Diabetic Foot
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Diabetic Foot
من طرف ahmed abd allah السبت يوليو 25, 2009 12:03 pm
Definition
Dhiabetic foot infections are infections that can develop in the skin, muscles, or bones of the foot as a result of the nerve damage and poor circulation that is associated with diabetes
The risk of infection is greatest for people who are over the age of 60 and for those who have one or more of the following
poorly controlled diabetes
foot ulcers
laser treatment for changes in the retina
kidney or vascular disease
loss of sensation neuropathy
Causes and symptoms
Bacteria can cause an infection through small cracks (fissures) that can develop in the dry skin around the heel and on other parts of the foot or through corns, calluses, blisters, hangnails, or ulcers. If not treated, the bacterial infection can destroy skin, tissue, and bone or spread throughout the body
Common sites of diabetic foot infections include the following
blisters, corns, or callouses that bleed beneath the skin
bunions, hammertoes, or other abnormalities in the bones of the foot
scar tissue that has grown over the site of an earlier infection
foot ulcers caused by pressure, nerve damage, or poor circulation Ulcers occur most often over the ball of the foot, on the bottom of the big toe, or on the sides of the foot due to poorly fitting shoes
injuries that tear or puncture the skin
Diagnosis
A physician who specializes in the treatment of the foot podiatrist or the doctor who normally treats the patient's diabetes will treat the infection. An x ray of the foot will be taken to determine whether the bone has become infected. A sample from the wound will be cultured to identify the organism that is causing the infection so that the appropriate antibiotic can be selected
Treatment
From the results of the culture, the appropriate antibiotic will be prescribed. Any dead or infected tissue will be surgically removed and, if necessary, a cast and/or special shoes may be used to protect the area. In addition, the patient will be instructed to keep off their feet. If the ulcer does not heal, the physician may perform surgery to increase blood flow to the foot. It is also important for the patient to practice good diabetes control and keep blood glucose levels from getting too high
Alternative treatment
Acupuncture and vitamin C can boost the body's infection-fighting ability. A variety of other vitamins and herbs may improve general health and diabetes control. Because diabetes is a potentially deadly disease, it can be dangerous to try alternative approaches without a doctor's approval or without consulting a trained practitioner of alternative medicine
Prognosis
Without proper treatment, diabetic foot infections can lead to serious illness, gangrene, amputation, and even death if the infection spreads throughout the body. If treated properly and the patient practices good foot care, the prognosis is generally optimistic
Prevention
There are many things that a diabetic individual can do to prevent the occurrence of foot infections, including the following
control blood glucose and do not allow it to get too high
avoid smoking
keep blood pressure and cholesterol under control
exercise to stimulate blood flow
keep feet clean, dry, and warm
check your feet every day for blisters, scratches, and skin that is hard, broken, inflamed or that feels hot or cold when touched
after bathing, carefully dry feet and apply thin coat of petroleum jelly or hand cream to prevent dry skin from cracking
use a pumice stone and emery board to trim calluses
do not neglect an ulcer, should one develop
Dhiabetic foot infections are infections that can develop in the skin, muscles, or bones of the foot as a result of the nerve damage and poor circulation that is associated with diabetes
The risk of infection is greatest for people who are over the age of 60 and for those who have one or more of the following
poorly controlled diabetes
foot ulcers
laser treatment for changes in the retina
kidney or vascular disease
loss of sensation neuropathy
Causes and symptoms
Bacteria can cause an infection through small cracks (fissures) that can develop in the dry skin around the heel and on other parts of the foot or through corns, calluses, blisters, hangnails, or ulcers. If not treated, the bacterial infection can destroy skin, tissue, and bone or spread throughout the body
Common sites of diabetic foot infections include the following
blisters, corns, or callouses that bleed beneath the skin
bunions, hammertoes, or other abnormalities in the bones of the foot
scar tissue that has grown over the site of an earlier infection
foot ulcers caused by pressure, nerve damage, or poor circulation Ulcers occur most often over the ball of the foot, on the bottom of the big toe, or on the sides of the foot due to poorly fitting shoes
injuries that tear or puncture the skin
Diagnosis
A physician who specializes in the treatment of the foot podiatrist or the doctor who normally treats the patient's diabetes will treat the infection. An x ray of the foot will be taken to determine whether the bone has become infected. A sample from the wound will be cultured to identify the organism that is causing the infection so that the appropriate antibiotic can be selected
Treatment
From the results of the culture, the appropriate antibiotic will be prescribed. Any dead or infected tissue will be surgically removed and, if necessary, a cast and/or special shoes may be used to protect the area. In addition, the patient will be instructed to keep off their feet. If the ulcer does not heal, the physician may perform surgery to increase blood flow to the foot. It is also important for the patient to practice good diabetes control and keep blood glucose levels from getting too high
Alternative treatment
Acupuncture and vitamin C can boost the body's infection-fighting ability. A variety of other vitamins and herbs may improve general health and diabetes control. Because diabetes is a potentially deadly disease, it can be dangerous to try alternative approaches without a doctor's approval or without consulting a trained practitioner of alternative medicine
Prognosis
Without proper treatment, diabetic foot infections can lead to serious illness, gangrene, amputation, and even death if the infection spreads throughout the body. If treated properly and the patient practices good foot care, the prognosis is generally optimistic
Prevention
There are many things that a diabetic individual can do to prevent the occurrence of foot infections, including the following
control blood glucose and do not allow it to get too high
avoid smoking
keep blood pressure and cholesterol under control
exercise to stimulate blood flow
keep feet clean, dry, and warm
check your feet every day for blisters, scratches, and skin that is hard, broken, inflamed or that feels hot or cold when touched
after bathing, carefully dry feet and apply thin coat of petroleum jelly or hand cream to prevent dry skin from cracking
use a pumice stone and emery board to trim calluses
do not neglect an ulcer, should one develop
ahmed abd allah- ...
- العمر : 34
العمل/الترفيه : الفوتوشوب
المزاج : عصبي شوية
تاريخ التسجيل : 20/11/2008 -
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