Type 2 diabetes can happen to anyone, but it affects some communities more than others. Older Americans and overweight Americans are more at-risk for developing diabetes. While the American Diabetes Association reports that only 6.9% of white Americans have been diagnosed with diabetes, the disease affects people of other identities at higher rates: 12.1% for non-Hispanic Black adults and 11.7% for Hispanic adults.
Treating diabetes is even more important here in Riverside. According data gathered during the 2020 Census, 54.73% of the population of Riverside County and about half the population of Los Angeles County identify as Hispanic or Latino. About 10% of the population of Riverside County and 9% of the population of Los Angeles County have been diagnosed with diabetes, higher than the national average of 8.8%, according to statistics provided by the CDC’s Diabetes Surveillance System. This is why we at Alertive Healthcare find it so important to connect with and serve the local community.
What Are Diabetic Foot Ulcers?
A foot ulcer is a serious condition that will afflict about one-third of all people diagnosed with diabetes. It is a painful, debilitating condition that often results in infection and amputation. Because of the dire consequences of this condition, it is important to manage your diabetes symptoms.
Causes
Diabetes causes peripheral artery disease, which restricts blood flow to the extremities, and damages nerves. When the nerves in your feet are damaged, you are less likely to feel pain or notice cuts, abrasions, and blisters on your feet. Reduced blood flow makes it more difficult for these wounds to heal, which can result in infection and other complications.
Recognition
Because nerve damage might decrease the sensation of pain in your feet, it’s important to inspect your feet for wounds regularly. Look for:
- Changes in skin color
- Bruising
- Calluses
- Signs of injury such as cuts and sores
Also look for scaly or cracked skin, as these are signs that an ulcer is beginning to form. It may be difficult to inspect your feet on your own, so seek help from a family member or caretaker if needed.
If these small wounds do not heal, they may become ulcers. A foot ulcer typically begins as a small, round wound, often less than one inch across, on the balls of your feet or the bottoms of your toes. Foot ulcers can, however, appear on any part of the foot.
If allowed to progress, the wound will become bigger and deeper, destroying tissue until the bone is visible inside the wound and the foot becomes gangrenous (gangrene is tissue death caused by lack of blood flow). These types of wounds do not heal on their own.
Prevention
The same things that help you control your diabetes can help prevent foot ulcers: monitoring your blood sugar
- losing weight
- eating a healthy diet
- refraining from tobacco use (tobacco is known to slow down your body’s natural healing processes)
As friction against your foot or a gait that puts too much weight on one part of the foot can cause injury, make sure to wear shoes that fit correctly. Avoid walking barefoot or wearing shoes that can injure the foot, such as sandals or high heels.
If you notice even minor wounds on your feet, seek medical attention before the wound has an opportunity to become an ulcer.
Specialized Care
85% of diabetes-related limb amputations begin with a foot ulcer. If you are one of the many people in our community living with diabetes, make an appointment for more expert medical advice and a personalized care plan that will equip you with everything you need to control your symptoms and prevent the kinds of injuries that can cause foot ulcers.
Alertive Healthcare’s diabetes and wound care specialists are here for you to provide tailored care with exceptional results. Your experienced team will work with you to assess your wound and your needs to develop a personalized care plan.
For more on our diabetes care services, see this page.
For more on our wound care services, see this page.
