Diabetes mellitus is a chronic disease that affects the lives of about 16 million people in the United States, over 5 million of whom are unaware that they even have the disease. For Kentucky the estimates suggest that approximately 376,000 adults (12% of the adult population, or 1 in 8 adults) have diagnosed or undiagnosed diabetes and over 600,000 additional Kentuckians have elevated blood sugar levels classified as pre-diabetes which puts them at an increased risk of developing the disease. Symptoms of diabetes, or pre-diabetes, may include frequent urination, excessive thirst, extreme hunger, unexplained weight loss, tingling or numbness of the feet and hands, blurred vision, fatigue, slow healing wounds and susceptibility to certain infections. People who have any of these symptoms and have not been tested for diabetes are putting themselves at considerable risk and should see a physician without delay. No one knows why people develop diabetes, but once diagnosed, the disease is present for life. It is a hereditary disorder and certain genetic indicators are known to increase the risk of developing diabetes such as a family history, obesity, prior history of developing diabetes while pregnant, and age (over 40). In addition, studies have shown members of the African American and Hispanic American communities are at an increased risk for developing diabetes as a result of the genetic tendencies. While there is no cure for diabetes, the good news is that much of the sickness, loss of limb, and death associated with diabetes can be eliminated through treatment approaches including normalization of blood glucose levels, proper diet and exercise, routine physician visits, self-management training, a yearly dilated eye exam, A1C checks and routine foot exams. Ulceration is a common occurrence with the diabetic foot and should be carefully treated and monitored by a podiatric specialist. Left unattended, such ulcers can quickly become infected and lead to more serious consequences. Dr. Michael C. Allen and the podiatric team at the Lexington Foot and Ankle Center are working in partnership with the Lexington Diabetic Center to increase awareness of diabetes, educate diabetic patients and their families and to help Kentuckians control or prevent diabetes.

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