TO YOUR HEALTH : FREEBIES.Millions of Americans with diabetes are at risk of serious foot disease - many of whom may not know it, experts say. People with diabetes are at increased risk of developing foot sores and ulcers - which can lead to gangrene gangrene, local death of body tissue. Dry gangrene, the most common form, follows a disturbance of the blood supply to the tissues, e.g., in diabetes, arteriosclerosis, thrombosis, or destruction of tissue by injury. if untreated - because they have reduced feeling and circulation in their feet. Importantly, almost half of the 16 million Americans with diabetes do not know they have the disease. Each year, the number of lower-limb amputations nationwide resulting from complications of diabetes exceeds the number of limbs lost worldwide from land mines, said Dr. Marc Lenet, president of the American Podiatric Medical Association. Yet almost half of the estimated 67,000 diabetes-related limb amputations could have been prevented through early detection and treatment, Lenet said. ``It's important to reach these people as soon as possible and lead them to proper foot care,'' he added. Among diabetics, African-Americans are twice as likely, and American Indians American Indians: see Americas, antiquity and prehistory of the; Natives, Middle American; Natives, North American; Natives, South American. are three to four times as likely, to have a foot or leg amputation amputation (ăm'pyətā`shən), removal of all or part of a limb or other body part. Although amputation has been practiced for centuries, the development of sophisticated techniques for treatment and prevention of infection has greatly as Caucasians. The American Diabetes Association The American Diabetes Association, or the ADA, is an American health organization providing diabetes research, information and advocacy. Founded in 1940, the American Diabetes Association conducts programs in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, reaching hundreds of will be conducting free foot screenings across the United States during November and December. To find a local site, call the ADA Ada, city, United States Ada (ā`ə), city (1990 pop. 15,820), seat of Pontotoc co., S central Okla.; inc. 1904. It is a large cattle market and the center of a rich oil and ranch area. at (800) 342-2383. Web sites The National Alliance of Breast Cancer Organizations (NABCO NABCO National Alliance of Breast Cancer Organizations Oncology A coalition of ±370 US organizations that offer services for diagnosing and treating breast CA and providing support ☎ 800.719.9154 www.nabco.org ), a nonprofit resource for breast cancer information, provides current research, treatment options, support referrals and links on its Web site. Look for it at http://www.nabco.org/ Information on helping children understand and cope with an adult dealing with breast cancer can be accessed at http://www2.medsch.wisc.edu/childrenshos p/childrens.html |
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