Steps You Can Take To Prevent Diabetic Ulcers

Diabetes is one of the most widespread diseases today with about 20 million Americans suffering from it. The type 2 diabetes or the diabetes mellitus is the most common among the diabetes types and this is caused by deficiency of insulin in the body, which in turn causes build up of sugar in the blood.

What Are Diabetic Ulcers?

When the blood is saturated with blood its basic function - carrying oxygen to the cells in the body - is heavily impaired. This means that the peripheral tissues, i.e. hands and feet receive lesser and lesser oxygen and nutrition, which in turn results in nerve and tissue damage. This is a very serious problem which has six people out every 1000 end up with amputations of the lower extremities.

Prevention Is The Only Way Out With Diabetic Ulcers

Once you get the ulcer it is very difficult to cure it and in the majority cases it would end with an amputation. Therefore, when it comes to diabetic ulcers the only way to fight it is by preventing it, which is not as difficult as you would think. All you need to do is be ultra careful about your extremities - feet in particular.

There are many possible triggers for ulcers, the most common of which are ingrown toe nails, calluses, corns and minor traumas caused by tight shoes or cuts. It is imperative that you carefully wash and dry your feet every night as well as check them carefully for any injuries however small. Keep in mind that your ability to heal is very poor now and your feet would suffer the most if any injury takes place.

Diabetic ulcers of the feet are very stubborn and highly prone to infections. If left untreated, the smallest cut would result in death of the tissues - which in medical terms is called gangrene. This would gradually spread to the surrounding tissue and very soon the diabetic ulcers would turn into cases for amputation.

As you can see, the only way you can be safe is by preventing these minor cuts or lacerations to your feet. Ensure that you wear comfortable footwear at all times and even then keep a close watch on your feet every day for cuts and bruises. A critical factor that you need to keep in mind is that the nerves in your feet would also be impaired and hence, you would not be able to feel pain as a normal person would. This is why it is imperative that you physically check your feet every day.