Every January, the American Diabetes Associations issues its Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes. These are guidelines that help your healthcare team provide you with the best diabetes care, and help you better manage your own diabetes. What’s new or different for 2017? Let’s take a look. [...]
Your health care provider has probably recommended that you stay active to keep your blood glucose levels stable. This is because daily exercise helps your insulin work more effectively. According to the American Diabetes Association (ADA),staying active most days of the week means better [...]
One of the hardest things about living with diabetes is thinking about the possibility of long-term complications: eye, kidney and nerve damage, as well as heart attacks and strokes. You may already know that keeping your blood glucose as close to normal as is safe for you is the best way to lower [...]
If you are a senior and have diabetes, there is no reason you can’t travel the world and fully enjoy your golden years. The key to traveling well is to go while you are healthy and to stay in good health during your entire trip. Plan a trip that fits your personal needs and abilities. If you wish [...]
Taking care of diabetes means you need to take certain steps each day throughout the years to keep the parts of your body which can be affected by diabetes healthy. These include your heart, eyes, kidneys and feet. As a podiatrist (a doctor who specializes in feet and foot care), I work with many people who have diabetes. What I often share with these people is this: Your feet can last you for the rest of your life if you make the daily effort to treat them well. [...]
Physical activity has many benefits for your health if you have diabetes and/or heart disease. Being active can help prevent both of these diseases. Check your activity IQ with the following quiz. Answer true or false to the questions below, then read on to see the answers. [...]
There are several kinds of medicines that help to lower blood pressure. One category of medicine that some people with diabetes take to lower blood pressure is called diuretics. These are commonly called “water pills” because they help the body eliminate extra salt and water through the urine. [...]
Both diabetes and arthritis are chronic diseases. As you age, your chances for having chronic diseases increases. As we get older, most of us also tend to get heavier. This extra weight can put a lot of stress on your joints. [...]
If you have diabetes and arthritis, you may wonder if these two are related. Both diabetes and arthritis are chronic diseases. As you age, your chances of having chronic diseases increases. Also, as we get older, many of us tend to gain more weight. This extra weight adds stress on your joints, which can lead to inflammation and can lead to arthritis. [...]
People with diabetes are prone to complications over time. Healthcare providers all agree that strict control of blood sugar puts you at less risk for complications. This was shown clearly by the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial. Control of blood sugar is the best way to lessen your risk of complications. [...]
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. [...]
