Diabetic foot and its Ayurvedic Management
Diabetic foot
Diabetic foot is one of the most common complications of uncontrolled diabetes mellitus. If anyone has diabetes (high level of blood sugar or blood glucose level) from long-time, this can damage his or her nerves or blood vessels. This nerve damage due to diabetes can cause you to loss of sensation in your feet.
How Diabetes Mellitus may affect feet?
Over time, diabetes mellitus may cause damage to the nerves which is known as diabetic neuropathy. It can cause pain and tingling and can make you lose sensation in your feet. When you lose feeling or sensation in your feet, you may not feel any injury on your foot, which can lead to serious infection. Diabetes lowers the amount of blood flow in feet and legs which makes it difficult to heal an infection. Sometimes, a serious infection never heals and may lead to gangrene (dead tissue caused by a bad infection).
What are the signs and symptoms of Diabetic foot?
- Ingrown toenails, in which toenail grows into the nail fold
- Wounds, sores, or red spots on feet
- Rough skin by too much rubbing or pressure on feet
- Fungal infection of foot nails
- Curved toes due to muscle weakness
- Cracking of the skin of the feet
- Athlete’s foot
- Plantar warts, which are hard and grainy growths on the bottom of the feet
- Swelling or fluid-filled blisters
How to diagnose Diabetic foot
If you have a diabetic foot problem, your doctor first diagnoses you on the basis of signs and symptoms. Your doctor examines the foot, toes, and toenails for blisters, wounds, injuries, or ingrown toenails which may lead to further ulcers. He or she also evaluates the blood flow rate in the foot by feeling your pulse.
Your doctor also asks you about your medical history or condition, such as you have any other disease like peripheral neuropathy or atherosclerosis which may increase the risk of your foot injury.
Doctor may also recommend the following tests for the proper diagnosis of the diabetic foot:
- Blood test
- MRI scans
- X-ray
Blood tests
If there is a sign of an infection, such as redness, inflammation, and warmness in the affected foot, the doctor may prescribe a blood test for screening of infection.
MRI scans
The doctor may recommend MRI scanning for getting more information about the extent of damage produced by an infection.
X-ray
The doctor may recommend X-ray imaging to evaluate alterations in the alignment of the bones in the foot, which can contribute to an infection. X-rays can also show a loss of bone mass, which may occur due to the hormonal imbalances related to diabetes.
How to prevent Diabetic Foot Infection?
There are various aspects which are used to prevent diabetic foot infection, they are
Daily foot monitoring
Check your feet daily, if you have a foot problem or you are a diabetic person especially at bottom to find any sore or cut. It will help you to spot the problem before it gets worse.
Wash feet every day
Wash your feet with warm water using soap. Do not soak your feet in the water and use hot water for wash. After washing and drying put medicated powder between your toes, it will keep the skin dry and help to prevent an infection.
Regular monitoring of blood sugar level
If you are a diabetic person, you should monitor your blood sugar levels regularly to ensure that they are not in a very high range. High blood sugar level may lead to foot ulcer and it may difficult to heal.
Proper footwear
Always wear proper size footwear. Shoes should not be too small, too tight, or too large. Tight shoes may increase the risk of blisters and also restrict the blood flow to the foot.
Management of Diabetic Foot by Ayurveda
Planet Ayurveda provides effective herbal remedies for diabetic foot (diabetic neuropathy). These medicines are pure, easy to use and have no side effects.
Products offered by Planet Ayurveda to Treat Diabetic Foot
- Shilajit Capsules
- Ashwagandha Capsules
- Chanderprabha Vati.
ASHWAGANDHA CAPSULES
These capsules consist of pure extract of Ashwagandha herb (Withania somnifera). These capsules are very useful in the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers. It recovers various complications of diabetic neuropathy such as urinary system problems and erectile dysfunction. It can reduce anxiety and stress and promotes brain function.
Dosage: 2 capsules twice daily with water, after meals.
SHILAJIT CAPSULES
These capsules contain fresh extract of Shilajit (Black bitumen). Shilajit capsules are beneficial in the treatment of diabetic neuropathy. Shilajit is also used in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease, anemia, chronic fatigue syndrome, etc.
Dosage: 2 capsules twice daily with water, after meals.
CHANDERPRABHA VATI
This Planet Ayurveda’s herbal combination consists of different herbs such as Karpoor (Cinnamomum camphora), Guggul (Commiphora mukul), Vacha (Acorus calamus), Mustak (Cyperus rotundus) etc. It is used for the treatment of Erectile Dysfunction and Premature Ejaculation which are the complications of diabetic nephropathy. These tablets are also used in the treatment of diseases of the urinary tract, kidneys, bones, joints, pancreas, etc.
Dosage: 2 tablets thrice daily with water, after meals.
Home Remedies for Diabetic Foot
Cold water or ice baths
Soak your feet in cold water or ice baths for some minutes. However, this remedy is not recommended for people with erythromelalgia because it may damage their skin.
Turmeric
Use turmeric in the diet because Curcumin present in turmeric may give relief from nerve pain. Curcumin is known to have protective antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial effects.
Topical cream
Use topical creams that contain turmeric, neem, karanj, jati, nirgundi, amla, haritaki etc. herbs as they promotes the early healing of wounds.
Massage
Doing gentle massage on foot helps to enhance blood flow and circulation.
Honey
Applying honey on the affected area is the most popular home remedy for a diabetic foot problem because it is a natural antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and antibacterial substance.
Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is an anti-inflammatory and analgesic in nature When aloe vera gel is applied topically to the affected site, it reduces pain and discomfort and treats the diabetic foot infection. Aloe vera juice also gives immune-boosting effects.
Magnesium-Rich Diet
Deficiency of magnesium has been linked to poor diabetes management and a lower immune system, due to which there is a risk of infections. So add magnesium-rich foods in your diets such as spinach, black beans, pumpkin seeds, avocados, and bananas.
Dietary guidelines
The foods that you can eat if you have diabetes.
Vegetables – Non starchy vegetables such as carrots, broccoli, peppers, and tomatoes
Fruits
It includes melon, apples, berries, bananas, etc
Grains
You should add whole grains in your daily diet, for example, rice, oats, wheat, barley, etc.
Protein;
It includes fish, lean meat, eggs, dried beans, chicken or turkey without the skin, nuts, and peanuts, etc.
Food and drinks you should avoid if you have Diabetes.
- Fried foods
- Foods which are high in saturated fat and Trans fat.
- Foods which are high in salt or sodium
- Sweets such as candy, baked foods, and ice cream
- Beverages with added sugars, such as regular soda, juice, and energy drinks
Dr. Vikram Chauhan (MD-Ayurvedic Medicine) is an Expert Ayurveda Consultant in Chandigarh (India). He has vast experience of herbs and their applied uses. He has successfully treated numerous patients suffering from various ailments, throughout the world. He is CEO and Founder of Krishna Herbal Company and Planet Ayurveda in Chandigarh, India. He researched age old formulas from ancient Ayurvedic text books to restore health and save human beings from the worst side-effects of chemical-based treatments.