation to correct and beautify it.
• Partial amputation of the area affected by gangrene or complete amputation

Prevention and Care of the Feet

• Controlling the level of sugar in the blood.
• Self-examination of the foot, by:

1. Search for traces of wounds, bruises, areas of pressure, redness, and nail problems. A mirror can be used when examining.
2. Feel each foot and how swollen it is.
3. Check between the fingers.
4. Check for sensation in each foot.
5. Focusing on the following six areas on the soles of each foot: the tip of the thumb, the soles of the little finger (pinky), the soles of the middle finger, the heel, and the borders of the front part of the foot.

• Avoid trying to treat anything without consulting a doctor.
• Foot care, through:

1. Wash it daily with warm soapy water, and check the water temperature before using it.
2. Avoid soaking feet in water.
3. It is recommended to dry it by patting it with a towel and focusing on drying between the fingers.

Requesting Capital Home Care Services in Saudi Arabia

Capital Home Care has simplified the process of requesting their home care services in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia:

1. Phone: Reach out to Capital Home Care directly at +966 12 227 6270 (Office) or +966 9200 10 689 (Toll-Free)
2. Website: You can submit a request by clicking HERE 
3. Email: Send an email detailing your needs to info@capitalambulance.sa
4. Visit in Branch: Alternatively, you can also visit Capital Home Care’s office at 7846 Hira – 2488 An Nahda District – Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Office hours are from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Saturday through Thursday.

Once your request is received, a member of the Capital Home Care team will conduct an initial consultation to determine the specific needs of the patient. Following a comprehensive assessment, a tailored care plan is designed and implemented, ensuring the highest standard of home healthcare delivery.

References

https://www.moh.gov.sa/en/awarenessplateform/ChronicDisease/Documents/Diabetic%20Foot.pdf