Again: If there are 5 signs on your feet, beware of "diabetic foot" coming to your door!
"Oh, my wife, why do you see that my foot is suddenly swollen and a little painful?" asked Aunt Wang, 60, sitting in front of her family doctor, Dr. Liu, anxiously.
She usually pays attention to blood sugar management, but recently she noticed that the instep of her right foot was inexplicably swollen, and she felt pain when she touched it.
Dr. Liu carefully examined Aunt Wang's swollen feet, frowned slightly, and said seriously: "Aunt Wang, your situation may be that diabetic foot is 'trouble'. Did you know that for people with diabetes, any small wound or abnormality can be the beginning of a big problem? ”
This sentence was like a thunderbolt from the sky, which made Aunt Wang's heart tighten, and she couldn't help but wonder: "Is it really so serious? What is diabetic foot?"
01What is "diabetic foot"?
What is the definition of "diabetic foot"?
Diabetic foot, as the name suggests, refers to foot neuropathy, vascular disease and its comorbidities caused by long-term hyperglycemia in diabetic patients.
These lesions weaken the response of the foot to external stimuli, reduce the resistance, and make it more likely to be injured and infected, and in severe cases, it will also cause foot ulcers, gangrene and other problems.
Pathological mechanism of "diabetic foot".
Long-term erosion of hyperglycemia leads to microangiopathy of the feet and obstruction of blood circulation, while neuropathy causes loss of sensation in the feet, decreased self-protection ability, and small wounds are not easy to detect, and the healing ability is weakened.
Complications caused by "diabetic foot".
The development of diabetic foot disease can not only lead to excruciating pain, but more frighteningly, it can lead to severe local infection, osteomyelitis, and even necrosis of the entire foot or even the lower leg, and in extreme cases, amputation to save lives.
02 If these 5 manifestations appear on the feet, it means that there is a diabetic foot infection
Local swelling or induration: Beware of "stealth bombs"
There is no obvious trauma to the feet, but there is sudden swelling or induration, as if inflammation in the body is secretly gathering strength.
Hard to the touch, painful to press, and reddish or purple in color are all signs of an increased inflammatory response, suggesting that the infection may have quietly taken root in the foot.
Erythema extends > 0.5 cm: the body's "alarm line"
The erythema around the wound is more than half a centimeter wide, like a warning signal on the battlefield, indicating that the bacteria are waiting for an opportunity to expand their territory.
Weakened immunity and circulatory disorders caused by high blood sugar can accelerate the spread of infection, and immediate medical attention is needed to stop the condition from getting worse.
Focal tenderness or pain: perceiving a "new crisis"
Even if some people have dysesthesia due to neuropathy, be aware of new, significant local tenderness or pain.
This can be a keen sign in the early stages of an infection, reminding you to take a closer look to detect and address potential problems early.
Localized fever: a clear sign of "war fire" in the body
An abnormally high body temperature in one part of the foot is like an increase in the body's internal immune war. Local fever is the result of a fierce battle between the immune system and germs, and it is important to seek medical attention at this time to avoid further spread of infection.
Purulent discharge: "solid hammer" evidence of infection
The appearance of a yellow or green purulent discharge from the wound is a direct sign of the body's fight against bacterial infection and a clear sign that the infection has progressed to a more severe stage.
At this time, it is important to seek professional medical attention and initiate a standardized treatment process.
03Who is most likely to suffer from "diabetic foot"?
Those with poor long-term glycemic control
Persistently high blood glucose is the most important cause of diabetic foot, and the incidence of foot lesions in these people is much higher than that in people with stable blood sugar control.
Those with neuropathy and vascular lesions
Sugar patients with neuropathy tend to be insensitive to pain and tend to ignore foot injuries, while vascular lesions can affect the blood supply to the feet, which greatly increases the risk of diabetic foot.
Those who are old and frail and have low immunity
With age, physical function declines and immunity weakens, especially for diabetic patients over 50 years old, who are more susceptible to disease due to the decline of physiological functions.
People who smoke, drink, or have a bad lifestyle
Smoking and alcohol can aggravate vascular disease, while unhealthy lifestyle habits such as sedentary lifestyles and inappropriate footwear can also increase the risk of foot injuries.
Aunt Wang listened to Dr. Liu's words and realized the seriousness of diabetic foot disease, and since then she has been particularly concerned about foot care.
She has changed some of her bad habits in the past, strengthened blood sugar monitoring and control, checked her feet regularly every day, and actively prevented possible signs of infection.
After a few months, the swelling of her feet was relieved and the pain was gone, successfully avoiding the threat of diabetic foot disease.
"Prevention is better than regret after the fact. "Aunt Wang's story reminds us that diabetic foot is not unpreventable and controllable, and the key lies in grasping the details of daily life.
When the above five warning signs appear on the feet, diabetics should not take it lightly and seek medical help immediately.