Individuals who have diabetes simply can’t rush to the airport and catch the next flight out. Travel for diabetics requires advanced preparations. Traveling inside North America or Europe is fine, but anywhere else and one can run into problems.
In many countries outside of North America, health care facilities are not well established. Besides the language barrier, one may not even be able to find the right supplies.
Prior to any trip, even if it is in North America, prepare well ahead of time. Go and see your health care provider to ensure that there are no immediate problems with your diabetes. If you are a diabetic and have an immediate problem like elevated sugars, ketones in the urine, fever or vomiting, the best advice is to cancel your trip.
All diabetics should carry a letter from the physician which explains the disease, your overall health and what medications you are presently taking. In addition, one should always get a prescription for additional medical supplies for the trip. You never know with travel these days. Reports of lost luggage are a daily occurrence..
Besides medications, all diabetics should also carry extra supplies of syringes, lancets, glucose meter and other accessories. Take enough to last for the duration of the trip. Never think that you will buy extra supplies at your destination. If you are carrying syringes with you, do declare them with customs prior to your trip otherwise you will have unnecessary delays trying to explain your situation when you come back.
Showing posts with label Diabetic shoes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Diabetic shoes. Show all posts
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Diabetic Shoes- Everything you wanted to know- Part 4
The following requirements must be met to ensure Medicare payment.
You must have a certificate of medical necessity for the diabetic shoes and this must be documented in the medical records. Do not order any shoe on the presumption that your physician will write you a letter. And never ever be pressured by sales person or the health care professional.
Anytime you get pressure from a sales person, simply walk away- they are just it in for the money.
The shoes and insoles must be prescribed by a podiatrist or a physician and provided by a podiatrist, orthotist, prosthetist, or pedorthist.
If you have coverage through a medical insurance carrier, call and ask what steps you need to follow to get the maximum coverage.
What if you have no medical insurance?
Many individuals have no medical coverage and need diabetic shoes but can’t afford them. In such a case, get a good pair of sandals, take care of your feet, maintain your blood glucose at appropriate levels, wear a decent pair of socks and take great care when trimming your nails. And do not smoke or if you do- quit.
Buyer Beware
Finally, remember the shoe industry including many health care professionals will recommend you buy these expensive shoes for trivial reasons. Because the shoes are quite expensive, always get a second opinion.
You must have a certificate of medical necessity for the diabetic shoes and this must be documented in the medical records. Do not order any shoe on the presumption that your physician will write you a letter. And never ever be pressured by sales person or the health care professional.
Anytime you get pressure from a sales person, simply walk away- they are just it in for the money.
The shoes and insoles must be prescribed by a podiatrist or a physician and provided by a podiatrist, orthotist, prosthetist, or pedorthist.
If you have coverage through a medical insurance carrier, call and ask what steps you need to follow to get the maximum coverage.
What if you have no medical insurance?
Many individuals have no medical coverage and need diabetic shoes but can’t afford them. In such a case, get a good pair of sandals, take care of your feet, maintain your blood glucose at appropriate levels, wear a decent pair of socks and take great care when trimming your nails. And do not smoke or if you do- quit.
Buyer Beware
Finally, remember the shoe industry including many health care professionals will recommend you buy these expensive shoes for trivial reasons. Because the shoes are quite expensive, always get a second opinion.
Diabetic shoes-Everything you wanted to know- Part 2
Need a prescription
Once a prescription for a shoe has been obtained, one can visit a shoe store which specializes in orthotic wear. One should never buy diabetic shoes online because these shoes need to be worn to assess their comfort ability, fit and safety.
Go online and surf
Never buy the first pair of shoes recommended. Look around, go online and browse over the internet. Check the shoes to ensure it has adequate ventilation and spacious. Try the shoes to make sure the balance is okay when you walk.
The internet is inundated with sites selling diabetic shoes and accessories. While the majority sell decent shoes, many simply want to sell you these expensive shoes when you do not even need them.
Diabetic shoes today come in all styles and fashion; besides being therapeutic they can also be worn as casual wear.
Once a prescription for a shoe has been obtained, one can visit a shoe store which specializes in orthotic wear. One should never buy diabetic shoes online because these shoes need to be worn to assess their comfort ability, fit and safety.
Go online and surf
Never buy the first pair of shoes recommended. Look around, go online and browse over the internet. Check the shoes to ensure it has adequate ventilation and spacious. Try the shoes to make sure the balance is okay when you walk.
The internet is inundated with sites selling diabetic shoes and accessories. While the majority sell decent shoes, many simply want to sell you these expensive shoes when you do not even need them.
Diabetic shoes today come in all styles and fashion; besides being therapeutic they can also be worn as casual wear.
Diabetic Shoes- Everything you wanted to know- Part 1
The problem
Diabetes is a chronic disorder and can present with serious complications. One of the most dreadful complications of diabetes is foot infections. If the foot infection gets out of control, an amputation is often the end result. The problem with diabetes is that even if the blood glucose levels are well monitored, many patients develop a neuropathy. The diabetic neuropathy seriously limits the ability to sense all types of trauma and is a leading cause of foot damage and infections. The neuropathy leads to the development of pressure sores and ulcers on the heels and soles of the feet.
Prevention
One of the best ways to prevent foot trauma and avoid infections is to get a proper pair of diabetic shoes. Unlike the past, the diabetic shoes available today are light weight, comfortable and offer solid protection to the foot.
Before buying
Before one buys diabetic shoes, one should get a physical exam by a health care professional to assess the feet and blood circulation. The type of shoe will depend on the degree of foot deformity, presence of an ulcer or any prior toe amputation. The shoes are always custom designed to offer the maximum protection and safety. The majority of diabetic shoes are spacious and are designed in a way so as to avoid pressure on the heels or the soles.
Need a prescription
Once a prescription for a shoe has been obtained, one can visit a shoe store which specializes in orthotic wear. One should never buy diabetic shoes online because these shoes need to be worn to assess their comfort ability, fit and safety.
Diabetes is a chronic disorder and can present with serious complications. One of the most dreadful complications of diabetes is foot infections. If the foot infection gets out of control, an amputation is often the end result. The problem with diabetes is that even if the blood glucose levels are well monitored, many patients develop a neuropathy. The diabetic neuropathy seriously limits the ability to sense all types of trauma and is a leading cause of foot damage and infections. The neuropathy leads to the development of pressure sores and ulcers on the heels and soles of the feet.
Prevention
One of the best ways to prevent foot trauma and avoid infections is to get a proper pair of diabetic shoes. Unlike the past, the diabetic shoes available today are light weight, comfortable and offer solid protection to the foot.
Before buying
Before one buys diabetic shoes, one should get a physical exam by a health care professional to assess the feet and blood circulation. The type of shoe will depend on the degree of foot deformity, presence of an ulcer or any prior toe amputation. The shoes are always custom designed to offer the maximum protection and safety. The majority of diabetic shoes are spacious and are designed in a way so as to avoid pressure on the heels or the soles.
Need a prescription
Once a prescription for a shoe has been obtained, one can visit a shoe store which specializes in orthotic wear. One should never buy diabetic shoes online because these shoes need to be worn to assess their comfort ability, fit and safety.
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