Diabetes & Amputation Prevention

The happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic is joined by Divabetic Club – Philadelphia Leader, Neva White, DNP, CDE and podiatrist Dr. Ronald Renzi to discuss proper foot care for people living with diabetes.

Dr. Ronald Renzi, podiatrist at Abington Memorial Hospital, in partnership with vascular surgeon, Dr. Lee Kirksey of the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, are working to publish information in professional journals to highlight key information to vascular surgeons and other healthcare professionals in the area.

Save Your Soles is a grassroots program focused on eliminating this disparity. Save Your Soles works with community churches and other groups to heighten awareness of this disparity and to ultimately reduce amputations. The program teaches the importance of keeping blood sugar under control, taking medications as prescribed, eating healthy foods, and getting regular exercise.

The main message is to increase awareness of the need for diabetics to take care of their feet to avoid future amputations.

Divabetic Club – Philadelphia presented at the Thomas Jefferson University Hospital thanks to the support of Thomas Jefferson University Hospital and the American Diabetes Association in Philadelphia, PA. Visit: www.divabetic.org

Divabetic Asks “What’s Wrong With My Feet?!”

Divabetic: What's Wrong With My Feet?

Recently, we received this e-mail from a self-proclaimed “Divabetic” (a smart, sexy woman with diabetes who is living life to the fullest!):

“I work 12 hour shifts 3 days a week on a concrete floor. I have New Balance walking shoes, gel inserts and I’m taking aspirin. After 4 hours into the shift, my feet feel like they are on fire!  10 hours into my shift is just a battle with pain. My feet cramp and there’s tingling on the bottom of my feet traveling up half my calf.  What can I do?”

HERE’S THE  ANSWER: A burning sensation on the soles of your feet can arise from any number of causes — ill-fitting shoes to diabetes. The most serious cause is peripheral neuropathy damage to the leg nerves often from diabetes or alcoholism and less commonly from vitamin deficiencies or lead poisoning.

Some people experience fiery feet because they’re sensitive to a chemical in the inner lining of their shoes ( particularly some types of athletic shoes ). Try changing your footgear to see if the problem subsides. If not, see your physician to rule out medical causes.

Send your questions to divabetic.org or join  our facebook group and fan pages.