In the vast countryside of China, there is a retired worker named Uncle Wang, who likes to work in his small vegetable garden every day, and always shuttles between the green vegetables every morning and evening. Uncle Wang's neighbors like to praise him as an energetic and helpful neighbor. However, in recent years, Uncle Wang's health has been worrying.
Uncle Wang has been suffering from diabetes for more than 10 years. Despite taking his medication on time every day, he often felt numbness on the soles of his feet and sometimes he couldn't even feel the pebbles on the plates of his feet. His family has reminded him many times to pay attention to foot health, but Uncle Wang always laughs and does not say anything, thinking that his feet are not painful or itchy, and there is no big problem. It wasn't until one day that he accidentally tripped over the roots of a tree under his feet, only to find that the soles of his feet had been seriously injured and even ulcerated, and he had to seek medical attention immediately.
Uncle Wang's experience is not an isolated case. Many people with diabetes often feel "indifferent" when faced with pain or abnormalities in their feet, not because they deliberately ignore it, but because the neuropathy caused by the diabetes itself causes numbness to the pain. This article will delve into why people with diabetic foot are "indifferent" to pain and the science behind this phenomenon.
The reason why people with diabetic foot are "insensory" with pain
Diabetic foot refers to a series of foot problems caused by peripheral neuropathy and vascular lesions caused by diabetes, resulting in impaired foot sensation, blood circulation and immune function. One of its characteristics is the patient's "indifference" to foot pain.
1. Loss of sensation due to neuropathy
Neuropathy in diabetic patients mainly includes peripheral neuropathy and autonomic neuropathy. Peripheral neuropathy impairs the patient's ability to perceive pain conduction, and even ordinary tingling or pressure may not reach the sensory centers of the brain. This disorder of nerve conduction makes the patient slow or unresponsive to abnormal stimuli in the foot, thus missing the opportunity to perceive and deal with foot health problems in a timely manner.
2. Pain neglect is exacerbated by circulatory disorders
In addition to neuropathy, diabetes can cause vascular lesions, particularly microvascular damage. The insufficient blood supply to the microvessels of the foot leads to tissue hypoxia and malnutrition, which inhibits the repair and inflammatory response of the foot tissues, so that the pain sensation becomes more blurred and indistinct. Impaired pain sensation and impaired blood circulation make diabetic foot patients pay much less attention to foot problems in their daily lives.
3. Elevated pain perception threshold in diabetic foot
Studies have shown that patients with long-term diabetes, especially those who have developed diabetic foot, have a gradually higher threshold for perceived pain. This means that they need stronger stimuli to perceive pain, and mild stimuli or pain often fail to elicit their adequate attention and response. This physiological change exacerbates the risk of pain neglect, leaving many people with diabetic foot who fail to recognize and manage foot problems before their condition worsens.
4. Influence of psychological and cultural factors
In addition, psychological factors and cultural background may also influence the importance that people with diabetes place on foot health. Some patients may selectively ignore abnormal sensations in the feet because of fear of disease or resistance to treatment. In some cultures, foot problems are considered the norm or not worth mentioning, which can also lead patients to ignore the severity of foot problems.
In summary, the main reasons for the "indifference" of pain in diabetic foot patients are sensory loss caused by neuropathy, pain neglect exacerbated by blood circulation disorders, increased pain perception threshold, and the influence of psychological and cultural factors. Understanding these causes is essential to developing effective prevention and treatment strategies, and helping people with diabetic foot to detect and manage foot problems in a timely manner is a critical step in reducing the occurrence of complications.
Dangers of diabetic foot
Diabetic foot is one of the most common serious complications in diabetic patients, due to the damage to the nerves, blood vessels and immune system caused by long-term hyperglycemic state, the patient's foot is prone to neuropathy and circulatory disorders, which can lead to a series of serious problems.
Ulcers and infections
One of the most common complications of diabetic foot is foot ulcers and infections. Because neuropathy weakens the patient's perception of foot pain and trauma, even small wounds may be unconscious, and ulcers tend to form over time. If these ulcers are not treated promptly and effectively, they can lead to bacterial infections that can be severe enough to require amputation.
According to relevant research data, about 30% of diabetic foot ulcers will be infected, and the difficulty of treatment after infection is greatly increased, which not only prolongs the treatment time, but also increases the medical cost and the pain of patients. Therefore, it is crucial for diabetic patients to detect signs of foot ulcers and infections in time and take effective treatment measures.
Gangrene and amputation risk
When foot ulcers are severe enough to affect skin, muscle, and bone tissue, gangrene can develop. Gangrene is a severe manifestation of tissue necrosis that, if left untreated, can lead to widespread tissue death and even life-threatening. Studies have shown that about 15% to 20% of diabetic foot ulcers eventually require amputation, which has a significant impact not only on a patient's physical health, but also on their psychological and quality of life.
Early prevention and effective treatment are key to addressing the risk of gangrene and amputation of the diabetic foot. Regular physical examination and foot care are one of the effective means to prevent gangrene, and patients and their families should pay attention to daily foot examinations and seek medical attention immediately if any abnormalities are found.
Systemic health problems
In addition to directly affecting foot health, diabetic foot is also closely related to overall health. Foot infections and ulcers can easily lead to an inflammatory response, which can make diabetes itself more difficult to control and may lead to increased blood sugar fluctuations. In addition, severe infections can even lead to systemic infections, causing secondary damage to the heart, kidneys and other organs, further deteriorating the patient's condition.
In summary, diabetic foot is not only a local problem, but also one of the important indicators of general health. Preventing the occurrence of diabetic foot is not only to protect foot health, but also to reduce the occurrence of systemic complications and improve the quality of life and long-term survival rate of patients.
Key tips for diabetic foot prevention
The key to diabetic foot prevention is to identify risk factors early and take effective preventive measures to avoid their serious consequences. Here are a few important prevention tips:
Daily foot care
Good daily foot care is essential for diabetics. This includes checking your feet daily and noticing any unusual changes such as ulcers, corns, blisters, etc. Keep your feet dry and clean, especially between your toes, wash them with warm water and mild soap, and dry them promptly. Avoid exposing your bare feet to hot water and hot objects to prevent burns.
Diabetes management
Good diabetes control is the foundation of diabetic foot prevention. Measure your blood sugar regularly to keep your blood sugar level within the target range recommended by your doctor. Eating right, exercising regularly and taking medication on time can all effectively reduce the risk of diabetic foot.
Choose the right shoes and socks
Diabetic patients should choose suitable shoes and socks, and avoid using shoes and socks that are too tight or rubbed to prevent pressure and wear on the feet. Preference is given to soft, breathable materials, and shoes should have proper arch support and a loose front end to reduce the likelihood of foot injuries.
Regular medical check-ups
Diabetic patients should have regular foot examinations by a medical professional, especially those with neuropathy. Doctors can detect and deal with potential foot problems in a timely manner, intervene in time, and prevent the condition from worsening.
Education and family support
For diabetic patients and their families, education and training is an important part of diabetic foot prevention. Understanding the risks and preventive measures of diabetic foot, and mastering the correct foot care skills, can effectively reduce the risk of developing the disease and respond to emergencies in a timely manner.
Healthy lifestyle
Good lifestyle habits are essential for the overall health of people with diabetes. Quit smoking and limit alcohol, maintain a healthy diet and moderate physical activity can help improve systemic circulation and metabolism, which in turn reduces the occurrence of diabetic foot.
In summary, the prevention of diabetic foot requires multi-faceted and comprehensive interventions, starting from the details of daily life, through effective management of diabetes, scientific foot care, regular medical check-ups, etc., to minimize the risk of disease and ensure the health and quality of life of patients.