Wound healing in diabetes

In the modern times, many people suffer from diabetes, but most of them are not even aware that they are afflicted by this condition. They assume that it is only a sugar disorder. But in fact diabetes is a consequence of carbohydrate metabolism disorder, which generally affects individuals to be predisposed to diabetes.  Such individuals are characterized by inadequate production or utilization of insulin which results in excessive amount of glucose being generated in the blood and urine.  This simultaneously leads to excessive thirst and weight loss. In some cases it also leads to a destruction of small blood vessels which sometimes creates complicationssuch as infection and gangrene of the limbs and even blindness.

Injuries are a common phenomenon that affects most people. But if a person is diabetic then no matter how small or superficial the wound is, it must be treated immediately. The reason for this is that diabetes is a chronic disease and the body cannot use the sugar or glucose in the way that it should. This is what causes complications and does not allow wounds to heal as it would have in a normal person.

So if a diabetic person happens to stub his or her toe, or get a blister from a tight shoeor a cut on his chin while shaving, then proper treatment is a must because wound healing in diabetes is a very serious issue. However small the wound is, it should be taken care of immediately or else even the smallest of wounds can get infected if the bacteria are allowed to build up after injury.One must always clean the wound, see the doctor, and keep pressure off the wound as it heals.

Diabetic nerve disease, commonly known as neuropathy commonly seen in amputees who have diabetes leading to insufficient wound healing. It’s very important for people affected with this condition to inspect their feet daily, including their toes, for any dry and rough areas of their feet, cracks, calluses, hot spots, and any other abnormal formations. If any of these symptoms are seen, professional healthcare advice should be sought. No self-surgeries and self-assumed treatments are to be followed. Patients are equally prone to venous ulcers thatcause disease of the veins and arteries.

Recent studies have shown that a drug that was used to remove iron from a diabetic body has enabled doctors to overcome a complication i.e. poor healing of wounds in diabetic patients.  This drug has reduced the chances of amputation of patients’ toes, feet, and even legs. A drug named deferoxamine was experimented on diabetic mice. Those mice that were given this drug experienced faster healing of their wounds compared to those mice that were not giventhis same drug. Further research is being conducted by a team of experts to make this drug available for treating diabetic wounds and saving lives. 

Latest biological studies have also uncovered small and transparent worms that respond quickly in terms of healingof surface wounds.They have now become an ideal subject of study for diabetic wound treatments.Furthermore, with the help of genetic testing, specialists have identified calcium channels that allowthe worm’s body to detect injury by sensing, which subsequently begins the process of healing. Also, actin proteins play an important role in muscle movement. So once they surround a wound and tighten it up, the healing process quickens. A protein named DAPK – 1 acts as an inhibitor to the system of repair.

Surprisingly, there was another experiment conducted on diabetic rats which involved curing their wounds with the help of laser treatment. Through this experiment, the scientists concluded that diabetic animals if treated with low power lasers and suitable parameterscould be cured faster. These results could definitely help the human race in the future. Patients need to be properly educated about primary care in diabetes so that they can avoid complications when treating diabetic wounds.