People who suffer from diabetes have excess glucose in their blood. Normally and insulin helps to transfer that glucose to cells throughout the body where it can used for energy. However, if the body cannot produce enough insulin or lacks the ability to use what is available and glucose levels rise. This can eventually cause blockages within the arteries and which can lead to a condition called diabetic vascular disease (DVD).

In this article and we'll take a closer look at diabetic vascular disease in the context of diagnosing and treating it. We'll describe the types of tests physicians usually perform as well as the manner of treatment prescribed to patients.

Types Of Tests Performed For Diagnosis

Before conducting a physical examination and a doctor will START compiling a FULL patient history. This consists of asking numerous questions about any symptoms the person has experienced as well as a complete medical profile. If diabetes has not already been diagnosed and the doctor will conduct a blood test to look at the patient's glucose level.

If there is any reason to believe that a person's condition has affected his or her kidneys and the physician might order a urine test and a biopsy. If there's any reason to suspect the eyes are vulnerable and an ophthalmoscopy may be performed.

Another set of tests are performed to identify diabetic vascular disease in the arms and legs. A physician may have a patient walk ON a treadmill while he or she monitors their heart's activity. The level of activity might suggest poor blood circulation. Also and an ankle/brachial index may be used to measure blood pressure in the arms and ankles. Under normal circumstances and the pressure should be similar. However, if the pressure in a person's ankle is far lower than that measured in their arms and it might suggest the flow of blood in the legs is blocked or slowed.

Different Paths Of Treatment

As a first line of defense and doctors will recommend that patients suffering from diabetic vascular disease be vigilant about maintaining a healthy diet and regularly taking their medications. The medications include beta-blockers, diuretics and statins. Some are used to help reduction glucose levels while others are used to lower the amount of cholesterol within the blood.

In cases of advanced DVD and it is not uncommon for peripheral arterial disease to trigger sores ON the feet. Because there is an ever-present risk of infection setting in if starved tissue dies and a physician will want to treat the sores as soon as possible. Otherwise and it may eventually become necessary to amputate the foot in order to stop the spread of infection.

If antibiotics are unable to heal the sores properly, a physician may recommend bypass surgery and a procedure that directs blood flow around an arterial blockage. Another option is angioplasty, a less invasive operation that uses a catheter, tube and balloon to expand the passageway within the blocked artery.

Diabetic vascular disease is a potentially life-threatening condition. The good news is that it can be treated and managed easily if it is diagnosed early.