How To Avoid Leg and Hand Amputations

How To Avoid Leg and Hand Amputations

Amputations

An amputation can render the patient physically disabled and take a toll on their mental health. It presents a number of challenges, including difficulties in earning a living and carrying out even the most basic tasks. While some amputations cannot be avoided others can be prevented with regular checkups and taking care of one’s health. Patients with certain diseases like diabetes are at a higher risk of undergoing amputations and managing these conditions is the key to avoiding them. 

Diabetes Cause of Amputations

Diabetes is a leading cause of amputations. Tissues and cells of diabetes patients do not receive enough glucose which impairs their ability to heal themselves. As a result, whenever a patient experiences an injury, healing takes a long time and makes the patient susceptible to infections. The common sites of these infections are feet and legs. Many diabetes patients face amputations due to gangrenous infections. When the infection cannot be treated via medications, surgeons have to intervene and perform an amputation.

What are the Symptoms of Diabetes

Managing Diabetes

The key to avoiding amputations because of diabetes is to manage the condition effectively. You can do that by:

  • Scheduling regular visits with your doctor.
  • Visit a podiatrist regularly for a checkup of your foot, ankle, and other structures of the leg.
  • Monitor the blood glucose level and make a chart of it. Doctors can adjust the medications by looking at the chart to manage the condition more efficiently.
  • Comply with instructions and medications prescribed by the doctors.
  • Avoid a diet that is rich in glucose.
  • Keep yourself hydrated.
  • Avoid tobacco products.
  • Wear soft footwear.
  • Immediately seek medical advice for infections.
  • Exercise at least 30 minutes daily.

Diminished Blood Flow

Blood is a source of nutrients for our tissues and cells. When its supply is blocked, essential nutrients cannot reach tissues and cells, causing their death. If the entire tissue gets affected, surgeons have to amputate the area to prevent life-threatening events. Managing the diseases responsible for diminished blood flow can prevent amputations. 

Hypertension

Hypertension is the increased blood pressure within our body. It usually happens because of two reasons: either the heart is pumping too much blood or there is high resistance in the blood vessels. The resistances in vessels are because they become narrow and hardened. These narrow arteries cannot supply adequate blood to the tissues. Consequently, the tissue may start to die and warrant an amputation.

Effects of High Blood Pressure

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