Earlier this year 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 Affiliated Foot & Ankle Center, LLP, or with your podiatrist. With locations in Howell, Edison, and Monroe, New Jersey, we are not too far away from you.

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. Stay away from Paula’s bread pudding, follow your treatment plans, and make an appointment at Affiliated Foot & Ankle Center, LLP. You owe it to yourself and the people who love you.

By Dr. Varun (Ben) Gujral