25 patients avail free foot clinic

Some 25 patients availed of the free foot clinic at the Physical Therapy Department of the Commonwealth Health Center yesterday as part of the observance of 2008 World Diabetes Day.

Physical therapist Dana McFadden said that of this number, there were 18 who were found with high sugar levels, evidence of the high rate of diabetes in the CNMI.

Only four of the patients knew they have diabetes while others had no previous check-ups.

McFadden said two of the patients were referred to a physician, which means that these patients may have possibly higher sugar in their blood.

PT Department manager Pam Carhill earlier estimated that one third of the population in the CNMI are diabetics.

Some of the services the patients availed of yesterday included blood sugar check, blood pressure check, foot inspection, instruction in diabetic foot care, education in blood sugar control, education in nutrition, and vision check.

Patient educator Bobby Ann Ayres said a lot of people don’t know their blood sugar levels. It may be high, she said, and they need be educated about how to undergo therapy. As for those who don’t have diabetes, she said they also need to learn how to prevent it.

About 3.8 million people die of diabetes every year. This means every 10 seconds a person dies from diabetes-related illnesses among the more than 240 million people worldwide who has this disease.

For more information on how to manage diabetes or prevent its onset, contact 236-8327/8.

Diabetics are vulnerable to foot amputations due to poor foot care. There are many ways of taking care of one’s feet if one is diabetic, one of which is to control blood sugar levels in the blood. Follow these steps to avoid serious foot problems:

* You should wash your feet everyday with warm water and soap;

* Dry your feet well, especially between your toes;

* Keep your skin soft and smooth. Rub a thin coat of lotion on the tops and bottoms of your feet, but not between your toes;

* Use toenail clippers to trim your toenail. Cut toenails straight across and never cut into the corners

* Use a nail file or emery board to smooth the edges of your toenails;

* Never walk barefoot indoors or outdoors;

* Watch your step! Walk in well-lit areas and use pathways that are free of nails, trash, sharp rocks, shells and branches;

* Check your feet every day. Use a mirror to see the bottoms of your feet. Tell your doctor right away if you find red spots, cuts, swelling or blisters.

* See your doctor or health cape provider for a complete foot exam at least once every year—more often if you have foot problems.
[I] Source: Department Of Public Health[/I]