Screening For Diabetes
Diabetes Screening and Diagnosis Who Should Be Screened? Everyone aged 45 and older should be screened for diabetes or glucose abnormalities every three years. However, individuals at higher risk should begin screening earlier and more frequently—ideally once a year....
Disaster Planning
you never know When Disaster Occurs Emergency Preparedness for People with Diabetes When natural disasters or emergencies strike—such as hurricanes, floods, wildfires, or power outages—being prepared can protect your health and even save your life. Everyone with...
Neuropathy
Important to reduce all risk factors Diabetic neuropathy Diabetic neuropathy, a common complication of diabetes, encompasses various types of nerve damage resulting from prolonged high blood sugar levels. It can affect different parts of the nervous system, leading to...
Insulin Pump
Important Features Insulin Pump An insulin pump is a small, wearable device that helps people with diabetes manage their blood sugar levels by delivering insulin continuously throughout the day and night. This means you don't have to give yourself multiple daily...
Sick Day Management
What to do if you are under the weather Sick Day Management When you're sick with a cold, flu, or infection, your blood sugar levels can rise, potentially leading to serious health issues like diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) or hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state (HHS)....
Traveling With Diabetes
Helpful tips Diabetes and Travel Traveling with diabetes requires careful planning to maintain your health and enjoy your trip. Here are some essential tips to help you manage your diabetes while on the go: 1. Meal Planning and Snacks Maintain Your Meal Schedule:...
Vaccinations Recommended
Should I Get The Covid Vaccine? Recommended Vaccinations For Debetics: Individuals with diabetes are at an increased risk for complications from certain infections. Staying up-to-date with vaccinations is a crucial aspect of diabetes management. Below are the...
Generic Insulin Vs Analog Insulin
Regular Insulin vs. Rapid-Acting Insulin Analogs Regular insulin (the generic version) exists in a complex form called a hexamer. This structure slows down how quickly it's absorbed into the bloodstream after injection. Because of this delay, Regular insulin needs to...
Foot Care
Foot Care for People with Diabetes Taking care of your feet is very important if you have diabetes—especially if you have nerve damage (called neuropathy). Neuropathy can make it hard to feel pain, so you might not notice an injury. Small cuts or blisters can...
Are You In Denial?
Mental and Emotional Health in Diabetes Living with diabetes can be emotionally challenging. It's common to feel overwhelmed, frustrated, or even angry after a diagnosis. Many people also experience denial, especially in the early stages—this is a normal...
Exercise
Exercise and Diabetes: A Powerful Tool for Better HealthRegular exercise is one of the most effective ways to manage diabetes. Whether you have type 1, type 2, or are at risk (prediabetes), physical activity can significantly improve your blood sugar control and...
Genetic Risk of Transmitting Diabetes
Estimate your Risk Genetic Risk of Transmitting Diabetes Type 1 Diabetes: The risk of developing Type 1 Diabetes in the general population is about 0.6%. In the case of an identical twin with Type 1 Diabetes, the unaffected twin has a 50% chance of developing...
Calculate Your Basal Metabolic Rate
BMR: the energy needed for basic existence Calculate Your Basal Metabolic Rate Metabolic Rate -Total Calories Needed Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR) is the number of calories your body needs for all your body's basic functions at rest. To calculate your Basal...
Classes of Diabetic Medications Including Insulin
Both generic and nongeneric Classes of Medications Used In Type 2 Diabetes: Biguanides: Drugs in this class are Metformin (Glucophage ER, Glumetza, Riomet, and Fortamet). Sulfonylurea: Drugs in this class include Glipizide (Glucotrol and Glucotrol XL),...
Blood Pressure Goals
Hypertension or High Blood Pressure Blood carries nutrients and oxygen to every cell of the body. A certain amount of pressure is needed to move your blood through the blood vessels. If the blood flow is decreased, the cells and tissues are deprived of vital nutrients...
Alternative Insulin Delivery Devics
Alternative Ways For Taking Insulin Many people with diabetes must take insulin to manage their disease. Most people who take insulin use an insulin Pen or needle and syringe to inject insulin just under the skin. Several other devices for taking insulin are...
Hyperosmolar Non Ketotic State
Maybe Presenting sign of Diabetes. Hyperosmolar Hyperglycemic Nonketotic Coma (HONK) Type 2 Diabetics can develop this life-threatening condition when they are subject to severe medical stress such as infection or heart attack. Sometimes, Type 2 Diabetes is...
High Blood Sugar
Important to understand High blood Glucose (Hyperglycemia) Symptoms of elevated blood glucose are, Increased thirst. Increased urinary frequency with increased urinary volume. Increased appetite. Weight loss. Tiredness. Headache Dry, itchy skin Abnormal healing of...
Diabetic Medications: Pros and Cons
Which medication should I take? Pros and Con of Various Diabetic medications Metformin: Metformin is usually the 1st line medication for Type 2 diabetes. This should be avoided in severe congestive heart failure, severe liver disease such as cirrhosis, active...
Diabetics And Alcohol
Diabetics and Alcohol Diabetic specialists generally agree that one drink a day is safe for diabetics, never more than two drinks. Avoid drinking alcohol on an empty stomach since it can cause low blood sugar, especially with certain diabetic medications or...
Low Blood Glucose
Important to recognize Low Blood Sugar or Hypoglycemia Low blood sugars occur in people with diabetes who are on certain diabetic pills or insulin. Common cause: too much insulin or too high a dose of diabetic medication (that stimulate insulin release) ate less than...
Proof: Good Glucose Control Prevents Complications
Proof that good glucose control reduces complications in Type 1 Diabetes Diabetes Control and Complication Trial (DCCT) This NIH sponsored study compared two groups of Type 1 diabetics. One group aimed to keep their blood sugars close to the normal range...
Gestational diabetes
Gestational Diabetes Definition High blood sugars first detected during pregnancy is called gestational diabetes (GDM). Cause of GDM It occurs due to insulin resistance (insulin not as effective as usual), exacerbated by the excessive hormones of pregnancy that...
Diabetes: What fails?
Mechanisms leading to Type 2 Diabetes How it goes wrong Multiple gene defects are felt to cause Type 2 Diabetes. It is not due to a single gene defect. These gene defects in the presence of environmental factors such as a poor diet rich in carbohydrates, and a...
Metabolic Syndrome
Criteria for metabolic syndrome Any 3 of the following criteria are necessary for diagnosis. A triglyceride level of 150-mg/dl or higher. High-density lipoprotein cholestrol, that is HDL (Bad) cholesterol <40-ml/dl in men or <50-mg/dl in women. Blood...
Causes of Diabetes
Causes of Diabetes Type 1 Diabetics don't produce insulin. They need insulin for survival; without insulin, they develop diabetic ketoacidosis (a severe medical emergency). Insulin is secreted by Beta cells in the pancreas. In Type 1 Diabetes, these Beta cells are...
Carbohydrate Digestion
Normal Glucose Metabolism After digestion, food is broken down to glucose in the gut. Glucose is then absorbed into the bloodstream. It is carried in the blood to every cell of your body. Cells need glucose for their energy needs. To get inside the cell, glucose...
Risk factors for Type 2 Diabetes
Do you have any risk factors? A family history of diabetes in a first-degree relative. Obesity (body mass index >30. In Asians >27). Women with a history of gestational diabetes or women who have given birth to children 9-lbs or heavier. History of...
Diabetic Diet Priciples
Important principles Diabetes and Diet The most important part of diabetes management is the diet. Talking to a Registered Dietitian or a Diabetic Nurse Educator is crucial to develop a diet plan.Diet should be designed to help weight loss since 90% of Type 2...
Available Clinical Trials to participate
Do you want to be part of a research study? Current Clinical Studies ClinicalTrials.gov allows you to search for ongoing studies. You could volunteer to participate if you choose. Click Here Be Informed. Get In Control. Prevent.Better late than...
Aspirin Benefits
Should I be on Aspirin? Aspirin Therapy In Diabetes Aspirin therapy for Diabetics with previous vascular events (secondary prevention) significantly reduces the risk of subsequent myocardial infarction, stroke, and vascular death; however, in people with...
Benefits of Cinnamon
Does Cinnamon help Cinnamon for Diabetes A study by William L. Baker et al. published in Diabetes Care concludes that Cinnamon does not appear to improve A1c, Fasting blood glucose, or lipid parameters in patients with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes. Be Informed....
DCCT
Proof that good glucose control reduces complications in Type 1 Diabetes Diabetes Control and Complication Trial (DCCT) This NIH sponsored study compared two groups of Type 1 diabetics. One group aimed to keep their blood sugars close to the normal range...
Diabetic Eye Disease
Important to reduce all risk factors Diabetic Eye Issues Diabetic Retinopathy People with diabetes get eye problems more commonly than non-diabetics. Diabetic retinopathy is unique to diabetes. Cataracts and glaucoma are commoners in people with diabetes. Two types of...
Diabetes Mellitus
Dedicated to the millions of Diabetics worldwide What is Diabetes? Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is a condition in which the body cannot handle glucose appropriately after absorption. DM is associated with fasting, high blood sugar, and high glucose after meals. DM can...
Syndrome X
Syndrome X Diagnostic Criteria are Insulin resistance (insulin not effective) Acanthosis nigricans (darkened areas of skin at the neck, armpits) Central obesity (waist circumference greater than 102-cm for men, greater than 88-cm in women). HDL less than 50 for women,...
HbA1c or A1c Test
What does A1c indicate? HbA1c Red blood cells have a protein called hemoglobin; this carries oxygen from the lungs to all parts of the body. This hemoglobin protein tends to combine with glucose. This is called glycated hemoglobin. The higher the blood...
Safety of Incretins
Are Incretins Safe? Incretin Drug Class Safety Incretin Mimetics are thought to be associated with an increased risk for pancreatitis and precancerous cellular changes called pancreatic-duct metaplasia. The incretin mimetics include exenatide (Byetta,...
Good Injection Technique (Vial and Syringe)
Injection Should Not Be Painful Good Injection Technique Clean the injection site using an alcohol wipe. Clean the top of the insulin vial with an alcohol wipe. Mix the insulin by rolling it in your hand. Insulin, such as regular insulin, lispro, and aspartate,...
Goals to Aim For
Important to attain Goals To Aim For Blood Sugar Goals: Ideal Blood glucose readings should be between 80 and 120-mg/dl before meals and less than 140 two hours after the meals. At bedtime, blood sugars are to be between 120 and 140-mg/dl. Blood glucose monitoring...
Dental Care
See Your Dentist Every 6 Months Diabetes & Oral Health Gum disease and mouth infections are more common in people with diabetes than in nondiabetics. Regular brushing and flossing should be part of daily dental care. Visits to a Dentist once every six months...
Glucameter Testing
Important to check Glucose Levels Glucometer Depending on whether you are being treated with diet, diabetic pills, or insulin, you may need to check the blood sugars at different times to see how well your blood sugars are controlled with your meal, exercise, and...