10 myths about diabetes.

(more)

It is truly amazing how many excuses we make to avoid taking care of ourselves. People with diabetes and those who are at risk for getting diabetes have the best chance of staying healthy if they take care of themselves.

(more)

15 easy things you can do to stay healthy.

Shop regularly and keep an ample stock of healthy foods. If you have healthy foods in the house you are more likely to eat healthy…and eat home.
Canola and/or olive oil should be your oils of choice.

(more)

An individual with diabetes can, in general, lead a normal, healthy, and long life. Looking after yourself and learning about your diabetes provide the best chance to do this.

(more)

Diabetes-related foot problems include dry, cracked heels; calluses, brittle toenails, nerve pain (neuropathy), slow-healing sores, and infections.

(more)

Nearly one out of every three adults has high blood pressure. If you have diabetes, your chances of having high blood pressure are even greater. Today, an important goal in staying healthy is to keep your blood pressure in control.

Diabetes Medications

I have never met anyone who was happy about going to the hospital, but people with diabetes are, sadly, no strangers to hospitals. In the past 22 years my hospital stays have presented some of the most difficult times in caring for my diabetes.

Written in 2006. People with diabetes are at greater risk for heart disease than people without diabetes. Studies have shown that chronic inflammation can lead to a higher risk of heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes and other diseases.


(more)

There have been remarkable advances in diabetes care and management over the last 80 years. Prior to the discovery of insulin in the 1800’s and early 1900’s the treatments for diabetes was, among others, bleeding, opium, fad diets etc... Article originally appeared in 2002.

(more)

Excellent diabetes care requires careful attention to self management and knowledge about what to expect from your health care provider. At every visit, your health care provider should measure your blood pressure and give you a thorough foot examination.

(more)

Drinking small amounts of alcohol may be okay if you have good control of your diabetes, don’t have complications, and fit the alcohol into your meal plan.

Article originally appeared in 2003. A growing number of health care providers recommend an aspirin a day for people with diabetes. That’s because research has shown that an aspirin a day can reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes. 

(more)

Article originally appeared in 2003.
Answers to frequently asked questions about diabetes.

You can tell if you have diabetes based on the results of a blood glucose test taken on two different days. The tests should be performed in a laboratory with blood drawn from a vein.

(more)

Have you stopped taking a medication because you think it's not working? Do you have difficulty taking your medicines correctly? What can be done to lower the cost of drugs? Perhaps you should ask your pharmacist.

(more)

Your blood sugar is affected by food, physical activity, and insulin. Before you got diabetes, your body balanced these things all by itself. Your blood sugar would stay at about the same level, between 70-115 most of the time.


(more)

Your blood sugar is affected by food, physical activity, and insulin. Before you got diabetes, your body balanced these things all by itself. Your blood sugar would stay at about the same level, between 70-115 most of the time.

(more)

According to the American College of Physicians (ACP), high blood pressure, or hypertension, is a common problem in people with type 2 diabetes. It contributes to an elevated risk of heart disease and stroke, and can decrease life expectancy.

(more)

A medicine that is often used to treat high blood pressure and heart disease has been found to lower the death rate among people with diabetes, even if they do not have cardiovascular disease.

(more)

Blood pressure can go up just because you are in your health care provider’s office. This condition is so common, it has a name—“white coat” high blood pressure. This is named after the white coats that some health care providers wear.

(more)

The evidence is in! Blood pressure control in people with both type 1 and type 2 diabetes is just as important as blood glucose control. High blood glucose (diabetes) and high blood pressure often go hand in hand.

(more)

In the past, people with diabetes were often denied certain jobs. Now, with the use of blood glucose monitoring, various insulin regimens and with better awareness of how to control diabetes, there are more job opportunities, including those requiring working shifts.

(more)

Diabetes can affect every part of the body, including the skin. Luckily, most skin conditions can be prevented or are easily treated, if they are caught early. When blood glucose levels are high, the body produces extra urine to rid itself of the excess blood glucose.

(more)

The holiday season brings added difficulties to the daily care of diabetes, but keeping your blood sugar in control can be done with a little wise planning. We all enjoy the holidays but what is key for patients with diabetes is moderation.

(more)

Here is a summary of the guidelines that will help you manage your diabetes for a lifetime of good health:

(more)

Are you overwhelmed with your "to do" list to achieve a healthy lifestyle? Well, slow down and take a big, relaxing breath. To make permanent lifestyle changes the key is a "one step at a time" approach.

(more)

Are you overwhelmed with your “to do” list to achieve a healthy lifestyle? Well, slow down and take a big, relaxing breath. To make permanent lifestyle changes the key is a “one step at a time” approach.

(more)

Diabetes Digest provides news about medicine for diabetes, diabetic recipes, treatments, cures, and more.

(more)

Two out of three Americans with type-2 diabetes do not have diabetes under control. They are putting themselves at risk for early deaths from stroke, heart attack or kidney failure as well as blindness and limb loss.

(more)

Diabetes questions and answers.

(more)

You don’t have to be burdened with sick days and down time. By being aware of how diabetes affects your body and the special needs you have during an illness, you can help avoid the loss of productivity from sick days.

(more)

 Being prepared to manage your diabetes during a disaster can give you an added sense of security. Also, it makes it easier to deal with other disruptions that you can’t control once a disaster takes place.

Excellent diabetes care requires careful attention to self management and knowledge about what to expect from your physician.  At every visit, your physician should measure your blood pressure and give you a thorough foot examination.

When it comes to barriers which get in the way of exercise, the winter chill and icy roads (at least in many parts of the country), and fewer hours of daylight are just a few that keep even the most dedicated exerciser’s door shut tight.

(more)

Cold and flu season is here. So, now is the time of year to think about getting a flu shot. If you have a chronic illness such as diabetes, you should get the flu and pneumonia vaccine.

(more)

An individual with diabetes can, in general, lead a normal, healthy, and long life. Looking after yourself and learning about your diabetes provides the best chance to do this.

Some people feel that managing diabetes places restrictions on their daily lives. It feels as though there are a lot of “shoulds” and “should nots” about what to eat and how much activity to do. You have more to think about in your daily life than you did before you had diabetes.

(more)

Planning to take a trip this summer? Perhaps a cruise, a road trip or a camping adventure? If you have diabetes, you can do anything and go anywhere, it just takes a little extra planning.

If you take insulin, you probably know how to give yourself shots and check your blood glucose. But has anyone talked to you about how to get rid of your used needles? Maybe not. Yet, this information can keep you and your community safe.

(more)

Although your friends and family mean well, everyone is different. The best advice about your diabetes will most likely come from your health care provider, diabetes educator and the rest of your health care team.

First, a symposium held at Keble College, Oxford, UK examined the use of stem cells to cure diabetes. Second, the bad news, has to do with the rise in diabetes in the US during the 1990s.

(more)

You probably know the saying, “Early to bed, early to rise, makes a man [or woman] healthy, wealthy and wise.” It is still good advice. But if you are like many people, you have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep two or more nights a week.

(more)

Has anyone ever said to you, “Don’t worry, diabetes isn’t very serious for older people?” Although they may be trying to make you feel better, it isn’t very good advice. Most people not only want to live long but they want to live well.

(more)

If you have diabetes, you need to take extra steps to make sure you control your blood glucose levels during the days you are sick. The first step you need to take is to talk with your health care provider or diabetes educator.

(more)

Article originally appeared in 2002. Sure, you test your glucose level several times a day. You’re aware of diet and exercise issues and do your best to stay on track. But what about your hemoglobin A1c level? What does it mean and why is it so important?

(more)

Summer is a time to get yourself ready for. There is a whole list of simple things you can do to prepare yourself from top to bottom, from your eyes to your feet.

A few simple rules of thumb for traveling with diabetes can make your trip more enjoyable. Whether you are going overseas for a month or on a short day trip, a modest amount of preparation can make a tremendous difference in the quality of your vacation.

(more)

Obesity and type 2 diabetes are tightly linked. The more overweight someone is, the higher their risk of getting diabetes. Also, the longer a person has been overweight, the greater the risk.

(more)

Many people with diabetes think that control refers to self-control or that THEY are out of control. This usually isn’t meant as a judgment of your self-control. Out of control means that the blood sugar is above the target range much of the time, or often goes up or down.

(more)

Written in 2006. No one likes shots, even when you know that you need the medicine and it is helping you. That is why many people with diabetes were excited to learn that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently approved the first-ever inhaled insulin.


(more)

Do you ever wonder why insurance doesn’t pay for some of the things you need to care for your diabetes? The fact is that it might. People with diabetes sometimes pay for things that their insurance will cover. Article originally appeared in 2002.


(more)

Have you ever decided to make changes in how you care for your diabetes and everything goes really well for a few days, but then you gradually go back to your old way of doing things? If so, you are not alone.


(more)

Article originally appeared in 2002. Good cardiovascular health means having a healthy heart and healthy blood vessels. And while living a “heart healthy” lifestyle should be a priority for everyone, people with diabetes need to pay special attention.

(more)

You need knowledge to manage your diabetes well. The more you know the healthier you’ll be. And there’s so much to learn, from how your medicines work, to what to eat, to proper foot care. The list goes on!

(more)

Is there anything that I can do to lessen the pain in my fingertips after checking my blood glucose levels?

(more)

Magnesium is one of the minerals your body needs to function smoothly. A mineral is an element that is essential to humans, animals and plants. Your heart, your nerves, your muscles and your bones need magnesium.


(more)

Life with diabetes is pretty basic—you take your medications, try to eat healthy and stay physically active. That is all there is to it, right? Not really. Doing all these things day after day is not easy. They can be time-consuming and difficult.

(more)

About half of all people with diabetes also have high blood pressure. Both high blood pressure and blood glucose play a role in the complications of diabetes, including heart disease and stroke.


(more)

Article originally appeared in 2003. Since 1998, Medicare Part B (the optional part for which you pay a monthly premium) covers blood glucose monitors, blood glucose strips, lancets and other related testing supplies as long as they are prescribed by your health care provider.

(more)

Article appeared in 2005. January 1, 2006, marked a big day for people on Medicare. It’s when Medicare began to offer coverage for both brand-name and generic prescription drugs. This is called Medicare Part D.

As a woman with diabetes, you may have wondered how diabetes will affect your menopause, and how menopause may affect your diabetes. You may also have questions about taking hormones.

(more)

Good continuing care is an essential part of diabetes management. This means regularly scheduled doctor’s visits and sometimes additional contact.


(more)

Having a cold can drain your energy. But taking good care of yourself when you are sick is important if you have diabetes. Planning ahead and stocking your medicine cabinet now, before you are ill, will make it easier.

(more)

To get your diabetes equipment and supplies under Medicare, you need a prescription from your health care provider.

(more)

With so many blood glucose meters on the market, choosing the right one can be overwhelming. Here are a few factors to consider: First, determine which blood glucose monitoring system(s) (meter and strips together) your health plan covers.

(more)

Article originally appeared in 2002.

Has your health care provider ever said something you didn’t understand or given you advice that didn’t fit your lifestyle? When that happens, are you too nervous to speak up? If your answer is “yes,” you are not alone.


(more)

There is no doubt that diabetes demands a lot of your attention, from day-to-day decisions to scheduling regular visits with your health care provider. With diabetes, there are several “to-do” lists to follow to keep yourself healthy and to prevent or slow down diabetes complications.

People monitor their blood glucose levels for different reasons. For some, it is simply because their health care professional advised them to do so. But you are the one who has diabetes. Blood glucose monitoring gives you the facts you need to make informed choices.

(more)

There is no doubt that diabetes demands a lot of your attention, from day-to-day decisions to scheduling regular visits with your health care provider. With diabetes, there are several “to-do” lists to follow to keep yourself healthy and to prevent or slow down diabetes complications.

(more)

During any given year, 1-out-of-every-4 Americans with diabetes will spend a day or more in the hospital. As a person with diabetes, you are likely to be admitted to the hospital because you are more at risk for heart, circulatory or kidney disease or a variety of infections.

A challenging aspect of managing your diabetes is making sure you remember to take your diabetes medicines on time. Although it sounds simple to remember to take your medicines, it can be difficult to practice in everyday life.

(more)

Article originally appeared in 2003. Have you ever wondered why insurance pays for some of the things you need to care for your diabetes but not others? The fact is that insurance coverage can be confusing because different plans provide different benefits, and coverage can change from year to year.

(more)

Are you testing more and understanding it less? The readings you get can be hard to understand- the numbers seem to go up and down for no apparent reason. But, it’s easier to test more often if you understand what the numbers are telling you and use that information.

(more)

A 25-year Finnish study has concluded that ordinary work-related type activity can help as much to reduce the risk of heart-related deaths in type 2 diabetes patients as can more intensive leisure time exercise, such as aerobics and working out.

(more)

Article originally appeared in 2002. High blood pressure further raises the risk of heart disease, which is already high in patients with diabetes. This fact underscores the importance of tight control of both high blood pressure and blood sugar in patients with diabetes.

(more)

If you have ever looked around a pharmacy as you waited for your prescriptions to be filled or if you've attended a diabetes education program, you have probably seen diabetes identification cards and jewelry.


(more)

People with diabetes are at an increased risk of developing heart disease because of abnormal levels of fats in the blood known as lipids. It is important to keep your blood lipids in the normal ranges.

(more)

If you take insulin and struggle to manage high and low blood glucose numbers, one reason may be the timing of your injections. Coordinating when you take your insulin with your meals, your physical activity and other parts of your diabetes care plan can help.

(more)

Insulin pens make it easier than ever to inject on-the-go. And needles (for pens and syringes) have never been shorter or thinner.

(more)

Taking care of yourself every day is hard. It’s easy to come up with reasons to put off caring for your diabetes until “tomorrow.” But, if “tomorrow” doesn’t seem to get here, then you may be putting your future at risk.

Sure, you can travel if you have diabetes! But you’ll need to plan, prepare and pack a bit differently than usual. As with managing diabetes in general, being ready is your key to success.

(more)

You may think, “it is no big deal, it is just a little sore,” but in the back of your mind, you know that if you have diabetes, even a little sore can cause major problems.

(more)

Article written in 2006. Last spring, two new diabetes medicines were approved by the Food and Drug Administration and are now available. These new medicines may offer you another option for managing your diabetes. In some ways, these two medicines are similar.


(more)

Today computers are used in many aspects of your life. But have you considered using one to help with your blood glucose control? There are over 70 programs available to help people monitor and track their blood glucose readings.

(more)

Thanksgiving dinner can add up to 4,500 calories if you include appetizers, eggnog, turkey, trimmings, and dessert. Redesign dinner with delicious lower-fat dishes.

(more)

If you live in a part of the country where winter is a fact of life, you are probably used to getting yourself ready for cold weather. Have you ever thought of winterizing your diabetes?


(more)

Diabetes can be diagnosed in females of any age, and the number of cases in both male and female patients is on the rise. Diabetes presents different challenges at different stages of a woman’s life.

(more)

If you are like most women in the United States today, you are likely the main person responsible for your family’s health. You urge your husband to get his annual physical. You deal with the pediatrician, the dentist and even the pet’s vet.

(more)

Caring for diabetes is hard work. It demands your time and your attention.  It can start to feel as if diabetes is managing you, rather than the other way around. You can learn to work smarter, instead of harder.

Your health care provider prescribes the diabetes medications you need to help your body work properly and keep you healthy. Keeping the dose and number of medications you take to a minimum can decrease the chances of experiencing side effects.

Here are just three of the many reasons why it is important to learn as much as you can about caring for your diabetes.

(more)

To take good care of your diabetes through the years, you'll need help from a variety of health care providers. You'll have appointments regularly with several of these providers and others you will just need to see once or twice a year or as a need arises.

The Medicare Part D prescription insurance program is now off and running. If you qualify for Medicare and haven’t signed up yet for one of the prescription drug plans administering the pharmacy benefit in your area, it’s worth your while to get on board with Medicare Part D.

(more)