BEXAR COUNTY, Texas — Diabetes is one of the most common diseases across San Antonio, and data from the Texas Department of State Health Services shows that amputations because of complications are higher in Bexar County than the rest of the state.
"In Bexar County, in particular, it is very very prevalent," said Dr. Michael Sobolevsky, a podiatrist with University Health. "And I feel like it’s gotten even more prevalent as time has gone on.”
"Men are less likely to seek medical attention – there’s a little machismo," Dr. Sobolevsky said. "Men can be stubborn. A lot of our men are blue collar workers, they can’t take time off work."
Tomas Espinoza was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes when he was 12 years old, and it runs in his family.
"My mother was diagnosed when she was pregnant with my older brother. My father had Type 2 Diabetes,” Espinoza said.
Espinoza was 31 years old when Dr. Sobolevsky had to surgically amputate all of the toes on Espinoza's left foot.
"I ended up getting a cut on my foot, from wearing a pair of shoes, then I ended up getting a sore of my toe, and it led to infection," Espinoza said. "It was in November of 2017 is when it all started happening, and then by that December is when they started amputating all of the toes.”
Dr. Sobolevsky explains amputations, even Espinoza's, are preventable.
"The resources are there, especially in this city," Dr. Sobolevsky said. "But patients need to be proactive, not reactive but proactive in terms of their own health and their own well being."
Espinoza admits he wasn't taking care of his diabetes then.
"That was because of myself, because I really wasn’t taking care of myself," he said. "Diabetes doesn’t care how old you are, you know the effects it has on your body in the long run is what you really need to focus on. I do miss my toes though. I mean I miss wearing flip flops, we do live in Texas so..."
For more information about diabetes care and education through University Health, click HERE.
For a list of resources from the San Antonio Public Library, click HERE.