Diabetes and Wound Healing: Causes, Treatment, and Prevention

One of the common signs of diabetes is delayed wound healing. Even a minor cut or blister can turn into a serious ulcer, particularly on the feet. Understanding why this happens can help you take preventive action.

Diabetes results from insulin resistance, where the body cannot use insulin effectively or doesn’t produce enough of it. This prevents glucose from entering cells for energy and causes high blood sugar levels (BSL). Over time, this damages various organs and disrupts the body’s natural healing ability.

Why Healing Is Slower

1. Poor Blood Circulation: High BSL thickens blood, reducing oxygen and nutrient supply to tissues. Peripheral artery disease can further narrow blood vessels, slowing healing.
   
   

2. Weakened Immune System: Elevated sugar impairs the body’s ability to fight infections and promotes bacterial growth, leading to severe complications like sepsis or gangrene.
   
   

3. Increased Inflammation: Chronic inflammation, especially in obese diabetics, interferes with tissue repair and can damage organs.
   
   

Warning Signs

Seek medical help if you notice tingling, numbness, swelling, persistent pain, or wounds lasting over a week. Untreated wounds may lead to ulcers or amputations.

Prevention and Treatment

• Check your feet and body daily for cuts or sores
  
  

• Remove dead skin safely with medical help
  
  

• Change wound dressings regularly
  
  

• Rest the affected area to avoid further damage
  
  

• Follow a diabetic-friendly diet, exercise daily, quit smoking, and reduce alcohol
  
  

• Practice stress management techniques like yoga or meditation
  
  

Early intervention and good diabetes management can greatly reduce the risk of severe wound complications.

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https://www.freedomfromdiabetes.org/blog/post/diabetes-and-wound-healing-reasons-treatment-and-prevention/2926