How to treat diabetic foot?

Written by Zhao Xin Lan
Endocrinology
Updated on September 18, 2024
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Diabetic foot is one of the most severe complications of diabetes. It is caused by a combination of factors including peripheral vascular disease and diabetic peripheral neuropathy associated with diabetes. In such cases, treatment can involve internal medicine, interventional vascular treatment, and surgical treatment cooperatively managed by multiple vascular departments. Early treatment focuses on controlling blood sugar, improving circulation, and nourishing nerves. If ulcerations and skin breakdown have already occurred in the foot, further debridement and anti-infection treatments are necessary. It is essential to conduct an ultrasound of the lower limb vessels to assess for any vascular narrowing. If severe vascular occlusion occurs, vascular surgery may be needed to restore blood flow. In cases of severe diabetic foot with infection, surgical debridement or even amputation may be necessary. Thus, it is crucial to control blood sugar well in the early stages of diabetes to prevent these complications and potentially avoid the onset of diabetic foot.

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Type 2 diabetes daily diet

Type II diabetes requires careful daily dietary considerations. First, meals should be regular and moderate in portion; overeating is to be avoided. Second, ideally consume only three meals a day and avoid late-night snacks, which is a habit that many people have but is inadvisable. Third, the amount of carbohydrates per meal should be controlled; about 100 grams of staple food per meal is sufficient for those who perform moderate physical labor and do not engage in heavy physical activities. Fourth, sweet foods like pastries and cakes, which are high in sugar, should be completely avoided. Fifth, foods like porridge and glutinous rice, which have a high glycemic index, are not recommended. Lastly, very sweet fruits such as lychees, longans, durians, grapes, and bananas are too sugary and not suitable for consumption.

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Symptoms of gestational diabetes

Gestational diabetes refers to abnormal glucose tolerance that occurs during pregnancy. It usually involves only mild, asymptomatic hyperglycemia without the typical symptoms of diabetes such as dry mouth, excessive thirst, frequent urination, and weight loss. However, significant increases in blood sugar can lead to symptoms such as dry mouth, excessive thirst, frequent urination, and weight loss. It is important to be vigilant for gestational diabetes in patients who exhibit symptoms such as excessive amniotic fluid, a large fetus, or recurrent urinary tract infections. Therefore, it is generally recommended for pregnant patients to complete an OGTT (Oral Glucose Tolerance Test) by the 24th week of pregnancy to confirm whether they have gestational diabetes. After childbirth, blood sugar levels in women with gestational diabetes generally return to normal, but the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes in the future significantly increases. Therefore, patients with gestational diabetes should undergo diabetes screening 6 to 12 weeks postpartum and be monitored over the long term.

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Early symptoms of type 2 diabetes

The typical symptoms of type 2 diabetes are referred to as "three excesses and one deficiency." The three excesses include excessive thirst and dry mouth, increased appetite with frequent hunger, and increased urination. The one deficiency refers to weight loss; these are the more typical symptoms. Some patients might often find out about their elevated blood sugar during routine health checks at work. Others may seek medical advice due to issues like skin itchiness or wounds that heal poorly after injury. Some might mainly experience numbness in their hands and feet, or blurred vision among other symptoms.

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How to control diet for diabetes

The diet for diabetes mainly involves setting reasonable blood sugar reduction targets. Before achieving these targets, strict dietary control is necessary. All fruits, nuts, fried foods, and barbecued foods must be avoided. Meals should be regular and quantified without any extra meals or snacks. The amount of rice for lunch and dinner should be controlled, approximately a couple of ounces per meal, while intake of sufficient vegetables is encouraged to satiate hunger. However, vegetables like pumpkin should not be eaten. A certain amount of lean meat can be included, but fatty meats are to be avoided. Additionally, dry foods are recommended for diabetics, while liquid diets, like soups and porridges, should be avoided. For breakfast, if blood sugar control is poor, one should temporarily avoid noodles and rice noodles. Instead, consuming some pure milk and an egg, along with buns or dumplings such as steamed dumplings or wontons, is acceptable.

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Gestational diabetes range

Gestational diabetes refers to abnormal blood sugar levels occurring during pregnancy. This term is used if the diagnosis is made during pregnancy, and does not include patients who were already diabetic before pregnancy, who are referred to as having diabetes concurrent with pregnancy. The criteria for diagnosing gestational diabetes are based on the results of the OGTT (Oral Glucose Tolerance Test) conducted between 24-28 weeks of pregnancy. According to the OGTT results, a fasting blood sugar level ≥ 5.1 mmol/L, a one-hour blood sugar level ≥ 10.0 mmol/L, or a two-hour blood sugar level ≥8.5 mmol/L, meeting any one of these criteria confirms a diagnosis of gestational diabetes.