The causes of diabetic foot pain are many. If not properly diagnosed and treated, diabetic foot pain can worsen. For this reason, patients with diabetes should see a podiatrist and check the health of their feet, as well as the rest of their body.
That said, we at Clinique Podiatrique de Laval everything you need to know about the causes of diabetic foot and what to do about it. Take notes!
What is diabetic foot?
Diabetic foot is a condition caused by poor monitoring of glucose control in the blood circulation to the limb. This pathology is a mixture between the affectation of the arteries and the nerves that cause corresponding changes to the foot.
When there is no adequate control, diabetic foot pain, lesions, ulcers and infections arise in the affected area, which can even spread. When this happens, it means having to deal with diabetic foot treatment with possible risks.
Causes of diabetic foot
Usually people with diabetes are the ones who are prone to suffer from diabetic foot problems. However, it is worth knowing more about it and take the proper precautions.
Here are some causes of diabetic foot that you may experience or need to know about:
Occurrence of neuropathy
A person with diabetes is affected by neuropathy, which is divided into two: peripheral and autonomic. Peripheral neuropathy is the failure of sensory and motor nerves. When the nerves are affected, the performance of the foot will be affected.
Symptoms of nerve injury include pain, numbness and tingling in the affected area. This condition can lead to deformities if not treated immediately.
On the other hand, autonomic neuropathy causes a failure of body functions. The combination of both neuropathies leads to foot deformity, lack of sensitivity and the appearance of cracks due to hyper sweating and crack formation.
Occurrence of infections
Diabetics suffer from many immune weaknesses. It is for this reason that the individual is more prone to infection due to the lack of white blood cells to fight these problems. This means that a patient who has a minor foot injury can be at high risk for not being cared.
Inadequate footwear
The use of inadequate footwear is one of the factors that cause diabetic foot injury and pain. Footwear plays an important role in this pathology, since the foot undergoes physiological changes that must be correctly adapted to avoid poor blood circulation.
When the diabetic foot suffers from loss of sensitivity, the possibility of detecting an injury becomes null. Therefore, it is necessary to maintain a rigorous inspection of the feet and the type of footwear to be used.
How do diabetic foot ulcers form?
A diabetic foot ulcer is an open wound or blister on the foot of an individual with diabetes, usually found on the heel or plantar surface. This ulcer usually appears as a raised area, but it can also be a flat ulcer that can heal. About 15 percent of people with diabetes have a diabetic foot ulcer.
Diabetic foot ulcers develop when a person has poor biomechanics or is infected with bacteria, fungi or viruses.
Diabetic foot ulcers can become infected through trauma, infection or even poor biomechanics. In recent years, poor circulation in the extremities, especially in the lower leg and ankle, has been recognized as one of the causes of diabetic foot ulcers.
Now that you know how diabetic foot ulcers are formed and their risks, you should be informed about the treatments to avoid the extreme dangers of this pathology.
Diabetic foot treatment
In order to obtain an adequate treatment, it is important to perform a diabetic foot examination to evaluate the type of risk it presents. For this it is necessary to visit a professional podiatrist, who will be authorized to implement a diabetic foot treatment with the necessary tools.
On the other hand, there are also a variety of creams for diabetic feet, which seek to moisturize, recover and strengthen circulation in diabetic patients. It is a way to maintain a routine of foot care, in order to avoid further injury.
Remember that the feet are one of the most sensitive parts of the body. A simple lack of foot hygiene can lead to diabetic foot problems that can be extremely painful. It is important to monitor the health of your feet for both current and potential problems.
Proper diagnosis and treatment of the diabetic foot can minimize the risks and allow diabetics to live a healthy and normal life.
Treat your diabetic feet with Clinique Podiatrique de Laval
As mentioned above, diabetic foot treatment should be performed by professional specialists in the area of foot health. A podiatrist is the person who knows the most about how diabetic foot ulcers form, and therefore will know how to treat them.
If you want to receive professional care, you can contact Clinique Podiatrique de Laval. Our podiatrists are attentive and passionate team, who put the care of your feet first. Each of them is trained to deal with your diabetic foot pain or in any case provide an excellent diabetic foot treatment, which will allow you to enjoy a full life.
You can book an appointment to solve your foot problems or you can learn about the wide range of services we offer for you. Visit us at 3333, 100e Avenue – bureau 105, Laval (Québec) H7T 3C4 (corner highway 440) or follow us on social networks. We will be happy to assist you!
Leading professionals to keep your feet healthy!