When you think of diabetes, the first things that come to mind are blood sugar levels, insulin and the pancreas. The diabetic foot syndrome illustrates the devastating consequences that the disease can have, including amputation. Every person with diabetes should therefore be aware of these signs and symptoms.
In Germany, an estimated 160,000 to 800,000 people suffer from diabetic foot syndrome – that is between 2 and 10 percent of all diabetics. In the worst case, the tissue is so severely damaged that individual toes or the entire foot have to be amputated. In the following we will show you how diabetic foot syndrome comes about and what the signs are.
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Diabetic foot syndrome: cause and development
Very few people think of their limbs when they have diabetes . And yet diabetes can cause great damage, especially to the feet. The reason for this is that long-term high sugar levels can damage the bloodstream and even the nerves. As a result, those affected may experience circulatory disorders and diabetic polyneuropathy. These two phenomena can exist individually or together and contribute to the development of the diabetic foot. It is characterized by these symptoms and consequences.
Diabetic foot: 11 symptoms and consequences
In principle, diabetes patients should visit their diabetologist at least once a year and have their feet examined, among other things, in order to be able to detect circulatory disorders and nerve damage at an early stage. The first symptoms and later consequences are:
- tingling or burning numbness,
- dry skin,
- calf pain when walking,
- disturbed perception of the foot,
- unnoticed injuries or pressure points,
- slowed wound healing,
- ulcers,
- cracked skin,
- blood pools,
- Swelling and deformities as a result of unnoticed fractures (“Charcot foot”),
- Amputation: If the nerves of the foot are severely damaged, those affected no longer notice pressure points and injuries. This often results in wounds that hardly heal due to the lack of blood circulation. In Germany, around 50,000 amputations are therefore carried out every year as a result of diabetic foot syndrome.
Tip: Due to the increased risk, people with diabetes should always keep an eye on their feet, check them regularly for damage and see their doctor for routine examinations.
Diabetic foot: treatment
In some cases, amputation is absolutely necessary if the damage is too great and irreversible. However, even chronic wounds on the foot can be healed with correct and timely treatment – but this requires patience and commitment. The first priority is to relieve the existing pressure points – suitable footwear or specially made pressure relief shoes are essential here in order to take the pressure off the wound. The wounds and injuries themselves need professional care and regular maintenance. Those affected can support the healing process and prevent further injuries by stimulating blood circulation in the leg – for example through daily exercise, strength training of the leg muscles and stimulating alternating showers. In addition, one should address the underlying cause and try to get the diabetes under control as much as possible. Blood sugar needs to be optimally controlled, and with type 2 diabetes , losing excess weight, improving dietary habits, and exercising are extremely effective.
Book tips against diabetes
The best way to fight diabetes is to get professional help on board and optimize those lifestyle factors that you can control yourself: The Nutrition Docs show you how it’s done in “Healing Diabetes: How to Fight Type 2 Diabetes with the Right Diet”. can heal and improve Type 1″ . Concentrated know-how and over 60 tasty recipes! You can find more delicious ideas in “The Great Diabetic Cookbook: 500 Healthy and Tasty Recipes for Diagnosed Diabetics” by Jenny Kern. Including a practical 28-day meal plan!
