Suffering from the illness of diabetes can be difficult if you don't have the right resources to treat your ailments. Diabetes is a syndrome of disordered metabolism due to a combination of hereditary and environmental causes, which causes abnormally high blood sugar levels. The two most common forms of diabetes are due to a lowered production of insulin, or a diminished response by the body to insulin. Signs of diabetes include excessive urine production, resulting from increased fluid intake, blurred vision, weight loss, lethargy and changes in energy metabolism.

Those with diabetes may also notice the appearance of a wound on foot, called a diabetic foot ulcer. A diabetic foot ulcer is an open sore or wound that commonly occurs on the bottom of the foot. Approximately 15 percent of patients with diabetes notice this wound on foot, however only six percent of these individuals will need to be hospitalized because of the diabetic foot ulcer or other ulcer-related complications.

Ulcers can form because of a lack of feeling in the foot, poor circulation, foot deformities, trauma and irritation, such as friction or too much pressure. Neuropathy, or a reduced lack of feeling in the feet can also cause ulcers.

Few people know that diabetes is the leading cause of amputations on the lower limbs because of diabetic foot ulcers. Around 14 to 24 percent of patients with diabetes who develop this wound on foot will have an amputation of the affected toe or limb.

Foot ulcers can happen to anyone who has diabetes. African Americans, Hispanics, Native Americans and older men are more likely to develop foot ulcers. People who use insulin, alcohol, tobacco and are overweight are also more inclined to develop this ailment, as well as patients with diabetes-related kidney, eye and heart diseases.