The Queen of Southern cooking announced in January that she has had Type 2 Diabetes for three years, but Paula Deen has recently been spotted looking thinner. "I've dropped two pant sizes and I feel great!" Her new healthier regime includes walking 30 minutes every day – and now having portions half the size of those she used to eat. 

The American Diabetes Association has declared March 27^th, one month from today, as Alert Day.  The association is urging people to take the Diabetes Risk Test, which can be found on their website.  You may be wondering why this information is presented in a podiatry blog?  Well, diabetes can have a major effect on lower extremity health and one of the most severe complications is the development of the diabetic foot ulcer, something we treat every day at Atlantic Foot and Ankle Associates.

Diabetes can affect nerves which can result in sensory and motor neuropathy.  With sensory neuropathy, the symptoms may manifest as tingling or burning pain in the foot.  As well, there may be a loss of sensation and proprioception.  This is problematic because someone affected will lose the ability to feel pressure and damage to the foot, leading to the potential for an ulcer to develop on the foot.  For instance, a person with sensory neuropathy may step on a nail and break open skin without even noticing.  Ulcers are often susceptible to bacterial infection, which if not detected and treated may extend all the way to bone.  This chain of events may eventually lead to amputation of the foot.  With motor neuropathy, symptoms may manifest as muscle weakness or change in muscle mass.  The foot may as well undergo a change in shape which may create areas of pressure, increasing the chance of development of an ulcer.  In addition, diabetes affects the vascular system by decreasing blood flow.  Since blood flow is imperative to healing this can decrease the speed and quality of the healing of any ulcers.

Lifestyle modifications may be taken to prevent the development and complications of diabetes such as exercise and control of blood sugar through healthy eating choices like decreasing salt intake.  The cessation of smoking will also work to prevent the complications.  One month from today, please take the first step to recognizing or preventing Diabetes.  And if you are one of the 15 million people that suffer from Diabetes, please do not hesitate to visit one of our four offices located in Daytona Beach, Port Orange, Palm Coast, and Orange City, Florida for your diabetic foot care needs.

By Dr. Matthew Hentzel

If you're a runner, it goes without saying that your feet take the brunt of the punishment. In fact, for runners the feet are more vulnerable to injury than any other part of the body. Luckily, both long-distance runners and casual joggers can improve their performance by paying extra attention to their feet and taking steps to prevent common foot problems. Poor fitting footwear is often the source of many foot problems caused by running. A visit to Atlantic Foot & Ankle Associates can help you determine the best shoes for your foot structure.

A Runner's Road Block

While many running-related foot injures can result from a fall or twisted ankle, most running injuries are caused by overuse, meaning the majority of runners experience foot and ankle pain because they do too much for too long. Runners should be aware of the signs of foot problems that can slow them down if not treated promptly. Common foot and ankle injuries experienced by runners include:

Achilles Tendonitis: Achilles tendonitis and other calf-related injuries are prevalent in runners. Poor training, overuse and improper footwear are the three most common reasons for this condition. A sudden increase in distance or pace can strain the muscles and tendons in the foot and ankle, causing small tears within these structures that result in pain and inflammation. Appropriate shoes and training are the most important steps to preventing Achilles tendonitis. Conservative treatment includes, rest, ice, stretching, and sometimes orthotics or physical therapy.

Heel Pain: Runners develop heel pain more than any other foot-related injury. Plantar fasciitis is the most common cause of heel pain, which is the result of excess stress placed on a ligament in the bottom of the foot. Rest, stretching and support are the best ways to ease the pain and inflammation. Reduce your mileage and avoid hill and speed workouts. Stretch before and after you run, and ice your heel after each workout. Special splints and shoe inserts from Atlantic Foot & Ankle Associates may also provide support and relief for your heel pain.

Stress Fractures: Stress fractures are small cracks in the surface of a bone. Runners generally notice gradual muscle soreness, stiffness, and pain on the affected bone, most often in the lower leg or the foot. Early diagnosis is critical as the small fracture can spread and eventually become a complete fracture of the bone. Stress fractures are typically caused by an increase in training that occurs more quickly than the body's ability to build up and strengthen the bone. If you have symptoms of a stress fracture, you should stop running immediately and see a podiatrist at Atlantic Foot & Ankle Associates. This injury can keep a runner off the roads for several weeks and is not an injury that you can run through. Depending on the severity of the stress fracture, a cast may be necessary.

If you experience chronic foot pain from running, make an appointment with a podiatrist at our Daytona Beach office. Leaving foot injuries untreated could result in more serious conditions, ultimately keeping you from your best performance. Keep in mind that these are not the only foot ailments caused by running, and when at-home foot care isn't effective, you'll need to be evaluated by a podiatrist. As in most cases, prevention is your best treatment. Good footwear, proper training and recognizing a problem before it becomes serious are your keys to staying on the road and avoiding foot injuries.

Welcome to the Blog of Atlantic Podiatry Associates

Whether you are an existing patient or searching for a podiatrist in Florida, we're excited you are here. With the podiatry industry advancing, we recognize the importance of keeping our patients and visitors up to date with all of the new and exciting things taking place in our practice.

As we move forward with our blog, we hope to promote podiatric awareness as a vital part of your healthy, active lifestyle.Here you will find a variety of articles and topics including the latest developments in podiatry, podiatric treatments and helpful foot care advice from Dr.Rust and his staff.

We hope you find our blog to be helpful, engaging and informational to ensure the long-term health of your feet.
As always, feel free to contact us with any questions or concerns.

-- The Atlantic Podiatry Associates  Team