Risk Factors Associated with Diabetes

According to the American Diabetes Association, more than fifteen million Americans, or 6% of the population, have diabetes.  Unfortunately, more than five million people are unaware that they have the disease, and most won’t find out until they develop one of its life-threatening complications such as blindness, kidney disease, heart disease and stroke.  Diabetes is a disease in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin, a hormone that is needed to convert sugar, starches and other foods into energy needed for daily life.  There is no cure for diabetes, however, awareness and education are keys to continuing the fight.

There are two major types of diabetes, and each varies in symptoms and treatment.  Type 1 diabetes accounts for 5-10% of all cases and is the most severe form of the disease.  People with type 1 diabetes must take daily insulin injections to stay alive because their pancreas is too damaged to produce enough insulin on its own.  Type 2 diabetes is much more common than type 1, accounting for 90-95% of all cases.  Type 2 diabetes can often be controlled through weight loss, improved diet and exercise.

Risk factors and warning signs also differ between type 1 and type 2 diabetes.  Usually, siblings and children of type 1 diabetes sufferers are at greater risk for developing the same form of the disease.  Some warning signs for type 1 diabetes include:  frequent urination, unusual thirst, extreme hunger, unusual weight loss, fatigue and irritability.  Type 2 diabetes most often afflicts people with the following characteristics:

• People over 45
• People who are overweight
• People who do not exercise regularly
• People with a family history of diabetes
• Women who had gestational diabetes (a form of diabetes occurring in 2-5% of all pregnancies), or who have had a baby weighing 9 pounds or more at birth.

Warning signs for type 2 diabetes includes:  any of the type 1 symptoms, frequent infections, blurred vision, cuts/bruises that are slow to heal and tingling/numbness in hands or feet.  Often, people with type 2 diabetes have no physical symptoms.

Increased Risk of Wounds
Many diabetics also suffer from poor circulation which increases a person’s risk for infection because it slows the healing process of wounds.  Because of this, proper skin care should become part of all diabetes sufferers’ daily routine.  As blood glucose levels rise, skin becomes dry, irritated, itchy and cracked.  When skin is cracked or open, there is an increased chance of infection, as bacteria and germs are able to penetrate the skin’s surface.

If signs of infection appear, a person should seek medical attention to prevent further complications such as gangrene or amputation.  Warning signs include:

• Pain and tenderness
• Redness or swelling around the wound
• Foul smell
• Drainage
• Increased temperature/warmth in skin around the wound

People with diabetes can reduce the risk of skin-related problems by taking proper precautions such as keeping skin clean and dry.  Using moisturizers and running a humidifier during cold months can also help to reduce dry skin.  Mild soap and warm water should be used to wash hands and the skin should be patted dry.

A diabetic person with a wound is at greater risk for complications and should seek care immediately if he or she notices symptoms of infection.  Local resources, such as skilled nursing centers, are available, and offer skilled care, monitoring and treatments proven to help heal wounds.  When searching for care, a person needs to be sure that the wound program focuses on the entire patient, addressing associated medical conditions, such as diabetes, nutrition, mobility, hydration and patient and family education.  Aggressive and proven treatments including electrical stimulation, pulsed electromagnetic energy, negative pressure wound therapy and debridement are often used to care for and facilitate tissue healing.

Diabetes is a chronic disease that can be managed, but not cured. With proper care, a person’s quality of life can improve greatly, and their recovery time can be reduced.

If you or your loved one has questions about diabetes or wound care, contact ManorCare Health Services – Citrus Heights at 916-967-2929.

About the author Terri Ballesteros

Terri Ballesteros is the Administrator for ManorCare Health Services in Citrus Heights. Ms. Ballesteros has been with ManorCare Health Services for over 7 years and has been an Administrator in Skilled Nursing Industry since 1989. Ms. Ballesteros has been published previously in Sub-Acute Magazine. For the next few months, Ms. Ballesteros will be providing information in her column on various services and disease states specific to the Skilled Nursing Industry to help patients and their families.
More posts by Terri Ballesteros