Have a Happy, Healthy Thanksgiving Holiday
The holidays are a great time to reconnect with family and friends, and food is an enormous part of the festivities, especially at Thanksgiving time. When you have type 2 diabetes, it can be hard to stick to an eating plan especially when everyone around you is enjoying all of the holiday food.
Sometimes it takes a little planning to keep holiday meals in line with your healthy eating plan, but it can be done. Read here for some healthy ideas...
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How Do You Cope With Type 2 Diabetes?
When you've had type 2 diabetes for a while, you know what to do. But sometimes the stress of dealing with diabetes management everyday can cause a person to become "burned out".
How can you avoid burn out? Here's what you need to know...
It helps to have some coping mechanisms in place to help you over the rough spots. How do you cope with your diabetes over the long haul?
Join the discussion at...
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Change Your Lifestyle and Delay or Even Prevent Diabetes
The Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) is a large study spanning several years. The study looked at 3,234 people who were at a high risk for developing type 2 diabetes, and compared healthy lifestyle changes and weight loss, with taking diabetes medication, to see which preventative method was more effective at lowering the risk of being diagnosed with diabetes.
Participants who lost a modest amount of weight and kept it off, while increasing their physical activity, lowered their chances of getting type 2 diabetes by 34%. Participants who took the diabetes drug, metformin, lowered their risk by 18%.
Interestingly, people over 60 years old, who lost weight and exercised, lowered their risk by 50%.
Losing weight and increasing your physical activity are positive changes you can make that can give you some control over your health, even if your risk for type 2 diabetes is high.
More from your diabetes guide...
- Diet and Exercise Lower Risk of Type 2 Diabetes in People with Prediabetes
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November is Diabetic Eye Disease Awareness Month
Diabetic retinopathy is a complication of diabetes. It is also the leading cause of blindness in the U.S. today.
What is diabetic retinopathy?
The retina is full of tiny little blood vessels. Retinopathy is the damage to the blood vessels of the retina, caused by prolonged high blood glucose levels. The blood vessels can become enlarged or clogged when blood sugar is high. They can also become weak and rupture. The retina can even become detached from the back of the eye.
What might you experience if you have diabetic retinopathy?
- Blurry or double vision
- Floaters or dark patches in your vision
- If you have a detached retina, you may see flashes, dark spots or a "dark curtain" over part of your vision. A detached retina needs immediate medical attention.
Retinopathy is not always noticeable in the early stages. It can progress silently for years without noticeable symptoms. Yearly eye exams are essential when you have diabetes. It's also important to keep blood glucose levels as near to normal as possible to prevent retina damage. If you notice any changes in your vision, call your eye doctor immediately.
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Laughter Can Lower Your Blood Sugar
Did you know that laughter can lower your blood sugar? When you have type 2 diabetes, it's important to keep your blood sugar levels as close to normal as possible. There are many ways to lower blood sugar, but scientists in Japan have discovered that laughing can also help keep blood sugar levels closer to normal.
In a recent study from the University of Tsukuba in Japan, it was reported that laughter lowered blood sugar in both people with diabetes, and those who didn't have the disease.
Nineteen people with type 2 diabetes, and 5 without, were monitored for blood glucose levels while they watched a serious lecture program. Their blood glucose levels did not change. The next day they were monitored as they watched a humorous program. Every participant's blood glucose levels dropped, whether they had diabetes or not.
So enjoy a good laugh as often as you can. It's one more way to help you manage your blood sugar.
More on managing blood sugar levels from your Diabetes Guide...
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Recall of Defective Insulin Needles Now Nationwide
In August, 2009, the FDA announced that Qualitest Pharmaceuticals had recalled two lots of Accusure Insulin Syringes due to defective needles. Now the recall has been expanded nationwide.
According to a new press release from the FDA, all Accusure insulin needles, regardless of lot number, are being recalled.
The syringes are defective because the needles may detach from the syringe during use. They can become stuck in the insulin vial, push back into to the syringe, or remain in the skin after injection.
In the press release it states, "Consumers who have any AccusureŽ Insulin Syringes should stop using them and contact Qualitest at 1-800-444-4011 for reimbursement. You can find the lot number on the white paper backing of each individual syringe. Qualitest is notifying all customers who received these syringes and arranging for the return of any affected product."
Descriptions and lot numbers: 28G 1/2cc, NDC 0603-6995-21;28G 1cc, NDC 0603-6996-21; 29G 1/2cc NDC 0603-6997-21, 29G 1cc, NDC 0603-6998-21, 30G 1/2cc, NDC 0603-999-21, 30G 1cc, NDC 0603-7000-21, 31G 1/2cc, NDC 0603-7001-21; and 31G 1cc, NDC 0603-7002-21.
Think You Might Have Type 2 Diabetes? Here's What to Look For...
Although 24 million people in the U.S. have diabetes, it's estimated that another 57 million people don't even know that they have it. Although there are definite symptoms to look for, many people either don't experience them, or they are so mild that they go unnoticed.
Be aware of the symptoms of type 2 diabetes. Frequent urination, excessive thirst, unexplained weight loss, fatigue and blurred vision are five of the signs. Read here for more information on symptoms, diagnosis and treatments of type 2 diabetes...
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What Puts You at Risk for Type 2 Diabetes?
24 million Americans have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. What are three of the major risk factors for diabetes? Are you, or someone you love, at risk?
Read more here...
More about what can put you at risk for type 2 diabetes...
- Racial and Genetic Risk Factors for Diabetes
- Risk Factors for Gestational Diabetes
- Diet and Exercise Lowers Risk of Type 2 in People with Pre-diabetes
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Diabetes Can Raise Your Risk of Flu Complications
Did you know that having diabetes can put you at high risk for flu complications? The flu, including H1N1 (swine) flu can cause secondary illnesses, like pneumonia, that are triggered by having the flu. If you have a chronic condition like type 2 diabetes, it can raise your risk for these kinds of secondary illnesses.
What can you do to prevent yourself from getting the flu?
- Get a flu shot. There is a seasonal flu vaccine available and also a specific vaccine for H1N1. Getting both vaccines will protect you against more than one strain of flu virus. It is also a good idea to get the pneumonia vaccine if you haven't had it yet.
- Make sure to wash your hands. Germs are transmitted by contact. Frequent hand-washing cuts down on germs. If you have the flu, cover your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing, to avoid exposing others.
- Avoid being near people who are sick, or in places where you might be exposed to people who are sick. Stay home if you are sick.
Do Health-Friendly Neighborhoods Lower Risk of Type 2 Diabetes?
If your neighborhood provides opportunities for exercise with safe streets, sidewalks and parks, and has access to quality food markets, your risk for type 2 diabetes might be lower.
A study that appears in this month's Archives of Internal Medicine, shows that people who live in neighborhoods that support physical activity and access to healthy food have a lower risk for type 2 diabetes.
The research from Drexel University School of Public Health studied where people live and the implications on their health.
According to the researchers of this study, "The worldwide epidemic of type 2 diabetes mellitus is largely driven by the combined rise in obesity, intake of energy-dense or nutrient-poor foods and physical inactivity."
If where you live is conducive to exercise and healthy food, it seems logical that your risk for diabetes would be lower than someone who lives in an area where it's not safe to walk and difficult to shop for healthy food.
If neighborhoods provide a safe environment for exercise and markets that offer affordable, healthy food, would type 2 diabetes be less prevalent in our society? What are your thoughts? Feel free to comment and tell us what you think.
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