When most of us hear the word "diabetes," the first word that pops into our minds is blood sugar but the long-term illness can sneakily damage things behind our backs, particularly in places we hardly pay attention to—such as our feet. One such overlooked complication is Charcot foot, a rare-seen yet serious diabetes side effect.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 29 million Americans now have diabetes and 86 million have prediabetes. In 2012, complications from diabetes cost the nation $245 billion in healthcare expenses and lost productivity.

A recent study in Clinical Diabetes and Endocrinology has uncovered a startling knowledge deficit: a majority of general doctors and non-podium specialists do not know about this life-threatening condition. That degree of ignorance is worrisome, given that when left untreated, Charcot foot has the potential to result in permanent deformity, amputation, or life-threatening infection.

Charcot foot is a potentially severe, though uncommon, complication of diabetic neuropathy, an ongoing high blood glucose level condition that injures nerves—usually in the feet. These damaged nerves cause pain not to be felt, so an otherwise small injury or infection can be ignored and left untreated. Eventually, that undetected injury will launch a chain reaction of bone and joint deterioration, resulting in swelling, structural abnormalities, and in very bad instances, even permanent disability or amputation.

The connection is all in the nerves. With diabetic neuropathy blunting the body's sense of pain, individuals don't even know they've hurt their foot. They just keep going, keep utilizing the damaged limb, and unwittingly continue to traumatize it. The end result? The bones get weaker, joints get knocked out of place, and the foot structure caves in—often called the "rocker-bottom foot."

In advanced stages, Charcot foot, if left untreated, can result in chronic ulcers, infections that penetrate the bone, and ultimately, amputation. Scarier still? Most physicians acknowledge that they aren't aware of the initial signs, allowing the condition to go undiagnosed and treated.

What Is Charcot Foot?

Charcot foot (also Charcot arthropathy) is a serious diabetic complication that results when damage to nerves—diabetic neuropathy—removes sensation in the feet. When there is no pain to warn of injury, a minor break or infection can escalate into a disastrous erosion of joint and bone framework in the foot or ankle. In extreme situations, it results in a total collapse of the arch of the foot, leading to severe deformity.

The American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society reports that the injuries can be painless, but the damage can be limb- or life-threatening if not treated quickly.

How Diabetes Sets the Stage for Charcot Foot?

Diabetic neuropathy causes peripheral nerve damage and typically affects the legs and feet. With time, the damage to nerves results in loss of sensation and makes it difficult—or even impossible—to feel pain, pressure, or heat.

Now let's say you've broken a bone in your foot but you never experience the pain. You just keep walking. Gradually with each step, the damage increases, causing joint malalignment, bone resorption, and distorted foot architecture. That's basically how Charcot foot starts and develops—quietly, insidiously, and frequently undiagnosed.

Why Most Doctors Miss Charcot Foot?

In the survey of 400 non-foot-specialist clinicians, more than two-thirds of them confessed to knowing "little to nothing" about Charcot arthropathy. General diabetic foot care is taught commonly, but specific complications such as Charcot foot are not yet included in general medical knowledge for many specialties.

This implies patients may remain undiagnosed until the condition is well advanced. Authors of the study emphasize the importance of greater awareness and renewed training, particularly given diabetes diagnoses continue to increase worldwide.

Charcot Foot Symptoms to Watch For

While Charcot foot is uncommon, it does have early warning signs. The problem is spotting them before the damage is permanent. Symptoms are:

• Redness or skin color change
• Swelling, with little or no pain
• A feeling of warmth in the foot (especially if one foot feels noticeably warmer than the other)
• Changes in foot shape or structure
• Instability when walking

Remember: even if it doesn’t hurt, it doesn’t mean it’s not serious.

How Charcot Foot Is More Than A Health Complication?

Charcot foot itself is a complication of diabetes, but it can lead to an alarming range of further health issues:

Permanent deformity: The foot can change shape permanently, leading to mobility problems and inability to find shoes.

Ulcers and infections: Changes in the structure of the feet increase the risk of non-healing wounds that develop into severe infections.

Amputation: In severe cases, part or all of the foot must be amputated.

Systemic infection: If infection spreads to beyond the foot, it becomes life-threatening.

These complications highlight the importance of early detection, appropriate footwear, and proactive diabetes management.

Is Charcot Foot Preventable?

If you’ve been diagnosed with diabetes or prediabetes, regular foot checks should become part of your daily routine. Early detection is your best line of defense.

If Charcot foot is treated early, walking and mobility can be maintained—albeit with rest, elevation, and not putting pressure on the foot. Swimming or cycling are good substitutes for walking or running. For advanced stages, medical treatment may involve custom orthotic devices, immobilization, or even surgery. Coordination with a podiatrist or diabetes care team is critical in order to avoid permanent damage.

Although we always discuss high blood sugar, the complications downstream thereof—including those that influence your nerves, kidneys, eyes, skin, and yes, your feet—receive no less notice.

It's time to think beyond blood sugar levels. Charcot foot is a good example of how diabetes can quietly ruin your body in ways that will never be reversible if it isn't detected on time. The best part? With heightened awareness, early detection, and ongoing care, many of the worst consequences can be prevented.

If you or a loved one lives with diabetes, don’t overlook the feet. What seems like a little swelling could be a big red flag. Speak to your healthcare provider, schedule regular foot screenings, and remember: feeling nothing doesn't mean there's nothing wrong.

Health officials are urging people to seek immediate medical help if they notice three particular symptoms appearing alongside Covid, as these could signal a more serious infection.

According to the latest data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), Covid cases have dipped slightly but remain present at “low levels” across the country. Hospital admissions have also fallen modestly, with weekly test positivity dropping to 10.3 percent from 11.9 percent the week before.

Despite the decline, people aged 85 and older continue to face the greatest risk of being hospitalised with the virus. Experts stress that identifying certain warning symptoms early can be key to preventing complications and ensuring timely treatment.

3 Covid Symptoms That Are Major Warning

People are being urged to seek urgent medical advice if they or their child develop three specific symptoms while infected with Covid, as it may point to a more serious illness.

Health experts recommend contacting a GP or calling for medical assistance if symptoms such as a rash, loss of appetite, or unusual weakness appear. Immediate help is also advised if a high temperature of 38°C or above lasts for five days or fails to reduce with paracetamol.

Medical attention is further encouraged if symptoms worsen, show no improvement, or if you are unsure how to manage them. For infants, extra caution is necessary as any baby under three months old with a temperature of 38°C or higher, or a child aged three to six months with a temperature above 39°C, should be assessed by a healthcare professional.

Covid Booster Shots: Who Can Get Them This Autumn

The eligibility rules for Covid booster vaccines have been updated for the current autumn rollout. While earlier boosters were offered to people aged 65 and above and those with certain long-term conditions, this year’s criteria have been made more specific.

Those eligible for the latest booster include:

• Adults aged 75 and over, including anyone who will turn 75 by January 31, 2026
• Individuals aged six months to 74 years with a weakened immune system due to illness or medical treatment
• Residents of care homes for older adults
• Health officials continue to encourage eligible groups to stay up to date with vaccinations, especially heading into the winter season, when respiratory infections tend to rise.

COVID-19 Variant Stratus: What You Should Know

A new COVID-19 strain known as Stratus, officially labeled XFG, has begun to circulate globally. First identified in Southeast Asia in January 2025, the variant quickly spread across 38 countries by mid-year. The World Health Organization (WHO) has classified Stratus as a “variant under monitoring,” meaning it is being closely studied to understand its transmission rate, symptom pattern, and potential health impact.

Frankenstein Variant: Common Symptoms of Stratus

For most people, especially those who are vaccinated or boosted, Stratus infections appear to be mild to moderate. Still, recognising its symptoms early remains important.

The most common signs include:

• Persistent dry cough
• Tiredness or fatigue
• Fever
• Other possible symptoms:
• Shortness of breath or chest tightness
• Sore or scratchy throat
• Headache and body aches
• Upset stomach, nausea, or loss of appetite
• Loss of taste or smell (now less frequent)
• Brain fog or difficulty concentrating

Atorvastatin Recall 2025: Statins have long been the first-line treatment for high cholesterol, but the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has confirmed a nationwide recall of over 140,000 bottles of a cholesterol-lowering medication. Officials flagged that some pills may not dissolve properly after ingestion, potentially reducing effectiveness for patients who rely on them daily.

The recall affects Atorvastatin Calcium, the generic version of Lipitor, which is taken by roughly 39 million Americans, most of them adults over 40, according to Dr. Tamanna Singh of the Cleveland Clinic. Federal records show that the recalled batches were manufactured by Alkem Laboratories and distributed by Ascend Laboratories in New Jersey. The FDA’s September 19 enforcement report found that several batches failed quality tests designed to ensure proper dissolution of the pills.

If the pills dissolve inconsistently or more slowly than intended, the medication may not deliver the expected cholesterol-lowering effect. The FDA classified the recall as a Class II action, indicating moderate concern. While temporary or reversible side effects could occur, the likelihood of serious harm is low.

Atorvastatin Recall: Which Atorvastatin Tablets Are Affected

The recall covers multiple strengths and bottle sizes of Atorvastatin Calcium Tablets, which are among the most commonly prescribed statins globally. Affected formulations include:

• 10 mg – 90, 500, and 1,000 tablets per bottle
• 20 mg – 90, 500, and 1,000 tablets per bottle
• 40 mg – 90, 500, and 1,000 tablets per bottle
• 80 mg – 90 and 500 tablets per bottle

Cholesterol Medication Recalled: Safe Alternatives to Atorvastatin

If you are affected by the recall, there are several alternatives to help manage cholesterol levels effectively:

1. Ezetimibe (Zetia)

Ezetimibe is often recommended when a statin alone doesn’t sufficiently lower cholesterol. It may be used if you are on the maximum statin dose but your cholesterol remains high, or alongside statins such as atorvastatin or simvastatin for conditions like homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia.

Ezetimibe works by blocking cholesterol absorption in the small intestine, causing the body to use up more cholesterol from the blood. It is one of the few non-statin medications that can further reduce LDL cholesterol, either alone or combined with statins or other alternatives.

2. Fibrates (e.g., gemfibrozil, fenofibrate)

Fibrates mainly target high triglyceride levels, a type of fat in the blood linked to heart disease and pancreatitis, and can also mildly lower LDL cholesterol. They can be taken alone, with ezetimibe, or with a statin. However, combining gemfibrozil with a statin may increase side effects, so caution is advised.

3. Bile Acid Sequestrants (e.g., cholestyramine, colestipol, colesevelam)

Bile acid sequestrants lower cholesterol by binding bile acids in the intestine, preventing their reabsorption. The liver then uses more cholesterol from the blood to produce new bile acids, reducing LDL cholesterol.

Potential drawbacks include:

• Multiple pills per day may be needed
• Possible interactions with other medications or vitamins, which can reduce effectiveness
• May increase triglyceride levels
• Can cause constipation or stomach upset

Imagine sitting down to a juicy, perfectly cooked steak on a warm evening, and hours later you’re hit with terrible stomach cramps, itchy hives, and swelling so bad you might need to rush to the ER. The weird part? It’s not food poisoning, and the steak wasn’t bad. What’s actually happening is your own immune system is reacting, because of a tiny tick bite you got weeks or even months ago, one you probably don’t even remember.

What Is Alpha Gal Syndrome?

Alpha-gal syndrome is a food allergy that can develop after a tick bite, leading to allergic reactions to red meat and products made from it. While several types of ticks can trigger it, the lone star tick is the most common culprit. Not everyone who gets bitten will develop the allergy, but repeated bites can increase the risk or worsen symptoms, as per Cleveland Clinic.

What Can Trigger an Alpha-gal Reaction?

You may have an allergic reaction to:

• Meat from mammals, such as beef, pork, or lamb
• Foods or products made with animal fat
• Certain medications
• Cow’s milk and dairy products

Alpha-gal is a sugar molecule found in most mammals (except humans) and in tick saliva. Not everyone who is bitten by a tick develops alpha-gal syndrome, and you might not react to every food or product that contains it.

Symptoms of Alpha-gal Syndrome

Alpha-gal syndrome can cause reactions ranging from mild to life-threatening. Common symptoms include:

• Skin changes, like itching, hives, or flushing
• Swelling of lips, eyelids, throat, tongue, or face (angioedema)
• Respiratory issues, such as cough, shortness of breath, or wheezing
• Digestive problems, including stomach pain, diarrhea, heartburn, nausea, or vomiting
• Dizziness or fainting
• Joint pain

Timing of Symptoms

Unlike most food allergies, reactions to alpha-gal can occur two to six hours after eating meat or dairy. Medications containing alpha-gal may trigger a faster reaction.

Causes of Alpha-gal Syndrome

Alpha-gal syndrome develops after a tick bite, most commonly from the lone star tick, though bites from black-legged (deer) ticks and other species can also cause it. Ticks carry alpha-gal molecules in their saliva, and exposure during a bite can make your immune system recognize alpha-gal as a threat, triggering an allergy.

Experts aren’t certain why some people develop the allergy while others do not. Repeated tick bites can worsen symptoms or make reactions more frequent.

What Is Lone Star Tick?

The lone star tick is a tiny bug, sometimes as small as a poppy seed. Adult female lone star ticks are easy to identify by the white dot on their backs, the “lone star.” They are commonly found in and around wooded areas across the Midwestern and Eastern United States.

Having alpha-gal syndrome is not just about giving up burgers or steaks. Like other food allergies, it can affect a range of products you may need to avoid. While caution is important, most people with AGS won’t react to every item that contains alpha-gal, and for some, symptoms may improve within a few years. Your healthcare provider can guide you on which foods to steer clear of and what to expect in your individual case.