The numbers concerning diabetes are staggering. Almost 8% of the US population has diabetes. Of the 24 million Americans with this disease, about 6 million do not know it. Men and women are equally affected by the disease and a little over half of those with the disease are 60 years of age or older. Breaking down the 6 million that do not know they have diabetes, 4 million men and 2 million women over the age of 20 are unaware. On average non-Hispanic blacks are 1.8 times more likely to have diabetes than non-Hispanic whites of the same age. Mexican-Americans are almost two times as likely to have diabetes as non-Hispanic whites. Diabetes affects non-Hispanic black and Hispanic/Latino American women 2-4 times more often than non-Hispanic white women.
Realizing that diabetes is a disease and taking, the steps to control the disease can save your life. 60-70% of people with diabetes have mild to severe forms of diabetic nerve damage. Severe forms of diabetic nerve damage can lead to foot and leg amputations. The rate of amputation for people with diabetes is 10 times higher than that for people without the disease. After an amputation, the chance of another amputation with 3-5 years is almost 50%.
A podiatrist plays a crucial role in a diabetes management team. They are uniquely qualified to treat the foot and ankle, which is where diabetic nerve and blood flow problems first occur. If you have diabetes or are at risk, it is important to have a podiatrist check your feet at least once a year for symptoms, such as loss of sensation, burning, or tingling. Since diabetes affects your entire body it is important to have other doctors involved in your treatment team. A primary care physician or internist plays the important role of coordinator. They can make referrals to other specialists and conduct general care. Endocrinologist is a specialist used for people having difficulty controlling the disease. People with diabetes are at an increased risk for gum disease and infections in the mouth due to the elevated blood sugar. This makes it important to maintain regular dentist appointments. An ophthalmologist should be a part of the diabetes management team as well. They are specially trained to detect blood flow problems to the eye along with vision difficulties. Diabetics should include a trip to the eye doctor for exam once a year as part of their treatment.
By Dr. Joseph Menn of Coastal Podiatry Associates, Myrtle Beach SC.
*All statistics and numbers are from the American Podiatric Medical Association*