Continued elevated blood sugar is one of the reasons cuts or infections heal slower for a person diagnosed with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes.
Infections require a lot of respect when they occur since failing to treat them properly can result in them becoming a very serious matter.
But diabetics have even more to be concerned with.
Having diabetes further complicates infections to the point it can result in the loss of a limb or in extreme cases, loss of life.
While anyone cannot afford to ignore infections, diabetics have to pay particular attention to them.
There are several reasons for this.
One, is because diabetes is a condition of increased blood sugar, or high amounts of sugar in the blood.
This increased sugar content makes it very difficult for cuts and wounds to heal.
This allows infections to occur much easier.
Sugar suppresses your immune system and encourages the growth of bacteria and fungi; so the best way to reduce your risk of infections is to keep your blood sugar within normal limits.
High blood sugar also creates nerve damage.
This is especially true of the lower extremities.
If a cut or wound opens, infection quickly sets in.
Dealing with one of these infections is hard enough for a totally healthy person.
But if the individual is diabetic and not aware of the wound due to loss of sensation, they may not catch the infection until it has become quite advanced.
Poor blood circulation due to clogging of arteries also helps problems to occur, especially to your feet.
Good blood circulation is important for many reasons, one of which is for repairing the body.
One of the ways the body repairs itself is by transporting white blood cells and other vital components to the site of a wound to fight off infection and promote healing.
Limiting this blood flow means repair efforts are also greatly hindered.
When a person has Type 2 diabetes and their blood sugar is not controlled, their entire immune system is compromised.
This creates a much higher potential for developing complications, including infections.
Plus, the ability to fight these invasions is also diminished.
As common as foot and leg infections can be, they are not the only areas a diabetic should pay attention to.
A yeast infection, or candidiasis, can appear:
The best way to control infections is to maintain a healthy blood sugar level.
Even if an infection is present, bringing your blood sugar levels back to normal will go a long way in treating the condition.
Additional insulin is sometimes prescribed to help lower blood sugar until an infection heals.
Infections require a lot of respect when they occur since failing to treat them properly can result in them becoming a very serious matter.
But diabetics have even more to be concerned with.
Having diabetes further complicates infections to the point it can result in the loss of a limb or in extreme cases, loss of life.
While anyone cannot afford to ignore infections, diabetics have to pay particular attention to them.
There are several reasons for this.
One, is because diabetes is a condition of increased blood sugar, or high amounts of sugar in the blood.
This increased sugar content makes it very difficult for cuts and wounds to heal.
This allows infections to occur much easier.
Sugar suppresses your immune system and encourages the growth of bacteria and fungi; so the best way to reduce your risk of infections is to keep your blood sugar within normal limits.
High blood sugar also creates nerve damage.
This is especially true of the lower extremities.
If a cut or wound opens, infection quickly sets in.
Dealing with one of these infections is hard enough for a totally healthy person.
But if the individual is diabetic and not aware of the wound due to loss of sensation, they may not catch the infection until it has become quite advanced.
Poor blood circulation due to clogging of arteries also helps problems to occur, especially to your feet.
Good blood circulation is important for many reasons, one of which is for repairing the body.
One of the ways the body repairs itself is by transporting white blood cells and other vital components to the site of a wound to fight off infection and promote healing.
Limiting this blood flow means repair efforts are also greatly hindered.
When a person has Type 2 diabetes and their blood sugar is not controlled, their entire immune system is compromised.
This creates a much higher potential for developing complications, including infections.
Plus, the ability to fight these invasions is also diminished.
As common as foot and leg infections can be, they are not the only areas a diabetic should pay attention to.
A yeast infection, or candidiasis, can appear:
- in your mouth,
- under your arms, or
- in the genital area in the form of a rash.
The best way to control infections is to maintain a healthy blood sugar level.
Even if an infection is present, bringing your blood sugar levels back to normal will go a long way in treating the condition.
Additional insulin is sometimes prescribed to help lower blood sugar until an infection heals.