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Foot ulcers are one of the common complications in diabetic patients. However, smoking will contribute to the development and persistence of foot ulcers in patients.
1. Complications of foot ulcers due to diabetes
Foot ulcers are one of the most common complications in diabetics because of the following 3 main reasons:
High blood sugar levels cause peripheral artery disease: people with diabetes if not well controlled blood sugar levels, causing blood glucose levels to rise, affecting blood vessels. Blood vessels will harden, the lumen of the vessel will be narrower and thicker, and in the long run, it can form atheroma that obstructs blood circulation in the blood vessel. From there, less blood reaches the extremities, reducing nutrients and oxygen nourishing the feet, reducing immunity and creating an opportunity for bacteria to attack, leading to foot ulcers. Peripheral neuropathy: Elevated blood sugar can affect and damage peripheral nerves. Since then, people with diabetes will have sensory disturbances. Initially, the patient will feel burning and hot, then numbness and pain and finally complete loss of sensation, not feeling pain when injured. So, if there is a small wound on the foot but it is not detected and treated in time, it can become serious and ulcerate the foot. Immune system problems: People with diabetes weaken the body's immune system and weaken the protective ability of white blood cells, slowing down the self-healing process. So, if a foot wound is not treated in time, it can also lead to infection, sores and other dangerous complications. Besides, one of the factors that increase the likelihood of foot ulcers in diabetics is smoking, heart disease, kidney disease, obesity, poor quality shoes and not clean, not clean shoes. regularly clean feet,...
MORE: How to take care of diabetic feet
Biến chứng loét bàn chân thường gặp ở người bị tiểu đường
2. Why does smoking have a higher risk of foot ulcers in diabetics?
Smoking is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in the world today. In Vietnam, the country has the third highest number of smokers in the ASEAN region. In addition, up to 33 million non-smokers and two-thirds of Vietnamese children smoke in their homes, workplaces and public places. Smoking causes many dangerous complications, especially in patients with diabetes, will increase the risk of foot ulcer complications because of the following reasons:
2.1 Smoking slows wound healing. May delay healing of skin lesions and incisions. The risk of wound infection, graft infection and blood clot formation when smoking is associated with:
Decreased collagen synthesis Vasoconstriction Lack of oxygen to skin cells Slow growth of new wounds of the skin These are also the causes of foot ulcers. Thus, smoking has contributed to the development and persistence of ulcers of the extremities, especially vascular ulcers and foot ulcers in patients with diabetes mellitus.
2.2 Smoking increases the risk of vasculitis Smoking can initiate and worsen constriction or blockage of blood vessels. The arteries that supply blood to the fingers and toes can experience temporary constriction followed by permanent narrowing when exposed to nicotine in cigarettes. From there, develop ulcers on the fingertips and toes, especially in patients with diabetes.
Hút thuốc lá làm nặng thêm hiện tượng co thắt hoặc tắc nghẽn mạch máu
In addition, the presence of many blood clots in the small blood vessels as well as in many cases of embolism due to cholesterol is associated with atherosclerosis, which prevents blood from reaching the extremities and thereby the risk of ulcers. feet rise higher.
2.3 Smoking leads to Folliculitis Nicotine present in tobacco will increase acetylcholine around the hair follicle and promote overgrowth in the upper part of the hair follicle leading to the blockage. From there, forming boils, inflammation and increasing the risk of foot ulcers in diabetics.
2.4 Smoking increases the risk of skin diseases Smoking is associated with a high risk of skin diseases such as psoriasis. In addition, there is a tendency to develop and exacerbate the disease, especially in patients with concomitant metabolic syndromes such as diabetes. In cases of psoriasis, the clinical form of psoriasis localized to the palms and soles with pain, pus, and discharge is more common than in non-smokers. These are also risk factors for developing foot ulcers in people with diabetes. In addition, smoking affects the immune system, nicotine in tobacco directly binds with immune cells called dendritic cells and T cells, changing their function, making the patient depressed. immunity, which is a favorable factor for bacteria to invade and increase the risk of foot ulcers.
In summary, smoking is not only the leading cause of death but also the progression and exacerbation of existing diseases. For people with diabetes, smoking is a major risk factor for foot ulcers. Therefore, in order to prevent the risk of foot ulcers in diabetics, in addition to effective blood sugar control and proper foot care, it is necessary to absolutely not smoke and stay away from secondhand smoke. In addition, regular health check-ups are also very important. Diabetics need to have regular health check-ups or perform examinations as prescribed by a doctor to be monitored in order to detect complications early. as well as risk factors for exacerbation of the condition.
With the goal of comprehensive health care, Vinmec International General Hospital System has launched general health checkup packages and performed paraclinical tests suitable for each subject. Customers will be directly taken by the doctor to take personal and family medical history, measure blood pressure, body mass index, physical examination, perform screening tests as well as advice in each situation.
With a team of professional, highly qualified and experienced doctors, modern facilities, advanced testing machinery system, the periodic health check-up at Vinmec deserves to be an address. Reliable, world-class quality medical care for everyone and every family.
Please dial HOTLINE for more information or register for an appointment HERE. Download MyVinmec app to make appointments faster and to manage your bookings easily.
