Complications of Diabetes

Diabetes is a dangerous disease. It’s a silent killer, as the symptoms are not visible for many years. However, an awareness of the symptoms can help a long way in giving a new life to the patient…Read full article

Introduction to Diabetes

Taking care of diabetes does make a difference.  Research has shown that managing blood glucose (sugar), blood pressure, and cholesterol protects your future health. Making good choices, learning all you can, and working closely with your health care team will help you prevent or delay complications from diabetes….read full article

How can diabetes affect me?

High levels of blood glucose can damage small blood vessels throughout the body, such as in the eyes, the kidneys and in nerves in your feet. High blood glucose may also harm large blood vessels, leading to heart disease or stroke…read full article

The Three Major Types of Diabetes

Type 1 diabetes is a disease in which the body does not make insulin. It is usually diagnosed in children and young adults and lasts for their whole lives. People with type 1 diabetes take insulin daily. They also keep their blood glucose in a target range by balancing insulin with a meal plan and exercise.

Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of the disease. People with type 2 diabetes manage their diabetes by using a meal plan, being active and taking diabetes medicines, if needed. Type 2 diabetes is most often diagnosed in adults, but is increasingly being seen in children and adolescents.

Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that is first diagnosed in pregnancy. This type typically is diagnosed with a blood test during the 24th to 28th week of pregnancy and disappears after delivery. It is controlled with meal planning, exercise and, in some cases, insulin. Women who develop gestational diabetes are at high risk for developing type 2 diabetes later in life.

How is diabetes managed?

You will work with your health care team to make a plan that helps you reach your goals. Together, you’ll keep track of the ABCs of diabetes…read full article

Check At Every Doctor Visit

Your blood pressure is two numbers, such as 130/80 (one-thirty over eighty). The first number is the pressure as the heart beats and pushes blood into the blood vessels. The second number is the pressure when the heart rests between beats and the vessels relax…read full article

Check Every 3-6 Months

At least twice a year, your health care provider should order an A1C check. The results will give you your average blood glucose for the past 2 to 3 months and let you know how well your treatment plan is working…read full article

Check At Least Once A Year

Cholesterol

The ADA recommends the following cholesterol goals for most people with diabetes…read full article

All About Blood Glucose

Keeping your blood glucose in the recommended target range can prevent or delay the long-term health problems caused by diabetes. An important part of managing your diabetes is keeping track of your blood glucose numbers—using a blood glucose meter and with the results of your A1C checks.

What can make blood glucose rise?

· A meal or snack with more food or more carbohydrates (carbs) than usual

· Inactivity

· Not enough diabetes medication

· Side effects of other medications

· Infection or other illness such as a cold or the flu

· Changes in hormone levels, such as during menstrual periods

· Stress

What can make blood glucose fall?

· A meal or snack with less food or fewer carbohydrates than usual

· Drinking alcoholic beverages, especially on an empty stomach

· Missing a meal or snack

· Extra activity

· Too much diabetes medication

· Side effects of other medications

What’s the best way to keep track of my blood glucose levels?

Checking your blood glucose will tell you whether you’re reaching your blood glucose targets. There are two ways to do it and both are useful:

· Using a blood glucose meter to learn what your blood glucose is at a particular moment

· Getting an A1C blood check at least twice a year

Using a blood glucose meter

Many people use their meter to check their blood glucose several times a day. Talk with your health care team about when and how often to check your blood glucose. They can give you a log book or record book that you can use to write down your blood glucose numbers. You can learn how to use this information to make decisions about food, physical activity, and medications…read full article

Getting an A1C blood glucose check

The A1C check tells you what your average blood glucose levels have been for the past 2 to 3 months. If your number is 7% or higher, you may need a change in your diabetes care plan. Remind your health care team to do an A1C check at least twice a year

What if my blood glucose is too low?

Low blood glucose, also called hypoglycemia, occurs when your blood glucose level drops below 70. Symptoms include: 

· Hunger

· Nervousness and shakiness

· Sweating

· Light-headedness

· Sleepiness

· Confusion

· Anxiety

…Read full article

What should I do about frequent low blood glucose?

If your blood glucose is often low, you may need a change in your meal plan, physical activity, or diabetes medications. Keep track of low blood glucose episodes in your record book and note possible causes, such as unexpected physical activity. Then talk it over with your health care team.

Managing Sick Days

Minor illness such as colds and flu can put your body under stress. To deal with this stress, your body releases hormones that help it fight disease. But these hormones have side effects. They raise blood glucose levels and interfere with the blood glucose-lowering effects of insulin…read full article

Planning Healthy Meals

Meal planning is an important part of your diabetes treatment plan. It will help you reach your blood glucose, blood pressure, and cholesterol goals. If you are overweight, your meal plan will help you lose weight or at least keep you from gaining more.

What do I eat now?

Many people think that having diabetes means you can’t eat your favorite foods. But you can still eat the foods you like. It’s the amount that counts.

A healthy meal plan for diabetes has foods from all major food groups: grains and breads, fruits, vegetables, meats and meat substitutes, and dairy products. These foods give you the energy and the vitamins and minerals you need for good health. In fact, a meal plan for diabetes is a guide to the way most people should eat. 

How does a meal plan work?

Your meal plan is designed just for you, your goals, and your likes and dislikes. It will help you choose: 

· What to eat

· How much to eat

· When to eat

…Read full article

What about counting carbs?

Carbohydrate foods—bread, tortillas, biscuits, rice, crackers, cereal, fruit, juice, milk, yogurt, potatoes, corn, peas, sweets—raise your blood glucose levels the most. However, carbs are an important part of a healthy meal plan. Keeping the amount of carbs in your meals and snacks consistent can help you reach your blood glucose targets. For example, if you eat more carbs than usual at a meal, your blood glucose is likely to be higher than usual several hours afterward. For many people, having 3 or 4 servings of carbs at each meal works well.

One carbohydrate serving equals 15 grams of carbohydrate. Use the chart on the next page to become familiar with serving sizes. You can also check serving sizes with measuring cups and spoons or a food scale, or by using the Nutrition Facts on food labels.

Should I avoid fat?

Cutting down on foods that have saturated or trans-fats can help you lower your cholesterol, lose weight, and prevent heart disease. Foods high in saturated fat include…read full article

Are there healthier kinds of fat?

Some fats, called monounsaturated fats and polyunsaturated fats can help you lower your cholesterol. These types of fats are found in olive, canola, corn, sunflower and safflower oils; nuts including almonds, cashews and peanut butter; and avocados.

Other healthy fats are omega-3 fatty acids. These fats are found in fish, such as albacore tuna, herring, mackerel, rainbow trout and salmon.

Cutting the Fat

One way to cut fat is to substitute lower-fat ingredients in your favorite recipes. Try extra-lean ground beef or turkey instead of ground beef. Use low-fat mayonnaise and salad dressings instead of regular types.

Why is physical activity important for people with diabetes?

Here’s what physical activity can do for you:

· Lower your blood glucose, blood pressure, and cholesterol.

· Lower your risk for heart disease and stroke.

· Relieve stress.

· Help insulin work better.

· Strengthen your heart, muscles, and bones.

· Improve your blood circulation and tone your muscles.