Diabetes

Diabetes is a disease that we all must keep a careful eye out for. Our modern diet and sedentary ways are making it difficult for many of us to steer clear of this disease that in Canada impacts approximately 10% of our population (Pre-diabetes account for 6%).

Diabetics struggle to produce insulin effectively, which impacts their circulation and immunity, and often causes damage to the sensory nerves in the hands and feet. Due to numbness, a diabetic may not feel a foot injury, blister or cut on their feet or legs (called peripheral neuropathy). This poor circulation and nerve damage can further prevent ulcers and wounds from healing properly, which in turn leads to chronic infections, and for a fair number, foot or leg amputation will be the final outcome. Preventing these amputations should be of the highest importance, though as recovery and rehabilitation is a challenging road and costly. Many who are elderly do not recover well once they are wheelchair-bound.

Prevention is a diabetics first line of defence (as well as regular foot checks and quitting smoking). Bedsores, coccyx sores and foot ulcers, should all be monitored and given the highest care. This is where medical wool products come in and provide some much needed extra support.

Many diabetics may not know that wool products can augment and bolster traditional diabetes treatment. Medical wool helps prevent and minimize diabetic complications by providing the ingredients for a healing environment. For diabetics struggling with mobility issues, skin conditions, and more serious wounds and open sores…wool products such as underlays and footwear, provide proper air flow so these wounds can gradually heal. Wool is also naturally antibacterial and moisture absorbent so the affected areas stay dry and strong, giving it the best chance to heal. 

Wool excels at addressing common factors diabetics deal with:

1. Moisture: Sensitive diabetic skin loses the ability to regulate moisture and needs extra help. Wool’s open breathable fibres wick away 30 to 40% their own weight in moisture, keeping the contact area dry and the patient comfortable, while helping the skin stay strong, healthy and bacteria free. (Synthetics are not breathable and trap moisture between the fabric and the body). Wool has the highest moisture absorbing capacity of all fibres creating thermal comfort and a stable micro climate between the skin and fibre.
2. 2. Pressure Relief: Wool’s coiled, spring like structure provides gentle flexible support. Its strands can bent up to 20,000 times before breaking, making it a work horse for many years. Studies have shown that patients resting on wool need only be turned every four hours instead of two. Wool beautifully suspends the body, providing buoyancy and pressure relief.
3. 3. Chafing: Wool fibres fold in on themselves and flow with body movements. Marino wool is utilized as well, as it is the softest fibre. Pressure redistribution and how wool rolls and moves, help those who are bedridden or sedentary shift and turn with the most comfort and support.

Medical wool products which are most helpful to Diabetics: comfort pads, mattress overlays, heel and elbow cuffs, socks and insoles, plus customizable boots of all shapes and sizes. These wool products are 100% machine wash and dry-able to hospital sanitation standards.

So much more can be done to support those we love who are living with Diabetes. Wool is a surprisingly affordable adjunct to medical treatment, that can help minimize and greatly improve those complications that arise from Diabetes. Wool provides comfort, temperature regulation, moisture and bacterial control. 

Wool has been used for centuries and is still proving itself to be a tour de force for patients who are bedridden and wheelchair-bound. As a completely renewable resource that is also biodegradable, it ticks the boxes as being a healthy choice for both patients and the environment. There is even ongoing research utilizing proteins isolated and extracted from wool fibres to create an oral supplement which helps diabetics manage their insulin and regulate their pancreas. Amazing. A health supplement derived from sheep’s wool!

At Soul Comfort, we have everything you need to get you started on your healing journey. Stop by and let us custom-fit you with your best medical wool solution today. 

Diabetes Facts:

3 million people in Canada have Diabetes

20% of seniors over 70 yrs will develop the disease

15% of Diabetic patients will develop leg or foot ulcers

Diabetic limb and foot ulcers cost $15K /person yearly in-home care

Diabetes is the leading cause of leg amputations in Canada

 

Hidden Costs of Amputation:

Limb Amputations cost 65K

14 - 24% of Diabetics may require amputation

50% of those will have to remove the other leg within 5 years

16% of patients die during surgery

Costs upwards of 350K for amputation, rehabilitation, social services and prosthetics

It is estimated that only 40-50% of senior amputees ever become fully rehabilitated