Diabetes

Here: a look at the many possible causes of poorly controlled blood glucose levels, and steps to overcome them.

Alcohol ingestion is one of the most common causes of disabling hypoglycemiain the United States. The effects of alcohol ingestion onpatients with diabetes vary considerably, depending on whether they havetype 1 or type 2 diabetes and on whether they are receiving insulin therapy.

Appropriate foot care, preventive measures, and early intervention reduce the incidence of complications and lower extremity amputation in patients with diabetic foot ulcers. A thorough lower extremity examination includes assessment of the skin, interdigital areas, skin quality and integrity, and ulcerative or pre-ulcerative changes. The key to prevention is patient education and lifelong commitment to self-care.