Hyderabad: Diabetes has been a growing concern for the Indian population day by day as the country ranks second place with diabetic patients in the world.
According to International diabetes data, India has 8.9 crore diabetic patients in 2024, and it is estimated to have crossed 10 crore diabetic population at present in the country. Worldwide the number of diabetic patients may have crossed 60 crore as of present.
There may be significant development in treatment of diabetes, but it is prevailing overall in the country.
Marking World Diabetes Day 2026, observed on November 14 under the theme “Early Action on Diabetes”, doctors have urged people with diabetes to undergo regular health check-ups. The theme emphasises early diagnosis, access to comprehensive care and reducing diabetes-related stigma.
The doctors have been warning people about the seriousness of diabetes, which may affect a person’s health badly. They also warned patients with diabetes to have their feet examined and to seek timely treatment for even minor injuries.
A small cut, blister or unnoticed wound on the foot can sometimes lead to serious infection and even amputation in people living with diabetes. Many patients may not experience pain due to diabetes-related nerve damage, allowing injuries to worsen without their knowledge.
Dr P C Gupta, Surgeon, CARE Hospitals, said, "Managing diabetic foot complications is that patients often seek medical attention only when the condition becomes serious. Reduced blood circulation can delay wound healing and, in advanced cases, threaten the affected limb. With timely treatment, many patients can avoid severe complications, including amputation."
Doctors also advised people with diabetes to watch for non-healing wounds, increasing redness or swelling, pus or foul-smelling discharge, numbness, changes in foot colour or temperature, and fever or chills associated with a foot injury. These symptoms require prompt medical evaluation, as they may indicate infection or impaired circulation.
Prolonged high blood sugar levels can damage nerves and blood vessels, reducing sensation and restricting blood flow to the feet. This can delay wound healing and increase the risk of infection. Medical evidence indicates that approximately 85 per cent of diabetes-related lower-limb amputations are preceded by foot ulcers.
Poor blood sugar control, smoking, foot deformities, callus formation and a history of previous ulcers or amputations can further increase the risk of complications. Inappropriate footwear may also cause repeated pressure and injuries, particularly among people with reduced sensation.
Dr Radhika MaliReddy, Senior Consultant, CARE Hospitals said, "Many serious diabetic foot infections begin with something as simple as a shoe bite, blister, cracked skin or a small cut. Patients often neglect these injuries because they do not experience pain. By the time they seek treatment, the wound may have become deeper or infected."
Early wound assessment, infection control, appropriate dressings and pressure relief are essential to prevent further tissue damage, she added.
Emphasising preventive care, Dr Radhika said, "Daily foot inspection should become a routine for every person with diabetes, just like monitoring blood sugar. Seeking medical attention at the first sign of a problem can prevent a minor injury from becoming a major complication."
Doctors said that if left untreated, diabetes-related wounds can lead to serious complications, affecting the skin, feet, legs, nerves, blood vessels, kidneys, eyes and heart.
In severe cases, infections can spread through the bloodstream, putting the entire body at risk and potentially becoming life-threatening.