Diabetic Neuropathy: a Silent Threat

A recent press release by the Centers for Disease Control stated that the new cases of diabetes increased by 90 percent over the last 10 years. And with diabetes comes a whole new set of complications that patients must seriously think about when being proactive about their health. One such complication is Diabetic Neuropathy. According to the Centers for Disease control it affects 60 to 70 percent of the patients diagnosed with this disease. So what does Diabetic Neuropathy mean? It means the nervous system becomes damaged over time because of high blood sugar levels in the body. This translates to loss of sensation, tingling, even constant pain in any region of the body but mostly in the feet and extremities. Damage to nerves can also mean that the body looses the ability to regulate blood pressure and therefore circulation to these important parts of the body. Also when applied to the muscles of the feet, poor circulation can lead to weak muscles and can sometimes cause a drop in the mid part of the foot. This in return can cause calluses and ulcerations because of the uneven pressure points when walking. All this can occur with a diabetic not even knowing because of loss of sensation to the feet. Amputation can then become a serious risk when this takes place. Science has long known the advantage of the application of heat. The physiological benefits include increasing the diameter of the arteries in the body to increase blood flow which in itself has a therapeutic effect. One such product that uses controlled heat for therapeutic healing is the Vitalwrap System. Recent case studies have shown the application of the Vitalwrap system to improve circulation to occluded vessels. One such case study was done on an 86 year old African American female who had a history of Type II Diabetes and also presented with Diabetic neuropathy. Doppler exam also found the client had moderate to severe occlusive arterial disease on both the right and left foot. After only twenty minutes of application of the Vitalwrap system to the left foot improvement in circulation was seen. The left posterior tibial artery saw an improvement of blood circulation from 8. 9cm/sec to 13. 9cm/sec. Another such case study was done on a 75 year old Caucasian man also with a history of Diabetes Mellitus and pressure ulcer on the second digit of left foot. Improved circulation is especially vital when healing from ulcers. The blood brings the oxygen the tissue needs to restore itself to its original state. After using the Vitalwrap system the left posterior tibial artery went from 22. 1cm/sec to 25cm/sec. The dorsalis pedis artery improved as well going from 22. 9cm/sec to 38cm/sec. These studies have shown that the vitalwrap system is useful in assisting diabetic individuals in improving circulation and regain a better quality of life. Note: This information is not intended to supplement or replace advice from a medical professional, or to diagnose or treat any condition. About MMAR Medical Group: MMAR Medical Group Inc. is a supplier of orthopedic medical products including a wide selection of braces and supports. Please visit us online http://www. mmarmedical. com/