Frequently Asked Questions
Excerpted from recent VDF's Live "Ask the Doctor" Chats with Drs. King and Gornik. Transcripts of all chats may be found online at www.vdf.org.

Question: I heard about air pumps that help with circulation? Do they work and would they help peripheral arterial disease? Would they help with ulcer healing or neuropathy?
Air pumps have been used for several years with people with poor circulation. Many people feel they have helped them and doctors do prescribe them. Unfortunately, we do not have any scientific study to prove they work, but they are probably not harmful and it is reasonable to try them. Air pumps have not been proven to help with foot ulcers or neuropathy.

Question: If I have diabetes, am I at increased risk for getting blood clots, such as DVTs and PEs?
In some studies diabetes has been associated with an increased risk of deep vein thrombosis. Obesity is also a risk factor for DVT, which may in part explain this association. Maintaining a normal body weight and exercising regularly may help to reduce your cardiovascular risk.

I get boils on my skin, arms and calves. Is this from diabetes or vascular disease?
The boils are a small infection in the skin due to a local skin condition. They are preventable and treatable with good skin care and medication. A dermatologist or your primary health-care provider can help you with that.

Question: I have had diabetes for many years and my doctor is always on my back about my blood pressure. How is this related to my diabetes?
There is an increased prevalence of hypertension (high blood pressure) in people with diabetes. This may relate to chronic kidney disease in Type 1 diabetics and to being overweight or obese in Type 2 diabetics. What's important to know is that hypertension in people with diabetes has worse consequences than in nondiabetics; this is why doctors tend to be more aggressive in treating hypertension in people who have diabetes.