Diabetes Education

Diabetes Education is the essential link for successful diabetes managment. Research is providing great progress and there is
much hope to offer our patients. With proper treatment diabetes can be managed, complications can be minimized and in some cases completely avoided. 

Reinforcing understanding through on-going support measures including access to local resources including support groups
helps to maximize positive outcomes for successful diabetes self management. 

Complications from diabetes can and do occur, often diabetes is present for a time before it is found. Understanding is key to successful management. Diabetes mellitus is by nature an insidious disease. The effects of high bllod sugar exposures on
nerves, capillary beds and bones creates a cumulative stress from being prolonged exposure and bathed in high concentrations of sugar. Complications may be slowly progressive and may involve the eyes, heart, kidneys and / or feet.

Bariatric weight loss surgery and pancreatic transplants offer great hope for cure and remissions that may halt further development of diabetes related lower extremity complications. Medical research is bringing us closer to what may utimately be a cure for diabetes. Today's information will hopefully will lead to tomorrow's cure. There is much hope on the horizon and proper care today increases your overall health and quality of life.
 
Some complications may be permanent or non-reversible.  Long term unmanaged effects of damaged capillary beds may present lifelong potential for impaired circulation. Impaired sensation from diabetic peripheral neuropathy carries the potential for injury to go unnoticed because there is no pain to warn of injury. Delayed treatment may allow an infection to begin. Bony deformities remain and frequently progress because the weakened structural foundation is still called upon to carry the weight of the body.

Lifelong potential for serious diabetes related lower extremity complications may continue, even in the
presence of a cure as the permanent, residual effects of past events may remain a factor for lower extremity
complications, including serious infection and possibly even amputation.

Develop a Daily Routine : Never go Barefoot. Check your feet daily. Look between the toes. feel the top, bottom, heel and sides of both feet daily. Check for blisters, sores, cuts, changes in color, temperature and report anything unusual. Wash your feet every day with warm water and mild soap. Avoid soaking your feet. Dry feet well, especially between toes. Apply a gentle lotion daily while avoiding the areas between your toes. Never go barefoot. Wear good socks and supportive shoes and ask your doctor if you might benefit from protective diabetic footwear.  

The field of diabetes footwear is a medical specialty called Pedorthics. Certified Pedorthists are the foot health members of the health care team. Matching the health and lifestyle to the proper footwear is important. Most insurance companies recognize the benefits of this protection by offering benefits for protective footwear to people with diabetes complications through an ABC or BOC Certified Pedorthists, the foot health practioners. For
more information on Pedorthics please contact Sylvia Thompson, RN, CFCN, CPED -Board Certified Pedorthist at THE WELL-FOOT CLINIC in Port Angeles by calling (360) 582-3736 or Fax your information to us at (877) 582-3735.

Best wishes,
Sylvia A Thompson, MS,RN,CFCN,CPED,DE
Registered Nurse / Board Certified Foot Nurse / Board Certified Pedorthist
Copyright: Sylvia A Thompson, MS,RN,CFCN,CPED,DE / THE WELL FOOT CLINIC - 2-08-2012   

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By - THE WELL FOOT CLINIC® - Diabetes Clinic - SYLVIA A THOMPSON, MS,RN,CFCN,CPED,DE.

Certified Foot Nurse and Foot Program

The field of Nurse Foot Care is an evolving field of Registered Nurses who provide routine nail care services to individuals of reasonably good health while promoting higher standards, greater awareness, advanced training, education and certifications. Specialty programs to address healthcare fields, promote high standards for better outcomes. Long recognized issues have motivated university healthcare programs and responsible providers to respond to historic trends in foot care patterns and complications.

Nurse Delegation brings growing numbers of people to provide basic nail clipping and filing service within the community. Nurse Delegates are minimally trained and remain under the direct supervision of the trainers and program. Home care / Facilities are advised to administer programs only through a registered nurse CFCN. Programs should train using the actual tools and supplies to train that would be used during working.

Verification of training / learning should be accepted as passing scores on written and performance skills and periodic reviews. CFCN oversight often continues beyond course completion, but can be severed at any time, at the discretion of the CFCN. All ties are permanently severed upon termination of employment and the training will not carry over to another employer or position.    

High risk foot and nail care complications can lead to serious complications, including amputation and death. Registered Nurses who have not attended advanced training in high risk foot and nail care are cautioned. Nurse Delegates are not covered in scope or liability and should not be involved in high risk or diabetic foot care.

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By - THE WELL FOOT CLINIC® - Diabetes Clinic - SYLVIA A THOMPSON, MS,RN,CFCN,CPED,DE.

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