Diabetic Wound Care Around the Clock and American Diabetes Month

Diabetic wound care around the clock is a topic of great relevance right now. November has come around and it is American Diabetes Month! The national diabetes month is a very important month for spreading awareness, to people of all ages.

 

Your Part in the Picture

Yes, we are all involved. Adults, mention it to your children; grandparents mention it to your grandchildren. If you’re a teacher mention it to your students using the ODPHP’s Toolkit!

The idea is to spread the word!

 

Wounds and Diabetes

Diabetes has numerous effects on the individual. Harvard Health explains:

Many diabetic health hazards come about due to problems with reduced blood flow or blood clotting issues.

Issues that are caused by issues in the smaller veins include medical problems with:

• the eyes and sight
• the kidneys
• sensory/nerve problems

 

On the other hand, issues that could come about from reduced blood flow or clotting in larger veins include:

• stroke
• heart disease

In the same vein (!) problems that can come about from poor circulation in both/either the large and the smaller veins include:

• problems due to poor circulation in the legs and feet
• diabetic wounds

 

Best Practices for Wound Care

An NCBI online book sets forth in detail the ways that chronic wounds can be looked after.

Due to poor circulation, wounds can arise in diabetics patients. The cause of the problem and the cure is through circulation. That slows down the healing process. Unfortunately, for a senior the effect is doubled, since the wounds seniors can develop also heal slowly.

There are various therapies that are designed to increase blood flow to the area of the wound. The increased blood flow helps the wound heal faster.

Some of these are:

• Breathing in oxygen-rich air, in hyperbaric oxygen therapy.
• Creating a vacuum on the surface area of the wound. A pump removes the fluid of the wound from it surface. The wound stays moist at the surface, but an increased amount of blood comes to the lower levels of the wound. This is known as Vacuum Assisted Wound Closure or VAC therapy.

The advantage of the VAC Therapy is that it can be applied around the clock or part of the day.

The patient may need pain relief and emotional support to get though an intense period of wound healing.

 

More Information about Vacuum Assisted Wound Closure

A portable pump drains the wound.

The pump can remain running continuously, depending on which type of pump is used and wound factors. The cycle can last for a few hours or between 24 to 72 hours at a time, when the gauze bandage must be changed.

 

Where Can Diabetic Wound Care Around the Clock Take Place?

At Home

For small wounds try at home care, using this system. The wound nurse can show the family or a home carer how to change the dressing. Use your phone or other device to capture images or live videos. The healthcare provider can see how well the caring is proceeding at home.

Some at-home patients prefer using the services of a home-visiting healthcare provider.

 

In Wound Care Rehab

For larger wounds or more complicated cases try treatment in a short-term wound rehab facility. It might be preferable to use the services of a rehab facility or a nursing facility, avoiding a hospital stay.

Physiologically and psychologically, the patent might prefer a stay in a rehab center, in any case, as there is often entertainment or senior activities. During or in between therapy, the patient could recharge their emotional stock of strength.

 

A Step by Step Battle

The way forward in the fight to reduce diabetes is:

Firstly, take on board healthy lifestyle changes. People of all ages can do it!

Secondly, take a test for diabetes as your doctor recommends.

Thirdly, be open to information about diabetes prevention.

 

Cure Around the Clock

We have seen that diabetic wound care around the clock can take place in various settings. One way of doing this through VAC therapy system. The best care for wounds is the care that helps it heal the fastest.

Seniors can enjoy a stay in a wound rehab center for professional and pampered care while their wound heals.

Diabetic wound care around the clock, hopefully, shall be needed less and less. Americans are becoming more aware of the effects of diabetes. This November, we can celebrate the increase in national awareness of diabetes, its effects and its prevention.

 

 

 

 

Photo by Lukas Blazek on Unsplash