Overview

Diabetic foot is a medical condition resulting from diabetes mellitus, which may affect either one foot or both feet. Chronic hyperglycemia can lead to nerve damage and impede the healing process, resulting in various symptoms associated with diabetic foot. This condition can adversely affect the skin and the structural integrity of the foot.

Causes

Factors Associated with Diabetes-Induced Foot Conditions:

• Peripheral Neuropathy:  This condition can lead to diminished sensation in the feet, necessitating regular monitoring for any injuries.  

• Impaired Circulation:  Enhancing blood flow is essential for maintaining foot health and facilitating healing processes.

• Diminished Immune Response:  A robust immune system is critical in preventing infections; therefore, strategies to enhance overall health may improve resilience.

• Foot Deformities and Pressure Points:  Conditions such as bunions, hammertoes, and calluses create pressure deformities that may increase the likelihood of ulceration; appropriate footwear and orthotic interventions should be considered.

• Dry or Cracked Skin:  Maintaining proper skin hydration is vital to prevent cracks and open wounds, thereby minimising the risk of microbial infections.  

By adopting a proactive approach to managing these factors, individuals with diabetes can significantly enhance their foot health and mitigate potential complications.

Symptoms

• Numbness or tingling: These symptoms may hinder the ability to identify an injury.  

• Persistent pain or a burning sensation: Such sensations may occur without the presence of visible wounds.  

•  Dry, cracked skin: Commonly observed around the heels, this condition can predispose individuals to infections.  

•  Redness or discolouration: These alterations may signify cellulitis or an underlying infection.  

• Swelling or warmth in the affected area.  

• Sores or ulcers that fail to heal adequately.  

• Blackened skin or toes: This may indicate the presence of gangrene or necrosis of tissue.

Ayurvedic View

Prameha - Here, the word prameha means the root word 'mih sechane'meaning watering, here urination,' pra' means excess in both frequency and quantity. Due to a sedentary lifestyle and consumption of food that are heavy, unctuous, newly harvested rice, curd, excess of sweet taste, etc,virudha ahara(incompatible food),adhyashana (intake of food before digestion of previous food), etc, causes aggravation of kapha dosha, which affects dhatus like medas(fat),mamsa(muscle),udaka(lymph)etc, along with low digestive power, these dushitha dhatus(vitiated body fluids and tissues)is taken down towards urinary system, causing diabetes. Due to the predominant dosha involved, there are various symptoms, but the main symptom is excretion of aavila mutra(unctuous or turbid urine) with a change in the normal colour of urine. When left untreated affects the nerves' signalling, which affects the perception in the affected area, which can form an ulcer due to secondary infections. The Ayurveda way of approach is to correct manda agni (metabolism), bring dosha back to prakruta avastha(healthy, balanced state), reduce the symptoms and prevent the complication by Ayurvedic panchakarma treatment and medicine, guiding towards the follow of a healthy diet and lifestyle, heal the wound and prevent its further formation.