# @nickpappasmd on Instagram

- **Type:** Video
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/DZ4xFrKhuSp
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/67184492-nickpappasmd-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/e1792677f1.jpg
- **Posted:** 2026-06-22T11:45:08.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** Nick Pappas, MD (@nickpappasmd) — https://gondola.cc/nickpappasmd

## Caption

Diabetes can affect your body in more ways than many people realize. Because it often causes significant microvascular disease, it can lead to a lot of problems in the hands ✋ in addition to the well-known complications involving the eyes 👁️ and feet 🦶.

👨‍⚕️ After performing hundreds of amputations in diabetic patients (mostly fingers, toes, and feet), here are a few things I wish more people knew:

🦠 1. Immune system dysfunction
Elevated blood sugars and a high hemoglobin A1c can make your white blood cells less effective. This means your body has a harder time fighting infections. What starts as a small cut or wound can progress to severe infections or even bone infections (osteomyelitis), which may ultimately require amputation.

📍 2. Neuropathy
Diabetes can cause permanent nerve damage, making it harder to feel cuts, blisters, or injuries on your hands and feet. Because these injuries may go unnoticed, they can become infected and, once again, potentially lead to amputation.

🩹 3. Poor wound healing
My diabetic patients often heal much more slowly than patients without diabetes or vascular disease. Wounds stay open longer, giving bacteria more opportunities to invade and cause serious infections.

🚨 So do your best to avoid type 2 diabetes and keep your glucose tightly controlled whether you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes. One thing I focus on, besides limiting sugary foods and ultra-processed foods, is maintaining lean muscle mass. 💪

🏋️ Muscle acts like a metabolic sponge and helps regulate glucose levels. Resistance training and a protein-rich diet are great ways to maintain muscle and reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

👉 For more helpful health information, comment NEWSLETTER and I’ll send you a link to my free weekly newsletter. 📩

#diabetes #amputation #newsletter #glucose #muscle

## Stats

- **Views:** 0
- **Likes:** 259
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- **Comments:** 10

## Tags

newsletter, glucose, amputation, muscle, diabetes

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