If you are a diabetic and always suffer from high blood sugar levels, you are exposed to many risks. Even just stubbing your toe and injuring it poses a risk to your life! It can develop intoDiabetic foot gangrenedue to damage to the peripheral blood vessels in the foot.

Read on to learn more about the relationship between diabetic foot and gangrene, and how to treat and prevent it.

How does diabetic foot gangrene develop?

Gangrene is the death of tissues in the body as a result of poor blood supply to them. Diabetics are more susceptible to this condition as a result of high sugar levels damaging the peripheral nerves and their negative impact on blood flow in the blood vessels of the feet, so not enough blood reaches them, and foot cells may die. .

The effect of diabetes on the nerves and blood vessels in the foot leads to loss of sensation, and the ease with which any wound in the foot becomes infected, thus leading to the risk of developing diabetic gangrene of the foot.

What are the types of diabetic foot gangrene?

There are several types of diabetic foot gangrene depending on the cause:

الغرغرينا الجافة

Dry gangrene develops slowly and is characterized by a blue or black color to the skin. It occurs due to poor blood flow carrying oxygen to the cells of the foot tissue, which leads to their death.

الغرغرينا الرطبة

Wet gangrene is characterized by its wet and swollen appearance. It results from the exposure of a diabetic patient’s foot to wounds that may become a home for bacterial infection. It develops at a rapid rate due to blood and immune cells reaching the foot tissues and fighting bacteria. This leads to a delay in the healing process.

Wet gangrene spreads quickly and may be fatal if the infection spreads to the body, so rapid medical intervention is required.

• Gas gangrene

Gas gangrene produces a cracking sound when pressure is applied to the affected part of the foot. It occurs as a result of injury and infection with a type of bacteria that has the ability to produce gases known as Clostridium perfringens. The bacteria invade the foot wound that has no blood supply and produce their toxins inside it. Gas gangrene is a life-threatening condition.

Read also: Diabetic foot fungus

Symptoms of gangrene of the diabetic foot.. When does the patient’s condition become serious?

When suffering from Diabetic foot gangrene the following symptoms appear:

• Skin color changes, as the skin takes on a gray, purple, red, or black color.
• Feeling severe pain followed by a feeling of numbness.
• Swelling and cold feet.
• A crackling sound when pressing on the affected skin, in case of gas gangrene.
• The formation of sores or blisters that exude unpleasant odors, or bleed blood or pus secretions in the event of wet gangrene.

For more information read: Treatment of pus in diabetic foot

If the infection that affects diabetic foot spreads through the blood to the rest of the body, the patient may suffer from a condition called “septic shock,” which is a serious, life-threatening condition that results in the following symptoms:

• fever.
• Accelerated heartbeat.
• shortness of breath.
• Reduction of Blood pressure.
• jerk.
• vertigo.

Who are the people most at risk of developing gangrene?

The people most at risk of developing foot gangrene are patients with health conditions that affect the blood vessels, such as diabetes, as we explained previously. Other conditions include the following:

• Atherosclerosis: This is the deposition of fatty substances on the walls of blood vessels, which leads to blockage of the vessel and a lack of blood supply. When atherosclerosis occurs in the leg, the risk of gangrene increases.
• Raynaud’s disease: It is a condition in which small blood vessels, such as those in the toes and hands, narrow, due to cold temperatures and stress, then the skin color turns blue.
• After leg injuries or surgery: Gangrene may develop after a major injury or leg surgery.
• Weak immune system: When the immune system is weak, the body cannot protect itself, so infections become more serious and the possibility of gangrene increases.

How is diabetic foot gangrene treated?

Treatment for Diabetic Foot Gangrene should be sought as soon as possible before the symptoms worsen, or the infection spreads to different parts of the body. Available treatments include:

Debridement

Debridement means removing damaged tissue from the foot; To prevent the spread of infection to healthy tissues.

Antibiotics

Amputation

The doctor prescribes strong antibiotics, whether in the form of tablets or injections. To prevent infection or worsening of an existing infection in the case of wet gangrene.

In cases of advanced diabetic gangrene of the foot that threatens the patient’s life, the doctor may recommend amputation of the affected part of the foot. To prevent the spread of infection to the rest of the body.

Therapeutic catheterization, the most important step to ensure that you do not suffer from the disease again

It is important not to ignore the cause of diabetic foot gangreneto prevent its occurrence again, so if the patient suffers from peripheral vascular insufficiency and poor blood supply to the foot, the doctor may resort, in addition to the previous treatment options, to therapeutic catheterization.

Therapeutic catheterization is a minimally invasive surgical procedure used to restore blood flow again to the affected area. The doctor uses a catheter to install a metal stent inside the blood vessel to expand and open it, reducing the chances of recurrence of foot injury and amputation.

Read also:  How to change a diabetic foot wound< /a>

How can diabetics prevent gangrene?

A diabetic patient must maintain moderate blood sugar levels to prevent diabetes complications in general, by:

• Eat healthy diets that are free of harmful sugars and fats, and contain vitamins and minerals that are important for the body.
• Regular exercise, such as walking daily, and following the doctor’s instructions regarding prescribed medications.

In addition to following the following instructions to prevent a diabetic patient from gangrene:

• Examine the feet daily and pay attention to any change in color or occurrence cracking or swelling, or sensation With numbness in it.
• Consult a specialist doctor if you have corns, calluses, or ingrown toenails, and do not try to treat them at home.
• Wash your feet daily with warm water and dry them well, especially between the toes.
• Avoid walking with bare feet.
• Wear shoes of appropriate sizes, because tight shoes may cause foot injuries and problems.
• Weight loss in case of obesity, as excess weight puts pressure on the arteries, causing slow blood flow to the feet.
• Quit smoking, as smoking contributes to damaging blood vessels.

Check on your health by booking with The best vascular doctor at the Vascular Art Center, which is supervised by a group of experienced and skilled doctors.

Vascular Art – Dr. Mahmoud Salah