Silent Epidemic Puts More Than 34 Million Americans at Risk for Diabetic Foot Ulcers
11/9/2021
During American Diabetes Month, the wound and hyperbaric centers at Northwest Health want to remind people with diabetes that they are at a higher risk for non-healing foot wounds – and therefore amputations – than most Americans. A wound healing center can provide guidance for prevention and treatment.
For most Americans, a blister or cut on the foot is a small inconvenience that a bandage and time will heal. But that’s not the case for the 34.2 million Americans who have diabetes. Some of the complications of diabetes make feet vulnerable to non-healing foot ulcers that can result in infections and even amputations.
Approximately 60-70 percent of people with diabetes have limited or no feeling in their feet – their early warning systems have been altered or completely shut down by nerve damage. For patients who notice any skin changes or red patches on their feet and also have diabetes, the wound centers encourage a visit to a primary care doctor or to call the wound healing center immediately for an evaluation. The centers are here to educate, prevent and provide treatment when necessary.
It’s much easier to treat a minor foot problem before it becomes serious. Many patients have a diabetic foot ulcer. This type of non-healing wound is the leading cause of hospitalization and amputation for people with diabetes.
A person with diabetes has impaired immunity and often reduced blood flow to the legs and feet. Both can hamper healing, cause infections and cause damage to underlying structures and bones. In some cases, the damage can lead to a toe, foot or leg amputation.
The World Health Organization estimates that up to 80 percent of all diabetic amputations are preventable. The wound centers provide the best treatment to help your wound heal. However, in order to prevent a foot ulcer from starting, it is vital that patients with diabetes check their feet daily and get regular foot care from their doctor whether that’s a cardiologist, a podiatrist or your primary care physician. To find one near you, visit NW-Physicians.com today.
According to the American Diabetes Association and Centers for Disease Control, one adult is diagnosed in the United States every 17 seconds. That’s 1.5 million more people each year at risk for non-healing wounds and other complications. What’s more, 1 in 4 people who have diabetes today are undiagnosed and don’t know they’re at risk.
The clinical wound healing team combines evidence-based best practices and advanced therapies with individualized treatment plans for faster healing to get their patients back to health and enjoying what they care about most.
For more information on the wound centers at Northwest Health, visit https://bit.ly/NWHWoundCare.
Northwest Medical Center – Bentonville Wound and Hyperbaric Center is located at 2900 Medical Center Parkway, Suite 140 and the Northwest Medical Center – Springdale center is located at 706A Quandt Ave. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call the Bentonville center at (479) 553-3100 or the Springdale center at (479) 757-2030. No referral is required.
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