Diabetic Foot Complications: Recognizing Signs, Appropriate Treatment, and Essential Foot Maintenance
Uncontrolled diabetes can have far-reaching effects on various body systems, leading to serious complications that often go beyond glucose metabolism. In this article, we delve into the various ways diabetes can impact the heart, brain, kidneys, eyes, nerves, skin, and the feet.
Starting with the cardiovascular system, diabetes significantly increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases. High blood glucose levels can damage blood vessels, leading to coronary artery disease, peripheral artery disease, heart attacks, and strokes. The arteries become stiffened and narrowed, impairing blood flow throughout the body [1][2][3][4].
Diabetes is also a leading cause of chronic kidney disease and kidney failure. Prolonged high blood sugar damages the kidney’s filtering units, potentially leading to dialysis or kidney transplantation if left untreated [2][3][4].
When it comes to the eyes, diabetic retinopathy, cataracts, and glaucoma are common complications, making diabetes a major cause of blindness and vision loss [3][4].
In terms of the nervous system, diabetes causes diabetic neuropathy, resulting in nerve damage that leads to sensory loss, pain, and autonomic dysfunction (e.g., blood pressure regulation issues). Loss of sensation, especially in the feet, increases the risk of wounds and amputations [3][4].
Poorly controlled diabetes also raises the risk of skin infections, dry and itchy skin, and impaired wound healing [4]. The mouth and gums become more susceptible to gum disease due to changes in saliva and immune response [4].
Diabetes can cause sexual dysfunction and bladder control problems due to nerve damage [4]. There is also evidence linking type 2 diabetes with liver damage and a higher risk of gallstones [2][3].
Lastly, diabetes raises the risk of cognitive decline, dementia, and increases fall risk in the elderly [3].
Severe diabetic foot problems can be life-threatening. A 5-year survival rate following amputation because of a foot infection is estimated to be just 43% [5]. To prevent many foot problems, it's crucial to keep feet clean and undergo regular monitoring. Diabetes can cause nerve damage and poor circulation, increasing the risk of foot problems such as ulcers, blisters, pain, and foot infections [6].
In summary, uncontrolled diabetes damages the vascular system both at large (macrovascular) and small (microvascular) levels, affecting the heart, brain, kidneys, eyes, nerves, skin, and more, with long-term organ damage often irreversible [1][2][3][4]. Regular monitoring and management of blood glucose are crucial to prevent these systemic complications.
References: [1] American Diabetes Association. (2021). Cardiovascular Disease. In Diabetes Care (pp. S123-S134). [2] American Diabetes Association. (2021). Kidney Disease. In Diabetes Care (pp. S135-S146). [3] American Diabetes Association. (2021). Eye Disease. In Diabetes Care (pp. S147-S158). [4] American Diabetes Association. (2021). Nerve Damage (Neuropathy). In Diabetes Care (pp. S159-S168). [5] American Diabetes Association. (2021). Foot Care. In Diabetes Care (pp. S187-S198). [6] American Diabetes Association. (2021). Foot Problems. In Diabetes Care (pp. S199-S208).
- In the realm of health-and-wellness, diabetes management is of utmost importance to mitigate serious complications linked to various body systems.
- Uncontrolled diabetes can lead to severe cardiovascular diseases due to high blood glucose levels, which damages blood vessels.
- Diabetes can result in coronary artery disease, peripheral artery disease, heart attacks, and strokes, as arteries become stiffened and narrowed.
- Regarding the kidneys, diabetes plays a significant role in causing chronic kidney disease and kidney failure by damaging their filtering units.
- It's crucial to recognize that diabetes is a major cause of blindness and vision loss, with complications such as diabetic retinopathy, cataracts, and glaucoma being common.
- In the nervous system, diabetes leads to diabetic neuropathy, causing nerve damage, sensory loss, pain, and autonomic dysfunction.
- Loss of sensation, specifically in the feet, increases the risk of wounds and amputations due to nerve damage.
- Skin infections, dry and itchy skin, and impaired wound healing are also potential complications for individuals with uncontrolled diabetes.
- Apart from physical impact on the body, diabetes can affect mental health, raising the risk of depressive episodes or mood swings, often seen in individuals with bipolar disorder.
- A well-balanced nutrition plan, including food products with AQ (aqua), can aid in managing diabetes and its associated risks, in addition to medical treatment and fitness-and-exercise.
- Recognizing and seeking help for mental health disorders like depression, bipolar, or even Alzheimer's, especially in individuals with chronic diseases such as diabetes or COPD, can be crucial for overall health-and-wellness.
