Regular exercise, including walking and running, can benefit people who have diabetes. If you have been diagnosed with the disease, it is important to work with your healthcare provider or team for an exercise routine. The type of diabetes you have, your medications, glucose levels and other factors also will be considered.

Types of Diabetes

The main types of diabetes include Type 1, Type 2 and gestational diabetes, which occurs in pregnancy. Type 2 diabetes is diagnosed when the body does not produce enough insulin or use it properly, known as insulin resistance. The pancreas produces insulin, a hormone that controls blood sugars and regulates carbohydrate, lipid (fat) and protein metabolism. People with Type 2 diabetes usually have a strong family history of it and are overweight. Type 1 diabetes is often diagnosed in children and young adults. Their bodies no longer produce insulin, and they require lifelong insulin injections as treatment.

Diet and Exercise

In addition to eating a balanced diet for managing diabetes, walking every day for 30 minutes to an hour can improve blood glucose control, cardiovascular fitness and weight control. Exercise helps prevent sugar from building up in the bloodstream. Because people with diabetes are at increased risk for heart disease, regular walking can reduce this health risk and burn calories to maintain a healthy weight. Running is also a great way to control diabetes if your doctor and diabetes team approve. Consult your healthcare provider about what you should carry with you whether walking or running.

Diabetic Footwear

It is also important to wear the right socks and shoes to protect your feet and prevent blisters or sores. Failure to wear the right footwear can cause serious problems such as foot ulcers and deformities, infections, nerve damage and poor circulation, and can lead to amputation. Carmichael’s Retail Stores carry a selection of diabetic socks and comfortable Orthofeet orthotic sneakers and athletic shoes.

Orthotic shoes are made with protective inserts and soft shoe materials to accommodate conditions caused by diabetes. Some therapeutic shoes require a prescription and have to be custom made. It is also encouraged that these shoes be worn regularly. Carmichael’s has a Certified Therapeutic Shoe Fitter on staff to help customers with selecting walking shoes appropriate for their individual needs. Once proper footwear is purchased, you should continue to check your feet daily for any changes, follow safety measures and get periodic foot exams.

If you have Medicare Part B medical insurance, it will cover the furnishing and fitting of either one pair of custom-molded shoes and inserts or one pair of extra-depth shoes each calendar year. Medicare also covers two pairs of inserts each calendar year for custom-molded shoes, three pairs of inserts each calendar year for extra-depth shoes as well as shoe modifications instead of inserts. It is important to note that Medicare will only cover therapeutic shoes if your doctor and supplier are enrolled in Medicare. Contact one of our specialists at any Carmichael’s location to find out more about your coverage.