healing of sores

[dventura]

Hi All,

Why is it that sores (cuts, scrapes, etc.) are slow to heal when you have diabetes and what can one do to improve this?

Ta

 

[noblehead]

Not sure of the answer, but keeping tight control of your diabetes and eating a healthy diet with plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables will go a long way.

Nigel

 

[Dustydazzler]

Patients with diabetes often have wounds that are difficult to heal. Diabetics have higher blood glucose levels than a non-diabetic. This higher glucose level makes the cell walls near the wound of a diabetic harder and this impairs blood flow through the critical vessels at the wound surface. Therefore, the wound has less oxygen and nutrients than that of a wound in a non-diabetic. White blood cells can be slower to get to the site too, particularly when blood glucose levels have been elevated for some time.

In order to improve healing time, keep blood glucose levels 'in range' as much as possible. Also undertaking exercise can help as this can improve circulation. Helping the blood circulate better can assist wounds as oxygen rich blood is moving more effectively. Exercise can also help keep blood glucose levels 'in range'.