3 Ways Foot Orthotics Can Benefit Individuals With Diabetes

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If you suffer from diabetes, you probably have a number of medical concerns when it comes to proper care and treatment. If you'd like to lessen the number of things you have to worry about on a regular basis, consider purchasing foot orthotics. Below are three ways orthotics can help patients with diabetes and how you can benefit.

Reduces the Occurrence of Pressure Sores

Pressure sores are a common but serious problem among individuals with diabetes. Orthotics reduce the occurrence of pressure sores, resulting in better long term outcomes.

Individuals with diabetes are at a higher risk for pressure sores for two reasons: nerve damage and decreased circulation. This combination is enough to cause major problems for diabetics. Without proper care, pressure sores can become infected and can lead even lead to amputation. When you use orthotics, you reduce the odds of getting a pressure sore, especially if the orthotics are made especially for your feet.

Added Stability and Less Chance of Injury

Many people consult a podiatrist when their walking gait begins to cause issues such as instability. If you have diabetes, instability can be an even bigger issue than in non-diabetics.

For type-1 diabetics, there is an increased risk for osteoporosis. The exact reason isn't known, but nonetheless, it's an issue that can cause bones to easily break. For diabetics of all types, a fall can be dangerous due to nerve damage. Nerve damage can mean a cut or sore isn't properly cared for, leading to infection, which can be life threatening if not addressed immediately. Orthotics help to stabilize the patient, leading to less falls and therefore, less risk of injury.

Reduces the Impact on Joints

People who suffer from diabetes may deal with related joint inflammation and pain, making it difficult to remain active.

Orthotics reduce the impact on joints by cushioning each step. If the orthotics are custom made, they can even help to target particularly troublesome joints to help prevent further inflammation and pain. The key to joint health is movement, so it's important that you remain as pain free as possible to facilitate that.

Diabetes can impact patients in a number of ways. Nerve pain, poor circulation, increased risk for bone breakage, and joint pain and inflammation can be difficult to manage, but foot orthotics can help tremendously to reduce your risk of permanent injury and can increase quality of life. If you feel orthotics can help you, consult with your doctor or visit a website like http://www.footfirstpodiatrycl.com

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16 June 2015

Help Others Make Health Decisions when They Cannot

One day I was playing a game of basketball with a friend, and the friend I was playing ball with tripped and took a hard fall to the ground. He hit his head hard, but he insisted he was okay and just wanted to go home and take a nap. I knew in my heart that he was not thinking clearly, and I didn't feel right letting him go home. I talked him into letting me take him to the hospital, and after some tests, it was determined he had a bad concussion. The doctors told me that if I had let him go home and sleep, things could have taken a turn for the worse. I created this blog to remind everyone to look out for each other after injuries. Not everyone thinks clearly after a head injury, and just being a good friend could save a life.