It is worth noting that peripheral neuropathy is one of the main chronic complications of diabetes. Once is ignored, the disease develops and causes obstruction of limb blood vessels, and the patient will face leg and foot ulcers, toe amputation, and even life-threatening.
. Many diabetes mellitus do not know that they are at a high risk of peripheral neuropathy due to lack of attention or lack of relevant knowledge of disease.
Statistics show that the risk of peripheral vascular obstruction in diabetic patients is 2 to 4 times that of ordinary people, and the risk of amputation is 50% to 75%. Limpsy feet are often a sign of peripheral neuropathy and often occur in patients with long-term poor blood sugar control.
Generally speaking, peripheral neuropathy is more severely invaded by the lower limbs, and coldness, acidity, numbness, and pain occur. In severe cases, intermittent claudication occurs . Patients often become alert to the severity of the problem due to dull sensation or lack of sensation and poor wound healing.
Diabetic peripheral neuropathy is one of the reasons for Diabetic foot . If the treatment is not timely, it may cause the patient to have "diabetic foot". In severe cases, the leg and foot ulcers will face leg and foot ulcers, toe amputation, and even life-threatening. Most diabetic patients do not realize that they are a high-risk group for peripheral neuropathy.
So, which groups are high-risk people with peripheral neuropathy? According to the clinical incidence, it mainly includes these three categories:
1. Patients with confirmed diabetes aged 50 to 69 years old;
2. Elderly people over 70 years old;
3. Patients with diabetes aged 50 years old, but they have risk factors for peripheral arterial diseases, such as: smoking, alcoholism, hypertension of , hyperlipidemia, diabetes history for more than 10 years, lower limb pain or lameness during exercise, etc. or above are high-risk groups for peripheral neuropathy.
Diabetic patients, especially older "diabetic friends", doctors will regularly measure the "Ankle-brachial blood pressure ratio index" to measure the ratio of the blood pressure of the foot ankle and upper arm to show the degree of blood vessel obstruction and determine whether there is a problem with foot circulation.
Little prevention in daily life can surpass future treatment. After taking a shower every day, diabetic patients should carefully check whether there are wounds, blisters, lumps or infections on their feet. If they cannot check themselves, they should ask their family members to check on their behalf, at least once a week, and promptly eliminate the factors that cause infection.
If you want to trim your nails, you can take a bath. The nails are softer and easier to trim. Cut the edges of the nails in parallel and do not cut in arc shape to avoid nail embedding. If you are old and cannot see clearly, you can ask your family to do it for you.
For foot care, you can use lotion to avoid dryness and rupture, but you should avoid applying the foot joints to avoid moisture causing fungal infection on the feet. The most important thing about is to not wear barefoot or wear shoes that are not suitable for feet to avoid injuries and falls; before wearing shoes, check whether there are foreign objects in the shoes.
As for preventing foot lesions, controlling blood sugar well, eating a balanced diet, and paying attention to keeping your feet warm can effectively slow down neuropathy. In addition, moderate exercise, local massage of your feet, and adequate sleep can relieve pain and discomfort caused by numbness.
(Editor ZS. Picture source from the Internet, delete if infringement)
Hunan Medical Chat Special Author: Nursing Department of Hunan Provincial Brain Hospital (Hunan Provincial Second People's Hospital) Deputy Chief Nursing Officer Li Cai
Follow @Hunan Medical Chat to get more popular health science information!
