Diabetic gangrene is one of the most serious complications of diabetic foot, frequently occurring in foot infections caused by poor blood sugar control, particularly in some middle-aged and elderly individuals with diabetic foot disease. It can affect one or both lower limbs, and once gangrene develops, it progresses relatively rapidly. Clinically, it can present as dry, wet, or mixed gangrene, leading to severe foot infections, ulcers, and even life-threatening conditions. Diabetic gangrene should be treated as soon as possible. Local debridement should be performed promptly once blood sugar is stable, and local amputation may be necessary in some cases.
What are the early symptoms of diabetes?
In the early stages of diabetes, there are usually no obvious symptoms. Some people may experience dry mouth and increased urination, while others may experience fatigue and blurred vision. Some elderly people may also experience itchy skin. A blood sugar test is necessary. If fasting blood sugar is 6.1 to 7.0 mmol/L, and postprandial glucose is impaired (7.8 to 11.1 mmol/L), it can be diagnosed as impaired fasting glucose. Impaired fasting glucose and impaired postprandial glucose are collectively referred to as impaired glucose tolerance, which is the early stage of diabetes. If you want to control your diet in the early stages of diabetes, increase exercise, avoid high-calorie, high-fat, and high-sugar foods, and follow a low-oil, low-fat, and low-calorie diet. Regular exercise, especially aerobic exercise, is important to burn calories and help restore blood sugar levels to normal.
Treatment of diabetic complications
Poorly controlled diabetes over a long period can easily lead to various complications such as dizziness, palpitations, shortness of breath, itchy skin, numbness in the limbs, memory loss, insomnia, and tinnitus. The key to treatment is to actively treat the underlying disease and control blood sugar within the ideal range. If symptoms of insufficient blood supply to the heart and brain occur, medications that improve microcirculation and protect heart and brain cells can be used. If nerve function is impaired, acupuncture, massage, and oral neurotrophic drugs can be used. If itchy skin occurs, anti-inflammatory and allergy medications can be used. Drinking dandelion tea regularly and maintaining a low-salt, low-fat diabetic diet with regular bowel movements are also beneficial.