Reasons for slow wound healing
Diabetes compromises your body’s self-healing capacity, there are three primary reasons for this:
1. Insufficient nutrients and oxygen reaching cells
High Blood Sugar Levels (BSL) increase the thickness of blood cells, reducing blood flow, effectively reducing the volume of oxygen and nutrients from reaching the cells. This poor circulation often results in peripheral artery disease, wherein the blood vessels narrow, further affecting the circulation of red blood cells.
2. Compromised immune system
High BSL affects the immune system, reducing its ability to fight off bacterial infection. Worse, the high blood sugar feeds the harmful bacteria that begin to flourish, further aggravating the wound. If this situation continues, it will lead to further complications like sepsis—a life-threatening reaction to infection, or gangrene—when a part of the body dies because of infection or insufficient nutrition & oxygen.
Warning Signs
You know it’s time to visit the doctor if you notice any of the following signs, especially if the symptoms below last for longer than a week.
- Tingling/pins and needles
- Burning feeling
- No sensation in the area
- Persistent pain
- Swelling
It’s a good idea to consult your doctor if you notice a cut or bruise and you’re not sure about how to take care of it. Appropriate and early treatment will prevent complications.
Prevention & Treatment
There are some basic steps you can take to ensure you don’t suffer from long healing wounds.
Regular checks
Checking for wounds regularly is a basic preventive measure to avoid infections and complications. Make it a habit, by working it into your daily routine to check for any cuts and bruises, especially on your feet—this includes the often-ignored spaces between and under your toes.
Clean up dead skin
Necrosis, a condition characterized by excess dead cellular tissue, is a common occurrence with diabetic wounds. This dead tissue is a breeding ground for bacteria and toxins. It also hampers close inspection of the wound. Talk to your doctor or a medical professional to help with removing and cleaning up the dead skin.
Improve overall immunity and health
- Switch to a proper diabetic diet:
This means reducing or cutting out all simple carbs, fatty and fried foods, and increasing your intake of fresh greens, healthy beans, legumes, berries and other fiber-rich food. This will help you maintain a healthy blood sugar level and improve your healing capacity. Stop smoking and reduce or cut out alcohol intake too. - Exercise regularly:
Fitness is a key element in improving insulin sensitivity, try and get at least 30 min to an hour or exercise every day. Incorporate cardiovascular activity, resistance training and flexibility/balance movements - Browse full blog-
https://www.freedomfromdiabetes.org/blog/post/diabetes-and-wound-healing-reasons-treatment-and-prevention/2926
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