Diabetes Screening

Type II diabetes is a common condition, affecting 2% to 3% of the adult population, and up to 20% to 25% of the elderly population. Type II diabetes typically occurs in patients who are over 30 years old and weigh more than 120% of ideal body weight, and accounts for 90% of all cases of diabetes mellitus diagnosed in the United States.

Minorities have a prevalence of type II diabetes mellitus that is 2 to 6 times greater than that of white persons. The morbidity and mortality are higher for minorities than for white persons, and the rate is increasing.

The reasons for this disparity remain unclear, but could include differences in disease severity, comorbidities, or access to care.

Prevention and treatment of the complications of diabetes mellitus have the potential to improve quality of life and increase life expectancy.

The rate of cardiovascular disease is markedly elevated among patients with type II diabetes, leading to an increased mortality rate compared with the general population. In addition, microvascular complications, which include retinopathy, nephropathy, and neuropathy, can progress to end-stage outcomes such as blindness, end-stage renal disease and amputation.

Screening and early treatment for diabetic complications have been shown to be effective in reducing the incidence of end-stage disease despite this evidence, implementation rates of recommended interventions are low.

Cardiovascular Screening

I have implemented a cardiovascular screening programme, which is a simple non-invasive method of detecting hardening “atherosclerosis” in the arteries.

This program is to get early diagnosis of a hidden problem, and changing your life style will arrest 90% of future problems.

What happens during this screening appointment:

All information on the Vascular Health Screening page:

Wound management

Topical Wound Oxygen Therapy

This therapy is used in patients with non-healing venous ulcers. It involves placing the effects leg/foot in a specialized compression chamber. This chamber is cycled through pressures, which encourages growth of skins cells at the site of the ulcer [1].

Sequential pneumatic compression (SPC)

Sequential pneumatic compression (SPC) has been proposed as an adjunct to best medical care in those with chronic ulcers and sores, aimed at preventing amputation, relieving pain, and promoting wound healing by recruiting the non-functional capillary bed and increasing blood flow in distal limbs [2]. The SPC is a boot-like device that is placed over the patient’s leg and foot. It applies a massage-like compression to the foot, ankle, and calf to circulate blood flow. This compression is analogous to brisk walking, without pain [2].

 

Balneotherapy

All information on the Balneotherapy page:

  1. Sultan S, Tawfick W, Kavanagh EP, Hynes N. Topical Wound Oxygen Versus Conventional Compression Dressings in the Management of Refractory Venous Ulcers. (Chapter in Wound Healing – New insights into Ancient Challenges, Dr. Vlad Alexandrescu (Ed.), 2016, DOI: 10.5772/63566.2016.
  2. Sultan S, Tawfick W, Zaki M, Elsherif, M, El Sharkawy M, Kavanagh EP, Hynes N. Sequential Pneumatic Compression Biomechanical Home Therapy Device in the Management of Critical Lower Limb Ischemia for No-Option Patients. Vascular Disease Management. 2016;13(7):E147-55.