November Is Diabetes Awareness Month

Did You Know?

  • Over 37 million Americans live with diabetes
  • Up to 25% will develop a diabetic foot ulcer
  • Non-healing foot wounds are a leading cause of
    • Diabetes-related hospitalizations
    • Daily foot checks are crucial for early intervention

Diabetes Facts At A Glance

Are You at Risk?

Common Risk Factors Include:

  • Family history/genetics
  • Unhealthy diet
  • Inactive lifestyle
  • High blood pressure
  • Age over 50

Signs And Symptoms

  • Excessive thirst
  • Frequent urination
  • Extreme tiredness
  • Tingling in feet or hands
  • Slow-healing cuts or wounds
  • Weight loss

How Diabetes Affects Wound Healing

  • Nerve damage reduces sensation in extremities
  • Wounds often go unnoticed
  • Blood vessel damage decreases blood flow to wound sites
  • Wounds do not get essential nutrients and oxygen for healing
  • Diabetic foot wounds are the #1 cause of diabetes-related hospitalizations

Diabetes Prevention And Treatment

  • Maintain a healthy BMI
  • Consult your doctor for personalized goals
  • Eat Smart – choose low-sugar, low-fat options
  • Stay Active
  • Daily Foot Checks
  • Quit Smoking

Check For Diabetic Foot Ulcers Every Day

Foot examinations are essential to your health. An undetected foot wound, even a very small wound, can quickly lead to serious complications, including amputation.
Diabetic foot ulcers most commonly occur on the big toes, balls of the feet or heels. Look for red spots, cut, swelling and blisters especially in these areas.

Check your feet every day:

  • Look at your toenails and between your toes.
  • Use a mirror to see your own bare feet, heel and ankles, or ask a family member to help you.
  • Ask your doctor to check your feet at every visit.

Diabetes Awareness Toolkit

In addition to the 37 million people who have been diagnosed with diabetes, it is estimated that an additional 8 million are living with the condition undiagnosed or with prediabetes. Lack of awareness leads to limited interventions and diabetes-related wounds that can progress to amputation or even loss of life.
Click the following to access posters, research, stickers and ways to share on social media.

Resources For People Living With Diabetes

More Resources

Diabetes & Amputation Prevention

Diabetes And Amputation Prevention

Learn how to check for foot wounds and steps to help prevent them from occurring.

Download

Advanced Modalities & Wound Healing

Advanced Modalities And Wound Healing

Read about the advanced treatments and specialized at your Wound Care Center.

Download

How To Help Your Wound Heal Faster

How to Help Your Wound Heal Faster

Discover what our research shows about healing and how you help your wound heal.

Download

Contributing Clinical Team

We are committed to use research to advance our understanding of diabetes as it relates to wound care and to continually improve treatment. Meet our contributing experts that are helping us spread the diabetes awareness message!

William Ennis, Do, MBA, MMM, CPE

William Ennis, Do, MBA, MMM, CPE
Clinical Medical Officer

Carolyn Shinn, RN, BSN

Carolyn Shinn, RN, BSN, CWS
VP, Clinical & Quality Process Excellence

Start your journey to healing.

We partner with more than 600 hospitals nationwide to provide standard and advanced would care for patients with chronic, non-healing wounds. Find a Healogics Wound Care Center near you and get on the road to healing.

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