Diabetic Gangrene: Understanding, Causes and Treatment
Diabetic gangrene, also known as diabetic foot, is a serious complication of diabetes that can lead to tissue destruction and infection. This condition is one of the most common complications associated with diabetes and can have serious consequences, including limb amputation. In this article we will look at the main aspects of diabetic gangrene, including its causes and treatments.
Diabetic gangrene develops due to nerve damage (neuropathy) and circulation problems (vascular disease) that are often associated with diabetes. In patients with diabetes, elevated blood sugar levels can cause nerve damage, which reduces their sensitivity and ability to sense pain signals. In addition, elevated sugar levels can affect the health of blood vessels, causing them to narrow and become damaged. This leads to decreased blood supply to tissues, especially in the legs and feet.
Damage to nerves and blood vessels makes diabetic patients more susceptible to injury and infection. Small wounds that may go undetected due to decreased sensation can progress to ulcers and gangrene. Gangrene is a process of tissue death caused by necrosis and infection.
Symptoms of diabetic gangrene may include:
- Pain or lack of pain in the legs and feet.
- Swelling and redness of the affected area.
- The appearance of ulcers and ulcers that do not heal for a long time.
- Formation of black, dark or hard tissue.
- Unpleasant odor from the affected area.
Treatment of diabetic gangrene requires an integrated approach and may include several methods. First and foremost, controlling blood sugar levels is a fundamental aspect of treatment. This helps prevent further tissue damage and promotes healing.
Other treatments may include:
- Cleaning and draining the affected area to remove necrotic tissue and infection.
- Antibiotic therapy to fight infection.
- The use of anti-gangrenotic drugs that help remove necrotic tissue.
- Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is a procedure in which the patient is placed in a special high-pressure chamber to increase the supply of oxygen to damaged tissues and speed up their healing.
- Surgery, including nerve decompression or amputation, may be required in cases where tissue damage becomes irreversible or infection spreads.
However, the most effective way to combat diabetic gangrene is to prevent it. It is important to maintain good glycemic control and follow your doctor's recommendations for caring for your legs and feet. This includes regularly checking your feet for sores, wearing comfortable shoes, avoiding injuries, and taking care of your skin.
In conclusion, diabetic gangrene is a serious complication of diabetes that can lead to tissue destruction and infection. Controlling your blood sugar levels and taking good care of your legs and feet are key measures to prevent this complication. If symptoms of diabetic gangrene appear, you should immediately consult a doctor to begin appropriate treatment and prevent serious consequences.
Diabetic gangrene is a serious disease that occurs in people with diabetes. The cause of gangrene is poor circulation in the extremities, which leads to tissue death. Gangrene develops as a result of long-term exposure to factors such as increased blood circulation in the limbs and decreased blood circulation in peripheral vessels on the human body. Gangra should be distinguished from necrosis (death of tissue), which occurs in the event of injury. The main difference between gangrene and ordinary tissue death is that it is not accompanied by inflammation.
The main reasons for the development of gangrene in diabetics are the following:
- Long-term presence of diabetes mellitus. As a result of lack of glucose control