Diabetes - Different Diagnosis, Same Problems

Syringe 5 with drops. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Type I diabetes is a chronic condition where a necessary hormone (insulin) is not produced, or is not produced in adequate amounts, to allow the body to convert sugars to energy at the cellular level.  As a result, a person with Type I diabetes needs to take insulin to prevent sugar from building up in the bloodstream.  There is no known cure for Type I Diabetes although it can be managed. Complications from this disease develop over the years, so the closer the blood sugar can be kept to normal, the fewer complications may develop.

Type II Diabetes is more common than type I. This is when the body becomes resistant to insulin or fails to produce sufficient quantities so that once again, the body lacks the required insulin to carry sugar to the cells for conversion to energy. Family history and lifestyle play a large role in the development of Type II Diabetes.

The third type of Diabetes is Type 1.5. It is sometimes referred to as slow onset Type I or latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA). If this type of diabetes is well managed, the organ damage that is so common in type II diabetes may be avoided.

In any form of diabetes, the key is to monitor and manage blood glucose levels to prevent the problems that can occur to skin, heart, kidneys and feet. There are several important components to managing any type of diabetes. They include:

    •    Diet

    •    Exercise

    •    Oral medications

    •    Insulin injections

    •    Regular health checkups

    •    Good preventive care

A diabetic patient’s feet are more susceptible to wounds and infections. Preventive care is especially important to you. If you have diabetes, but you aren’t seeing a podiatrist regularly, then you are not getting the best care. Dr. Boucher and her staff are available to help you battle the effects of diabetes on your feet. They have a preventive treatment program and up to date technology to help with diabetic Neuropathy. Call for an appointment at (203) 238-3668. Delaying could lead to serious complications.

References:

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/type-2-diabetes/DS00585
http://www.diabetesnet.com/about-diabetes/types-diabetes/type-15

Related articles

• Type I and Type II Diabetes - What It Means To Your Feet (eastpennfoot.wordpress.com)
• Dancing Teen: Interview with Jill and Alyssa. (sixuntilme.com)
• Type 2 diabetes harder to treat in youngsters: study (todayonline.com)

New Powder to Help Heal Wounds

From http://www.apma.org/:

Foot complications, such as open wounds and ulcers, can be one of the most difficult ailments for a podiatrist to treat. However, a new wound dressing powder, which acts very much like a layer of skin, is proving to speed the healing time and reduce the amount of pain that a patient suffering from a serious foot ulcer would normally experience. This includes open sores on the feet as a result of inflammatory bowel disease, diabetes or skin cancer. The study results will be released at the American Podiatric Medical Association’s (APMA) 97th Annual Scientific Meeting in Toronto, July 30 - August 2, 2009, and will highlight the powder’s unique ability to rapidly heal foot wounds and advance the treatment patients currently receive.
This wound powder is especially promising for the nearly 24 million Americans diagnosed with diabetes. Diabetic foot ulcers are the leading cause of non-traumatic, lower-limb amputations in the United States. In a recent APMA survey, 18 percent of people with diabetes reported that they have experienced a foot sore that would not heal. This powder’s successful treatment of difficult foot wounds could potentially lead to a reduction in amputation rates.
This new powder aggregates, or comes together, in an amazing flexible film that mimics the wound's surface and helps it to retain moisture and protect the wound, but still allows the right amount of air flow needed for the wound to close," said Tracey Vlahovic, DPM, the lead podiatric physician for the study and Associate Professor at Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine. The study focused on atypical wounds with irregular shapes and causes. The wounds were treated with the powder dressing once a week, for four to eight weeks. The study ultimately showed that the powder dressing provided a painless, efficient, and protective treatment that assisted in closing the wound. The powder also helped in preparing the wound for further interventions that are sometimes needed, including options like skin grafts or the use of sutures. "My colleagues and I are excited to continue working with this new wound powder product and look forward to its future uses in treating notoriously difficult types of foot wounds we regularly encounter," added Vlahovic.

Dr. Tina A. Boucher, DPM

Central Connecticut Foot Care, LLC
Podiatrist in Meriden CT
http://www.centralctfootcare.com/
Order your free copy of our books "Why Do My Feet Hurt?" and "Heal My Heel!" today!