Diabetes and Diabetic Foot Ulcers: An often hidden problem

Diabetes affects an estimated 16 million people in the United States and only just over half of whom are aware they have the disease. It is one of the leading causes of disease-related deaths in the U.S. Diabetes and its related complications claim the lives of approximately 190,000 Americans annual...

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Main Authors: Bronwyn Green, Andy Zoepke
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: AOSIS 2013-12-01
Series:South African Family Practice
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Online Access:https://safpj.co.za/index.php/safpj/article/view/3942
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author Bronwyn Green
Andy Zoepke
author_facet Bronwyn Green
Andy Zoepke
author_sort Bronwyn Green
collection DOAJ
description Diabetes affects an estimated 16 million people in the United States and only just over half of whom are aware they have the disease. It is one of the leading causes of disease-related deaths in the U.S. Diabetes and its related complications claim the lives of approximately 190,000 Americans annually. In South Africa the situation is just as dire with between 4 - 6 million people having Diabetes. “Diabetes Mellitus” represents a group of chronic diseases characterised by high levels of glucose in the blood and when the body does not produce enough insulin, or doesn’t produce insulin effectively. Insulin is a hormone necessary for the metabolism of sugar, starches and other foods. As a result, blood sugar rises far above normal levels and over time begins to damage organs and tissues. Diabetic patients, both type 1 and type 2, are at significant risk for a number of health complications associated with the eyes, feet, heart, blood vessels and the kidneys.
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series South African Family Practice
spelling doaj-art-0cd14593f04d44b2b42dd3b496142cdb2025-08-20T04:03:13ZengAOSISSouth African Family Practice2078-61902078-62042013-12-0155610.1080/20786204.2013.108744093278Diabetes and Diabetic Foot Ulcers: An often hidden problemBronwyn GreenAndy ZoepkeDiabetes affects an estimated 16 million people in the United States and only just over half of whom are aware they have the disease. It is one of the leading causes of disease-related deaths in the U.S. Diabetes and its related complications claim the lives of approximately 190,000 Americans annually. In South Africa the situation is just as dire with between 4 - 6 million people having Diabetes. “Diabetes Mellitus” represents a group of chronic diseases characterised by high levels of glucose in the blood and when the body does not produce enough insulin, or doesn’t produce insulin effectively. Insulin is a hormone necessary for the metabolism of sugar, starches and other foods. As a result, blood sugar rises far above normal levels and over time begins to damage organs and tissues. Diabetic patients, both type 1 and type 2, are at significant risk for a number of health complications associated with the eyes, feet, heart, blood vessels and the kidneys.https://safpj.co.za/index.php/safpj/article/view/3942diabetesdiabetic foot ulcers
spellingShingle Bronwyn Green
Andy Zoepke
Diabetes and Diabetic Foot Ulcers: An often hidden problem
South African Family Practice
diabetes
diabetic foot ulcers
title Diabetes and Diabetic Foot Ulcers: An often hidden problem
title_full Diabetes and Diabetic Foot Ulcers: An often hidden problem
title_fullStr Diabetes and Diabetic Foot Ulcers: An often hidden problem
title_full_unstemmed Diabetes and Diabetic Foot Ulcers: An often hidden problem
title_short Diabetes and Diabetic Foot Ulcers: An often hidden problem
title_sort diabetes and diabetic foot ulcers an often hidden problem
topic diabetes
diabetic foot ulcers
url https://safpj.co.za/index.php/safpj/article/view/3942
work_keys_str_mv AT bronwyngreen diabetesanddiabeticfootulcersanoftenhiddenproblem
AT andyzoepke diabetesanddiabeticfootulcersanoftenhiddenproblem