If you have diabetes, you probably know that it’s caused by too much sugar in your bloodstream. What you may not be aware of is that nearly 24 million adults and children in the U.S. have diabetes.

Type 1 diabetes, the less common form of the disease, occurs when your body does not produce the insulin needed to break down glucose in your blood for the cells. It usually is discovered in children and young adults, who must receive insulin shots.

On the other hand, Type 2 diabetes develops when the body needs more insulin than normal to break down the sugar in the blood. This form of diabetes is managed by various means, including medication and lifestyle changes.

Diabetic complications

People with diabetes are at higher risk of heart attack, stroke and high blood pressure than the average person. In addition, diabetes can damage blood vessels and nerves, which can affect circulation in a diabetic’s legs and feet and cause either numbness or a complete lack of feeling.

If a diabetic loses sensation in his legs or feet, he may not notice wounds that form on his legs or feet. Left unattended, these wounds can grow and become infected.

Continued lack of treatment may lead to severe pain, loss of function, and eventually, amputation of the legs or feet. The Amputee Coalition of America reports that over half of all amputations in the U.S. are due to diabetes or related complications. Most diabetic amputations were to the lower limbs.

In 2004, the most current year data was available, approximately 71,000 non-traumatic lower-limb amputations were performed in people with diabetes, according to the American Diabetes Association.

Treating diabetic wounds

Paying close attention to their limbs can help diabetics minimize these complications, especially amputations. If discovered early, diabetic wounds can be treated successfully. Here are some of the treatment options:

• Hyperbaric oxygen therapy: The patient is placed in a hyperbaric oxygen chamber. Wounds are bathed in 100% oxygen, which speeds growth of new tissue and blood vessels.
• Nutrition therapy: Some diabetics do not get proper nutrition, and have vitamin and mineral deficiencies, which can slow healing.
• Compression therapy: This treatment option is appropriate when the patient has ulceration and swelling in the extremities.

UHMC can help

In the Wound Healing Center at UHMC, specially trained physicians, nurses and support staff treat patients with wounds caused by diabetes or related conditions. Our team will work with you to ensure the best possible results.

To learn more about the UHMC wound care program, call Alix Needham, our Wound Care Coordinator, at (954) 724-6474. If you would like a physician referral, contact Consult-A-Nurse^® at 1-866-442-2362, or visit University Hospital and Medical Center online.