Yext Podiatrists Article
The disease is marked by the inability to manufacture or properly use insulin, and impairs the body's ability to convert sugars, starches, and other foods into energy. The long-term effects of elevated blood sugar (hyperglycemia) are damage to the eyes, heart, feet, kidneys, nerves, and blood vessels.
Statistics Recent estimates predict that if current trends continue the numbers of persons with diabetes will more than double, from 140 million to 300 million in the next 25 years. The greater proportion of the increase is likely to occur in the developing countries, which are the communities which can least afford it. (Source: WHO).
How do you get diabetes No one knows why people develop diabetes, but once diagnosed, the disease is present for life. It is an hereditary disorder, and certain genetic indicators are known to increase the risk of developing diabetes. Type 1, previously known as insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus or juvenile-onset diabetes, afflicts five to ten percent of diagnosed cases of diabetes. This type occurs most frequently in children and adolescents, and is caused by the inability of the pancreas to produce the insulin needed for survival. Type 2, previously called non-insulindependent diabetes mellitus or adult-onset diabetes, affects the other 90-95 percent of all diagnosed cases of diabetes, many of whom use oral medication or injectable insulin to control the disease. The vast majority of those people (80 percent or more) are overweight; many of them obese, as obesity itself can cause insulin resistance.
What can you do?
- Wash feet daily
- Inspect feet and toes daily
- Lose weight
- Wear thick, soft socks
- Stop smoking
- Cut toenails straight across
- Exercise
- Make regular examination visits to your podiatrists
- Be properly measured and fitted every time you buy new shoes
- Do not go barefoot
- Do not wear high heels, scandals, and shoes with pointed toes
- Do not drink in excess
- Do not wear anything that is too tight around the legs
- Never try to remove calluses, corns or warts by yourself
What might your podiatrist do?
Because diabetes is a systemic disease affecting many different parts of the body, ideal case management requires a team approach. The podiatrist, as an integral part of the treatment team, has documented success in the prevention of amputations. The key to amputation prevention in diabetic patients is early recognition and regular foot screenings, at least annually, from a Podiatrist.
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