November Is Diabetes Awareness Month
- More than 37 million people in the United States are living with diabetes, and up to 25% will experience a diabetic foot ulcer.
- Non-healing foot wounds are a leading cause of diabetes-related hospitalizations and lower-limb amputations.
- Early intervention saves limbs and lives so it is essential to raise awareness of the need for daily foot checks.
Diabetes Facts At A Glance
At-Risk Conditions
- Family history/genetics
- Unhealthy diet
- Inactive lifestyle
- High blood pressure
- Above 50 years of age
Signs And Symptoms
- Excessive thirst
- Frequent urination
- Extreme tiredness
- Tingling in feet or hands
- Slow-healing cuts or wounds
- Weight loss
Impact On Wound Healing
- Nerve damage reduces feeling
- Wounds go unnoticed
- Blood vessel damage reduces blood flow
- Wounds do not get needed nutrients
- Foot wounds are #1 cause of diabetes-related hospitalizations
Prevention And Treatment
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Follow a low-sugar, low-fat diet
- Exercise often
- Monitor your blood pressure
- Stop smoking
- Check for wounds every day
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.
- Ask your doctor to check your feet at every visit.
Diabetes Awareness Toolkit
In addition to the 34.2 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
Diabetes & Amputation Prevention
Learn how to check for foot wounds and steps to help prevent them from occurring.
Advanced Modalities & Wound Healing
Read about the advanced treatments and specialized at your Wound Care Center.
How To Help Your Wound Heal Faster
Discover what our research shows about healing and how you help your wound heal.
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
Clinical Medical Officer
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.