Lesson #5

Skin and healing problems

What are they?
These problems result in much the same way as the foot problems associated with diabetes. Thickened arteries limit blood flow to the skin and, in turn, slow down any healing process. Because of this, people with diabetes may have more open wounds and blisters than people without diabetes.

Diabetes can also lead to chronic skin infections, skin lesions and abnormal cholesterol deposits. Many people with diabetes experience yeast infections between the fingers and below the breasts. Women may experience vulvovaginal yeast infections.

How can you prevent them?
Check you body frequently for any new injuries, especially in areas that are usually covered by clothes. If you find any, apply any bandages and other first aid that might be required. Your doctor may recommend antibiotics or antifungal medications to treat infections.

Don't forget: keep those glucose levels tight. Tight we say.

What is it?
Gastroparesis is about as pretty as its name, which means "paralysis of the stomach." This disorder occurs when the nerves that activate the stomach are damaged due to high glucose levels. Without normal nerve functioning, the stomach may spasm or go limp at irregular times and make digestion difficult. People with gastroparesis may vomit large amounts of food that were eaten days before.

Gastroparesis can deliver a one-two punch. Not only does it affect digestion, but unpredictable digestion can also make diabetes difficult to manage.

How can you prevent it?
Aside from making regular visits to your doctor, there's one key way to keep your stomach from jerking around in your abdomen: due diligence with your glucose level management. By keeping those glucose levels tight, you can prevent the nerve damage that leads to gastroparesis.

What is it?
Ketoacidosis is a serious complication that, if not treated properly, can lead to coma or death. It occurs when a person with diabetes has prolonged high glucose levels. This complication is more common in type 1 diabetes.

When a person has high glucose levels, they have not broken down the sugars into energy. When this happens, the body will seek other sources of energy. Fat cells will be broken down, producing ketones (a type of chemical compound) as a by-product.

When too many ketones are produced, they make the blood acidic. This can pose many problems from dizziness to diabetic coma.

How can you prevent it?
Because high glucose levels cause ketoacidosis, the best way to prevent it is to keep your glucose levels at a normal level. People can be especially susceptible to ketoacidosis after illness or trauma, so be sure to pay special attention to your glucose levels during such episodes. There may be some warning signs of ketoacidosis such as weakness, flushed complexion and sweet smelling breath.

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