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Your brain may be a long way from your feet, but new research suggests a special connection between them. Hi, I'm Dr. Cindy Haines, host of HealthDay TV. People who have diabetes face a higher risk of injuries on their feet that heal slowly. Skin injuries on the feet called ulcers may develop serious infections, and these ulcers require prompt attention from a health care provider. A new study from the UK investigated whether mental and emotional factors may play a role in how well foot ulcers heal. The researchers included 93 patients with diabetes and foot ulcers, and followed them to see whether or not their ulcers were healed after six months. The patients answered questionnaires that measured if they had depression or anxiety, as well as a questionnaire on how they coped with problems. Depression and a so-called confrontational coping style were linked to a higher chance of the ulcers not healing over six months. People with a confrontational coping style tend to be more controlling and competitive, according to the researchers, who concluded that finding ways to change patients' coping style might help lead to better outcomes with foot ulcers. I'm Dr. Cindy Haines of HealthDay TV, with the news that doctors are reading; health news that matters to you.
