Advice on what it is that makes diabetics slower to heal...

Re: Advice on what it is that makes diabetics slower to heal

I am sure someone will answer your question soon i am type 2 and i take methratextrate & it slows all healing down.
So what diabetes does about healing not sure regards

Re: Advice on what it is that makes diabetics slower to heal

I think it has something to do with bacteria thriving on our sweeter skin/flesh etc. It's harder for our bodies to fight the growing colonies

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Re: Advice on what it is that makes diabetics slower to heal

High levels. of sugar impair the blood supply to the nerves which ate needed for healing the greater the damage the longer the healing

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Re: Advice on what it is that makes diabetics slower to heal

Persistent high blood sugar levels damage the nerves and the small blood vessels in your feet and hands. Reduced circulation and the nerve damage from neuropathy mean that diabetics often don't know they have a cut or blister until it becomes badly infected. Blood with a high amount of sugar also provides an ideal breeding ground for bacteria so once an infection takes hold it's harder to treat.

My Dad was lost his left leg below the knee. He was in an accident and the broken bone wouldn't heal because his circulation was poor so an amputation was necessary. Everything possible was tried but gangrene set in. At that point he had been T2 for 13 years at a time when medications and monitoring were less advanced.

Do your best to control your blood sugar levels, and check your feet daily and make sure that any wounds you have are cleaned well and if they do get infected get medial attention immediately. Also if you have any loss of sensation or loss of circulation you should discuss that with your GP. As a part of your yearly review they should check your feet for any problems, and also make sure the circulation is good and that you haven't had any loss of sensation.

Re: Advice on what it is that makes diabetics slower to heal

I think it's high blood sugars.
My anecdotal evidence is that i personally heal normally. I don't often hurt myself, but when I do, I'm not slow to heal. the worst I've done is fall off a bike about 2 summers ago. All trace of the injury to my knee was gone in 3 weeks, even though I tripped over a root when hiking in woodland and opened everything up about a week after the original injury.
I's one of the reasons why i prefer to keep my blood glucose DOWN
Hana

Re: Advice on what it is that makes diabetics slower to heal

I used to work in a district nursing team so I'm rather familiar with leg ulcers etc which with diabetes can lead to amputations. I looked after a couple of people with very bad diabetic ulcers and they were hard to heal, especially if the sugar levels were higher and poor circulation and venous return all add to slowing the healing process down. X


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Re: Advice on what it is that makes diabetics slower to heal

I believe eating healthy and looking after your body is the answer. The lower your blood levels are the better for you and so for your blood pressure.keeping active as possible this definately will help if you get a cut.and follow the instructions carefully on what to do if you get a cut and before you put your shoe on check it before. To make sure nothing inside to cut you and keep your place tidy and you will be ok.am type 2 i get minor cut and burns but all heal well as i try to stay fit and healthy.

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Re: Advice on what it is that makes diabetics slower to heal

Hi Sunshine_kisses,

The veins have valves in them to help pump the blood back up to the heart so when there is poor venous return the valves aren't strong enough to pump the blood back up the body.

Be careful of the Manuka honey, because you'll be absorbing the sugar and will prob raise your levels so just be aware.

Try not to worry and keep al layout health team members aware of these things so they can help

X


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Re: Advice on what it is that makes diabetics slower to heal

emmie said:

Hi Sunshine_kisses,

The veins have valves in them to help pump the blood back up to the heart so when there is poor venous return the valves aren't strong enough to pump the blood back up the body.

Be careful of the Manuka honey, because you'll be absorbing the sugar and will prob raise your levels so just be aware.

Try not to worry and keep al layout health team members aware of these things so they can help

X


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Click to expand...

NOT TRUE, the honey doesnt get absorbed into the blood stream, doesnt raise your blood glucose

http://sci.waikato.ac.nz/about-us/biological-sciences
http://www.manukahoney.co.uk/researcharticles.html

You can email the University of Waikato for further information.

Re: Advice on what it is that makes diabetics slower to heal

Interesting comments, but none of them really cover the compromised immune systems that diabetics (well, type 1s anyway) will have. The issues that presents means that we're more likely to pick up infection (hence being advised to get flu jabs each year) and have a tougher time fending it off.

Re: Advice on what it is that makes diabetics slower to heal

Firstly, so far I seem to heal O.K. but my BG control is reasonable.

I think the main issue is probably poor blood supply - it is the blood which coagulates to seal a wound and carries the blood cells to the site of the wound to fight infection.

More interesting, perhaps, is that Diabetes is reportedly an immune system problem so there may be issues with the immune system with some diabetics which can impair healing.

I think if a small cut or graze heals O.K. then you are fine.

I know I was scared by all the information about poor healing and damage to feet when I was first diagnosed but I eventually realised that this could happen but didn't always.

Cheers

LGC

Re: Advice on what it is that makes diabetics slower to heal

I notice this happens to me if I can't keep my level down and I am told it is because the extra sugar in the system feeds the bacteria and it grows like mad. Therefore, I assume if you get ulcers and wounds on your feet and that and don't keep the sugar levels under control, that could cause it. I get an infection in a spot on my face where it would have gone quite quickly before, so I have a dabber with an antibiotic in and I put that on until it stops throbbing, then it gets better. Topical solution he called it at the doc.

Re: Advice on what it is that makes diabetics slower to heal

candiloo said:

I notice this happens to me if I can't keep my level down and I am told it is because the extra sugar in the system feeds the bacteria and it grows like mad. Therefore, I assume if you get ulcers and wounds on your feet and that and don't keep the sugar levels under control, that could cause it. I get an infection in a spot on my face where it would have gone quite quickly before, so I have a dabber with an antibiotic in and I put that on until it stops throbbing, then it gets better. Topical solution he called it at the doc.

Click to expand...

whats this topical solution called?