Diabetic Foot Problems

The Claimant asserted he has experienced cracked, and dry skin that cut and formed blisters on his right foot and toes, as well as his left foot. Most noteworthy, the Claimant’s Supervisor, Ms. Joyita Levi concurred and knew of a pre-existing diabetic condition that the Claimant would complain about standing for long periods at a time while he suffered from diabetic ulcers to both of his feet.

Burning and tingling in his feet is another red flag when thinking about diabetic neuropathy. When a patient does not properly watch his or her blood sugar levels it can lead to damage within the circulatory system. Signs of symptoms of peripheral neuropathy include numbness, tingling, sharp pains or cramps, “increased sensitivity to touch, muscle weakness, loss of reflexes, loss of balance and serious foot problems” (“Diabetic Neuropathy,”

7. Examine your feet. Diabetes-related nerve damage can mean that you might have minor injuries to your feet that you can’t feel. This can lead to infections and other complications. Check the soles of your feet daily. Put lotion on them at night to keep the skin in good condition. Wear comfortable shoes that fit correctly. Ask your doctor to examine your feet whenever you have an office visit.

Vascular diseases that prevent blood flow to the small vessels are common in people with diabetes. This condition can affect the feet in particular, so you should make regular visits to a podiatrist. People with diabetes also have a reduced ability to heal even minor blisters and cuts. A podiatrist can monitor your feet for any serious infections that could lead to gangrene and amputation.

Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy (DPN) is one of the most common microvascular complications in diabetes and can result in foot ulceration, ampuation and an impaired quality of life(Carrington AL, et al 2002,Boulton AJ,et al 2004). The reported prevalence of diabetic peripheral neuropathy ranges from 16% to as high as 66%2 and its prevelance is believed to increase with the duration of diabetes and poor glucose control.(Boulton AJ.et al 2000) It’s accounts for 50–75% of non-traumatic amputations in diabetic patients.(Holzer SE, et al 1998, Boulton AJM, 1998,Malay DS, et al 2006)

It is estimated that 387 million people, globally live with diabetes (Phillips & Mehl, 2015). According to Medical News Today [MNT], diabetes is a metabolic disorder; which causes patients to be extremely thirsty and produce a lot of urine. Diabetes arises due to high blood pressure, due to the body not being able to produce enough insulin or because the body does not respond well to high insulin levels (MNT, 2016). There are four types of diabetes; there is the pre-diabetic stage, type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes and gestational diabetes. In 2014, 29 million people died due to diabetes. This equates to 1 diabetic patient dying every seven seconds due to preventable complications (including complications affecting lower limbs) caused by diabetes. It is said that 20-40% of health care costs are spent on the treatment of lower limb complications due to diabetes. The risk of a diabetic patient developing a foot ulcer is 25% and foot ulcers account approximately 85% of lower limb amputations. Diabetic complications that affect lower limbs are caused by both type 1 and type 2 diabetes (Phillips & Mehl, 2015). It is said that the World Health Organization described diabetic foot syndrome as including all possible complications in relation to the feet of a diabetic patient. Diabetic foot syndrome is defined as the ulceration of the foot, from the ankle downwards. Causes of foot ulceration include peripheral sensory neuropathy, vascular disease (ischaemia) and infection

The foot care device is basically a long handled sponge with a mirror attached. This particular piece of adaptive equipment can help patients in the areas of occupation ADLs personal hygiene and grooming and the IADL health management and maintenance. The device can help patients inspect the bottoms of their feet or other hard to see areas on their body. This device can play a key role in early detection of pressure ulcers and diabetic foot ulcers.

The patients also revealed the high levels of C reactive protein which can be said that there is high risk of ischemic foot leisions and amputations and clinical treatment failure in diabetic foot patients [69].

Foot infections caused by diabetes can range from a doctor’s visit for antibiotics if caught early enough, to undergoing an amputation of a toe or foot. For people who suffer from diabetes, a vigilant daily inspection is crucial to the overall health and wellbeing of your feet.

People with diabetes also have a higher risk of developing foot ulcers that can take weeks or months to heal. Food choices and nutritional status influence wound healing since serious wounds increase the energy, vitamin, mineral and protein requirements necessary to promote healing. Most things can help your blood clot and you serious sores or cuts heal, When you have like a smell or oder example: a skunk you wash you body in tomato sauce to get the smell to fade away . When you want your teeth to grow strong or eyes to be clear you can eat certain thing to help them get stronger that's exactly how you can clear your skin from sores bumps and ect.

According to Healthy People 2012 there are more then 800,000 new cases of diabetes each year, with the numbers on the rise. With this in mind, Healthy People 2012 has identified diabetes as their number five focus area. In order to reach their goal of improving the quality of life for people with diabetes they have identified diabetes teaching as their number one objective. Furthermore, in order to reduce the number of complications of diabetes, Healthy People 2012 has identified foot ulcers as their ninth objective. Through patient education Healthy People 2012 hopes to reduce the number of foot ulcers in people with diabetes, as diabetes is the number one cause of nontraumatic amputations in the United States. In order to

Diabetic neuropathy can occur with long-term diabetes, usually after several years of uncontrolled high blood glucose. Glucose proteins, called glycoproteins, form in the nerves primarily those in the legs and feet. When the nerves in the feet are damaged, the brain cannot recognize pain in that area. Nerve damage from diabetic neuropathy can lead to weakness in the muscles in the legs and feet. Since the muscles work as a system, neuropathy can lead to other foot problems, such as hammertoes, calluses, bunions, and other foot deformities. These deformities are dangerous because of the risk of infection. A simple blister from a tight shoe can spell disaster

They have diminished inflammatory response even when extreme soft tissue and bone infection are present. Identification of foot infections in the patient with diabetes mellitus requires vigilance because the signs of infection may not be present ( Baranoski and Ayello, 2003,p.327). The most common bacteria found in non-limb threatening infection are Staphylococcus and Streptococcus. These infections should be treated with oral antibiotics. If the limb is threatened with the infection, parenteral antibiotics and surgical debridement of necrotic tissue needs to be executed. Most limb threatening infections are polymicrobial. Staphylococcus aureus, group B atreptococci, Enterococcus, and facultative Gram-negative bacilli are the major pathogens involved in these types of

Diabetes affects our immune system. When you’re a diabetic, you’re never just sick. If your blood-sugar is not in good control, cuts and colds can actually lead to major complications. Any small change that can possibly disrupt the chemical balance within our bodies must be handled with care. Check out the warning labels on the boxes of 10 major over-the-counter drugstore remedies—Warning: Diabetics do not use without consulting a physician. Sometimes people find it amusing when I tell them that I “check” my feet every

Those who are diabetic may also be in risk of blindness (diabetic retinopathy) and nerve damage (diabetic neuropathy). Diabetic neuropathy can lead to numbness in hands and feet, foot ulcers, and eventual limb amputation (World Health Organization). Taking preventive steps can help to avoid many of the complications of diabetes.