November is National Diabetes Awareness Month, so we wanted to highlight the ABCs of diabetes to help you remember basic information that every diabetic should be aware of.
The American Diabetes Association‘s 2012 statistics showed that there were 29.1 million people with diabetes. Of those, 8.1 million people were undiagnosed. Remember, you can have diabetes but not know it because you don’t have any symptoms, so schedule your appointment for a foot exam today, and learn the ABCs of diabetes.
Why Does A Foot Doctor Care About The ABCs of Diabetes?
Podiatrist Dr. David Schlam has many diabetic patients at his practice in Wappingers Falls, NY (Hollowbrook Foot Specialists.) We take time to explain the ABCs to diabetic patients and why diabetic foot care is so important (click here to schedule an appointment.) Many diabetics have problems with their feet, and 25% of diabetics who are admitted to the hospital are there for a foot related complication.
Do You Know the ABCs of Diabetes?
A: A1C Test
- Diabetics should have a hemoglobin A1C (HgA1C) test every 3 months. This test measures your average blood sugar over the past 3 months.
B: Blood Pressure
- As blood travels through your body it presses outwards against the vessels that it flows through. When you take your blood pressure, you are measuring the amount of force your blood is putting on the walls of your blood vessels.
C: Cholesterol
- Some types of cholesterol are good, but the bad cholesterol known as LDL sticks to the insides of your blood vessels and can build up and clog your arteries. When blood can’t get through, you could have a heart attack, stroke, or loss of blood supply to other parts of your body such as your feet.
S: Stop Smoking
- Ask your doctor about resources that can help you reach your goals and quit smoking. Also, you can try calling 1-800-QUITNOW for support.
Foot Complications Seen in Diabetics
- Numbness, tingling, and burning sensations in the legs and feet
- Loss of sensation
- Wounds
- Infections
- Diabetic foot ulcers
- Amputations of toes, part of the feet, the whole foot, or even your legs
- Diabetics have a 15-46% higher chance of amputations than non-diabetics.
Schedule Your Appointment With Dr. Schlam
Call (845) 298 – 9074 or click here to schedule an appointment. We are accepting new patients.
By: David Schlam
Hollowbrook Foot Specialists
Wappingers Falls, NY
