Diabetes Amputation
High blood glucose levels can lead to serious complications such as reduced blood supply in the lower limbs. This can result in an amputation. It is therefore essential that people with diabetes receive the right medical care that will help them to manage their condition.
If a diabetes patient is subject to a poor standard of care, directly contributing towards a diabetes-related amputation, there could be a case of medical negligence. Please contact us at Glynns Solicitors to find out more.
We specialise in medical negligence claims and will provide you with expert legal advice. An initial enquiry carries no charge or obligation.
Diabetes
Diabetes is when the body is unable to break down glucose (sugar), meaning the amount of glucose in the blood becomes too high.
Normally glucose is broken down by a hormone called insulin, which is created by the pancreas. The process begins when digested food moves into the bloodstream. The pancreas releases insulin which transfers the glucose from the blood and into cells. There glucose is broken down to produce energy.
But when someone has diabetes, their body will be unable to fulfil this process properly. This can be for one of two reasons: either the pancreas does not produce any/enough insulin, or the insulin released does not work very well.
Type 1 diabetes
There are two different types of diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is also called juvenile diabetes, as it commonly begins during adolescence. However, some people can develop type 1 diabetes later in life, usually up to the age of 40. Around 10% of people with diabetes have type 1 diabetes.
Unlike type 2 diabetes, type 1 diabetes cannot be prevented because it is an auto-immune condition. This means the immune system mistakenly attacks the cells that produce insulin, leaving the patient without any insulin whatsoever. Consequently insulin will need to be regularly injected into the body throughout the course of the day.
It is not understood why the body attacks the insulin-producing cells.
Type 2 diabetes
Type 2 diabetes often begins later in life and is particularly associated with obesity. Around 90% of people with diabetes have type 2 diabetes, making it much more prevalent than type 1 diabetes.
Type 2 diabetes happens when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin, or because the cells inside the body do not react to the insulin (insulin resistance). This happens because something is making it difficult for the body to use or respond to insulin normally. Increased fat will have this effect, which is why type 2 diabetes is so frequent amongst people who are overweight and obese.
Because type 2 diabetes is linked to lifestyle choice, the condition can be controlled through exercise, diet and healthy living. However, the condition is progressive and the patient may require insulin medication at some stage.
Preventing diabetes
Type 1 diabetes cannot be prevented, nor can it be cured. Someone who develops type 1 diabetes will have it for the rest of their life.
On the other hand, type 2 diabetes can be prevented. The charity Diabetes UK suggests that 80% of cases can be prevented or at least delayed. This can be achieved with a good diet, regular exercise and maintaining a healthy weight. It is also a good idea to attend regular NHS health checks, which will be offered to people between the ages of 40 to 74. The clinician will assess a patient's risk of developing diabetes and suggest ways of preventing the condition.
Once a patient has got type 2 diabetes, it cannot be cured. The condition is progressive, so it can get steadily worse over time. But if managed correctly, the condition can be controlled and complications avoided.
Managing diabetes
It is important to manage diabetes properly as this will prevent the patient's health deteriorating. There are various steps that both the patient and their healthcare team must take in order to achieve this.
For instance, the patient must regularly check their blood glucose levels to make sure it is not too high. The patient can also take positive lifestyle choices, such as give up smoking, maintain a healthy diet and take regular exercise.
Doctors and nurses should provide a patient with information and advice regarding diabetes management. Medical professionals must also invite a patient for regular health checks. This must include regular eye tests, blood tests, blood pressure checks and foot checks.
Diabetes complications
These checks are very important because diabetes can lead to certain complications. These include the following:
- Stroke
- Heart disease
- Nerve damage (peripheral neuropathy)
- Retina damage and loss of sight
- Foot ulcers and infection
- Kidney disease
- Sexual dysfunction
These complications occur because having persistently high blood glucose levels will harm the organs, blood vessels and nerves. That is why it is vital to manage the condition to ensure blood sugar levels are kept under control.
Amputation from diabetes
One of the most talked-about complications of diabetes is lower limb amputation. This is normally a foot or below-the-knee amputation. The issue has gained widespread media coverage lately after Diabetes UK revealed that 135 diabetes-related foot amputations happen each week in the UK.
As mentioned above, diabetes can cause nerve damage – especially in the feet. Therefore a patient may not feel any cuts or nicks on their feet, which can then become infected. Furthermore, diabetes can reduce blood circulation, causing the feet to become deficient in blood and oxygen. This can result in an ulcer, which will be very slow-healing. Again, this open wound may become infected without the patient realising it.
As the patient has limited sensation in the feet, an infected ulcer or cut can go unnoticed for some time. The infection will then become severe, potentially creating gangrenous tissue. If the damage is extensive, the foot will have to be amputated.
Diabetes-related amputation – can I claim?
If you have had an amputation because of diabetes, you will probably have a number of questions that need answering. Could your amputation have been avoided? Should medical practitioners have provided better care? Have you been the victim of medical negligence?
A solicitor will be able to answer these questions for you, helping you establish whether better medical care could have prevented your amputation.
Expert legal advice
To talk to a solicitor about a diabetes amputation claim, please get in touch with us today.
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