Improper treatment of wounds may be cause of 85% of amputations among diabetics

Diabetes is believed to be a silent killer by medical professionals across the world. Even a single indicator showing the onset of the disease is a cause for concern.

It is a disease that can be inherited but can also be acquired because of an unwholesome lifestyle.

Often thought to be a disease related to ageing and mostly afflicting those above 65, diabetics often develop lacerations on their feet that are very hard to heal owing to poor blood circulation. In cases of major infections which are not healing a decision to amputate may have to be taken. 

Unfortunately, information released during a national conference on diabetics held in Mumbai showed that 85 percent of diabetics suffer from amputations in the course of their life because of want of proper treatment.

Presently 15 percent of India's diabetic population experiences ulcers in their lifetime, the conference attended by over 50 eminent surgeons here was informed. 

Innovators in wound management such as Madhuri Gore and Dr Sitaram Prasad were among the representatives who attended the national conference organised at Zen hospital on Sunday.

The doctors called for a better injury healing health care in the hospitals of the country.

"Around the globe, about 415 million people are diabetic. However, India has the world's second largest diabetic population at 69 million. Almost 15 percent of diabetics develop an ulcer in their lifetime," said Roy Patankar, Director at Zen Hospital.

The doctors said that that treatment of wounds is a challenge as the physicians or surgeons need to gauge wounds accurately, the doctors also urged hospitals for an improved recognition of wound related problems and provide intercessions such that illnesses reduce.

"With advanced technology, newer wound care products are helping surgeons to provide optimal benefits to patients. The wound update conference included wound classification and evaluation, wound healing and scar formation. Chronic wounds, infections and wound closure or therapy along with case studies were a part of the panel discussion and conference," said a joint statement issued by the surgeons at the conference.

As a part of the national faculty, Somprakash Basu and Sunil Kari deliberated over chronic wounds and wound therapy and examined a few case studies. Seven other speakers also participated in the panel discussion.