FOOT CARE GUIDELINES:

• Wash and dry feet well every day
• Wear well fitting shoes and clean, dry, cotton shocks.
• Never walk barefoot.
• Follow the contour of toe when trimming toe nails. To prevent ingrown nails, do not cut into the corners.
• Apply moisturizing lotion daily.
• Avoid using lotions that are perfumed or that contain alcohol.
• See a podiatrist regularly for removal of corns, warts and calluses.
• A yearly foot evaluation is recommended.
• Buy shoes mid day, when feet are their largest. Break in new shoes gradually.
• Leather shoes will stretch and mold to the foot and provide less pressure areas.
• Notify your health care provider within 24 hours if your foot becomes infected or injured.
• Keep the area clean, dry and covered.
• Apply antibiotic ointment and gauze wrap as needed. Try to stay off the foot as much as possible until it is evaluated.

Garlic-based Drug can treat Diabetes Types I and II

A tablet-form garlic-based drug can treat diabetes types I and II, according to a new study.The drug is based on vanadium and allaxin, a compound found in garlic. The study has been published in the new Royal Society of Chemistry journal Metallomics. When Hiromu Sakurai and colleagues from the Suzuka University of Medical Science, Japan, gave the drug orally to type I diabetic mice, they found it reduced blood glucose levels .

In previous work they had discovered the vanadium-allaxin compound treated both diabetes types when injected, but this new study shows the drug has promise as an oral treatment for the disease. Type I diabetes (insulin dependent) is currently treated with daily injections of insulin, while type II (non-insulin dependent) is treated with drugs bearing undesirable side-effects - however - the researchers believe neither treatment is ideal. The researchers aim to test the drug in humans in future work.

Source- Medindia.com

Disclaimer: All opinions and Information published here is for medical education only. It is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice. If you are a patient, please see your doctor for evaluation of your individual case. Under no circumstances will the authors be liable to you for any direct or indirect damages arising in connection with use of this website

In many developing countries, children with diabetes suffer because insulin and other diabetes supplies are not affordable or sometimes not even available.
The International Diabetes Federation's Life for a Child Program supports the care of close to 1000 children in the following countries: Tanzania, Rwanda, Democratic Republic of Congo, Nigeria, Azerbaijan, Nepal, India, Sri Lanka, Philippines, Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Uzbekistan, Bolivia, Mali, Ecuador, Sudan and Cameroon.

Participants in the Life for a Child Program partially-sponsor the neediest children at diabetes centers in these countries. This sponsorship enables the children to receive the clinical care and diabetes education they need to stay alive. The centers provide thorough clinical and financial feedback.

The goals of the Program are to provide:
* Sufficient insulin and syringes
* Blood glucose monitoring facilities
* Appropriate clinical care
* HbA1c testing
* Diabetes education
* Technical support for health professionals (if requested)

Some centers need support for all these areas; others need support for some components.
Many children with diabetes in developing countries die soon after diagnosis. Many others face the burden of complications while still young. Life for a Child encourages governments to establish appropriate care to safeguard the future of children with diabetes.

Funds are donated by the International Diabetes Federation through sale of World Diabetes Day merchandizing, individuals, associations, Rotary International, and companies working in diabetes. Most individual donors contribute a dollar a day. Support is provided to recognized diabetes centers to purchase insulin and syringes, and provide monitoring and education. Financial trails and the health outcomes of the children are carefully monitored.
Our goal is to double the number of children supported by the end of 2008. Help us save children with diabetes. Donate online at http://www.lifeforachild.org/ or through the purchase of World Diabetes Day merchandize.
Source: www.lifeforachild.org
Disclaimer: All opinions and Information published here is for medical education only. It is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice. If you are a patient, please see your doctor for evaluation of your individual case. Under no circumstances will the authors be liable to you for any direct or indirect damages arising in connection with use of this website

Monsoon sets in and so do foot infections

This article has been published in Deccan Chronicle on Sept 12, 2008
Be Alert
-->About 50 per cent of all non-traumatic amputations are due to diabetes-related foot ulcers.
-->Globally, an amputation is performed due to foot infection, every 30 seconds.
-->Patients should never walk bare foots, even inside the house. They should wear right footwear, preferably made of microcellular rubber.

With the onset of rain city doctors are witnessing a sharp upswing in the number of diabetics’ patients with foot infections-and a gross lack of awareness is to blame, they say.

“The feet are highly vulnerable to infection in diabetics due to a nervous condition called ‘neuropathy’ that causes loss of sensation,” said Dr Vijay Viswanathan, Diabetologist, MV Hospital for Diabetes, where at least two major amputation are performed everyday.

While 40 percent of all patients develop neuropathy within five to ten years of developing diabetes, smoking and excessive alcohol speed up the process.

The monsoon triggers a spurt of foot infection with people wading in water, and staying in wet shoes and shocks, inviting fungal infection between the toes. Patients who do not have their diabetes under control are the worst hit, as even a tiny pinprick can cause devastating damage. Infections like ‘athlete’s foot’ can be very harmful in a diabetes patient, as their healing capacity is low.

“Several patients get infected when they mistakenly cut into the skin, while trimming their toes nail. Diabetes with neuropathy should only file their nail do not cut them,” cautions Dr Ratnavel, Professor of Dermatology and Cosmetology, Stanley Medical College.

Wearing wrong footwear, not drying wet foot properly and walking bare foot even inside house are the most common reason for foot infections. A rise in the incidence of foot ulcer is also seen in summer, when people tend to visit temples, bare foot.

“Foot infections often recur, sometimes even thrice a year. Each time, the infected part has to be cut into, sutured and dressed. Hospitalization is required and the patient has to shell out a minimum of Rs 60,000. All for a condition that can be prevented with little care” Dr Vishwanathan concludes.

Disclaimer: All opinions and Information published here is for medical education only. It is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice. If you are a patient, please see your doctor for evaluation of your individual case. Under no circumstances will the authors be liable to you for any direct or indirect damages arising in connection with use of this website