Two Toes Complaint

Have you ever thought that our toes can also have their own stories and emotions? Today, please listen to the complaint of Uncle Zhao's two toes. Uncle Zhao, a senior diabetic patient for more than 30 years, usually has no scruples about diet, does not exercise, does not monitor blood sugar, does not take medicine and injections on time, day after day, year after year. Until the end of August last year, his left big toe and second big toe finally left him forever due to ineffective rescue. So who took away the uncle's toes? This criminal is called "diabetic foot".

(Photos copyrighted by the library, reprinting and using may cause copyright disputes)

What is "diabetic foot"?

Today, let's analyze the motive, means and final result of the crime. First, let's understand the criminal's "diabetic foot". "Diabetic foot" refers to foot ulcers, infections, necrosis and other lesions caused by diabetic vascular disease and (or) neuropathy. Diabetic foot is one of the most serious complications of diabetes and one of the important causes of disability and death in diabetic patients. To put it bluntly, it is to commit crimes quietly and destroy slowly, just like a "sugar-coated bullet" that catches people off guard.

(Photos copyrighted by the library, reprinting and using may cause copyright disputes)

Next, let's take a look at how "diabetic foot" is committed: First, diabetes causes vascular and neuropathy. Long-term high blood sugar levels cause damage to vascular endothelial cells, narrowing, hardening, and occlusion of blood vessels, which in turn leads to ischemia and hypoxia of the lower limbs, causing ulcers. Damage to nerve cells and decreased sensory function make the feet easy to be injured and difficult to detect. Second, infection. Reduced immunity makes it easy to be infected by bacteria, fungi, etc., causing foot ulcers and necrosis. Third, trauma. Feet have decreased sensation and are prone to injury. For example, improper shoe wearing and dry foot skin may cause foot ulcers. There are other factors: such as smoking, obesity, high blood pressure, and high blood lipids. Knowing the means of committing the crime, let's take a look at how the victim was hurt. Foot pain and paresthesia belong to the first stage. Diabetic patients often experience foot pain, numbness, and decreased cold and hot sensations due to neuropathy and vascular disease. In severe cases, it will affect walking and daily life. The next is foot ulcers, which are often called "rotten feet" by ordinary people. Until the final gangrene: the tissue completely loses its vitality, shrivels, and eventually amputates the toes or limbs. Uncle Zhao's toes eventually passed away.

Who are the victims?

1. Long-term diabetes, poor blood sugar control, and over 40 years old, especially smokers. 2. Lack of awareness of "diabetic foot" and failure to treat it systematically. 3. All diabetic patients should undergo a comprehensive foot examination every year to evaluate the current symptoms of neuropathy (pain, burning, numbness, paresthesia) and lower limb vascular disease (lower limb fatigue, claudication). 4. Dry skin on the feet, darkening of local skin color, poor skin elasticity, weak or absent pulse at the end of the lower limbs, and some patients will have symptoms such as local skin ulceration and gangrene. 5. Patients with diabetes and toe deformities.

Those who are unfortunately harmed by "diabetic foot" should not be too sad, there are still many ways to change your fate:

1. Nerve repair: For the treatment of nerve damage in "diabetic foot", some auxiliary therapies can be used, such as physical therapy, Chinese herbal medicine treatment or surgical treatment.

2. Vascular reconstruction: For those caused by vascular diseases, vascular reconstruction can be performed through interventional surgery, skin grafting or vascular bypass surgery.

3. Wound care: For cases of diabetic foot combined with ulcers or infections, attention should be paid to wound care and anti-infection treatment.

How to prevent the occurrence of "diabetic foot" and reduce the damage?

1. The cause of "diabetic foot" is diabetes. Monitoring blood sugar is the key. Regular checks are required for early detection and early treatment.

2. Smoking is one of the risk factors for many diseases, including diabetic foot. Appropriate exercise can improve local tissue ischemia and hypoxia.

3. Wear comfortable shoes that are not too tight or too hard to reduce the risk of foot wear and injury. Keep your feet clean to avoid infection.

4. For foot ulcers and gangrene that have already occurred, appropriate treatment measures need to be taken, such as debridement, anti-infection, surgical treatment, etc.

In summary, "diabetic foot" is not scary, and correct prevention and treatment are the "kingly way". As the classic line in the movie "A Chinese Odyssey" goes, I once had a pair of perfect feet, but I didn't cherish them. I regretted it when I lost them. Cherish life and stay away from "diabetic foot"!