It’s not what you think. It is, however, an attention grabbing title and that, my young NYC podiatry patients is quite intentional. This month, the month of November, the one between October and December, the one that rhymes with shmovember, is national Diabetes month here in our great land. And as the arbiter of this blog and the holy spaces that it occupies, it is my solemn duty to provide some sobering statistics, practical advice, and moderately humorous lines.
Do you know someone with diabetes? Yes you do, and you’re not alone, as 10% of the country has it, and another 84 million are at risk of developing it. And 90% of those cases are type 2, or so-called adult onset in which the body is less sensitive to the insulin that is produced by the pancreas, rather than a lack of production as in type 1, or juvenile.
Diabetes remains a leading cause of blindness, kidney failure, and yes, lower extremity amputations- in fact 70% of worldwide non-traumatic amputations are due to complications of diabetes such as nerve damage or decreased peripheral circulation. So what can you do? I’m so proud you asked.
Just remember the ABCDEF:
A: know your A1C, and keep it at a level recommended by your doctor
B: Blood pressure
C: Cholesterol
D: Diet
E: Exercise
F: Feet- Check them, don’t neglect them
In other words, remember WWMD. What would mom do? Or more importantly, what would mom want you to do? It’s not a simple disease to manage, but with regular exercise, sensible eating, adherence to good sound medical advice, and regular visits to your podiatrist, complications – and visits to me – can be kept to a minimum. Stay on top of your diabetes and click here to make an appointment today at either our Bronx or Manhattan location.
See you in the office.
Ernest Isaacson
