Attention, chocolate lovers: You may not be able to help yourselves. Swiss and British scientists have linked the widespread love of chocolate to a chemical "signature" that may be programmed into our metabolic systems.
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Diabetic Foot Ulcer
- Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
- Symptoms & Signs
- Diagnosis & Tests
- Prevention & Expectations
- Treatment & Monitoring
- Attribution
- View All
Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
A diabetic foot ulcer is an open sore or wound on the foot of a person with diabetes. Because of loss of pain sensation, it is usually not painful.
What is going on in the body?
A person with diabetes often has peripheral vascular disease, or decreased circulation to the legs and feet. Any damage to the feet may heal slowly because of the poor circulation. The person may also have diabetic neuropathy, a condition in which nerve damage from diabetes causes decreased sensation in the legs and feet. The person can develop an open area from pressure or from a cut and not even feel the sore. Untreated, the damaged area can develop a diabetic foot ulcer.
What are the causes and risks of the condition?
A diabetic foot ulcer is caused by direct damage to the skin, such as a cut, or by pressure, such as that from poorly fitting shoes. The following factors increase a person's chance of developing a foot ulcer: