Diabetic Foot
Diabetes, if not properly managed, can turn out to be a cause of many additional health complications in many patients.
Not to mention, diabetic patients frequently experience various types of foot problems caused by diabetic neuropathy. This frequently results in the formation of cuts, blisters, and ulcers on the bony prominences of a person’s foot. That is how one can develop a diabetic foot. Not to mention, it is crucial to take care of any symptoms that can worsen or lead to limb amputation.
If you are looking for diabetic foot treatment in Dubai, our foot specialist Dr Ehab Kheir can guide you and provide you with appropriate care.
What is Diabetic Foot?
Diabetic foot is a diabetes complication that affects the feet and can cause serious health problems if left untreated. It happens due to prolonged high blood sugar levels, which can damage or rupture nerves and blood vessels in the feet and legs.
Causes of Diabetic Foot
The exact reason for diabetic foot isn’t known. However, as mentioned above, nerve damage can result in poor circulation and a loss of sensation in the feet. This can elevate the risk of developing foot ulcers and other complications.
The following are risk factors for diabetic foot:
- Inadequate blood sugar control
- Smoking
- Blood pressure that is too high
- High cholesterol levels
- A history of foot issues
Diabetes patients who already have nerve issues, poor blood circulation, or foot deformities are also at a higher risk.
Symptoms of Diabetic Foot
Consult our foot specialist in Dubai if you are encountering irritation, pain, or new sensations in your foot.
The following are some common symptoms:
- Irritation, swelling, odours, and redness that are unusual
- Foot drainage in any shape or form
- Numbness or pain in a specific area
- Formation of black tissue around the ulcer
- Toe infection
- Changes in the skin
- Open wounds take longer to heal
- Persistent odour
- Ingrown nail
- Dry cracks in the heel
How can Diabetes exactly affect your foot?
Diabetic neuropathy is the most common cause of foot problems in diabetic patients. Uncontrolled diabetes can have a serious impact on a person’s nerves, potentially causing nerve damage in their legs and feet. This, in turn, causes sensory diabetic neuropathy, which means that if a person gets a cut or sore on their foot, they won’t be able to feel it, causing the wound to become infected. Damaged nerves can also cause muscle problems and foot misalignment.
Moreover, diabetes can result in peripheral vascular disease, which reduces the blood flow throughout the body. If the blood flow is disrupted, cuts and sores may take longer to heal. In the event of an infection, poor blood flow puts a diabetic at risk of developing ulcers or gangrene.
Diagnosis of Diabetes Foot
To start with an apt diabetic foot treatment in Dubai, our doctor may begin with asking about your symptoms. He may also want to know how well you have controlled your blood glucose to properly diagnose diabetic foot.
He will then examine your feet for numbness as well as any signs of infection. In some cases, the doctor may also request an X-ray or an MRI, as well as a skin sample to test for infection.
Treatment for Diabetic Foot
When you visit our foot specialist in Dubai, he may recommend the following treatment options as per your foot condition:
Anti-Pressure Treatment Options
To avoid ulcer pain, stay off your feet. Off-loading is a technique that can help with all types of diabetic foot ulcers. Walking can aggravate an infection and spread an ulcer.
To protect your feet, the doctor may advise you to wear the following items:
- Diabetes-friendly footwear
- Complete Contact Foot braces and casts
- Compression wrap shoe inserts to prevent corns and calluses
Medications
Despite preventive or anti-pressure treatments, your foot infection may persist. In such cases, our doctor may prescribe antibiotics, antiplatelets, or anti-clotting medications that target Staphylococcus aureus, the bacteria that cause common skin infections, to prevent the ulcer from worsening.
Lifestyle Changes
Blood sugar levels can be controlled through some basic changes in your lifestyle. For example, adopting a healthy diet, regular exercise, and wearing comfortable shoes that fit well can aid in managing sugar levels. Also, it is advisable that you quit smoking if you do.
Surgical Intervention
In case of severe ulcers, our foot doctor may advise on surgery. A surgeon can help relieve pressure effectively around your ulcer by shredding down the infected part of the bone or correcting foot deformities such as bunions or hammertoes.
The right care and diabetic foot treatment with Dr Ehab Kheir
Taking care of our feet is crucial for overall health, especially for those with diabetes. Dr Ehab Kheir’s expertise and tips on diabetic foot treatment have shown us how proper care can prevent serious complications such as infections and amputations. By following his advice, we can ensure that our feet stay healthy and strong for years to come.
