Published: October 18, 2001
The American Podiatric Medical Association Announces November American Diabetes Month Campaign "Diabetes is a Family Affair"
African American Newswire/BETHESDA, Md. -- This November, the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) is teaming up with NFL sports broadcaster, James Brown, to launch it's "Diabetes is a Family Affair" campaign.
"My mom is one of the 16 million Americans effected by diabetes", said Brown. "I see how well my mom manages the disease by inspecting her feet daily and I want others with diabetes to know how important it is to do the same."
Foot screenings are important for people with diabetes to prevent complications such as slow healing sores, swelling and redness, a loss of sensation in the feet, and infections that could lead to amputations.
"Each year, 87,000 lower limbs are amputated due to complications from diabetes and that is simply too high", said R. Douglas Sowell, DPM and APMA President. "Nearly three-quarters of these amputations could be prevented with proper foot care."
The following are some guidelines for taking care of your feet:
--Check your feet everyday for blisters, cuts, infected toenails, red spots or swelling
--Wash your feet daily with warm water and be sure to dry between your toes
--Wear soft, comfortable, shoes and inspect them for rough edges and seams
--Wear socks without rough seams that aren't tight around the ankles
--Cut toenails straight across
--Don't use corn or callus removers or try to cut off corns and calluses
--Don't walk barefoot
For more information about diabetes and the feet visit APMA's Web site at http://www.apma.org. There you will find a diabetes quiz and monofilament-foot screening test, or call 1-800-FOOTCARE (366-8227) to request a free brochure (available in English and Spanish).
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