Diabetes is one of the most common diseases on the planet. Diabetes can lead to several other issues in the body like heart disease, weaken nerves, kidney diseases, and so on. Diabetes also makes a patient prone to getting wounds, blisters and cuts that have difficulty healing naturally due to side effects of diabetes. Here are 5 side effects which can impact the wound healing process for a diabetic patient.
1. Neuropathy
High blood sugar gradually destroys nerves which cause patients to hardly feel any pain or sensation. This makes them less aware of any developing cuts, blisters or wounds. Damaging of nerves makes patients less sensitive to pain and by the time they realize there is actually a wound present, the problem has escalated and the wound is too mature to heal easily. To avoid such instances, diabetic patients need to be physically examined every now and then in order to prevent the chances of ‘silent’ wound growth. Mostly diabetic patients can’t perform much physical activity and their immobile lifestyle is also bad for their body and can lead to the development of wounds or ulcers. Body parts like limbs and feet are vulnerable to wounds and ulcers which can be avoided by taking precautionary steps such as cleaning the feet and legs well to avoid outside infection, using well-fitting shoes to benefit the feet.
2. Circulation Problems
Circulation of blood helps wounds heal quickly, but in diabetic patients blood vessels become narrowed, which allows less oxygen to reach the wound site. To make matters worse, the rise in glucose level decreases the functioning of RBC (Red blood cells) that carry healing nutrients to the wounded area and it also limits the effectiveness of WBC (White blood cells) that fight infections.
3. Blood Glucose Levels
Diabetes causes the body to struggle with handling blood sugar levels and levels of glucose. An elevated blood glucose level causes high blood pressure, weakening of arteries, narrowing of blood vessels and several other complications. Experts offering wound care treatment in Baltimore recently suggested some new therapies like Hyperbaric oxygen therapy to treat chronic wounds in diabetic patients.
4. Immune System Inefficiency
Elevated blood sugar means less ability to fight infections. In diabetes, immune cells cannot function properly in wound healing which results in an increased risk of bacterial infections. More enzymes and hormones are produced in the body due to high blood sugar which directly weakens the immune system and makes the body more prone to illness and infections in diabetes.
5. Chronic Inflammation
Inflammation is a stage of wound healing which is natural and certain, but in the diabetic wound, healing Inflammation does not go away for a longer period of time than in normal wound healing process. The imbalance process of producing and degrading collagen makes the wounds healing multiple times harder.
The impact of diabetes in wound healing make the entire process of wound care treatment so much harder and complicated, which can be prevented by stopping wounds growing at first for which precaution methods can be taken. Frequent body checking, keeping feet and other parts clean are some ways of doing that.
If you need to see one of our podiatrists in Baltimore and the surrounding area or have any questions about the diabetic side effects described above, check out our Podiatry Associates locations and find a podiatrist near you. Feel free to call our scheduling office to discuss your specific situation: (833) 500-FEET.
Podiatry Associates of Bel Air
The best podiatrists in Bel Air, MD.
1 N Main St.
Bel Air, MD 21014
Phone: 410-879-1212
Podiatry Associates of Columbia
The best podiatrists in Columbia, MD.
5500 Knoll N Dr #440
Columbia, MD 21045
Phone: 410-730-0970
Podiatry Associates of Baltimore (Franklin Square)
The best podiatrists in Baltimore, MD.
9105 Franklin Square Dr #206
Baltimore, MD 21237
Phone: 410-574-3900
Podiatry Associates of Towson (GBMC)
The best podiatrists in Towson, MD.
6569 N Charles St # 702
Towson, MD 21204
Phone: 410-828-5420
Note: GBMC Physicians Pavilion West
Podiatry Associates of Baltimore (Medstar Good Samaritan Hospital)
The best podiatrists in, MD.
5601 Loch Raven Blvd # 400
Baltimore, MD 21239
Phone: 410-433-2500
Podiatry Associates of Perry Hall
The best podiatrists in Baltimore, MD.
9712 Belair Rd # Ll3
Baltimore, MD 21236
Phone: 410-256-6060
Podiatry Associates of Baltimore (UMD Midtown)
The best podiatrists in Baltimore, MD.
827 Linden Ave
Baltimore, MD 21201
Phone: 410-462-5420
Podiatry Associates of Havre De Grace
The best podiatrists in Havre De Grace, MD.
1500 Blenheim, Farm Ln Suite C
Havre De Grace, MD 21078
Phone: 410-939-0055
Time to See a Podiatrist?
If you have any of the issues described above, it’s time to consult an expert. Connect with Podiatry Associates for an evaluation. All of our doctors are board certified/qualified and we’re dedicated to preserving your foot health.
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- The Key Role of a Podiatrist in Diabetic Foot Care
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- What is Diabetic Foot Pain?
- What Diabetic Foot Care Treatments Are Best Left to Your Podiatrist?
- Can a Podiatrist Perform Surgery? What Types?
- When to See A Podiatrist
- Everything You Need to Know About a Podiatrist
- 11 Things Every Patient Should Know About Foot Surgery
