Treatments for Diabetic Foot Ulcers

Diabetic foot ulcers are caused by a variety of causes, including peripheral neuropathy and atherosclerotic peripheral arterial disease. These conditions are most common among people who are living with diabetes. Diabetic foot ulcers result in more hospitalizations than any other complications of diabetes. About 5 percent of people with diabetes can expect to get foot ulcers. One percent of people living with diabetes have to have one or more feet amputated. Diabetes is the most frequent cause of amputations for issues other than traumatic injuries. Anyone with diabetes can lessen their chances of getting foot ulcers with proper management of their blood sugar and healthy lifestyle choices tremendously. A number of treatments exist for foot ulcers that can help avoid an amputation. Read more about these options.

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  1. What causes diabetic foot ulcers?
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    Diabetic foot ulcers are caused by poorly controlled diabetes. Excessive blood sugar levels can cause damage to the nerves in the extremities that in turn can cause the skin on the feet, especially under the toes or the balls, to slough off and expose the underlying tissue. In some cases, the ulcers can go all the way to the bone. Because of damage to the nerves, wounds that can ulcerate often go unnoticed until it is too late.

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  2. How does one prevent diabetic foot ulcers?
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    Besides controlling blood sugar through frequent testing and the taking of insulin as indicated, good lifestyle choices, including a healthy diet, controlling weight and blood pressure, and avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol use, can stave off the appearance of foot ulcers.

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  3. What else can be done to stave off diabetic foot ulcers?
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    Good foot care is essential for preventing the appearance of ulcers. Change socks frequently. Self-examination is essential, as well as keeping the feet as clean as possible. Anyone with diabetes should have a doctor perform a foot examination at least once a year. If anyone with diabetes notices anything strange about their feet, such as redness, swelling, or discharge, they should immediately set up an appointment with their doctor.

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  4. What sort of treatment is available for diabetic foot ulcers?
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    A number of treatments are available, including medications, the use of bandages and special footwear, a procedure called debridement, hyperbaric treatment, and, in extreme cases, surgery. What the doctor will recommend will depend on the severity and extent of the foot ulcers.

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  5. What sort of medications are available?
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    Antibiotics are often prescribed for patients with diabetic foot ulcers, the idea being to keep them from getting infected. Medications are often used in combination with other treatments designed to alleviate and, eventually, eliminate the foot ulcers to prevent them from getting worse in the meantime.

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  6. What is debridement?
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    Debridement is a procedure used to remove dead skin and tissue to expose the ulcers so that they can be treated. Most often debridement can be done surgically. In some cases the dead tissue can be removed using a chemical bath. The third method of debridement involves the use of maggots that will consume the dead tissue while leaving the healthy parts alone. Debridement is also used to remove the causes of the ulcer, to allow it to heal more effectively.

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  7. How are diabetic foot ulcers treated?
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    A person with diabetic foot ulcers will often be prescribed special footwear to alleviate pressure from the ulcers. The patient will also wear bandages, sometimes infused with medication, to cover the ulcers and protect them while they heal. A person taking this treatment will be instructed how often to change the bandages and how to properly clean the wound or will have a visiting nurse do it for them.

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  8. When is surgery indicated?
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    Sometimes a surgical procedure can be done to remove bunions and other foot deformities that can cause pressure on the foot ulcers. In extreme causes, an untreated foot ulcer can become gangrenous, which means that a toe, several toes, or even the entire foot will have to be amputated.

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