Overview
Diabetes is a chronic health condition that affects how the body turns food into energy. In people with diabetes, the body either doesn't make enough insulin or can't use insulin as well as it should. Insulin is a hormone that helps the body get glucose from food into cells for energy. Without enough insulin or cells not being able to use insulin, too much blood sugar stays in the blood. Over time, that can cause serious health problems, like heart disease, vision loss, and kidney disease.
There are two main types of diabetes: type 1 and type 2.
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- Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease. This means that the body's immune system attacks and destroys cells in the pancreas, where insulin is made. Type 1 diabetes is usually diagnosed in children and young adults, but it can develop at any age.
- Type 2 diabetes is the most common type of diabetes. It develops when the body becomes resistant to insulin and sugar builds up in the blood. Type 2 diabetes is often preventable with lifestyle changes, such as losing weight, eating healthy food, and being active. However, it can also develop in people who are at a healthy weight and have a family history of diabetes.
Causes
Here are some of the factors that can increase your risk of developing diabetes:
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- Age: Your risk of developing type 2 diabetes increases as you get older.
- Family history: If you have a family history of diabetes, you are more likely to develop the condition.
- Weight: Being overweight or obese is a major risk factor for type 2 diabetes.
- Physical activity: People who are physically inactive are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes.
- Race/ethnicity: African Americans, Hispanic Americans, and Native Americans are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes than Caucasian Americans.
- Certain medications: Some medications, such as steroids, can increase your risk of developing diabetes.
- Certain medical conditions: Some medical conditions, such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), can increase your risk of developing diabetes.
- Being pregnant: Women who have gestational diabetes (diabetes that develops during pregnancy) are at increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life.
- Having a history of heart disease or stroke: People with heart disease or stroke are at increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
- Having high blood pressure: People with high blood pressure are at increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
- Having high cholesterol: People with high cholesterol are at increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
If you have any of the risk factors for diabetes, it is important to talk to your doctor about getting tested. Early diagnosis and treatment can help prevent serious health problems.
Treatments
There is no cure for diabetes, but it can be managed with proper treatment. The type of treatment needed depends on the type of diabetes an individual has.
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease, so there is no way to prevent it. However, there are ways to manage it. People with type 1 diabetes need to take insulin injections every day. They also need to monitor their blood sugar levels regularly and make sure to eat a healthy diet and exercise regularly.
Type 2 diabetes can often be prevented by making lifestyle changes, such as losing weight, eating a healthy diet, and exercising regularly. However, if you already have type 2 diabetes, lifestyle changes may not be enough to control your blood sugar levels. In this case, you may need to take medication or insulin injections.
Gestational diabetes develops during pregnancy. It usually goes away after the baby is born, but it can increase your risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life. If you have gestational diabetes, your doctor will likely recommend that you make lifestyle changes, such as losing weight, eating a healthy diet, and exercising regularly. In some cases, you may also need to take medication.
No matter what the type of diabetes is, it is important to work with a doctor to create an individualized treatment plan. Here are some of the things to help manage diabetes:
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- Eat a healthy diet: This means eating plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. It also means limiting processed foods, sugary drinks, and unhealthy fats.
- Get regular exercise: Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise most days of the week.
- Maintain a healthy weight: If overweight or obese, losing even a small amount of weight can help reduce the risk of developing diabetes complications.
- Monitor your blood sugar levels: This will help to keep blood sugar levels in a healthy range.
- Take medication as prescribed: If taking medication, it is important to take it as prescribed by the doctor.
- See doctor regularly: This will allow the doctor to monitor progress and make sure that the treatment plan is working.
Shoe Accommodations
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- Light Weight Outsole: All day comfort, increased durability.
- Padded Collar: Prevent possible irritation where the material meets the ankle.
- Padded Tongue: Prevents foot slippage and ensures proper fit.
- Lining: We've designed all of our diabetic shoes with the absolute minimum number of seams. By avoiding excess seams, it lower the risk of possible irritation and complication.
- No Metal: Metal can often irritate and damage the skin, and in rare cases, sewing needles and staples may accidentally be left in shoes and, in turn, cause serious damage. Recognizing this potential hazard, we've circumvented any such exposure by eliminating absolutely all metal components from our shoes. In addition, every pair of shoes is run through a metal detector prior to shipping.
- Antimicrobial Treatment: In order to ensure our shoes are 100% hygienic, we spray the inside of every pair with our proprietary, Anti-microbial Protectant before shipping. This 100% natural, anti-fungal and anti-microbial process naturally reduces 99.9% of germ, virus, and bacteria exposure.
- Extra Depth: Accommodates for swelling, and placement of orthotic/insert (5/16 in extra depth)
- Protective Toe Box: Protects toes
- Shank: Adds extra support to arch area of shoe
- Heel Counter: Provides maximum foot support by cradling the heel to reduce over-pronation and prevent heel slippage
If you are unsure about whether or not your symptoms require medical attention, please consult your foot doctor.