Alarm on diabetic foot: "People with diabetes take care of feet"

Prof (Dr) Rama Kant awarded Jharkhand Presidential Oration on diabetic foot
Professor (Dr) Rama Kant was awarded the prestigious Presidential Oration by Association of Surgeons of India (ASI) Jharkhand in Hazaribagh on 24th October. Prof (Dr) Rama Kant is currently the Managing Director of Piles to Smiles Clinic at Rama Consultations and Training Centre (RCTC), C-block crossing, Indira Nagar and also the Professor-Director at SIPS Hospital, Shahmina Road. He is the former Head of Surgery Dept, CSMMU (erst KGMC) and former Chief Medical Superintendent of Gandhi Memorial and Associated Hospitals, CSMMU. Read more


Prof (Dr) Rama Kant was awarded the Jharkhand Presidential Oration at the JASICON 2010 in Hazaribagh on diabetic foot. “People with diabetes can, over time, develop nerve damage throughout the body. Some people with nerve damage have no symptoms. Others may have symptoms such as pain, tingling, or numbness - loss of feeling - in the hands, arms, feet, and legs” informed Professor (Dr) Rama Kant, who is the current President of Association of Surgeons of India, UP Chapter (2009-2010) and is the ASI governing council member (2010-2012).

“The foot of the patient with long-standing diabetes is often the site of neuropathic and vascular growth which poses a considerable threat, not only to the lower limb but also to the life of the patient” warns Prof Rama Kant, who is also the recipient of the coveted World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General’s Award for the year 2005.

Relatively diabetic foot is one of the leading causes resulting in long hospital stays for people with diabetes. It demands much care and attention by both the patient and healthcare personnel. Two major problems which predispose the patients with diabetes to amputation are the development of neuropathy due to uncontrolled diabetes over several years while result in damage to the nerves in the feet leading to the loss of sensation. They also develop certain high pressure points under the feet which result in the formation of callus which later turns in to an ulcer. In addition cigarette smoking will lead to nerve damage and reduced blood flow in the feet.

With increasing age, people with diabetes may develop diminished sensation and decreased peripheral circulation in the feet, and thus are at a heightened risk of developing foot infections.

Prof Rama Kant lists some ways people with diabetes can take care of their feet:
1. Keep feet clean – wash them regularly.
2. Use only lukewarm water – no hot water, heating pads, hot water bottles, iodine or alcohol.
3. Keep the feet dry – especially between toes-use unscented lotion or cream to keep skin soft.
4. Use only medicines recommended by your doctor
5. Cut toe nails straight across, not deep into the corners to help avoid ingrown toe nails.
6. Never use razors, knives or corn caps to remove corns.
7. Wear shoes or slippers at all times -never walk bare foot even at home.
8. Wear good fitting shoes/slippers - not tight or worn-out ones. Boots should be used only for short periods.
9. Check your feet daily and see your doctor immediately about foot problems.

Shobha Shukla - CNS
(The author is the Editor of Citizen News Service (CNS) and also serves as the Director of CNS Gender Initiative and CNS Diabetes Media Initiative (CNS-DMI). She has worked earlier with State Planning Institute, UP. Email: shobha@citizen-news.org, website: www.citizen-news.org) 


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