Diabetes is quickly becoming an epidemic in this country.  There are 26 million American children and adults living with the disease and another 79 million at risk.

The following statistics were obtained from the American Diabetes Association website www.diabetes.org.

• Every 17 seconds, someone is diagnosed with diabetes
• Diabetes kills more people each year than breast cancer and AIDS combined
• Recent estimates project that as many as 1 in 3 American adults will have diabetes in 2050 unless we take steps to Stop Diabetes www.stopdiabetes.com

Diabetes affects the body in many ways.  Uncontrolled glucose levels lead to poor eye site, poor kidney function, poor circulation and nerve damage (peripheral neuropathy).  Neuropathy is the #1 risk factor for developing a diabetic ulcer.  If not treated in a timely manner, this may lead to complications, including amputation.

If you suffer from diabetes, be sure to maintain tight glycemic control, inspect your feet daily, dry well in between your toes and avoid barefoot.

Please call 856-691-2152 to make a preferred appointment.  A comprehensive diabetic exam will be performed by one of our foot and ankle specialists.

 

 

Tags: ulcer, nerve damage, diabetes, Peripheral Neuropathy, poor circulation, American Diabetes Month, American Diabetes Association

As podiatrists, we are frequently asked the question above.  The answer is not always cut and dry.  I have included several of the most common causes of burning and numbness in the list below:

• Poor circulation or Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD)
• Back Problems - Degenerative Disc Disease or Sciatica
• Peripheral Neuropathy
• Diabetes Mellitus
• Localized nerve entrapment
• Inflammatory conditions

It is imperative to speak with a medical professional if you are experiencing pins and needles, burning, tingling or numbness, as this may be a sign of underlying disease.

Please call Foot Care Centers as 856-691-2152 to make a preferred appointment.

Tags: burning, numbness, feet, toes, poor circulation, neuropathy

Two of the most common foot problems diabetics face are Neuropathy and Peripheral Arterial Disease.

Diabetic neuropathy, or nerve damage, is a result of uncontrolled diabetes.  Damaged nerves cause symptoms like burning, tingling and numbness.  If you have a lack of feeling in your feet you are more likely to develop a cut or sore.  The muscles in the feet maynot function well, as they are controlled by nerves.  This causes and shift in alignment and may create too much pressure in one area.

Peripheral Arterial Disease, or poor circulation can be caused by diabetes.  Without adequate blood flow, cuts and sores take longer to heal.  The longer a sore stays open, the greater the chance of infection with complications including gangrene and amputation.

10% OF PEOPLE WITH DIABETES WILL DEVELOP FOOT ULCERS

***If you have diabetes be sure to look at your feet daily and never walk barefoot!

If you have a history of diabetes please call Foot Care Centers at 856-691-2152 to make a preferred appointment.

Tags: poor circulation, peripheral arterial disease, ulcer, numbness, burning, tingling, neuropathy, diabetes