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Diabetic foot is one of the most dangerous complications that diabetics can face. It is for this reason that the former President of the Republic of Poland, Lech Wałęsa, found himself in the hospital a few days ago. The disease not only significantly reduces the patient’s quality of life, but is also difficult to treat. In many cases, amputation turns out to be the solution. Unfortunately, Poland is one of the leaders in applying this drastic method.
- Diabetic foot is one of the complications of the disease that is easy to underestimate. It begins with minor ailments that a diabetic may not even feel
- The causes of the diabetic foot can be different. You should be careful, among others with insulin withdrawal. This could have been the cause of the development of this disease in Lech Wałęsa
- Treatment of a complication can be difficult, especially if the diabetic foot is detected too late. A common solution is limb amputation
- More information can be found on the Onet homepage
Lech Wałęsa suffers from diabetes. She has a diabetic foot
The former president was hospitalized due to complications from diabetes. She has a diabetic foot. As his son informed, there is a risk of amputation.
- Read more: Lech Wałęsa in hospital. There is a risk of amputation
Last year, Lech Wałęsa boasted that after 20 years of taking insulin, he managed to stop taking the drug. He said then that it was due to a proper diet.
Is it possible for people with diabetes to stop taking medications? We then talked about it with Dr. Luiza Napiórkowska. You can read the whole thing HERE: Lech Wałęsa boasts that he gave up insulin. Is it possible after so many years of fighting the disease?
Check if you have diabetes. The diagnostic test package can be performed at 1 of over 500 collection points available throughout Poland.
Where does the diabetic foot come from?
It often starts with an innocent, mostly painless, wound on the foot. Then an infection sets in, which is easy for that part of the body. All you need is uncomfortable, too tight footwear, insufficient foot hygiene, abrasions or a pebble that falls into the shoe during a walk. After that, it only gets worse, especially if the diabetic does not notice that something is wrong in time. Diabetic foot has different stages of development. While in the initial stages it is possible to control the progressive disease, in the advanced stage the only way to save the patient’s life is amputation.
A diabetic foot is an ulcer usually located on the plantar or dorsal part of the foot. It is most often found under the metatarsal heads, on the backs of the fingers or on the heel. When blood glucose levels are too high and blood glucose values are abnormal, blood vessels and nerves are damaged. This is how it arises diabetic foot of vascular (ischemic) or nervous (neuropathic) origin.
The first symptoms of a diabetic foot are abnormal sensations (it is easy to rub or other injuries then), peeling skin, tingling, stinging and muscle spasms intensifying at night. With time, hard-to-heal wounds and ulcers appear on the foot. There is a degradation of the skin, bones, joints and deformation of the foot (the so-called Charcot joint). The foot is swollen, red and has a high temperature. The fingers become hammer-shaped – bent at the middle joint. In subsequent stages of the disease, bone inflammation and partial necrosis of the foot may appear.
The cause of this diabetic complication may also be too much load on various areas of the foot, resulting from incorrect positioning of the foot while walking and changing its shape. In places of pressure, corns form, in which ulcers most often form. Mechanical damage to the foot, caused for example by too tight shoes or a sharp object in a shoe or on the floor, is particularly common in patients who suffer from the nerve damage described above and the associated pain impairment.
- Diabetes – types, causes, symptoms, treatment [EXPLAINED]
Diabetic foot. Thousands of amputations every year
Detecting a diabetic foot is apparently not complicated. Unfortunately, many doctors cannot cope with the early diagnosis of the threat. Patients themselves are often unable to adequately assess the condition of their limbs (which is caused by sensory disturbances), and as a result they see a doctor when the condition of the foot is very serious. Then often the only solution is to cut off the foot.
To prevent such a drastic solution to your diabetic foot problems, use the PIC Solution Re-Derma diabetic knee socks as a precaution.
In Poland, this type of ulceration leads to about 14 thousand. amputations annually. Unfortunately, in this respect, we are the undisputed leader in Europe. Due to the aging of the population and the increase in the number of diabetics, these statistics may soon be even worse. According to doctors, over 250 are already struggling with this ailment. Poles, and another 200 are at risk.
- Insulin resistance: if left untreated, it leads to diabetes. But it is possible to turn back from this path
Diabetic foot. Early detection = chance of recovery
How to prevent the formation of a diabetic foot and how to control the condition of the feet in order to react early? First of all, you should take care of foot hygiene, correct nail clipping, and wear appropriate footwear (preferably leather, slightly larger), socks (preferably cotton, without seams) and specialized insoles. It is worth avoiding mechanical injuries as much as possible: do not walk barefoot, do not heat your feet by heaters, do not use hot water bottles or heating pads.
To take care of your feet, try the PiC Solution Re-Vita foot care kit for diabetics, which you can buy at Medonet Market.
It is also important to: keep blood glucose levels within recommended limits, maintain normal blood pressure and cholesterol values, and regularly watch your feet carefully. It is also worth giving up smoking.
In the event of ulceration, antibiotic therapy and the use of appropriate dressings are necessary. In more advanced cases – relieving the foot by e.g. moving on crutches or in a wheelchair.
Also read:
- Not only obesity. What puts us at risk of diabetes? [WE EXPLAIN]
- Pay attention to these symptoms. They may mean you have diabetes
- They were at risk of amputation, and thanks to the reconstruction, the bones were saved. Orthopedic miracle?
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