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LIVING WITH DIABETES
Diabetes is a disease in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin, a hormone that is needed to convert sugar,starches,and other food into energy needed for daily life. There is no cure for diabetes, and its cause continues to be a mystery, although both genetics and environmental factors such as obesity and lack of exercise appear to play roles.
Approximately 19 million people in the United States have diabetes. It is estimated that another 16 million are either at a high risk or currently undiagnosed with diabetes. The total economic cost of diabetes is $132 billion or 1out of every 10 health care dollars spent in the United States.
About 60-70% of people with diabetes have mild to severe forms of nervous system damage, which can lead to impaired or diminished sensations in the extremities, most often the feet. As a result many diabetics are at risk for foot problems including blisters, calluses,ulcers,infection,deformity, and amputation. Foot disease is the most common complication of diabetes leading to hospitalization, and diabetes is the nations leading cause of non-tramatic lower limb amputations, with about 82,000 or 60% of such amputations occuring each year.
The good news is that studies have shown that comprehensive foot care programs can prevent foot related complications and can reduce amputation rates by as much as 85%.
Understanding Therapy Shoe Bill
With the passage of the Therapeutic Shoe Bill in 1995, Medicare now offers coverage for custom-molded shoes, depth shoes, inserts and shoe modifications for individuals who meet specific requirements. To obtain coverage patients must have physician certification that they meet the requirements, receive a written footwear prescription from a podiatrist or other qualified physician, obtain the footwear from a qualified provider or supplier and file the appropriate claim forms.
Many of Footbeds shoes have received Medicare coding. Many of the new and future shoes will be submitted for coding so that we can constantly meet the needs of our dealers and customers.
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- A Simple regimen of daily care for a person with diatetes can go a long way toward lessening or elminating foot problems. The three areas that make up the basic essentials of footcare are:
- washing
- inspection
- shoe protection
These three areas are pretty much under your control. So what you do everyday is very important to the life and health success that you and your feet can enjoy
- Improving the blood supply to the foot can often help to keep it health. One way is by walking, which exercises the legs without causing physical stress to the feet. If the weather is bad, walk around the house or go Mall walking.
- Wash your feet thoroughly and carefully every day using mild soap and medium temperature water. Dry carefully, especially between your toes. Be careful of water temperature - if you have any loss of sensation in your hands, use your elbow or a thermometer to test water temperature. Also, keep you toenails trimmed, but remember to cut them straight across to avoid ingrown toenails.
- Check your feet carefully every day for blisters, cuts, scratches, or discoloration. Be sure to check the top and bottom of your feet, as well as the heels and between your toes. Use a hand mirror or magnifying glass if necessary, or ask a family member or friend to help you if you have poor eyesight or if you cannot bend close enough to your feet for careful inspection.
- Good footwear is essential to good foot health. Be sure to change your sock and stockings everyday - fitted, seamless socks are recommended. Get advice from a medical professional concerning what type of shoes are best for your feet and have them fitted by a professional. Also, be sure to inspect the inside of your shoes for any foreign objects before putting them on.
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Just as important as the things you must DO everyday, are the following things that you should not do:
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Do not smoke or drink alcohol
- Do not go barefoot, especially on hot surfaces such as beach or cement around the swimming pools.
- Do not wear shoes without socks or stockings.
- Do not war sandles with thongs between the toes.
- Do not sit with your legs crossed or sleep with your ankles crossed.
- Do not use adhesive tape on your feet.
- Do not apply heat to your feet, such as hot water bottles or heating pads.
- Do not try to remove corns or calluses on your own, See a foot care specialist.
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