HOW CAN SUGAR DISEASE DISTURB THE FEET AND CAUSES FOOT ULCERS? (“HEALTHY LEGS ARE INDICATORS OF HEALTHY LIFE”)

Dr. Raghavendra Rao M. V.*, Dr. Srinivasa Rao Gummadidala, Dr. Jyothi Bandlapalle, Dr. Kavya Shruthi G., Dr. Chinna Babu Sunkavalli, Dr. Daniel Finney Sankuru and  Dr. Neeru Bhandari, Dr. Krothapalli Sai Krishna

Diabetic foot refers to a condition in chronic diabetic individuals where neuropathy changes affect the foot due to neurological or vascular pathologies or both, causing complete loss of sensations which may lead to the development of ulcers in the foot associated with many life-threatening complications. Over time, high blood glucose levels and high levels of fat (triglycerides) can damage nerves. High blood glucose levels can also damage the small blood vessels that nourish the nerves with oxygen and nutrients. Type 2 diabetes has been found to affect a fourth of those with the condition, who are at high risk of developing foot problems that could lead to serious complications and amputations. Diabetic foot refers to foot problems, like diabetic foot ulcers and Charcot's foot, that are common in people with diabetes due to nerve damage (Diabetic neuropathy) and poor circulation. High blood sugar damages nerves and blood vessels, leading to loss of sensation, increased risk of injury, and slower healing. Research has been focused on mechanisms of diabetic neuropathy, but treatment options to eliminate the initial causes are still be short of.  The impaired glucose metabolism in diabetes leads to hypoxia and acidosis, which trigger other abnormalities responsible for mitochondrial and bioenergetic dysfunction by increasing ROS production to cause membrane hyperexcitability and a reduction of ATP production. Diabetic foot ulceration is a devastating complication of diabetes that is associated with infection, amputation, and death, and is affecting increasing numbers of patients with diabetes mellitus.