Type 1 diabetes commonly affects several people because of the lack of insulin to stabilize blood sugar levels. While you can control this condition by injecting insulin doses into the blood, there are times when it will not work. Therefore, sugar will still circulate in the blood at high levels and probably lead to diabetic foot Las Olas condition. Diabetic-related foot conditions mostly result from poor blood circulation because of narrowed blood vessels that cause poor circulation, increasing the risk for infections. Infections lead to slow healing and nerve damage, making it difficult to feel sensations at their extreme. Here are the common foot conditions associated with diabetes.
Diabetic Neuropathy
You have an increased risk of developing this condition if you have diabetes and do not take your medications or find it difficult to keep your blood sugar leveled. Peripheral vascular disease occurs when fat deposits narrow your blood vessels, thus reducing circulation to your feet. As a result of the reduced blood flow, you will experience pain and develop wounds that take a lot of time to heal. Over time, you may experience nerve damage leading to numbness, so you will not feel sensations like heat and cold. Lack of sensation may make it difficult to notice infections in your feet and further increase your risk for blisters, sores, and cuts.
Diabetic Ulcers
After developing diabetic neuropathy that causes nerve damage and poor circulation, you may fail to notice a foot ulcer unless it is severe. Poor circulation will also reduce the healing process. Left untreated, diabetic ulcers are likely to cause infections, thus causing further damage to your feet. You will likely find it painful to walk. You should avoid wearing shoes and socks when you have diabetic ulcers, as they intensify your symptoms.
Blisters
You may develop bullous diabeticorum, a condition leading to spontaneous blisters formation resulting from diabetic neuropathy because you cannot tell when your shoes no longer fit. The blisters may become infected, leading to pain and higher risks of infection in the body.
Calluses
Hard skin, known as calluses, may build up on the underside of your foot because of uneven weight distribution. Also, calluses may result from shoes that do not fit properly. Diabetic calluses increase your risk for infections and foot ulcers. Therefore, use a pumice stone to gently remove them after bathing and keep them clean. Do not use a sharp object to take out the calluses to avoid risks of injury that may result in infections.
Infections
Keeping your feet clean is important because diabetic ulcers may become infected and cause infections that spread throughout your body. Foot infections may also cause gangrene, leading to tissue death that may result in amputation. Infections may also easily damage your foot structure because of poor circulation, causing changes in foot shape, leading to more pain, and making walking difficult.
Diabetic foot conditions develop from poor blood circulation, making it difficult for wounds to heal, thus increasing the risk of further infections. You may eventually lose sensation in the feet, which makes it more complicated because it will be difficult to notice sores and signs of infections. Therefore, it is important to keep your feet clean at all times to lower infections that may lead to gangrene which will lead to amputation.
