Foot complications are one of the most serious and costly complications of diabetes. Up to 15 percent of diabetics are likely to develop a foot ulcer at some stage in their lives. The three main causes of diabetic foot ulcers are:
- neuropathy
- poor blood supply (ischaemia)
- infection
Neuropathy
The most common diabetic foot complication, neuropathy, is caused by damaged nerves in the lower extremity. The condition is permanent and can lead to loss of sensation and painful feet. The loss of sensation increases the risk of accidental injury. Treatment consists of attention to feet, self-care and custom-made footwear.
Poor blood supply (ischemia)
A very serious condition, ischemia is the main reason for amputations. Ischemia is caused by impaired circulation, which can be due to arteriosclerosis or occlusion of tissue. Impaired circulation causes reduced pulse - the foot is cold and blue - and this leads to tissue death and the eventual development of an ulcer. Your patient may need vascular surgery.
Infection
Diabetes can change the body's ability to combat infection. Not only are the feet more prone to infection, it's also harder to get rid of an infection once it's there. It is crucial that healthcare professionals assess patients regularly to prevent and react quickly to infections.
Prevalence
Due to changes in lifestyle and an increase in the mean age of the population, diabetes has increased dramatically over the past years. At present, more than 246 million people are diabetics. According to The International Diabetes Federation, this is expected to rise to 380 million people worldwide by 2025. The consequences for society are enormous.
Ulcer management
Biatain® Ag / Contreet® foam dressings combine effective exudate handling with controlled ionic silver release within the foam dressing.
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