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neuropathy newsletter |
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Diabetes Is On the Rise—and So Are Foot Problems! February 2007 According to the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention, adult onset diabetes has tripled in the past thirty years. Another study at UCLA indicates that 21 million American have developed diabetes—a staggeringly high number. The study concludes that the factors that have contributed to a rise in diabetes includes obesity and a sedentary lifestyle. Diabetes can effect many organs in the body but can a particularly devastating effect on our feet. People with diabetes are at risk for developing nerve damage, peripheral neuropathy and also circulation problems. Peripheral neuropathy causes loss of sensation in the feet along with burning, tingling and numbness. Poor circulation can lead to foot infections, foot ulcers and possible amputation. A sobering statistic is that it is estimated that every thirty seconds a leg is lost to diabetes somewhere in the world. The news in not "all gloom and doom." Extensive studies have shown that adult onset diabetes can be avoided and well controlled with proper exercise and diet. Many foot problems can be avoided by the following the follwoing recommendations:
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