Members of the researcher faculty at the St. George’s University of London recently discovered that diabetes patients with the systemic disease peripheral neuropathy may be more likely to get heart disease than other diabetics. They arrived at this conclusion after detailed observation of around 13,000 type-2 diabetes patients who had never had any cardiopulmonary problems.

The researcher’s findings might be useful for doctors who are trying to determine the probability that a particular diabetes patient will get heart disease. “There is likely an unmet potential to reduce cardiovascular disease in this group of patients through greater monitoring and simple treatments," stated Robert Hinchliffe, Senior Lecturer and Consultant in Vascular Surgery.

Systemic diseases typically affect the whole body, but can be detrimental to specific areas of the foot. If a systemic disease is causing you to experience lower extremity problems, see Dr. Sharon L. Pletcher of Pennsylvania. Dr. Pletcher will analyze your need for treatment and provide you with a suitable form of medical care.

Systemic Diseases and 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. 

For more information about Systemic Diseases and the Feet, follow the link below.

If you have any questions, please contact our office located in State College, PA. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

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