Diabetes- Complications 2 - Neuropathy, Diabetic Foot & Macrovascular Flashcards
What is Diabetic Neuropathy?
Is when diabetes causes damage to your nerves. It can affect different types of nerves in your body, including in your feet, organs and muscles.
What symptoms are experienced with Diabetic Neuropathy?
- Numbness occurs in both legs
- Pain may or may not be present
- Paraesthesia (e.g. tingling, itching)
- Impaired sense of position leading to the patient being unsteady on their feet
- Decreased vibration sense
What is motor neuropathy?
Neuropathy of the autonomic nerves
What are the symptoms of motor neuropathy?
- Erectile dysfunction in men
- Low blood pressure when standing (Orthostatic hypotension)
- Delayed emptying of the stomach causing bloating, occasional nausea and vomiting (Gastroporesis)
- Diabetic diarrhoea
What are the treatment options for diabetic neuropathy?
- Optimise control of blood sugar - Possible worsening of symptoms at first then improves
- Pain modifying agents
- Simple analgesics e.g. paracetamol
- Analgesics for nerve pain e.g. Amitriptyline, Carbamazepine or Gabapentin
What percentage range of diabetic patients have neuropathy?
23-42%
What percentage range of diabetic patients have vascular disease?
9-23%
What percentage of diabetic will get a foot ulcer at some point in their life?
15%
What percentage range of diabetic patients with neuropathy/vascular disease/foot ulcer will eventually require amputation?
5-15%
Diabetic foot has a significant impact on quality of ____.
Quality of life
What is Cellulitis?
- An infection of the deep layers of skin and underlying tissues.
- It can be serious if not treated promptly
- The infection develops suddenly and can spread through the body quickly
What is Gangrene?
- A serious condition where a loss of blood supply causes body tissues to die.
- It can affect any part of the body but typically starts in the toes, feet, fingers and hands.
Diabetic foot contributes to which 5 complications/disabilities?
- Deep ulceration
- Uncontrollable infection
- Cellulitis
- Gangrene
- Amputation
What percentage range of all amputations are on diabetic patients?
40-60%
Diabetic foot does not contribute to premature mortality. True or False
False - It does contribute to premature mortality