Can Compound Vitamin A Cure Diabetic Foot Ulcers?
11496
Disease & Illness > Diabetes
Apr 18, 2007
Can Compound Vitamin A Cure Diabetic Foot Ulcers?
One of the unpleasant complications of diabetes is what is known as a diabetic foot ulcer. These foot ulcers are very uncomfortable, and can become very serious if not treated correctly. The ulcers are a sore on the skin, like any other ulcer and need to be treated with care so that infection does not set in. Recently some studies have shown that a compound of Vitamin A might be able to help. Normally a Compound of Vitamin A called Topical Retin-A (also known as Tretinoin) is used to treat acne problems. However according to a report from the Archives of Dermatology Compound of Vitamin A enhances the healing process of patients with foot ulcers who also suffer from diabetes. However previous studies have shown that Topical Retin-A can help to enhance the healing of wounds of patients who suffer from diabetes and some of the results from these studies have been discussed by various different scientific groups. In fact one group of researchers has been trying to find out whether Tretinoin is really helpful to those patients or not. The research that was carried out involved 24 volunteers who were suffering from diabetic foot ulcers but showed no evidence of infection or circulation problems to their extremities. During this research some of the patients were assigned to a daily treatment of Topical 0.05% Tretinoin solution for 4 weeks, whilst the rest of the control group were treated using a saline solution. Every 2 weeks each group was assessed to see how the ulcers were. Of the 22 volunteers who completed the research they were affected by a total of 24 foot ulcers and of this 18% came from the control group (2 of 11 ulcers) and 46% came from the other group (6 of 13 ulcers) had completely healed at the end of the 16 week research program. Although some patients experienced some mild pain at the site of their ulcer, most reported no adverse events. In fact the researchers carrying out the study were pleased with the results, however they were some what concerned because Tretinoin is an irritant and they thought those taking part would become irritated by it and would not be able to continue on with the research program. However, it seems that this problem did not seem to arise in most cases. So the conclusion that seems to have come from this research carried out is that diabetic foot clinics will use Retin-A (Compound of Vitamin A) to treat diabetic foot ulcers when other therapies that they have tried do not work. Vitamin A might not be the end all and be all for a cure, but it can help and is unlikely to hurt!
Lee Dobbins writes for http://ulcers.health-g8way.com where you can learn more about treating ulcers including diabetic foot ulcers.
Write a Review
Add to My Favorite
Refer it to Friend
Report Article
Other links at Disease & Illness > Diabetes
Diabetes Mellitus is a disease in which the pancreas produces little or no insulin, a hormone that helps the body?s tissues absorb glucose (sugar) so it can be used as a source of energy. The condition may also develop if muscle, fat, and liver cells
Category:
Sixteen million Americans have diabetes, yet many are not aware of it. African Americans, Hispanics and Native Americans have a higher rate of developing diabetes during their lifetime. Diabetes has potential long term complications that can affect the
Category:
Diabetes is very serious and may be undiagnosed for years, in the case of type 2 diabetes, were as type 1 diabetes can, almost immediately, be serious and even life threatening, although some cases, as with type 2, may also go undiagnosed for
Category:
Type 2 diabetes explained for the newly diagnosed and those wanting a better understanding of what it means to be a type 2 diabetic.
Category:
Sometimes simple solutions rule. Isn't it great when that happens? Well, recent research shows that a simple solution can help prevent juvenile diabetes for millions of children all around the world - and simple salmon is the solution!
Category:
Site Sponsor
Directory Statistics
Articles: 68307
Categories: 501
Yahoo Entertainment
