Diabetes Part One: A Very Dangerous Balancing Act

• Prevalence: In 2015, 30.3 million Americans, or 9.4% of the population, had diabetes. Approximately 1.25 million American children and adults have type 1 diabetes.
• Undiagnosed: Of the 30.3 million adults with diabetes, 23.1 million were diagnosed, and 7.2 million were undiagnosed.
• Prevalence in seniors: The percentage of Americans age 65 and older remains high, at 25.2%, or 12.0 million seniors (diagnosed and undiagnosed).
• New cases: 1.5 million Americans are diagnosed with diabetes every year.
• Prediabetes: In 2015, 84.1 million Americans age 18 and older had prediabetes.
• Deaths: Diabetes remains the 7th leading cause of death in the United States in 2015, with 79,535 death certificates listing it as the underlying cause of death, and a total of 252,806 death certificates listing diabetes as an underlying or contributing cause of death.
• 60 to 70 percent of people with diabetes suffer mild to severe nerve damage
• Each year, approximately 200,000 non-traumatic amputations occur. African Americans are 4 times more likely to experience diabetes-related amputation than whites.
• In the United States, every 17 seconds someone is diagnosed with diabetes, and every day 230 Americans with diabetes will suffer an amputation.
• Throughout the world, it is estimated that every 30 seconds a leg is amputated. And 85% of these amputations were the result of a diabetic foot ulcer.
• Diabetes is the leading cause of new cases of blindness reported in adults 20-74 years of age
  In 2016, diabetes was the direct cause of 1.6 million deaths and in 2012 high blood glucose was the cause of another 2.2 million deaths

If these facts aren’t enough to scare you, log onto http://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-basics/diabetes-statistics/ to read more startling information.
Diabetes is a killer and there is no denying it. It is very important to seek treatment for this disease and the earlier, the better.

Early warning signs to look for include:

• Frequent urination
• Extreme hunger
• Unexplained weight loss
• Fatigue
• Burning, numbness and tingling in the hands and feet
• Blurred vision

Failure to heed these warning signs can allow diabetes to take control of your life. Dietary prevention is one of the best ways to control your blood sugar and keep the stress off your pancreas and kidneys. If you are unable to control your blood sugar levels and symptoms worsen, you may do damage to your nervous system. This is called neuropathy. Neuropathy usually manifests itself first in the feet and hands and involves loss of sensation. If loss of sensation occurs, you are at much greater risk of injury and infection. Infections become harder to heal because of reduced circulation and then you then run the risk of possible amputation.

If you have diabetes, you must see your doctor at least annually. Never see a doctor without including a foot examination. Drs. Joel Brook, Arroyo, and McClurkin at Dallas Podiatry Works are able to evaluate your feet and provide you with great health care and recommendations. If you have a healthcare assistant who helps you, make sure they are aware of your risk.

Here are a few at home tips for safeguarding your feet:

• Wear shoes to prevent injury
• Make sure to bathe your feet daily and examine them for wounds or injury
• Use a good emollient lotion to prevent drying and cracking skin
• Do not apply lotion between toes
• Trim toenails straight across. Ask for help if you are unable.

Control your blood sugar by controlling your diet. If you are unable to control your blood sugar by dietary means, make sure you take your medication. See podiatrists Drs. Joel Brook, Arroyo, and McClurkin regularly and call 972.853.7100 to set up an appointment.