Diabetes, first described in ancient Egypt, remains at the forefront of health care in modern times. Roughly 537 million adults aged 20 to 79 years are living with diabetes worldwide, a number expected to rise over the next decades … Diabetic complications are vast. Diabetic foot infection (DFI) is a chronic, more severe complication that affects roughly 15% of people with diabetes. DFIs have been associated with decreased quality of life, frequent and prolonged hospitalizations and greater risk for lower extremity amputation … read more
Tag: Peripheral arterial disease
One Podiatrist’s Experience With A Novel NMES Device For Patients With PAD
In previous articles, I have written about medicine having endless career opportunities. One opportunity in the medical field is that to evaluate and potential provide feedback on an array of products or medical devices, in hopes of participating in the betterment of patient care. To me, advising on new innovations is always an exciting time because I believe becoming aware of the latest and cost-efficient technology to aid my patients with pain relief, healing, or even improved quality of life is imperative.
In recent months, I had the unique opportunity to trial a circulation booster device for the legs and feet … read more
Peripheral arterial disease and the diabetic foot
Miranda Tawfik
Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is a term used to describe atherosclerotic vessels in the periphery, mostly affecting the lower extremities. The blocked vessels impair blood and oxygen perfusion to the lower limbs and may lead to increased risk of ulceration, wounds and amputations. PAD is also associated with increased risk of coronary and cerebrovascular incidents. More than 50% of people living with PAD may not have any clinical symptoms, posing a challenge to diagnosis and management. This article will discuss the aetiology, presentation, risk factors, and management of PAD as related to the lower extremities … read more
Peripheral arterial disease and the diabetic foot
In peripheral arterial disease (PAD), atherosclerotic vessels in the periphery impair blood and oxygen perfusion to the lower limbs and may lead to increased risk of ulceration, wounds and amputations. PAD is also associated with increased risk of coronary and cerebrovascular incidents (Meru et al, 2006).
The main risk factors for PAD include smoking, diabetes, high cholesterol and family history (Meru et al, 2006). More than 50% of people living with PAD may not show any clinical symptoms, hence proper diagnosis and management is challenging (Hirsch et al, 2007; Norgren et al, 2007). This article will discuss the aetiology, presentation, risk factors, and management of PAD as related to the lower extremities.
Aetiology and presentation
PAD is a macrovascular complication of diabetes mainly caused by atherosclerosis, whereby fatty plaque deposits progressively narrow the lumen of the arteries and decrease vascular perfusion to the lower limbs … read more