Don’t Ignore Diabetic Foot Ulcers

Diabetes is a disease where your blood glucose level is too high. Diabetes can happen when your body doesn’t produce enough insulin or the insulin it produces isn’t effective. Or, when your body can’t produce any insulin at all which may result with complications. Some complications of diabetes can be acute and life threatening or, it can be chronic which leads to long-term problems that can develop gradually and lead to serious damages if undetected and untreated. The most common serious complication of all them is Diabetic Foot Ulcer.

What is diabetic Foot Ulcer?

Diabetic foot ulcer is an open sore or wound usually located at the bottom of the foot. These ulcers typically begin as a small blister or cut. It is a complex problem caused by reduced blood supply, nerve damage, or infection and a common reason for hospitalization of diabetic patients; and frequently results in amputation of the lower limbs.

Who are at risk of developing diabetic foot ulcers?

According to Dr. Chukij Sritongsathian at Vejthani’s Diabetic Foot and Wound Center, the following diabetic group of people are at risk of developing Diabetic Foot Ulcers.

• Being Overweight
• Having uncontrolled blood sugar
• Using Alcohol or Tobacco
• Wearing Inappropriate shoes
• Having a foot deformity such as bunion or hammertoe
• Having a neuropathy or poor circulation of the feet
• Having a case that requires the use of insulin
• Etc.

How to treat diabetic foot ulcers?

Since diabetes is a disease with many complications, the best approach of treatment is Multidisciplinary. This approach comprises of a team of doctors aiming for a holistic care for overall conditions, both physical and mental health, restoring the well being of the patient holistically.

Here are a few examples of Vejthani’s Diabetic Foot and Wound Center Multidisciplinary Approach;

• Highly experienced vascular surgeons and experts who specialized in treating diabetic wounds, pressure ulcers, gangrenes, burns, scalds, accident wounds, etc. Vascular surgeons take care of Peripheral Arterial Disease in order to improve blood flow with the maximum aim to save the patient’s limbs and feet.
• Diabetes and Endocrine Specialists take care of controlling the level of blood glucose.
• Infectious disease specialist takes care of treating the infection of the diabetic foot ulcer.
• Orthopedic specialist will take charge when the diabetic wound has spread to the bones.
• Physiatrist takes charge of the recovery process part in order to help the patients get ready to go back to their normal lives, as well as to prevent the reoccurrence of the wound.
• Other Specialists are also involved to manage other existing patient complications.

Why you should not ignore diabetic foot ulcers?

Careful attention to foot injuries is essential for diabetics. Seeking immediate attention for a cut or foot ulcer is critical because it heals slowly and the infection spreads quickly. One of the reasons why diabetic foot ulcers are formed is due to nerve damage caused by diabetes which leads to developing numbness or loss of sensation on your feet. This is where the problem starts because you might not know or notice the severity of your wound. Hence, if you are having this complication, don’t ignore it.

Ask for medical professional help before it gets infected; or else, it could result to limb amputation.

Don’t wait before it’s too late

At Vejthani’s Diabetic Foot and Wound Center, our primary goal in the treatment of foot ulcers is to obtain healing as soon as possible to avoid infections and prevent limb amputation. Don’t wait before it’s too late and it’s already in severe condition. 

As soon as you suspect a diabetic wound or ulcer, you should seek professional help, and visit a hospital or health clinic that specializes with this kind of treatment.