If the eyes are the windows to the soul, then the feet are the mirrors of health, podiatrists say.

According to the American Podiatric Medical Association, 13 million people suffer from diabetes and another 5.2 million are undiagnosed. Yet, most people forget to ask their physicians to examine their feet - a small thing that can go a long way in catching the early signs of diabetes and other diseases.

The following tips provided by the APMA will help you recognize symptoms of diabetes and offer suggestions for what you should discuss with your doctor on your next visit.

* Pay attention to how your feet feel. Foot pain is not normal and is frequently a sign of a more serious issue. In addition, if your feet often feel cold, this could be a sign of circulation problems - a red flag for those who may have diabetes.

* Know the warning signs. Diabetes manifests itself in many ways, including, muscle weakness in the legs, pain in the feet, loss of feeling and numbness in the hands and feet.

* Consider correcting bone deformities. If you're one of the millions of people suffering from diabetes (and even if you're not), you may want to ask your podiatrist about correcting bunions or hammertoes. These conditions are usually progressive and may lead to severe infections and even amputation. More than 60 percent of nontraumatic lower-limb amputations in the U.S. occur among people with diabetes.

* Ask your doctor to "Knock Your Socks Off." Since your feet carry you thousands of steps a week, it makes sense to have them checked as often as you do the rest of your body. Have your primary care physician or a podiatrist check your feet for early warning signs of diabetes.

The APMA has launched a national campaign to raise awareness about the importance of having your feet checked regularly. For more information about APMA's "Knock Your Socks Off" campaign, log on to www.apma.org.

With foot disease being the most common complication of diabetes leading to hospitalization, the American Podiatric Medical Association suggests looking for these diabetes warning signs in the feet:

* Redness

* Numbness

* Swelling

* Cold to the touch

* Inflammation

-NU