According to a new study conducted by scientists at the St. George’s University of London, diabetics who have peripheral neuropathy have a greater risk of developing heart disease than other diabetics. The researchers examined over 13,000 type-2 diabetes sufferers who had never had heart problems in the past. Their findings indicated that the test subjects who had neuropathy had a noticeably higher probability of getting a cardiopulmonary disease.
Doctors already knew of the link between diabetes and heart disease. This new information could help them tell which diabetics are more at risk. “There is likely an unmet potential to reduce cardiovascular disease in this group of patients through greater monitoring and simple treatments,” said Robert Hinchliffe, Senior Lecturer and Consultant in Vascular Surgery.
Systemic diseases like diabetes and peripheral neuropathy can sometimes affect the feet. If a systemic disease is causing problems in your lower extremities, visit Dr. Fausto J. Ramos of Ramos Foot and Ankle Center. Dr. Ramos will examine your feet thoroughly and present you with a wide variety of treatment choices.
Systemic Diseases of the Feet
Systemic diseases affect the whole body, and symptoms usually are displayed in the feet. This condition can make a patient’s ability to walk unbearable. Systemic diseases include: gout, diabetes mellitus, neurological disorders, and arthritis.
Gout – is caused by an excess of uric acid in the body. Some common symptoms include pain, inflammation, and redness at the metatarsal/phalangeal joint of the base big toe. Gout can be treated by NSAIDs, which relieves pain and inflammation and other drugs which lowers the acid levels in the body.
Diabetes mellitus- is an increase in the level of blood sugar in which the body cannot counteract with the insulin in the body. When the body doesn’t produce enough insulin this is a factor in Diabetes.
Diabetes of the Feet
- Diabetic Neuropathy – may lead to damaged nerves and affect the feet through numbness and loss of sensation.
- Peripheral Vascular Disease- can restrict the blood flow to the feet, and often times lead to amputation of the feet.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Perth Amboy, NJ. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle injuries.
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