Each year in the U.S. diabetes results in the amputation of about 65,700 legs or feet. About 85% of those began with a diabetic foot ulcer. And for Dr. David Schwegman, the mission to educate people about the issue is personal.
His father, a diabetic, had a foot ulcer that resulted in the amputation of his left leg, which contributed to his death, his son said.
"He became a statistic," Schwegman said. "He was one of the 50% of people that died within five years after having an amputation."
Diabetic foot ulcers, or DFUs, are usually located on the ball of the foot, the bottom of the big toe or sides of the feet. They can be a result of neuropathy, or nerve damage which leads to a loss of feeling.
Although prevention is key, simply not treating an ulcer can lead to infection, particularly in the bone, and eventual loss of a limb.
"If you have a DFU that leads to a major amputation, your risk of death in five years is greater is higher than that of breast cancer and prostate cancer combined," Schwegman said.
"This is a very, very serious health problem that has very serious risks if not dealt with properly and quickly," the doctor said. "In order to do that, we really need to get the word out to both the patients and the physicians."
Read More
His father, a diabetic, had a foot ulcer that resulted in the amputation of his left leg, which contributed to his death, his son said.
"He became a statistic," Schwegman said. "He was one of the 50% of people that died within five years after having an amputation."
Diabetic foot ulcers, or DFUs, are usually located on the ball of the foot, the bottom of the big toe or sides of the feet. They can be a result of neuropathy, or nerve damage which leads to a loss of feeling.
Although prevention is key, simply not treating an ulcer can lead to infection, particularly in the bone, and eventual loss of a limb.
"If you have a DFU that leads to a major amputation, your risk of death in five years is greater is higher than that of breast cancer and prostate cancer combined," Schwegman said.
"This is a very, very serious health problem that has very serious risks if not dealt with properly and quickly," the doctor said. "In order to do that, we really need to get the word out to both the patients and the physicians."
Read More
No comments:
Post a Comment