Vishal (name changed) is a 60-year-old man who has been living with type 2 diabetes for over 5 years. He has always been good at managing his blood sugar levels and taking his medications as prescribed. However, recently he noticed a sore on his right foot that seemed just not to heal. He didn’t pay much attention to it thinking that it is a minor injury. But, over time, the sore became more painful and he noticed it has even started to emit a foul odor.
Despite the discomfort, Vishal still did not think the sore was serious enough to warrant medical attention and, he continued to ignore it. As the weeks turned into months, Vishal noticed that his right leg had become swollen, and he began to feel a tingling sensation in his toes. He also started to feel fatigued and had difficulty sleeping due to the constant pain in his foot.
Finally, after persuasion from his family he decided to visit a doctor, and he was diagnosed with a leg ulcer, a common complication of diabetes. The ulcer had become infected, and the infection had spread to the surrounding tissues, causing cellulitis, a potentially life-threatening condition. Vishal required hospitalization and intravenous antibiotics to treat the infection.
The delay in seeking medical attention had caused significant damage to his foot and leg, and he now required more intensive and prolonged treatment to manage the wound and prevent further complications. Having left untreated, infections had spread and caused such severe tissue damage that it cannot be repaired. Now he was at risk of amputation.
Getting your diabetes under control can save your veins and prevent ulcer formation.
High blood sugar levels can damage the blood vessels and nerves in your legs. This can cause poor blood circulation in the body and lead to nerve damage, a serious risk factor for developing leg ulcers. By controlling blood sugar levels through a healthy diet, regular exercise, and medication if needed, you can help prevent these complications.
As the tiny blood vessels that supply the nerves in the feet and legs get damaged, pain and numbness can occur, and patients complain of “pins and needles” in the feet with reduced pain sensation. Subsequently, as injuries go unnoticed due to lack of sensation, ulcers may develop and enlarge before they are noticed.
Managing diabetes
A healthy diet that is rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats can help you manage your blood sugar levels and reduce your risk of complications. Medicines, oral or insulin injections, if prescribed, must be taken as directed.
30 minutes of moderate exercise at least 4-5 days a week can improve insulin sensitivity and help lower your blood sugar levels.
If you smoke, it is important that you quit as it will help to reduce diabetes related complications.
You need to monitor and manage diabetes by working closely with your healthcare provider. At Avis vascular center, a personalized treatment plan is developed by our expert doctors based on the severity of your condition.
Venous Ulcer Treatment Hyderabad | Vijayawada | Visakhapatnam
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