Diabetes is a serious disease that can develop from the lack of insulin production in the body or due to the inability of the body’s insulin to perform its normal everyday functions. Insulin is a substance produced from the pancreas gland that helps process the food we eat and turn it into energy.

Technically, this disease is known as "diabetes mellitus"- diabetes from the Greek for siphon, to describe the excessive thirst and urination characteristic of this condition, and mellitus from the Latin for honey. People with diabetes have either Type I & Type 2. Type I is usually associated with juvenile diabetes and is often linked through heredity. Type 2, commonly referred to as adult onset diabetes, is characterized by elevated blood sugars, often by people who are overweight or have not attended to their diet properly.

Nearly 16 million people in the United States-nearly 1 in 17 people have diabetes. About 2,200 new cases are diagnosed each day.

Neuropathy is a loss of sensation due to nerve damage caused by prolonged high blood sugar, often occuring in the feet. Diabetics suffering from neuropathy can develop minor cuts, scrapes, blisters, or pressure sores that they may not be aware of due to the insensitivity. If these minor injuries are left untreated, complications may result and lead to ulceration and possibly even amputation. Neuropathy can also cause deformities such as Bunions, Hammer Toes and Charcot Feet.

Of the sixteen million Americans with diabetes, 25% will develop foot problems related to the disease. Diabetic foot conditions develop from a combination of causes including poor circulation and neuropathy.