Posts for tag: Joseph Menn
Foot ulcers are the most common reason people with diabetes are hospitalized. Foot ulcers are sores on feet that involve just the skin’s surface or they can develop into more serious wounds, which may lead to bone infections. Leg and foot ulcers are especially a problem for people with nerve damage, with vascular concerns, atherosclerosis, and sickle cell anemia. However, diabetes is the most common cause of ulcers.
Those with diabetes are at an increased risk of developing an ulcer for two main reasons. The first is peripheral neuropathy. This common complication of diabetes is a general loss of feeling. The nerves lose their ability to detect pain, heat, and cold. If the foot is injured, nerve damage may prevent from noticing the damage. Poor circulation is the other main reason diabetics develop ulcers. Blood increases in thickness, slowing its flow, therefore, causing poor circulation.
A foot ulcer appears like a red sore, most commonly found on the ball of the foot or under the big toe. If the wound is infected, pus and a bad odor typically occur. It is important to see a podiatrist as soon as an ulcer is noticed. Untreated foot ulcers can progress into gangrene and may lead to amputation. Treatment for foot ulcers depend on the severity of the wound. It typically involves debridement, off-loading, and dressings. Debridement is the process of removing dead skin and tissue. Off-loading uses pads or special shoes to take pressure off the ulcer area. Proper dressing and bandages are important to protect the area and provide an optimal healing environment. Ulcers may take weeks or even several months to heal. This depends on the general health of the patient and the severity of the wound.
To have your feet evaluated for foot ulcers or any other painful foot and ankle condition call 843-449-FOOT.
Diabetes Awareness
Did you know that diabetes is the leading cause of non-traumatic leg and foot amputations? Or that these amputations and complications can be prevented? With proper foot care from the podiatrists at Coastal Podiatry Associates the effects of this disease can be managed and treated. Podiatrists are uniquely qualified to treat the foot and ankle based on their education, training, and experience.
Diabetes has four main types including prediabetes, type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes. The American Diabetes Association has a great website at diabetes.org that highlights the different types and symptoms of each. A diabetic foot ulcer is one symptom that may occur in each type. An ulcer is an open sore or wound that occurs in approximately 20% of people with diabetes. Anyone who has diabetes is at risk to develop these open wounds. People on insulin, overweight, using alcohol and tobacco, or have diabetes-related kidney, eye, and heart disease are at an increased risk to develop ulcers. Ulcers form to a combination of factors such as a lack of feeling, poor circulation, bone deformities, friction, trauma, pressure, and longstanding diabetes.
Once an ulcer is noticed, it is important to see a podiatrist right away. Having medical treatment will reduce the risk of infection and amputation, improve pain and discomfort, and reduce future costs. The goal of ulcer treatment is to reach healing as fast as possible. To speed the recovery process, a podiatrist will attempt to prevent infection, take pressure off the area, remove dead skin and tissue, apply bandages, and manage other health problems. It cannot be stressed how important it is to see a podiatrist like those at Coastal Podiatry Associates as soon as an ulcer is noticed to have the fastest healing.
By Dr. Joseph Menn
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*