More than 60 percent of non-traumatic, lower-limb amputations occur among people with diabetes. Don’t become one of them.

(NewsUSA) – Nearly 21 million people in the United States are afflicted with diabetes, which accounts for 7 percent of the population. The prevalence of the disease is even higher among African Americans. In fact, approximately 13 percent of African Americans aged 20 years or older have the disease. And while diabetes is a chronic disease that can be managed, people need to be more aware of the complications associated with it.

Diabetic complications can cause nerve and vascular damage, which can eventually lead to foot ulcers. If not treated in time, these ulcers can result in amputation. In fact, more than 60 percent of non-traumatic, lower-limb amputations in the United States occur among people with diabetes.

What can you do? The American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) recommends regular visits to an APMA podiatric physician as part of a comprehensive foot care plan to help reduce your risk of amputation. Additionally, the APMA suggests following these simple tips at home.

* Check your feet every day

Especially if you have a loss of sensation, visually inspecting your feet daily will help you notice any cuts, sores, blisters or changes in the skin or toenails. You can use a hand mirror to help you check the bottoms of your feet. If you notice a change in your feet, see your podiatrist immediately.

* Clean your feet daily

Washing your feet will help avoid the build-up of bacteria. Be sure to wash in warm water, rather than hot. Completely dry your feet after washing, and pay special attention to drying between the toes.

* Keep skin healthy

By lightly applying lotion or moisturizer to your feet, you can help prevent dry, flaky or cracked skin. Use lotion on the tops and bottoms of your feet but never between the toes because excess moisture between the toes creates conditions favorable to forming an infection.

* Always wear shoes and socks

Soft, lightly padded socks will help you avoid blisters and sores. Socks with no seams are best. Also, examine the insides of your shoes to be sure there is nothing harmful that will injure your feet.

* Choose shoes that fit well and protect your feet

One of the best ways to avoid injuries to your feet is to wear sturdy and supportive shoes at all times.

For more information on diabetes and your feet or to find an APMA podiatrist in your area, visit www.apma.org.

The ACG recommends that you talk to your doctor about colorectal cancer screening.

(NewsUSA) – Colorectal cancer is the number-two cancer killer in the U.S. Unfortunately, few people realize that there are a number of simple screening tests that can make colorectal cancer one of the most preventable cancers.

Most colon cancers begin as polyps which, if not removed, can become cancerous. The development of more than 75-90 percent of colorectal cancer can be avoided through early detection and removal of these pre-cancerous polyps. The digestive health specialists from the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) urge you to get screened for colorectal cancer.

Colorectal cancer is most common after age 50, but it can strike at younger ages. The chance of colon cancer increases with age. It’s suggested that screenings begin at age 50 for men and women at average risk for colorectal cancer. African-Americans should begin colorectal cancer screening as early as age 45. African-Americans are diagnosed with colorectal cancer at a younger average age than whites, and African-Americans with colorectal cancer have a decreased survival rate compared with whites.

Colonoscopy is considered the best test for colorectal cancer screening and prevention because it allows physicians to look directly at the entire colon and identify suspicious growths. It is the only test that can detect and remove pre-cancerous polyps from the colon during the same examination.

For average-risk individuals, the ACG recommends colonoscopy screening every 10 years beginning at age 50 as the preferred strategy. Alternative strategies for average risk individuals include annual stool tests to detect blood and flexible sigmoidoscopic exams every five years, although unlike colonoscopy this approach does not allow visualization and removal of polyps in the entire colon. The ACG urges you to talk to your doctor about what screening tests are right for you.

There is no reason for someone to die from a preventable cancer. With improved use of colon cancer screening, we can save lives. Colorectal cancer screening with colonoscopy is among the most powerful preventive tools in clinical medicine. To learn more about the benefits of colorectal cancer screening, speak with your doctor or visit www.acg.gi.org.

ARA) – World Champion cyclist Kristin Armstrong, 34, was diagnosed with osteoarthritis nearly seven years ago. Already an accomplished tri-athlete, slowing down wasn’t an option so she turned to cycling as a sport that would be easier on her joints. Through hard work and determination, she is now preparing to compete as a cyclist in the upcoming 2008 Summer Olympic Games in Beijing, China. This year, Armstrong is supporting the Arthritis Foundation’s annual Arthritis Walk events and Team TripleFlex by sharing her personal success story.

“I found that cycling was a great way to remain active and keep my joints strong,” says Armstrong. “My goal is to inspire and motivate those with arthritis and related joint discomfort to stay fit and do the things you love whether it’s playing with your children or grandchildren, gardening or hiking your favorite trail.”

In honor of Arthritis Awareness Month, Armstrong offers her top five tips for being active and maintaining joint health.

* Fuel It Up – Experts agree there is a special connection between nutrition and joints. A balanced diet high in antioxidants containing citrus fruits, green, leafy vegetables and omega-3 fatty acids such as those found in salmon provides active adults with the nutrients they need to maintain joint health. A balanced diet also gives you the energy you need for your favorite activities.

* Walk It Out – Research shows that physical activity is one of the best ways to keep joints in top shape as it helps maintain weight and build strength, which aids shock absorption and injury prevention. Walking and biking are two of the best exercises to maintain joint health.

* Boost It Up – For an extra boost in joint health, glucosamine and chondroitin supplements can also help. Studies show that glucosamine and chondroitin promote joint comfort and elasticity. Doctors recommend Nature Made TripleFlex which combines the power of glucosamine, chondroitin and MSM to help maintain joint cartilage, cushion joints and allow you to lead your days discomfort-free.

* Keep It Down – A study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine found that people who lost just 11 pounds cut their risk of osteoarthritis in half. Combine portion-controlled meals and plenty of exercise most days of the week to help keep weight in check. Don’t forget that walking through the mall and cleaning the house both count as exercise!

* Take It Further – The Arthritis Foundation’s Arthritis Walk events are held in communities across the nation to raise public awareness and funds to help people living with arthritis lead active, mobile lives. Nationally sponsored by Nature Made TripleFlex, walkers can sign-up as a team and come out to support a family member or friend.

Be sure to talk to your doctor before starting a new health regimen. To follow Kristin on her road to Beijing, visit www.kristinarmstrongUSA.com. For more information on joint health options, visit www.tripleflex.com . To find an Arthritis Walk in your area, go to www.arthritis.org  or call (877) 232-2898.

(ARA) – Fitting diet and exercise changes into a busy lifestyle can be difficult, even for those who are 100 percent committed to taking control of their weight and health. Good health is a 24/7 endeavor, and many people are looking for weight loss success with flexible plans that can accommodate the hectic pace of modern life.

“While the fundamentals of good health are the same for everyone — eating and exercising well — there are as many paths and schedules for those goals as there are people,” says Liz Josefsberg of WeightWatchers.com. “It’s possible and essential to find ways to make positive changes that become a natural part of your lifestyle.”

For Tory Klementsen of Washington, weight loss success happened when she started focusing on improving her health, rather than just losing weight. Tory lost more than 100 pounds* through lifestyle changes that included altering her eating habits and finding forms of exercise she could enjoy. Now this self-professed “reformed couch potato” lists skydiving and marathon running among her weight-loss related achievements. Her key to success was Weight Watchers Online, a subscription based plan followed completely on the internet, which provides interactive tools to help people through the process of losing weight.

“Anyone who’s ever tried to lose weight knows that difficult moments can happen at any time of the day or night,” says Josefsberg. “Tory’s subscription to an online resource made it easy for her to stay on course and maintain important lifestyle changes.”

WeightWatchers.com and Tory offer the following five tips that will help you stay motivated and make healthy choices every day:

1. Don’t let yourself get too hungry before eating because then you’re more likely to overeat when you reach for food. Plan ahead for smart snacks, like a celery stalk with a dab of peanut butter or a cup of lowfat yogurt, and have them handy when hunger strikes. “Eating lots of little meals helps me keep from getting ravenous and out of control,” Tory says.

2. A business trip or vacation doesn’t mean a vacation from your healthy lifestyle. Tory fights off travel temptations by arriving at her destination and immediately stopping at a grocery store to stock up on healthy foods. Having a supply of good food on hand will help you avoid fast food pitfalls.

3. Start the day with a good breakfast. Avoid starchy, sugary high-calorie breakfast foods like muffins or doughnuts. Instead, opt for healthy, filling and fiber-filled choices, like healthy breakfast cereal with yogurt and fruit.

4. Find a weight loss plan that works for you; the Internet is a great resource for this. Weight Watchers Online is built on the proven approach to weight loss developed by the experts at Weight Watchers. This convenient plan, with separate customized sites for men and women, makes it easy to stay connected anywhere, anytime.

5. Vary your exercise routine so you don’t get bored. Above all, don’t be too hard on yourself. Unrealistic expectations can cause you to become discouraged and give up too quickly. Fit exercise into your schedule by walking at lunch, waking up 30 minutes earlier or joining a 24-hour gym; but commit to some form of exercise every day.

For more tips and information about a weight loss plan that could be right for you, visit www.WeightWatchers.com.