Why Is It Hard for Those With Diabetes to Manage Wounds?
Any type of wound requires diligent attention, but for those with diabetes, wound management becomes a vital aspect of care. Lack of proper treatment can result in an amputation.
According to the American Journal of Managed Care, every day 230 Americans with diabetes will have to have an amputation. Of those amputations, 85 percent are the result of a foot ulcer. While that news is bad enough, the even worse news is that this figure is trending upward.
Skilled nursing can go a long way toward helping those with diabetes manage chronic wounds and avoid amputation.
Why does diabetes cause non-healing wounds? Why is it so difficult to manage these kinds of chronic wounds? How can skilled nursing help?
We’ll explore the answers to those questions and much more.
How Can Skilled Nursing Help Those with Diabetes and Chronic Wounds?
Skilled nursing provides 24/7 nursing care, which means there will always be a healthcare professional on hand to assist you.
In addition, at Brunswick Cove, we offer the services of those who specialize in treating non-healing wounds. We also use a wound VAC. VAC stands for vacuum-assisted closure. This type of therapy decreases air pressure on the wound. As a result, it helps close the wound, which promotes healing.
Why Do Those with Diabetes Have Chronic, Non-Healing Wounds?
This centers around how diabetes affects the blood vessels of your feet and legs. As a result of the disease, these harden, making it difficult for blood to circulate through the area. This means that it makes it much more difficult for your wound to heal.
Those with diabetes may also have issues with the nerve endings in their feet. This means they may have an injury or wound that they are not aware of until it gets infected.
Why Is It Difficult to Manage These Chronic Wounds?
The main reason is that these wounds are more complicated and have a prolonged inflammatory response.
The result?
It may take months or even years for these to heal. Add to this the fact that often these more complex wounds are mistaken for less serious, acute wounds, and you can see why managing chronic wounds can be a challenge.
Brunswick Cove Serves as a “One-Stop Shop” for Your Medical Needs
We believe that you should be able to receive the services you need in one location. This means we can reduce the likelihood that you or a loved one will need an ER or hospital visit. Our extensive diagnostic services include:
- Mobile X-rays
- Ultrasounds
- Dopplers
- Laboratory services
We also provide convenient access to those whose specialties include optometry and psychiatry.
This means we can provide you with the highest level possible, particularly when it comes to managing chronic wounds due to diabetes.
Brunswick Cove is family owned and operated. This means we can care for our residents without the red tape of a faceless corporation standing in the way. We invite you to see firsthand the way our services aid our residents. Contact us today to schedule a virtual tour.