Diabetes has become a prevalent disease in our society today. According to the American Diabetes Association, 8.3% of the population has been diagnosed with this disease. Diabetes does not limit itself to race, class or gender; affecting celebrities like Halle Berry, Bret Michaels, Nick Jonas, Paula Deen, Salma Hayek and Bears Quarterback Jay Cutler.

As podiatrists we see the impact that diabetes can have on a person's mobility. Many serious foot complications and other medical complications can be reduced or eliminated with control of blood glucose (sugar) levels. This control of blood glucose is not easy to accomplish as evidenced by the explosion of numbers of people with type 2 diabetes in this country and in the world. Type 2 Diabetes has become a major public health concern in the United States, as 26 million people in this country alone have type 2 diabetes. A large number of these cases are caused by or worsened by obesity.

Weight loss has been shown in research studies to reduce blood sugar levels and reduce need for medication and insulin for control. Weight loss is usually difficult to attain, especially for those significantly overweight, who have difficulty exercising. Two recent studies have garnered new hope for those with diabetes caused by obesity. These studies examined the surgical treatment of obesity and it's relationship to diabetes. The studies followed patients who underwent gastric bypass weight loss surgery. This type of surgery reduces the size of the stomach and redirects some of the intestine to cause weight loss. These studies showed that, not only did patients lose weight and keep it off, but their diabetes significantly improved! These studies showed over 80% of patients no longer need to take medication to control their diabetes.

Weight loss surgery has been shown to significantly improve other obesity related health problems as well, such as high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease and sleep apnea to name a few. Current NIH standards still only recommend weight loss surgery for those significantly overweight that have failed other approaches at weight loss. Recent advances in surgical techniques have made the procedure safer, with complication rates lower than other common abdominal surgery, such as gall bladder removal. Hopefully, the increased safety and the demonstrated effectiveness in managing disease will widen the NIH recommendations to give people better access to this life saving treatment.

Should you or a loved one need a recommendation for a weight loss surgeon, we can help you! Through our affiliation with Gramercy Surgery Center, we can refer you to some of the best Bariatric surgeons in New York. Give the office a call or mention it on your next visit to Midtown Podiatry, with locations in Midtown, Gramercy Park, Union Square, Wall Street or Glen Cove.

By: Paul J. Betschart, DPM

According to the World Health Organization, there are over 312 million people in the United States, of which 25.8 million are diabetic, which accounts for approximately 8.3% of the children and adult population. Celebrities like Halle Berry, Jay Cutler, Aretha Franklin, and Nick Jonas have all been diagnosed with Diabetes, furthermore proving that people of any demographics are at risk.

Data from the 2011 National Diabetes Fact sheet indicates that there are 18.8 million people who have been diagnosed with diabetes, 7 million who remain undiagnosed and another 79 million who fall under the pre-diabetic category.

In 2010, there were 1.9 million new cases of diabetes in people ages 20 years and older. These statistics are staggering and the reality is that diabetes has become a disease that we can no longer ignore due to its epidemic nature.

• Diabetes has become the leading cause of non-traumatic amputations. In fact more than 60% of non-traumatic lower-limb amputations occur in people with diabetes.
• In 2006, about 65,700 non-traumatic lower-limb amputations were performed in people with diabetes.

At Midtown Podiatry, our board certified podiatric physicians are highly trained in advanced wound care techniques and surgical procedures and offer all of our patients a comprehensive lower extremity physical examination. Our podiatric evaluation includes both vascular and sensory testing, involving the traditional and more advanced techniques for those patients who require more detailed assessments. We can offer our patients a diagnosis and their risk assessment.

Our goal is to concisely evaluate patients and determine those who are at low, moderate to high risk for developing ulceration. Our podiatrists will be able to initiate the proper treatment plan customized to our individual patient. There is strong evidence in the literature that states that proper podiatric evaluation and education for diabetic patients prevents amputation, lower limb infection and saves lives. Our role in a diabetic patient’s life is to help identify potential lower extremity preexisting conditions, structural deformity and other issues which if left untreated will lead an individual at risk for lower extremity infection, amputation, permanent disability and even death.

If you are suffering from Diabetes, make an appointment to come into Midtown Podiatry with locations in Midtown, Gramercy Park, Union Square, Wall Street and Glen Cove. Our skilled podiatrists would love to work closely with you to figure out a treatment plan that will keep your feet healthy!

By: Sharon Barlizo, DPM