You may have heard that diabetics face a greater risk of complications during hospital stays. Well, now there's evidence that diabetics with trauma injuries are particularly at risk. That info comes courtesy of a large Pennsylvania study that looked at records for around 25,000 trauma patients, half with diabetes, the other half without. The study tracked the patients' progress over the course of almost twenty years. Impressive.

What did they find? Twenty-three percent of the diabetic trauma patients experienced complications. That compares with only fourteen percent of non-diabetics. The diabetics also spent slightly more time in intensive care and were more likely to need ventilator support. The overall risk of infections was higher too - eleven percent versus six percent.

Good news: despite all this, the data did not suggest people with diabetes are more likely to die after a trauma injury. Nor did it suggest diabetics stay in hospital longer than non-diabetics. The team that conducted the study states that the next step would be to examine whether or not improved blood sugar control in diabetic trauma patients would impact these figures.

Read more about these findings by visiting MedPageToday or, for a brief summary, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Or check out the full report, published in Archives of Surgery (July, 2007).

Diabetics almost always have problems with their feet.  Poor circulation causes swelling in the legs and feet, minor trauma like a stumped toe that does not heal, callus formations, nerve damage, are all problems with the feet when you are a diabetic. So how do you prevent some of these problems from happening? Take care of your feet daily.

Inspect your feet every day for bruises, cuts, sores, or changes in your toenails. Pay more attention to minor injuries if you drop something on your foot or kick something accidentally. Wash your feet daily with a mild soap and luke warm water and be sure to dry between your toes very good. Also use a moisture cream if your feet are dry to prevent cracking but make sure you rub it in well and don't leave lotion in between your toes. Keep your toenails trimmed and never cut into the side of the nail. Always cut straight across the nail and file away any sharp corners or edges. Do not try to remove or cut off a callus or corn on your own. Always see a Podiatrist for that so you don't injure yourself. Buy shoes based on comfort and fit and make sure your shoes are not too tight. Measure your foot every time you buy shoes. Shoes should fit both the length and the width of the foot leaving plenty of room for the toes and should not need a "break-in" period. Avoid high heels, toe rings, and pointed toes. Be sure to wear shoes all the time and do not go barefoot. This reduces the risks of an injury to your foot, even when walking around in your home. Massage your feet daily to increase blood flow and to give yourself a little treat that feels good and relaxes you.

Taking care of yourself means taking care of every part of your body so don't forget the part that carries the load.