PVD: prevention is key

0 Comments | Saturday Evening Post, Sept-Oct, 2007

Diabetes can lead to cardiovascular disease in a variety of ways, exposing the heart and blood vessels to multiple attacks. However, addressing risk factors helps prevent many of the potential complications from the chronic disease. If suffering from diabetes, patients are at increased risk of accelerated atherosclerosis and peripheral arterial disease (PAD), a painful and debilitating condition affecting the lower extremities. According to a recent report from the American Diabetes Association, about 20 percent of patients with diabetes will develop a foot ulcer or infection requiring hospitalization and treatment.

The key is prevention. By understanding the risk factors and confronting PAD head on, patients can reduce their risk of diabetic foot and leg complications.

The critical step is careful inspection and meticulous foot hygiene. Experts advise daily foot inspection to look for dry or fissured skin, calluses, or fungal nail infection. Simple measures, such as properly moisturizing the feet every day to avoid cracking and wearing well-fitting shoes, help prevent foot injury.