Well, the answer to this question deserves some explanation but in general the answer is NO.
Most people ignore their feet. Individuals brush their teeth, comb their hair, take care of their pimples, wash their back side after pooping; but when it comes to their feet most individuals just could not care less. Feet may not be attractive, but if you are a diabetic, feet are a blessing. Hundreds of diabetics develop severe and life-threatening infections from minor skin trauma in the toes or foot and end up getting amputations.
For diabetics, taking care of their feet should be the highest priority. Once an amputation of even the small toe has taken place, your lifestyle is forever altered (most diabetics who end up losing one toe, usually lose more in the future). Diabetics have two major problems. One is that the blood supply gradually decreases due to atherosclerosis. In this scenario, the blood vessels narrow and after 10-20 years of diabetes, there is no blood supply to the foot.
Some diabetics have excellent blood supply to their feet but they develop severe damage to their nerves (neuropathy). These individuals are unable to sense any trauma. In both cases, any breaks in the skin, even an ingrown toenail can develop into a major infection.
Showing posts with label neuropathy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label neuropathy. Show all posts
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Long Term Complications of Diabetes
Both type 1 and type 2 diabetes have profound long term complications if the blood sugar is not well controlled. These complications usually take years to establish but in some cases may occur prematurely if the individual smokes and is non compliant with therapy. The complications are not only irreversible but can be life or limb threatening. The most common long term complications of diabetes include:
Heart disease: The majority of diabetics will develop narrowing of blood vessels in the heart. This will lead to a decrease in blood supply and hence decreased oxygen to the heart. Heart attacks and congestive heart failure are common in diabetes for this reason. Further, the coronary vessels narrow extensively and neither medical treatment nor surgery is an effective solution. Almost 3/4th of diabetics die from heart disease. While there is no sure fool proof method of preventing heart disease in diabetics, it is recommended that the blood sugar be tightly controlled and that the individual take an aspirin on a regular basis.
Neuropathy (nerve damage): With time almost all diabetic develop some degree of nerve damage. All nerves in the body can be affected by diabetes but it is the nerves in the legs that are most affected. The typical signs and symptoms of nerve damage include tingling, numbness, burning or pain that usually begins in the toes and migrates upwards. Often this nerve pain is confused with blood insufficiency. When the nerve damage progresses, one can lose all sensation. When the sensation is lost, the majority of diabetics develop serious infections and trauma to their joints and bone, often leading to amputations. Nerve damage cannot be completely prevented but can be delayed by better sugar control.
Kidney damage (nephropathy): One of the most serious complications of diabetes is kidney damage. Initially, diabetics may filter out the body protein in small amounts. If this is neglected, the kidney damage progresses and leads to complete shutdown. Once the kidney fails, all diabetics end up on dialysis or require a kidney transplant. The prognosis of diabetic patients with renal failure is poor.
Eye damage: diabetes can damage the blood vessels of the inner eye and lead to blindness. Other complications include cataracts, glaucoma and retinal detachment. To prevent these complications, it is essential that all patients regularly see their eye doctor.
Diabetic foot: diabetes causes narrowing of the blood vessels in the legs. Over time this leads to decreased blood supply to the feet. The individual may complain of pain in the thigh or legs when walking. Even minor trauma can lead to a serious infection(s) which can threaten the limb. The combination of narrowed blood vessels and neuropathy often leads to amputation of the limbs/toes in most diabetics.
Oral care: Almost all diabetics develop infections and ulcers in their mouth and gums. This is more likely to occur if the blood sugar levels are not controlled. Proper hygiene and blood glucose control are vital if oral care is to succeed. Poor oral hygiene worsens the prognosis. It is essential that all diabetics regularly see an oral hygienist. It is now believed that diabetes can also lead to premature development of osteoporosis and Alzheimer’s disease.
The only way to prevent the long term complications of diabetes is by better sugar control, maintaining a healthy weight and a eating a proper diet.
For more on diabetic supplies, please visit www.medexsupply.com
Heart disease: The majority of diabetics will develop narrowing of blood vessels in the heart. This will lead to a decrease in blood supply and hence decreased oxygen to the heart. Heart attacks and congestive heart failure are common in diabetes for this reason. Further, the coronary vessels narrow extensively and neither medical treatment nor surgery is an effective solution. Almost 3/4th of diabetics die from heart disease. While there is no sure fool proof method of preventing heart disease in diabetics, it is recommended that the blood sugar be tightly controlled and that the individual take an aspirin on a regular basis.
Neuropathy (nerve damage): With time almost all diabetic develop some degree of nerve damage. All nerves in the body can be affected by diabetes but it is the nerves in the legs that are most affected. The typical signs and symptoms of nerve damage include tingling, numbness, burning or pain that usually begins in the toes and migrates upwards. Often this nerve pain is confused with blood insufficiency. When the nerve damage progresses, one can lose all sensation. When the sensation is lost, the majority of diabetics develop serious infections and trauma to their joints and bone, often leading to amputations. Nerve damage cannot be completely prevented but can be delayed by better sugar control.
Kidney damage (nephropathy): One of the most serious complications of diabetes is kidney damage. Initially, diabetics may filter out the body protein in small amounts. If this is neglected, the kidney damage progresses and leads to complete shutdown. Once the kidney fails, all diabetics end up on dialysis or require a kidney transplant. The prognosis of diabetic patients with renal failure is poor.
Eye damage: diabetes can damage the blood vessels of the inner eye and lead to blindness. Other complications include cataracts, glaucoma and retinal detachment. To prevent these complications, it is essential that all patients regularly see their eye doctor.
Diabetic foot: diabetes causes narrowing of the blood vessels in the legs. Over time this leads to decreased blood supply to the feet. The individual may complain of pain in the thigh or legs when walking. Even minor trauma can lead to a serious infection(s) which can threaten the limb. The combination of narrowed blood vessels and neuropathy often leads to amputation of the limbs/toes in most diabetics.
Oral care: Almost all diabetics develop infections and ulcers in their mouth and gums. This is more likely to occur if the blood sugar levels are not controlled. Proper hygiene and blood glucose control are vital if oral care is to succeed. Poor oral hygiene worsens the prognosis. It is essential that all diabetics regularly see an oral hygienist. It is now believed that diabetes can also lead to premature development of osteoporosis and Alzheimer’s disease.
The only way to prevent the long term complications of diabetes is by better sugar control, maintaining a healthy weight and a eating a proper diet.
For more on diabetic supplies, please visit www.medexsupply.com
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 3
When to wear the diabetic shoes
For the maximum foot protection the shoes must be worn on a daily basis. The shoes must be worn every time one ventures outside the home. At the end of the day, the feet should always be assessed for the sores or ulcers. Diabetic shoes also come with insoles which can be custom designed.
The insoles are made of special material that is less traumatic to the skin and is able to absorb the pressure during walking. The insoles also distribute the body weight evenly to the rest of the shoe. The insoles generally last 4-6 months.
Medicare and coverage
In the last few years, Medicare and many medical insurance carriers do cover the cost of diabetic shoes and insoles. If you do not have any type of medical coverage, the cost of diabetic shoes usually starts around $700 and above.
Medicare will cover the cost of one pair of diabetic shoes and inserts for people with diabetes if you have been shown to have need for them. To make sure you are eligible for Medicare and the other insurance carriers, one needs to have the foot examined by a health care professional and be shown to have a need to protect the feet due to neuropathy.
For the maximum foot protection the shoes must be worn on a daily basis. The shoes must be worn every time one ventures outside the home. At the end of the day, the feet should always be assessed for the sores or ulcers. Diabetic shoes also come with insoles which can be custom designed.
The insoles are made of special material that is less traumatic to the skin and is able to absorb the pressure during walking. The insoles also distribute the body weight evenly to the rest of the shoe. The insoles generally last 4-6 months.
Medicare and coverage
In the last few years, Medicare and many medical insurance carriers do cover the cost of diabetic shoes and insoles. If you do not have any type of medical coverage, the cost of diabetic shoes usually starts around $700 and above.
Medicare will cover the cost of one pair of diabetic shoes and inserts for people with diabetes if you have been shown to have need for them. To make sure you are eligible for Medicare and the other insurance carriers, one needs to have the foot examined by a health care professional and be shown to have a need to protect the feet due to neuropathy.
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.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)