DIABETIC FOOT CARE
Written by Timothy Okooboh Diabetes mellitus is one of the leading causes of non-traumatic lower extremity amputation (LEA) worldwide. Prevalence rates of diabetic foot lesions vary from 0.9 - 8.3 % in Nigeria. Diabetes is a disease in which blood glucose levels are elevated either as a result of insulin deficiency or impaired sensitivity of insulin receptors. Insulin is the hormone that promotes the absorption of glucose into the liver, fat and skeletal mucles. Therefore, problems with insulin secretion or impaired response to insulin production will lead to the build up of glucose in the blood, known as hyperglycemia. Complications due to diabetes can be classified into two groups: macrovascular and microvascular complications. Macrovascular complications due to diabetes include coronary artery disease, peripheral arterial disease and stroke. Microvascular complications due to diabetes include diabetic neuropathy, diabetic retinopathy and diabetic nephropathy. Peripheral ...