Anyone who has diabetes can develop a foot ulcer. Native Americans, African Americans, Hispanics, and older men are more likely to develop ulcers. People who use insulin are at a higher risk of developing a foot ulcer, as are patients with diabetes-related kidney, eye, and heart disease. Being overweight and using alcohol and tobacco also play a role in the development of foot ulcers. Consult our healthcare providers for more information.

Ulcers form due to a combination of factors, such as lack of feeling in the foot, poor circulation, foot deformities, irritation (such as friction or pressure), and trauma, as well as the duration of diabetes.
Patients who have had diabetes for many years can develop neuropathy, a reduced or complete lack of ability to feel pain in the feet due to nerve damage caused by elevated blood glucose levels. Nerve damage can often occur without pain, and one may not even be aware of the problem. Vascular disease can complicate a foot ulcer, reducing the body’s ability to heal and increasing the risk of infection. Elevations in blood glucose can reduce the body’s ability to fight off a potential infection and also retard healing. Early detection and care are important; book your appointment today with UrgentWay’s certified healthcare provider.

Once an ulcer is noticed, contact the urgentway medical center immediately for prompt medical care. Foot ulcers in patients with diabetes should be treated for several reasons:

• To reduce the risk of infection and amputation
• To improve function and quality of life
• To reduce health care costs

The primary goal in the treatment of foot ulcers is to heal the wound as soon as possible and reduce the risk of infection. There are. several key factors in the appropriate treatment of a diabetic foot ulcer:

• Taking the pressure off the area, called “off-loading”
• Removing dead skin and tissue, called “debridement”
• Applying medication or dressings to the ulcer
• Managing blood glucose and other health problems

Not all ulcers are infected; however, if the provider diagnoses an infection, a treatment program of antibiotics, wound care, and possibly hospitalization will be necessary.

The best way to treat a diabetic foot ulcer is to prevent its development in the first place. Recommended guidelines include seeing your Doctor/healthcare provider regularly. Your Doctor/healthcare provider can determine if you are at high risk for developing a foot ulcer and together implement strategies for prevention. You are at high risk:

• Have neuropathy
• Have poor circulation
• Have a foot deformity (i.e. bunion, hammer toe)
• Wear inappropriate shoes
• Have uncontrolled blood sugar

Reducing additional risk factors, such as smoking, drinking alcohol, high cholesterol, and elevated blood glucose, is essential in the prevention and treatment of diabetic foot ulcers. Wearing appropriate shoes and socks will go a long way in reducing risks. Your health care professional will guide you in selecting the proper shoes.

The Signs And Symptoms Of Type 1 Diabetes And Type 2 Diabetes Are:

• Dehydration – increased thirst
• Extreme hunger
• Unexplained gradual weight loss
• Increased urination frequency
• Fatigue
• Irritability
• Blurry vision
• Slow-healing sores
• Recurrent frequent gum, skin, and vaginal infection

You can eat just about anything you want. It is about knowing proper meal portions and how much you are putting on your plate. A Diabetes helathcare provider can help you learn to count carbohydrates and develop a meal plan that is specific for you.

• Reduce your total carbohydrate intake
• Exercise regularly
• Maintain water intake
• Try to lose extra weight
• Give up smoking
• Reduce meal portion
• Reduce sedentary lifestyle
• Follow a high-fiber diet
• Optimize vitamin D levels
• Reduce your consumption of processed foods

The following foods have carbohydrates:

1. Fruits, starchy vegetables, milk, yogurt, rice, cereals, bread, and other grains.
2. Snack foods, such as pretzels, chips, and popcorn, have carbs.
3. Sweets, regular soda, cakes, candy, and cookies, also contain carbohydrates.

Be sure to check the nutrition label on each food item to determine carbohydrate content.

• Overweight
• Family history
• Race or ethnicity
• Diabetes during pregnancy
• Polycystic ovary syndrome
• High blood pressure
• Abnormal levels of cholesterol and triglycerides

The American Diabetes Association recommends a blood glucose range of

1. 80-130 before meals
2. less than 180 about 2 hours after a meal.

This range should place your A1c under 7. Our healthcare providers can help explain more.

Hemoglobin A1c is a 2-3 month average of your blood sugars. This result gives you a good idea of how well your diabetes is being managed/controlled. The American Diabetes Association recommends an A1c of less than 7 to keep the risk of complications low. Consult our health care providers to learn about the complications of higher A1C levels.

Carbohydrates are an important part of a healthy diet. Diabetic patients are recommended to watch portion sizes and are advised to get the most of their carbs from fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat milk and yogurt. Diabetic patients can also benefit from eating lower-fat, high-fiber foods and consume enough calories to maintain a healthy weight.

Sugar-free foods can be part of a healthy meal plan in small amounts. Keep in mind that some of these foods still have carbs (in the form of other sweeteners such as sorbitol, isomalt, and mannitol) and may affect your blood glucose levels. Many sugar-free foods have calories and carbohydrates, and lots of fat. Make sure you read the nutrition labels.