[Click! Health] Vulnerable Diabetic Patients During the Rainy Season... Take Care of Your Foot Health

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Chun-hee] As the hot and humid rainy season continues, many people are experiencing difficulties with meals and outdoor activities. Especially for those suffering from diabetes, these vulnerabilities can become more pronounced, so it is advised to pay close attention to health management.

According to the Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service on the 9th, the number of diabetes patients reached approximately 3.537 million last year, an increase of over 200,000 from about 3.334 million the previous year. Diabetes is a disease that requires careful management in daily life. During the hot and humid rainy season, extra caution is necessary. Excessive sweating in hot and humid weather can increase blood concentration, leading to temporary hyperglycemia symptoms. In such cases, acute diabetic complications like hyperosmolar hyperglycemic syndrome may cause loss of consciousness. It is important to eat healthy foods that do not rapidly raise blood sugar and maintain condition through regular exercise. Also, cold noodles, which are often consumed in summer, can easily raise blood sugar levels in diabetes patients, so attention is needed.

One of the diseases caused by diabetes is 'diabetic foot.' It refers collectively to neuropathy, structural deformities, corns (calluses), changes in skin and nails, ulcers, infections, and vascular diseases occurring on the feet of diabetes patients. As diabetic foot progresses, even small wounds can become ulcers that do not heal, and in severe cases, poor blood circulation can cause the tissue to turn black and rot. Sometimes, patients may not feel injuries on their feet. In the worst cases, amputation may be necessary.

The earliest symptoms are often abnormal sensations caused by nerve damage. Initially, the feet may feel cold, numb, or burning. Patients report various symptoms depending on the individual, and as it progresses, they may feel as if something is attached to their feet or experience sensations like walking on sand or beads. Many suffer from insomnia due to these abnormal sensations.

Summer is especially a time to be cautious about diabetic foot. The environment becomes hot and humid, and people often wear sandals or slippers that allow good ventilation or walk barefoot, which makes foot injuries more likely. If the color of the feet turns red or black, or if there are minor changes such as blisters or ulcers, it is advisable to visit a hospital. Before going to bed, wash the feet thoroughly with soap and dry them well. Walking barefoot is prone to injuries, so diabetes patients should never walk barefoot. Avoid ill-fitting shoes and check inside shoes for foreign objects before wearing them. Also, crossing legs, sitting cross-legged, or standing for too long should be avoided as they impair blood circulation.

The best treatment is continuous management. People with diabetes should remember that their feet are more important than their face. Even if you skip washing your face, washing your feet at least once a day and carefully observing them can prevent losing a foot due to a small wound.

Be cautious with cold foods and fruits often consumed in summer. While you may want to enjoy cold dishes like bibim-guksu or cold noodles, these meals are the worst for blood sugar control. Carbohydrates are excessively high while vegetables and proteins are low, causing nutritional imbalance, and refined carbohydrates cause blood sugar to rise easily. If you eat noodles, it is better to eat them with vegetables such as bean sprouts, mung bean sprouts, or radish sprouts, and use less salt and sugar in the bibim sauce.

Common summer fruits are also major culprits in raising blood sugar. Vegetables like tomatoes are healthier than fruits high in water and sugar such as watermelon, Korean melon (chamoe), and grapes. It is advisable to limit summer fruits like chamoe, grapes, and watermelon to about 80?150g after meals.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.