This past Sunday, the city of Columbus began working with the Diabetes Prevention and Control Alliance’s program to say “NOT ME” to diabetes.  As diabetes has become an epidemic in, programs such as “Not Me” are an important way to increase awareness about diabetes prevention and control.  The program involves a lifestyle coaching program to counsel those who are at risk for diabetes on making healthier choices involving diet and exercise. 

While this program provides useful information on how to take small steps towards a healthier life, it does not directly address how to prevent one of the scariest complications of diabetes:  amputation.  Diabetic individuals need to regularly see a podiatrist in order to receive proper foot care, keep a close watch on any changes in foot health that may indicate underlying pathological conditions, and to learn how to properly care for their feet on a day-to-day basis.  Diabetic patients should select podiatrists who are known for their excellence in diabetic wound care, such as those at the Columbus Podiatry and Surgery wound clinics located in both Dublin, OH and Columbus, OH. 

All diabetic patients should be educated on how to properly perform a self foot exam as one of the most important preventative measures to take to preventing major problems with the foot and ankle.  Overall skin health, adequate blood supply, and appropriately functioning nerves allowing for touch and pain sensation in the foot are three of the most important areas of the self exam.  While it may seem like a good thing to not feel pain in your feet, it is actually a very dangerous consequence of nerve problems from diabetes. Without the ability to feel pain, you would not be able to tell when tissue is being injured or destroyed in the foot.  Catching a small lesion before it develops into a non-healing diabetic ulcer is when self-exams and regular check-ups at the podiatrist can be a real limb-saver.  When lack of sensation is detected in areas of the foot, accommodative orthotics can be helpful in areas that can easily become irritated.  An accommodative orthotic for a diabetic patient is used to take pressure off and protect an area of irritation that could, unbeknownst to the diabetic unable to sense pain, develop into a dangerous wound. 

A custom-made accommodative orthotic is just one aspect of diabetic wound care and healthy preventative measures that a skilled podiatrist may need to utilize to avoid amputation for their patient.  Hopefully, with programs such as “Not Me!” and the work of all of the best podiatrists in the Columbus & Dublin, OH the diabetes epidemic will be slowed as people become more aware of healthy choices for their bodies and their feet to avoid serious complications or even the initial diagnosis of diabetes!

Please visit www.columbusfoot.com for more information or call 614-885 FEET (3338) to schedule an appointment with a podiatrist in Columbus, Ohio. Columbus Podiatry & Surgery is located on the North side of Columbus, Ohio in between Westerville, Worthington and Powell.

By Dr. Animesh (Andy) Bhatia

Diabetes is becoming more and more prevalent here in Columbus, and everywhere around the world.  The day a patient is diagnosed with diabetes can feel like a life sentence of future suffering from many serious medical issues.  However, a new study offers hope to diabetics who would like to avoid a life filled with surgeries, pills and potentially deadly foot ulcers. 

In this new research from the Joslin Diabetes Center in Boston, a group of patients who have had type I diabetes for 50 or more years without any major complications were studied.  To have diabetes for this long a period of time without any eye, kidney, heart or nerve problems is considered a major feat.  This study group is especially impressive because at the time they were first diagnosed, many of the glucose meters and other technological and pharmaceutical advances used today to control diabetes were not available! 

Were these diabetics some sort of super humans able to magically control their diabetes without any work?  The answer, of course, is no.  Some members of the group were found to have a gene that reduced the number of molecules called “advanced glycation end-product” or AGEs, which are created in diabetics when excess amounts of sugar, or glucose, are in their blood for long periods of time.  These AGEs are what cause the nerve damage leading up to loss of sensation and eventually the diabetic foot ulcers seen and treated by podiatrists.  So, while a gene reducing this molecule was helpful in preventing some of the group’s diabetic complications, the main reason found for their success in fighting diabetes was good management.   

Along with managing blood glucose levels, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle, regular foot checkups with a podiatrist should be a key part of every person with diabetes’ disease management plan.  With these visits and self-exams of the foot in between visits, life-threatening ulcers, bone disease known as “Charcot foot” and other serious problems can be largely avoided.  When examining your own feet, always be sure to check in between toes and on the bottoms of feet for any cuts, open wounds, or lesions.  While something as simple as a blister may be harmless to most individuals, to someone with diabetes it could develop into a serious problem if it goes unnoticed.  If sensation is lost in the foot and such a wound develops, the patient will not feel any pain and may continue to irritate the same area on a regular basis without noticing.  A larger, more serious open wound may develop, providing a route for bacteria to easily gain access into the body and cause potentially deadly infections.

The goal I have for all of my diabetic patients is to strive to be a part of the elite group of people like those in the study who avoid any ulcers or other major complications from their diabetes.  Making a dedicated effort to examine your feet and take other small measures along with regular visits to a podiatrist to keep feet healthy is definitely worth the benefit down the road of a long and healthy life!

Please visit www.columbusfoot.com for more information or call 614-885 FEET (3338) to schedule an appointment with a podiatrist in Columbus, Ohio. Columbus Podiatry & Surgery is located on the North side of Columbus, Ohio in between Westerville, Worthington and Powell.

By Dr. Animesh (Andy) Bhatia

People with diabetes are prone to foot problems, often developing from a combination of poor circulation and nerve damage. Damage to the nerves in the legs and feet diminishes skin sensation, making it difficult to detect or notice pain or temperature changes. A minor sore or scrape on your foot may get infected simply because you don't know it is there. A decrease in blood flow makes it difficult for these injuries to heal. And when a wound isn't healing, it's at risk for infection. Left untreated, minor foot injuries can result in ulceration and even amputation.

Foot Care for Diabetics

Simple daily foot care can help prevent serious health problems associated with diabetes.

At Columbus Podiatry & Surgery, we recommend the following tips for keeping your feet healthy and preventing foot complications:

• Wash feet daily. Keep feet clean with mild soap and lukewarm water, and dry thoroughly.
• Moisturize. Moisturize daily to keep dry skin from cracking, and avoid putting lotion between your toes as this may cause infection.
• Trim your toenails carefully. Cut straight across, avoiding the corners; visit our office for assistance
• Never treat corns or calluses on your own. Visit your podiatrist for treatment.
• Protect your feet from hot and cold.
• Keep the blood flowing in your feet and legs. Elevate your feet when sitting; don't sit cross-legged; and stay active.
• Inspect your feet every day. Check your feet for cuts, redness, swelling and nail problems. Contact Columbus Podiatry & Surgery if you notice anything unusual- even the slightest change.
• Avoid Smoking. Smoking restricts blood flow in the feet
• Wear comfortable, supportive shoes and never walk barefoot
• Visit Columbus Podiatry & Surgery for regular exams. Seeing a podiatrist at our Columbus, OH office regularly can help prevent diabetic foot problems.

At Columbus Podiatry & Surgery, we understand that living with diabetes can be challenging. Let's discuss simple ways you can reduce your risk of foot injuries. We'll work with you to create a treatment plan that fits your lifestyle and gets you back on your feet so you can enjoy the things you love. Remember to inspect your feet every day. If you detect an injury- no matter how small- come in for an exam right away.

Please visit www.columbusfoot.com for more information or call 614-885 FEET (3338) to schedule an appointment with a podiatrist in Columbus, Ohio. Columbus Podiatry & Surgery is located on the North side of Columbus, Ohio in between Westerville, Worthington and Powell.

By Dr. Animesh (Andy) Bhatia