Screening For Diabetes
Blood Test Screening for Diabetes Anyone over the age of 45 should be screened for glucose abnormalities every three years. In high-risk individuals, testing should be done annually, starting at a younger age. High risk being overweight, family history of Type 2...
Disaster Planning
you never know When Disaster Occurs When There's an Emergency or Natural Disaster Everyone with diabetes should be prepared for emergencies and natural disasters, such as power outages or hurricanes. Always have your disaster kit ready. Include everything you need to...
Neuropathy
Important to reduce all risk factors Diabetic neuropathy Diabetic neuropathy, also called peripheral neuropathy, can affect motor or sensory nerves. Motor nerves supply muscles. Damage to these nerves will cause muscle weakness. Diabetic neuropathy tends to be...
Insulin Pump
Important Features Insulin Pump An insulin pump is a very sophisticated means of delivering insulin. There is a small cartridge of insulin, which can be refilled periodically, usually every 2-3 days. Sophisticated electronics control the basal rate of insulin. Boluses...
Sick Day Management
What to do if you are under the weather Sick Day Management Having a cold, the flu, or infection can raise your blood glucose levels. You can have serious health problems leading to a coma if your blood glucose levels are very high. Be prepared for illness. Make a...
Traveling With Diabetes
Helpful tips Diabetes and Travel Tips When You're Travelling Follow your meal plan as much as possible when you eat out. Always carry a snack with you if you have low blood sugar or have to wait to be served. Limit your drinking of beer, wine, or other alcoholic...
Vaccinations Recommended
Should I Get The Covid Vaccine? Recommended Vaccinations: Vaccinations recommended for Diabetics include Covid Vaccine- Absolutely recommended. Flu (influenza) shots recommended yearly before the flu season. Pneumococcal vaccination must be given at or after age...
Generic Insulin Vs Analog Insulin
Regular insulin (Generic) is in a complex (hexamer) state; this delays the absorption of insulin from the injection site into the bloodstream, resulting in the slow onset of action. For this reason, Regular insulin needs to be taken 20 to 30 minutes before a meal...
Foot Care
Foot Care Foot/leg care is critical in diabetics, especially if there is nerve damage (neuropathy). You may not feel pain; hence there is a more likely hood of a foot injury. This, in turn, can lead to infection, sometimes settling in the bone (Osteomyelitis)....
Are You In Denial?
Psychological Aspects of Diabetes Having diabetes is very stressful for most people; anger and denial are not uncommon. Depression is quite common among people with diabetes. Most diabetics go through a phase of denial, but it can lead to problems with diabetic...
Exercise
Exercise for Diabetics Exercise reduces insulin resistance (makes the insulin more effective); hence it should be part of any diabetes treatment regimen. Even mild exercise regularly can prevent or delay the onset of Type 2 Diabetes in prediabetes or high-risk...
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...