How to Prevent Amputation Because of Diabetes
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As an adolescent, I spent about two years employed in a nursing home, also it was an eye opener in lots of ways. One was the issue faced by our diabetics. Everything needed to be carefully watched, particularly if the patient wasn't capable of doing it. Many patients either had or would eventually undergo amputations.
Medications can help keep blood sugar levels under control, and there are many new products that assist in preventing the need for drastic changes in what we're familiar with eating or drinking. That's a lot of good news, but if you are diabetic, you will have to do more.
1) Foot exams: Just about every doctor's office I am in has a sign that tells diabetics to remove their socks and shoes. This is actually very important. This condition can cause loss of sensation to the feet and lower legs. Because of this any small injury has the potential to become big problem.
Dr. John Rundback
Because it's hard to know by feel, you should check your feet on a daily basis. Otherwise, an infection could occur. The disease also helps it be harder to heal, both from injuries and from infections. Your doctor will provide the same service.
There's more too it than that, however. Most doctors will claim that they handle toenail trimming and callous removal. Callouses have an awful habit of turning out to be ulcers if left on the foot. Insufficient sensation could cause you to remove an excessive amount of skin, opening the entranceway for an infection.
2) Monitoring: This is another area that has improved dramatically. You used to possess to stick your finger tips many times a day to check your sugar levels. Your fingers already have more nerves per square inch than any other portion of your body, meaning it was a painful process. New monitors now permit you to test on your arm, which hurts far less.
You may wonder why monitoring is so important. Sugar levels fluctuate normally, based on what and how often we consume. If you're diabetic, these fluctuations can be larger than if otherwise. Too much and it causes organ damage...and kills. Too low and it can cause you to pass out, get into a coma and/or die. Keeping the levels stable is imperative.
3) No self surgery: As stated above, allow doctors handle things like callouses, corns and bunions. Doing them yourself can cause injury and/or introduce bacteria into the area. Both can lead to infections.
4) Wound healing: Should you injure your foot or lower leg, you might need your doctor's help to overcome it. Wounds are one of the leading causes of amputation for all those with this medical condition. You need to start with the doctor at the beginning, as it will most likely still take longer to heal than it would under normal conditions. Be prepared for this process to have a team approach, as there can be many types of treatment had a need to preserve your limbs.
There is still an alarming number of amputations in the U.S. Don't be a statistic, get the medical help you need often and early. Be prepared for aggressive treatment should something happen, in order to avoid the need for this drastic measure
Medications can help keep blood sugar levels under control, and there are many new products that assist in preventing the need for drastic changes in what we're familiar with eating or drinking. That's a lot of good news, but if you are diabetic, you will have to do more.
1) Foot exams: Just about every doctor's office I am in has a sign that tells diabetics to remove their socks and shoes. This is actually very important. This condition can cause loss of sensation to the feet and lower legs. Because of this any small injury has the potential to become big problem.
Dr. John Rundback
Because it's hard to know by feel, you should check your feet on a daily basis. Otherwise, an infection could occur. The disease also helps it be harder to heal, both from injuries and from infections. Your doctor will provide the same service.
There's more too it than that, however. Most doctors will claim that they handle toenail trimming and callous removal. Callouses have an awful habit of turning out to be ulcers if left on the foot. Insufficient sensation could cause you to remove an excessive amount of skin, opening the entranceway for an infection.
2) Monitoring: This is another area that has improved dramatically. You used to possess to stick your finger tips many times a day to check your sugar levels. Your fingers already have more nerves per square inch than any other portion of your body, meaning it was a painful process. New monitors now permit you to test on your arm, which hurts far less.
You may wonder why monitoring is so important. Sugar levels fluctuate normally, based on what and how often we consume. If you're diabetic, these fluctuations can be larger than if otherwise. Too much and it causes organ damage...and kills. Too low and it can cause you to pass out, get into a coma and/or die. Keeping the levels stable is imperative.
3) No self surgery: As stated above, allow doctors handle things like callouses, corns and bunions. Doing them yourself can cause injury and/or introduce bacteria into the area. Both can lead to infections.
4) Wound healing: Should you injure your foot or lower leg, you might need your doctor's help to overcome it. Wounds are one of the leading causes of amputation for all those with this medical condition. You need to start with the doctor at the beginning, as it will most likely still take longer to heal than it would under normal conditions. Be prepared for this process to have a team approach, as there can be many types of treatment had a need to preserve your limbs.
There is still an alarming number of amputations in the U.S. Don't be a statistic, get the medical help you need often and early. Be prepared for aggressive treatment should something happen, in order to avoid the need for this drastic measure
