Celebrity chef Paula Deen caused
controversy when she revealed that she was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes three
years ago. People have always criticized Paula about promoting unhealthy foods
but that criticism grew louder and angrier when Paula said that she was a
diabetic. It’s tempting to indulge every once in a while, but it is best for
diabetics to stay away from Paula’s high sugar, high fat, and high salt
recipes. Paula is famous, but her diagnosis means that she will face the same
issues of many American diabetics. Paula has a chronic disease that can cause
serious problems and even premature death.
Type 2 diabetes is always in the
news, but there is still much that doctors and scientists do not know about the
disease. There are several risk factors including obesity, race, age, family
history, and high blood pressure. Thankfully, type 2 diabetes does not have to
be an early death sentence. With proper medications and lifestyle changes
diabetics can live an active, enjoyable life. Once you have been diagnosed with
diabetes you will need to see your primary care physician regularly, but do not
forget about scheduling regular foot exams at Coastal Podiatry Associates or
with your podiatrist.
Many people do not know, but the
feet can sometimes show the first signs of a diabetic issue. Peripheral
neuropathy is very common in type 2 diabetics. Peripheral neuropathy is
when diabetes affects the nerves and a person loses feeling in their feet. For
instance, if a healthy person were to step on glass, they would feel the pain
and immediately pick up their foot. A diabetic with peripheral neuropathy
doesn’t feel the pain and keeps walking around as if nothing happened. The only
way a diabetic would know they are injured is if they see the wound or someone
tells them they have a wound. Some early signs of peripheral neuropathy are
tingling, burning, itching, and sometimes pain in the feet or legs. Peripheral
neuropathy can also affect the hands.
We need good feeling in our feet. Imagine what would happen if you cut your foot and didn’t
know it for days or weeks! Unfortunately, this happens to diabetics all the
time and this is how a diabetic wound begins to develop. A diabetic wound is an
open sore usually under the ball of the foot. They can be difficult to treat
especially if they are infected. If an infection gets really bad, amputation of
a toe or part of the foot may be a possibility. In fact, diabetics are 30-40
times more like to undergo a major amputation.
The most important thing a podiatrist can do is catch a peripheral neuropathy problem before it
becomes bigger. Your podiatrist can debride (shave down) calluses on the bottom
of your feet. Calluses are common sites for diabetic wounds. Constant rubbing
(friction) from the inside of a shoe or rough surfaces can break the skin and
lead to wounds. Your podiatrist can prescribe custom orthotics and make pads
that can be used to reduce friction on the feet. If a foot exam reveals that
you have peripheral neuropathy and you have not been diagnosed with diabetes,
then your podiatrist will refer you to the right physician so that you can be
tested for diabetes and begin treatment, if needed.
Peripheral neuropathy may not be
avoidable for a diabetic, but remember that you have some control over your
health. If you have been recently diagnosed with diabetes then you may have
even more control of how the disease affects your life. Follow your treatment plans and make an
appointment at Coastal Podiatry Associates. You owe it to yourself and the
people who love you.
Coastal Podiatry Associates has offices in Myrtle Beach,
Surfside Beach, Conway and Little River, SC.
To make an appointment with Dr. Scott Hamilton, Dr. Joseph Menn or Dr.
Scott Werter call 843-449-FOOT (3668).
You can also find us at www.coastalpodiatry.com and on Facebook.
