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Foot Pain?
You may have Diabetes
Newswise — Do you ever feel burning, tingling or numbness
in your feet and toes? The American College
of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (ACFAS) warns
against ignoring these symptoms. They could
be a warning sign of diabetes.
Foot and ankle surgeons say those symptoms may be caused by
a condition called diabetic peripheral
neuropathy, or nerve damage.
Neuropathy in the feet can lead to permanent numbness,
deformities such as bunions and hammertoes,
and dry skin that cracks open and won't
heal.
"Diabetic peripheral neuropathy is not only painful but
dangerous," says Boston foot and ankle
surgeon John M. Giurini, DPM, FACFAS,
president of the 6,000-member surgeons'
association.
"It's a leading contributor to foot ulcers in people with
diabetes."
Burning, tingling and numbness in the toes can also be
symptoms of thyroid problems, nutritional
deficiencies, back problems and pinched
nerves in the ankles.
In the United States, diabetes is the leading cause of
peripheral neuropathy and can lead to
further foot complications.
Out of the 23 million Americans with diabetes, one in four
hasn't been diagnosed.
Some people learn they have diabetes only after seeing a
doctor for burning, tingling and numbness in
their toes and feet.
Many people already diagnosed with diabetes aren't familiar
with neuropathy's symptoms. According to
FootPhysicians.com, even diabetic
patients who have excellent blood sugar
control can develop diabetic neuropathy.
Medications can treat neuropathy pain. But nerve damage
cannot be reversed.
"When you have diabetes, and especially diabetic
neuropathy, a minor cut on your foot can
turn into a catastrophe," says Giurini.
"The statistics on diabetic ulcers are sobering."
Twenty percent of diabetes patients who develop ulcers will
require an amputation. Patients who are
black, Hispanic and Native American are
twice as likely as whites to need a
diabetes-related amputation.
Half of all people with diabetes who have a toe or foot
amputation die within three years. The
annual cost for diabetic ulcer care in the
U.S. is estimated at $5 billion.
For more information on diabetic peripheral neuropathy,
visit
http://FootPhysicians.com and
click on Foot & Ankle Information.
The American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons is a
professional society of more than 6,000 foot
and ankle surgeons.
Founded in 1942, the College’s mission is to promote
research and provide continuing education
for the foot and ankle surgical specialty,
and to educate the general public on foot
health and conditions of the foot and ankle
through its consumer Web site,
http://FootPhysicians.com .
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