REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA — Even though it seems unrelated, married life can actually affect the health condition of diabetics. Sufferer diabetes Divorced people appear to be more at risk leg amputation compared to diabetics who are still married.
This is known through a study conducted by a research team consisting of doctors from Sweden. Through this study, the research team analyzed various aspects that might be risk factors for lower leg or foot amputation in diabetics. Some of these aspects are demographics, socioeconomic, lifestyle, and medical conditions.
This study involved 66,569 people aged 18 years and over who were diagnosed with diabetes in the period 2007-2016 as participants. About 98 percent of the participants involved were diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.
All participants were monitored from the time they were first diagnosed with diabetes until 2017. During this time, 133 participants were found to have undergone amputation procedures.
From the various data that has been analyzed, the research team found that people with diabetes who are divorced have a 67 percent higher risk of amputation. In addition, men with diabetes have a 57 percent higher risk of amputation than women with diabetes.
According to the research team, there are several reasons that might trigger an increased risk of amputation in people with diabetes who are divorced. One of them, divorce can cause changes in the way a person takes care of himself and changes in diet.
“And maybe they live alone,” said the research team, as reported Independent.
These changes can make a person more socially isolated, especially in men. They also tend to be less physically active.
“Lifestyle variables have a strong association with lower limb (leg) amputations,” said the research team.
However, the research team revealed that their study was an observational study. This study could not confirm a cause-and-effect relationship between statuses divorce and the risk of amputation in people with diabetes.
Through this study, the research team also obtained a unique finding. The study found that obese diabetics actually had a 46 percent lower risk of amputation compared to normal-weight diabetics.
“(It is not yet known why) people with greater body weight have better wound healing abilities than people with lighter body mass,” said the research team.
In general, diabetes is a condition that can cause nerve damage and worsen blood flow. This condition can make it difficult for wounds experienced by people with diabetes to heal, including wounds in the foot area.
Besides being difficult to heal, people with diabetes sometimes don’t realize that their feet are injured. These neglected wounds can continue to get worse until they have to be amputated.
Therefore, people with diabetes are strongly advised to pay more attention to the condition of their feet. The following are some of the things recommended by the Mayo Clinic to prevent the risk of amputation in people with diabetes:
1. Check your feet every day. Take time at least once a day to check your feet for sores, blisters, pain, swelling, or redness. If it is difficult to monitor the entire foot area, use a mirror to make the inspection process easier.
2. Wash your feet every day. If possible, use lukewarm water to wash your feet, at least once a day. However, do not use water that is too hot. After that, dry your feet gently, including the area between the toes. If necessary, use powder talcum between the fingers to keep the area dry and not too damp. Also apply moisturizer on the feet to prevent the occurrence of broken skin which is the entry point for germs.
3. Do not forcibly remove calluses or scabs, especially with the help of a sharp tool
4. Cut the nails carefully
5. Don’t walk barefoot when outside the house, including when in the terrace area of the house
6. Use clean and dry socks before wearing footwear. Avoid socks with rubber that is too tight because it can interfere with blood flow.
7. Use footwear that fits the size of the foot
8. Avoid smoking habits
9. Periodically check your feet podiatrist or doctor
2023-08-19 12:28:59
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