After Chef Paula Deen finally announced her diagnosis of type 2 diabetes mellitus that she had been hiding for two years this past week, there has been an outcry from people across Columbus and the country.  Deen promoted to everyone who watched her cooking shows the exact lifestyle that leads to the development of type 2 diabetes.  Now, if Deen and fans of her cooking who also have type 2 Diabetes don’t change their ways, many severe complications of diabetes, including foot amputation are likely to be the next course. 

Type 2 diabetes typically develops later in life and as a result of an underlying genetic defect involving the beta cells of the pancreas that causes them to produce insufficient amounts of insulin, along with a resistance of other tissues to the minimal insulin that is secreted.  Three major risk factors for diabetes development that Paula Deen possessed are being over age 50, obesity and a family history of diabetes.  While age and family history are uncontrollable, obesity and overeating are easily modifiable with a little effort.  Lifestyle modifications to reduce obesity and thus the risk for diabetes type 2 can include exercising, dieting, and reducing fat intake.  These simple lifestyle modifications have been shown to prevent or delay type 2 in about 60% of people at risk.  In severely obese patients, gastric bypass surgery has even been shown to reverse the diagnosis of diabetes. 

Foot problems represent a major complication in diabetic patients, with 25% of hospital stays for diabetic patients being foot related.  The neuropathy, or nerve disease that occurs in diabetes affects the longest nerves first; which is why loss of sensation commonly begins in the feet.  Aside from losing sensation completely, patients may experience painful tingling or burning in their feet and legs especially when sitting or resting.  With loss of innervation can also come motor weakness and wasting away of the muscles in the feet.  The combination of motor and sensory loss can lead to ulcers, infections of those ulcers, and Charcot foot.  All three of these conditions are debilitating and need to be examined and treated by your podiatrist.  Preventing ulcers and their subsequent infection can mean saving not only the leg from amputation, but also the patient’s life. 

For Paula Deen and others with type 2, it is important to  remember that they can greatly improve their condition and possibly even reverse it by cutting back on the butter and sweet cream, developing a regular exercise plan, and regularly self-examining their feet as they go

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 near Westerville. If you would like to see a podiatrist in Dublin, Ohio near Tuttle Crossing, call 614-885-3338 for an appointment.

By Dr. Animesh (Andy) Bhatia

The time of year is fast approaching when only the most dedicated of fans will brave the cold weather to attend Buckeye’s football games.  Staying warm at the games or any outdoor activities this winter. As snowfall becomes more frequent, it is not only a matter of spectating comfort, but also a matter of safety. 

The damage that is incurred by your body depends on exactly what Mother Nature is doing and how long you will be exposed to the elements.  When it is damp along with the cold, individuals become more at risk for developing what is called pernio syndrome or acute chilblains.  In most cases, skin that is poorly protected or in contact with wet clothing will become red and slightly inflamed with intense itching and burning.  Extreme heat over 85 degrees Fahrenheit and itching or scratching should be avoided and the area should clear in less than two weeks. If the skin is repeatedly exposed to such conditions, chilblains may become chronic with the red inflamed area becoming a more serious ulcer type of lesion. 

Frostbite is a more commonly heard of cold injury that is more serious than chilblains and occurs with extreme cold exposure, even without wetness.  Unlike in chilblains, the tissues making up the area of exposure in frostbite actually freeze with ice crystals developing in or around the cells.  As with many cold injuries, the feet are commonly affected as blood is shunted towards the core to keep many vital organs warmed to a temperature that allows them to keep functioning properly.  Frostbite is extremely important to stop before permanent tissue damage occurs that can lead to amputation.  If the foot still has sensation, displays pinks skin when it is warmed and has no blisters or blisters with clear fluid this typically indicates that you should still contact your podiatrist but your foot should still be able to make a return to good health. 

Individuals with pre-existing peripheral vascular disease such as venous stasis or atherosclerosis are more susceptible to developing a cold injury and need to take extra care to keep extremities protected.  Everyone should be sure to keep feet warm and dry when braving the elements in order to stay healthy and be able to keep cheering on the Buckeyes!

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

During October, pink ribbons and Susan G Komen “Race for the Cures” serve as a reminder of the importance of awareness and prevention in the fight against breast cancer.  Even at the Columbus marathon last weekend, there was a group called “Team Komen” running to raise money towards breast cancer research.  While women supporting this cause are out running races to help save lives, they also may find out the hard way that there are many foot and ankle ailments that tend to be more common in females than in males. 

While many studies have been done demonstrating the harm that women inflict on their feet  by wearing high heels, there are also differences bone and tissue structure that make women more susceptible to various foot and ankle problems.  Studies have found that women may have less cartilage in some of the joints in their foot and ankle.  This decreased cartilage may play a role in the development of osteoarthritis, which results from normal wear and tear of the joints over time.  Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory disease of the joints that is known for causing a crippling of the hands, but also commonly affects the feet.  This disease also more commonly affects women than men.  By visiting a podiatrist, women with both of these types of arthritis may be able to find pain relief and improved foot and ankle function with the use of orthotics or possibly surgery. 

Females are more likely to develop osteoporosis than males.  Osteoporosis is a loss of bone density that is abnormal and unhealthy for a person’s age and gender.  This loss of bone density means that your bones are weaker and can be damaged more easily.  A stress fracture in the foot can be one of the first indicators of osteoporosis.  In a healthy bone, a stress fracture would typically only occur in situations of repetitive force being applied to the bone, such as in long distance running or marching for extended periods of time.  Being aware of this increased bone loss can allow for women to protect their bones with preventative measures including getting adequate nutrition with calcium and vitamin D in their diets. 

Women have been shown to suffer from bunions and hammertoes more frequently than men.  Along with their natural foot structure, wearing inappropriately fitting shoes may contribute to this problem.  It is important to remember that high heels and shoes that are too small not only cause pain in your feet, but contribute to pain in yours knees and back.  For the month of October, women helping out in the fight against breast cancer should also remember to help their feet out by taking care of them with good fitting shoes, a good diet and seeing their podiatrist at the first sign of problems!!

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 near Worthington. If you would like to see a podiatrist in Dublin, Ohio near Tuttle Crossing, call 614-885-3338 for an appointment.

By Dr. Animesh (Andy) Bhatia

Just because April, or “Foot Health Awareness” month is coming to an end, doesn’t mean that people should stop paying attention to their feet! With summer around the corner, I have noticed local nail salons near the Columbus Podiatry and Surgery office appear to be extra busy beautifying people’s feet.  Both men and women indulging their feet with a little pampering need to be aware of the safety of their feet during a pedicure. 

While many people may know that they should pick a salon that properly sanitizes all pedicure instruments between each customer, there are additional lesser known tips recommended by the American Podiatric Medical Association for a healthy and enjoyable pedicure.  While women may prefer not to have hairy legs when they know a spa employee is going to be touching them, they should try to refrain from shaving their legs before a pedicure.  Even if you do not see any cuts, shaving can create tiny tears in skin that allow for bacteria to gain access and cause infection more easily.  Also to avoid unnecessary cuts in the skin, never allow a spa to use a foot razor to remove dead skin from your bunions, heel calluses or other areas of the foot.  Along with causing an easy entry for bacteria, cutting too deep could cause permanent nerve or tissue damage.  The more commonly used method of dead skin removal at a spa by a pumice stone, foot file or exfoliating scrub after soaking the feet for a few minutes is a perfectly acceptable alternative. 

If you cannot be certain that a spa properly sanitizes its equipment, a safe bet is to always bring your own pedicure set.  This ensures that bacteria and foot fungus cannot be spread to your toes from a previous pedicure.  Emery boards especially should always be brought from home as they cannot be sterilized.  If you are having a manicure and pedicure in the same appointment, make sure a different set of tools is used for each.  By using different tools for each activity, you can prevent the transfer of foot fungus or infection to your hands, and vice versa.  Another way to avoid the spread of infection at the spa is to try to book your pedicure in the morning, when foot baths are typically cleanest, or to find a spa that filters and cleans its foot baths between each client. 

While these are good tips for everyone to remember when having a pedicure at a spa or at home, diabetic patients should consult a podiatrist first to ensure that their pedicure will be done in the correct manner for prevention of diabetic complications in the foot.  Patients with signs of fungal nails should also consult their podiatrist and not use nail polish until their potential fungal problem is resolved.  By staying aware during Foot Health Awareness month and all year long, people can have a pedicure experience that is both relaxing and safe for their feet!

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

FMC Appoints Dr. Bhatia As Assistant Medical Director Of Wound Clinic

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LANCASTER, Ohio (TBD) - Recently, Dr. Animesh Bhatia was named Fairfield Medical Center's Assistant Medical Director of the Wound Clinic located in Lancaster.

The Wound Clinic at Fairfield Medical Center specializes in healing chronic wounds. The clinic's team of board-certified physicians and wound certified nurses dedicate themselves to treat hard to heal wounds that may be a result of diabetes, poor circulation, trauma, surgery or other conditions. Many of the patients are completely healed after suffering for months or even years after previous treatments failed. The Wound Clinic at FMC, under Medical Director Andrew Murry, M.D, offers state-of-the-art equipment, treatments and advanced wound therapies and is conveniently located at 135 N. Ewing Street in Lancaster.

Dr. Bhatia now joins Dr. Murry as the new Assistant Medical Director. Dr. Bhatia has been in private practice for over ten years as the CEO of Columbus Podiatry and Surgery in Columbus, Ohio. He serves as a wound consultant for 3 other area hospitals and over 25 acute and long-term care facilities in the Central Ohio area. He is a Certified Wound Specialist, also a Fellow of both the American Professional Wound Care Association and the American Academy of Podiatric Practice Management.

Dr. Bhatia looks forward to his new role at the Wound Clinic, noting, "I am honored to now serve as the Assistant Medical director for the Wound Clinic, and be able to help patients who may sometimes have been suffering for years with their condition."

For more information about the Wound Clinic at Fairfield Medical Center, please call (740) 689-6430.