Gestational Diabetes Research Paper

642 Words3 Pages
According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, an estimated 16 million Americans are known to have diabetes, and millions more are considered to be at risk for developing the disease. Diabetes mellitus (or diabetes) is a chronic condition that is associated with fluctuations of insulin in the bloodstream. Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas that allows the body to convert glucose from carbohydrates into energy or store the glucose for later use. There are three major types of diabetes mellitus: type 1, type 2, or gestational diabetes. In these three forms of diabetes, the body creates too much or too little insulin or the body does not use the insulin properly. With decreased insulin functionality,…show more content…
Neuropathy is a weakness, numbness, and pain that can occur in the hands and feet. Ischemia is an inadequate flow of blood in an organ or body part. With diabetic hyperglycemia, the blood vessels in the hands and feet are affected and any external damage can become life threatening if not treated with care. Normal sweat secretion and oil production that lubricates the skin of the foot is impaired. This situation can lead to abnormal stress on the skin, bones, and joints of the foot during walking and can lead to failure of the skin of the foot. Sores may develop. Injury to blood vessels and weakening of the immune system from diabetes makes it difficult to heal these wounds. Contracting a bacterial infection of the skin, connective tissues, muscles, and bones can occur quite frequently in patients with diabetes. Rapidly these infections can develop into gangrene. With a compromised blood flow, antibiotics cannot get to the site of the infection easily and often, the only treatment for this is amputation of the foot or leg. If the infection spreads to the bloodstream, these series of events can be…show more content…
Among patients with diabetes, 15% develop a foot ulcer, and 12-24% of individuals with a foot ulcer require amputation. Diabetes is the leading cause of non-traumatic lower extremity amputations in the United States. In fact, every year approximately 5% of diabetics develop foot ulcers and 1% requires amputation.1,3 People with diabetes must be fully conscious of how to prevent foot complications before they occur, to recognize problems early, and to seek the right treatment when problems do occur. Although treatment for diabetic foot problems has improved, preventing hyperglycemia remains the best way to prevent diabetic complications. Diabetic patients should learn how to examine their own feet and how to make a distinction if they are experiencing the early signs and symptoms of diabetic foot problems. The patient should also develop a realistic and manageable routine at home foot care. This routine should include how to recognize when to call the doctor and how to recognize when a problem has become serious enough to seek emergency
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