Understanding and Managing Diabetic Foot Ulcers: Expert Care from Healogics

At Healogics, we are committed to diabetes awareness because we understand how significantly it affects wound healing. For those managing diabetes, specialized wound care is crucial due to the condition’s effect on the heart and blood vessels.

Here’s why:

• Diabetes can disrupt the body’s ability to turn food into energy
• This leads to increased blood sugar, which can damage blood vessels
• Damaged blood vessels result in poor circulation
• Without healthy circulation, oxygen-rich blood struggles to reach wounds
• This impaired blood flow can lead to slow-healing or non-healing wounds

This is why people with diabetes are at a higher risk of developing chronic, non-healing wounds. Our expertise in advanced wound care is essential for preventing complications and promoting optimal healing. Understanding the different types of diabetes and their prevalence can help you better manage your health and recognize when to seek specialized care.

Types of Diabetes

Currently, 34.2 million Americans have diabetes, and experts predict this number may nearly double by 2030. There are two main types of diabetes, each affecting the body differently.

Type 1 Diabetes:

• People with Type 1 Diabetes do not produce insulin
• Usually diagnosed at a young age
• Often requires lifelong insulin therapy

Type 2 Diabetes:

• Blood sugar levels stay elevated for a prolonged period of time
• The body doesn’t use insulin properly or make enough
• Risk factors include diet, activity level, obesity and heredity
• Can often be managed with lifestyle changes and medication

Both types of diabetes can have a significant impact on wound healing, making it essential for individuals with diabetes to be vigilant about wound prevention and care. At Healogics, we specialize in treating diabetes-related wounds and are here to help—no referral needed

Diabetic Wound Facts

At Healogics, we believe that knowledge is power. Understanding the impact of diabetic foot ulcers can help you take proactive steps for your health:

• Over two million people in the United States currently have diabetic foot ulcers
• Up to 1 in 4 adults with Diabetes will experience a foot ulcer
• 85% of diabetes-related amputations stem from non-healing foot ulcers
• Sadly, half of those who undergo an amputation face death within five years

These statistics underscore why wound prevention and expert wound care are vital. Healogics committed to changing these numbers through:

• Advanced wound care techniques and innovation
• Early intervention strategies
• Patient education and support

What Causes Diabetic Foot Ulcers?

Diabetic foot ulcers develop due to a combination of factors related to diabetes:

• High blood sugar levels can damage nerves and limit blood circulation
• Poor circulation reduces oxygen and nutrient supply to the feet
• Nerve damage (neuropathy) can lead to loss of sensation in the feet
• Weakened immune system may slow healing and increase infection risk

Many people don’t notice foot ulcers forming due to reduced sensation in their feet. This is why regular foot inspections are so important. To lower your risk of developing foot ulcers:

• Maintain good blood sugar control
• Manage other health conditions
• Practice proper foot care daily
• Seek professional help at the first sign of foot problems or wounds

How Should You Treat Diabetic Foot Ulcers?

The American Diabetic Association recommends specialist-level foot care for diabetics who smoke or who have histories of prior wounds, loss of feeling, or peripheral arterial disease. The same 2020 ADA report recommends individuals seek specialized wound care centers for wounds that are chronic, previously treated, antibiotic-resistant, or severely infected.1

At Healogics, we specialize in helping patients with diabetic foot ulcers and other chronic wounds heal faster. Our highly specialized care includes therapies that aid wound closure, new tissue growth and wound tissue regeneration. These therapies include total contact casting (TCC), negative pressure wound therapy and hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBO).

Over the past twenty years, we have helped heal more than four million wounds. We partner with academic and research-based scientists to consult and analyze, driving innovation to provide better outcomes for our patients. Healogics is committed to helping individuals with diabetes achieve optimal wound healing and prevent complications through our specialized wound care services and ongoing diabetes education. Learn more about Diabetes Awareness.

¹American Diabetes Association, Microvascular Complications and Foot Care: Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes 2020

https://care.diabetesjournals.org/content/diacare/43/Supplement_1/S135.full.pdf