Treatment of Diabetic Foot Ulcers
How to Treat Diabetic Foot Ulcers?
Diabetic foot ulcers are sores or wounds that may appear in an area of the foot. This condition can affect people with diabetes. High blood glucose levels raise the chances of nerve damage and the appearance of such sores. Failure to treat them properly leads to serious health problems that may eventually reach amputation.
Causes of Diabetic Foot Ulcers:
- Peripheral nerve inflammation leads to progressive loss of foot sensation.
- There is a dysfunction of sensory nerve function.
- The presence of tightness or blockage of the anterior arteries leads to circulatory problems that do not reach the blood sufficiently in the foot and adversely affect the healing of the wounds of the feet.
- High blood pressure, high cholesterol levels.
- Diabetes without taking the necessary treatments to control it and to avoid complications.
- Smoking, excessive obesity and lack of physical activity lead to circulation problems.
- The existence of a hereditary history in the family of diabetic foot.
- Frequent foot injuries and failure to heal wounds properly resulting in bacterial infection.
Symptoms of Diabetic Foot Ulcers and Diagnostic Methods:
Diabetic foot patients have many symptoms that give warning to the patient of having ulcers, including:
- Gradual loss of foot sensation.
- The sense of heat or coolness in the feet.
- The feeling of numbness in the foot.
- Feeling pain and having difficulty standing and walking.
- Incidence of non-healing of wounds to the feet.
- The presence of swelling of the foot.
- The presence of excretions and bad smell in the feet.
- Change in skin colour or redness of feet.
The problem of insensitivity to the feet often affects delayed treatment because the patient then does not feel the wounds to the feet and is exposed to contamination, which increases the depth of the wound and exacerbates the problem.
If one or all of these symptoms occur, the patient must visit the doctor immediately in order to perform the necessary examinations and tests through:
- Checking the blood glucose level.
- Studying the patient's state of health well to know the cause of diabetic foot and determining the treatment method.
- Ultrasound imaging of arteries to make sure of any blockages occurring in the arteries.
- Doppler radiation on peripheral arteries.
Ways to Treat Diabetic Foot Ulcers:
- Control high blood glucose level to become normal through medications that control blood glucose levels.
- Try to improve blood circulation in the feet because it is one of the factors that work to develop diabetic foot when the blood does not reach the foot in its normal way, so doctors rely on drugs that treat blood circulation and control blood pressure.
- Treatment of wound infections using antibiotics and use therapeutic techniques such as laser or high-pressure chamber.
- Remove dead tissue and clean and cover wounds so that they are not contaminated again.
- Treatment of causes of failure in blood circulation that cause non-flow of blood and treatment is through therapeutic catheter or expansion of blocked arteries through therapeutic balloon or installation of stents to keep blood vessels open and increase blood flow to the limbs.
Prevention of Diabetic Foot Ulcers:
Adherence to the following tips may help in reducing the chances of diabetic foot ulcers:
- Monitor and check your feet daily if you have diabetes.
- Maintain cholesterol levels in the blood.
- Monitor blood glucose levels and maintain them at normal levels all the time.
- A diet rich in nutrients, especially fibres that lower blood glucose levels.
- Avoid hypertension.
- Regular exercise to improve blood circulation.
- Wear comfortable medical shoes and constantly change socks to prevent any infection.
- Periodic follow-up when superficial or deep foot wounds occur before severe foot complications occur.
- Monitor the appearance of gangrene on fingers or feet and the speed of their treatment to avoid amputation.
-Lift the feet when sitting and move your feet to improve blood circulation and increase blood flow to the limbs.
- The commitment to rest and no walking on the injured foot to relieve the pressure on the foot and help it heal.
- Quit smoking because it negatively affects blood flow during arteries and blood vessels, leading to increased foot problems in people with diabetes.
- Constantly moisturize the foot and maintain it from drought and cracks.
- The need to protect your foot from extreme cold or heat.
- When trimming the toenails, take care from any wound on one side, so it is preferable to trim them straight, and it is recommended to use a tool dedicated to trimming the nails, not any scissors dedicated to other purposes, and be careful to sanitize and disinfect the nail trim tool.
- Avoid walking barefoot to avoid any infection.
Complications of Diabetic Foot Ulcers:
In some severe cases, diabetic foot ulcers may cause them to spread to the rest of the body. Doctors may have to go for amputation when gangrene occurs. You should consult your doctor immediately if you notice any sudden change in the shape or colour of your foot or not feeling it. You must abide by your doctor's instructions and never neglect to care for diabetic foot and its problems.
What is Gangrene?
Gangrene is the death of body tissue due to lack of blood flow as a result of serious bacterial infection, usually affecting gangrene limbs including toes and fingers, but may also infect muscles and internal organs if neglected and left untreated, and the likelihood of gangrene is higher if you have diabetes or atherosclerosis.
Does Gangrene lead to Amputation?
Dr. Waleed El-Daly is the best doctor for the treatment of diabetic gangrene with the latest advanced medical means to help patients recover faster without the need to go for amputation through the following:
- Remove dead tissue to prevent and control the spread of gangrene and give the tissue a chance to heal.
- Treatment of diabetic foot gangrene with antibiotics in the form of injections or tablets.
- High-pressure oxygen therapy by inserting the patient in closed rooms with high pressure and providing oxygen cover for the face to supply the patient with oxygen to help him breathe and increase the level of oxygen in the blood and increase the flow of blood to the affected area which increases the speed of healing.
In conclusion, through this article we have provided some ways to treat diabetic foot, avoid complications, consider periodic follow-up with your doctor, take medications regularly and a healthy diet are the basic steps to maintain blood glucose level and prevent complications such as diabetic foot and gangrene, If you are suffering from diabetic foot, book an appointment with Dr. Waleed El-Daly, Assistant Professor of Vascular Surgery at Cairo University, Best Doctor for Diabetic Foot Treatment and Diabetic Foot Gangrene Treatment, as well as the Treatment of Varicose Veins in Legs with the latest medical means to help patients recover faster without having to undergo surgery.
Clinic Appointments and Address:
Working hours: Saturday, Monday and Wednesday from 8:30 to 10:30 pm.
Address: 31 Gamaet El-Dewal Al-Arabiya St. - in front of Kaddoura Fish - Alexandria Bank Building.
