So what if diabetics do surgery?
In the medical world, one of the main conditions for patients who want to perform surgery is blood sugar levels should be normal. The reason is, spikes in blood sugar will make surgical incision difficult to heal quickly. This is the obstacle for diabetics.
Diabetic sufferers often experience complications of diabetic ulcers, i.e. the conditions of wounds difficult to heal that make the surface deep enough, swollen and rotten. Generally, this wound is in the legs. If left untreated, it will end up with a leg amputation.
Why diabetic wounds are hard to heal?
1. Inhibition of blood circulation
In diabetic patients, blockage of blood vessels and nerve damage is caused by high, uncontrolled sugar levels. The impact is a decrease in touch sensation on the surface of the skin, especially the foot.
Lack of blood circulation in diabetic feet occurs due to blockage of arteries caused by peripheral artery disease, so that the wound healing process is bad. This is why diabetics whose blood sugar levels are uncontrolled sometimes don't feel any blisters or trauma to the legs due to scratches, stomping on sharp objects, tripping and other traumatic things.
In addition, damage to blood vessels in the feet due to high sugar, oxygen and white blood cells are difficult to reach the tissues. As a result, the infection of the wound is difficult to heal and can further result in decay, and the leg has to be amputated.
2. Damage to peripheral nerve
One of diabetic complications is neuropathy. Neuropathy is a condition when diabetics are numb and cannot feel pain or sore in the wound. This is because the nerves in the body are damaged by high blood sugar levels.
As a result, the nerves are unable to transmit pain signals to the brain. Not sensing any pain in the wounded area, diabetics are often unaware when the injury gets worse, and the infections are handled too late.
3. Artery narrowing
Rising blood sugar levels can lead to various complications. One is the narrowed, hardening walls of arterial vessels. Therefore, the flow of blood from the heart to all parts of the body of diabetics is so obstructed.
In fact, when there are injured parts of the body, the wound is in need of oxygen and nutrients contained in the blood to heal. Because the injured part doesn't get enough oxygen and nutrient intake, the body's cells become more and more difficult to repair tissue and nerve damages. The wound doesn't heal or get worse.
4. Weak immunity
High levels of sugar in the blood of diabetics make the cells in charge of keeping the immune weakened. That is why a slight injury can be a severe infection that is difficult to treat. When the wound becomes an ulcer, immune cells still cannot repair the damage quickly.
It is important for diabetics to pay attention to the following steps to avoid wound ulcer or amputation.
1. Don't underestimate the wound
Immediately clean the slightest wound and treat it before it gets worse.
2. Clean the wound
To prevent infection, immediately wash the wound with running water. Apply antibiotic ointment to treat wounds. Then, cover with gauze or sterile bandages.
3. Check the wound, replace the bandage
Clean the wound daily. Apply the antiseptic ointment and replace the bandage with the new one. While doing so, check whether the wound is improving or getting worse.
4. Avoid high sugar intake
High blood sugar will only slow the healing process of the wound and can cause various adverse complications.
5. See a doctor
Call your doctor immediately if the wound gets worse and symptoms of infection such as swelling, pus or fever occurs, including if you find a sore ulcer on the skin.
The following tips are to prevent the occurrence of diabetic ulcers in diabetics.
1. Control blood sugar regularly.
2. Always use footwear wherever you go.
3. Choose loose and comfortable footwear.
4. When wearing shoes, wear socks to prevent friction injuries.
As much as possible, check the condition of your feet every day, yes? When you find a wound, quickly check your doctor, so you understand the best treatment steps you should take. Don't let yourself be bothered by minor injuries that are already severe just because you underestimate them.
Comments
Post a Comment