| Theme | Dialysis in Diabetic Patients | |
|---|---|---|
| Title | Foot care for diabetic gangrene patients | |
| Publish Date | 2005/01 | |
| Author | Kikue Takeda | Department of Nursing, Matsuyama Red Cross Hospital |
| [ Summary ] | Dialysis patients with diabetes can develop foot problems that may lead to amputation for the following reasons ; sever atherosclerosis and hypotension with dialysis as well as diabetic complications, such as neuropathy, peripheral circulatory insufficiency and visual disorders. Skin lesions may be a risk factor of diabetes complications of the foot. Trauma, such as scratchs, burns from the heating apparatus, dry skin, cracks and ischemia, due to ungual deformities (ex. tinea unguium). Once the ulcers have progressed to a gangrenous state, they are hard to treat and often result in lower-extremity amputations. The ulcers develop as a result of minor trauma, burns and infection. Therefore, the most important step in prevention of foot ulcers in diabetics is repeated patient education about appropriate foot care. |
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