Untreated diabetes, both type 1 or type 2, can lead to health problems. Such health problems include heart disease, eye problems, and nerve damage. Making sure your blood sugar levels are in check can prevent such health problems. You can be at higher risk for issues due to your genes, but in the end it is up to you to take control of how you eat and live to lessen your risk of diabetes-related health problems. If you have diabetes-related health problems, just know that as long as you catch the problems early, treatment can help. [...]
You know only too well that when you touch a hot stove, you quickly move your hand away because you feel pain. Likewise, if you step on a nail, your body knows to pick that foot up quickly. Sometimes, when you have pain, you also may notice that your heart rate and breathing get a bit faster, too. All these responses happen thanks to the nerves all over your body that carry messages to and from the brain. [...]
When Mary, aged 50, found out from her nurse practitioner that she had type 2 diabetes, she was actually relieved. It helped explain the symptoms—tiredness, hunger and a vaginal yeast infection—that wouldn’t go away. The nurse practitioner encouraged Mary to lose a few pounds, become more active and return for a follow-up visit in three months. [...]
Calcium is necessary for strong bones, but it also plays other important roles in the body. To be sure you’re getting enough of this vital nutrient, here are the best food sources, and the amount you should eat, to achieve and maintain good health. Are you getting enough of it? [...]
Over the past several years, we have gained a much better grasp of the relationship between blood sugar and diabetic complications. Two research trials in the 1990’s though showed that blood sugar control can prevent diabetes-related health issues such as eye disease, kidney problems, nerve damage and heart disease. This research has helped health care providers to set healthy ranges of blood sugar levels for diabetics to use as targets to avoid complications. [...]
Whether you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes, what you eat, when you eat it and how much you eat all affect your blood glucose. Glucose is the main sugar found in the blood and is the body's major source of fuel. If you have diabetes and eat too much or do not take the right dose of diabetes medicine, your blood glucose can spike too high. When this happens, you can get sick. [...]
Having diabetes means you are more likely to get or have heart disease-especially if you have type 2 diabetes. One way to reduce your risk of, or take care of heart disease, is to get and keep your blood lipids (fats) in control. Blood lipids include your LDL (bad cholesterol); HDL (good [...]
Your health care provider has probably talked to you about your cholesterol level, and if it’s high, there are many ways to help bring it down. Has he or she also talked with you about your triglyceride level? If so, you might be wondering exactly what this is. [...]
Cholesterol is a waxy substance that is vital for all normal body functions. It’s found in every cell in our bodies. When there’s too much, there is a greater risk of hardening of the arteries: the main cause of a heart attack. Normal total cholesterol is less than 200 (mg/dL). A normal [...]
When you have type 2 diabetes, it is likely that you also have heart disease. In fact, your heart problems might have started before you developed diabetes. In addition to a high triglyceride level, factors that lead to heart disease in people with diabetes include being overweight, being inactive, [...]
Joe is the friendly pharmacist at the Costco in Wilmington, NC, a Southern coastal town where the Cape Fear River meets the Atlantic Ocean, and where I did a Costco store tour to learn about products for people with diabetes. Blood Glucose Meters Joe showed me several blood glucose meters, [...]
This past week, my sister-in-law and I ventured into the local Costco that recently opened in our town of Lawrenceville, NJ. Although I was uncertain about what to expect, I was filled with anticipation, imagining the abundance of products in the brand new store. As we carefully perused each [...]
I love Costco for so many reasons. The value, the quality, and the free samples! Now I have a new reason to love Costco. On a recent trip I noticed how many products Costco has for people with diabetes. Everything from supplies to check blood sugar levels, to supplements and healthy meal options. [...]
Living with diabetes doesn’t mean giving up the foods you enjoy, or going hungry. In fact, a healthy eating plan can be delicious, satisfying and good for you and your blood sugars!And Costco makes it easy to eat well while eating healthy. [...]
One of the healthiest spices around is turmeric. If this golden spice isn’t in your cupboard yet, make sure to add it to your shopping list. Not only does turmeric lend color and flavor to curries, stews and rice dishes, it provides a number of health benefits that you won’t want to miss! [...]
