Diabetic Live

Diabetes And Dental Hygiene: Dental care is an important concept for all individuals to consider. For diabetics, taking care of your teeth and mouth is even more important. Since diabetes can take a toll on the teeth, gums and other portions of the mouth, paying close attention to your dental care will help you to make wise choices with regard to not only what you eat but also how you brush, floss and rinse.

How Does Diabetes Play A Role In Dental Care?
With diabetes, individuals have to keep their blood sugar levels under control as these levels will often deviate from the normal range from time to time. The deviation of the blood sugar levels can lead to oral problems which are much more extreme in diabetics than those who do not have diabetes. Since diabetes which gets out of control can negatively impact the white blood cells and it is these types of cells which fight off bacteria in the mouth, more oral problems will occur due to the impairment of the cells.

Common Dental Problems In Diabetics
Although there are many different dental problems which can crop up in diabetics due to the impaired white blood cells, some dental issues are more problematic than others. Some of the more common dental problems include inflammation of the gums, dry mouth, slow healing of mouth injuries, thrush and a burning sensation in the mouth. With any of these problems, the diabetic may also experience cuts and scrapes inside of their mouth and this too can present problems in the long run. In addition, those who have diabetes may be more prone to dental problems such as gingivitis and gum disease. The good news is that there are preventive measures which diabetics can take in order to protect their mouth and promote good oral hygiene.

Tips For Promoting Dental Hygiene And Optimal Dental Care
Promoting proper dental hygiene is not only beneficial for those with diabetes but other non-diabetics as well. One thing which should be done for optimal dental care in diabetics is to visit your dentist at least twice a year so that the dental professional can check your teeth and gums as well as clean them. When visiting your dentist let him/her know that you are diabetic and advise them of any medications you are taking for your diabetes. In addition, tell your dentist right away if you are experiencing any pain or problem areas in your mouth which could lead to serious problems if left untreated.

For proper dental hygiene procedures at home, it is extremely important to brush after every meal. By brushing your teeth at least three times a day you are removing the food immediately and making it less likely for plaque to form. In addition, be sure to replace your toothbrush whenever it starts showing signs of getting too worn or smells funny. Toothbrushes are reasonably inexpensive and replacing yours when the time comes is well worth it.

Another tip to promote optimal dental hygiene which is extremely important for diabetics is to floss once a day. Flossing will take care of all of the food residue and plaque build up not eliminated by basic brushing. Since plaque can also cause damage to the gums as well as the teeth, flossing will help to get in between the teeth and reach spots where the toothbrush cannot.

Lastly, diabetics can keep their teeth and gums in optimal shape by keeping their blood sugar level at a steady rate. Since the rise and fall of the blood glucose level is what disrupts the white blood cells and ultimately leads to bacteria forming in the mouth, by keeping the blood glucose at a favorable level, the diabetic individual is aiding in protecting their mouth from dental problems as well. All of the aforementioned items will help to promote optimal dental care and good hygiene.

Playing Sports With Diabetes: Different types of sports is a great opportunity for all individuals to have. For those with diabetes, playing sports may require a little more preparation than for those who do not have diabetes. It is important to consider the various factors involved to ensure that the sports are played in a safe fashion with one’s blood sugar level in mind.

Be Sure To Maintain Insulin Levels
Although insulin level maintenance is an important concept for diabetics at all times, it is extremely important when the diabetic individual is engaging in sports. Since muscles require additional energy while exercising, the body will release more glucose to gain this energy. If there is not enough insulin in the body to work alongside the glucose, this could result in health problems for the diabetic. Therefore, if you have diabetes and are playing sports, be sure to check your insulin levels on a frequent basis and alter your doses accordingly.

Keep A Snack With You At All Times
Diabetics not only have to worry about high blood sugar levels but low blood sugar as well. In order to keep your blood glucose levels at a favorable rate and not drop too low, eating small snacks from time to time is advisable. Consult with your doctor to see which are the best things to eat and only consume those which are in accordance with your diabetic diet. Just remember to have a snack on hand at all times in case food is needed during the game or practice.

Keep Necessary Medical Information And Supplies With You
Diabetics who play sports should have certain medical information and supplies on them on a continual basis. Items such as medical forms stating you are diabetic, insulin and other medications and testing kit are all things which must be taken with you to practice and games. These items will allow you to check your sugar level, control the level and let others know that you are diabetic should you be unable to tell them yourself. These items are necessary for your well-being and will help you to feel more at ease while playing sports.

Let Necessary Individuals Know Your Medical Condition
Frequently with sports one will have to submit to a physical examination and fill out medical forms dictating their physical health. On these forms it will become known that you have diabetes. With that said, it is also wise to let pertinent individuals such as coaches know that you have diabetes as they will be able to help you should you experience health problems during practices or games. This does not mean that you have to tell everyone on the team, just make sure that those in charge know your medical condition.

Follow Your Diabetes Management Plan At All Times
Those with diabetes will almost always have a diabetes management plan which they must follow in order to keep their diabetes in check. Within this plan, diabetics list their required meal items, insulin dosage and other ways to maintain their blood sugar level. When playing sports, it is even more important to follow this diabetes management plan and add any necessary items which should be followed due to playing sports. Since playing sports takes a lot more energy and exertion, it is extremely important to compensate with regard to eating enough, drinking enough fluids and stop playing when necessary to do so.

Do Not Overexert Yourself
Although diabetics are just as capable of playing sports as their non-diabetic teammates, these individuals may require a break more often. Never feel as if you have to continue the game or practice when you know that your blood sugar level is off. It is crucial to stop and take a break when your body tells you to do so.

Diabetes And The Common Cold: Diabetics have a lot more to consider than simply managing their own blood glucose level. Individuals who have this condition must also be cautious with regard to simple things such as catching the common cold. Where those who do not have diabetes can recover from a cold in a few days, those who are diabetic take longer to recover from such an illness and may even experience complications as a result of the cold. It is these complications which can present severe health issues for the individual. The following presents some factors to consider with regard to diabetes and colds.

The Potential Results Of Catching A Cold While Being Diabetic
One of the main results which can potentially occur when diabetics catch colds is that the stress on the body due to the illness can cause the blood sugar level to rise. The rise in the glucose level is the result of extra hormones being produced by the body to fight the cold infection. The extra hormones interfere with the insulin process and can cause serious issues such as ketoacidosis in those with Type 1 diabetes or a diabetic coma in those with Type 2 diabetes. Both of these conditions are extremely serious and even life threatening for some.

Ways To Prevent Side Effects Resulting From The Cold
Although individuals with diabetes will experience colds from time to time, there are ways to make the side effects resulting from the illness less likely. The first way to do so is to check your blood glucose level on a more frequent basis than you usually do when you are well. By doing these tests more frequently, you can determine if there is a spike in your blood sugar and if so, you are then able to remedy the situation by altering the insulin dosage accordingly. Your treating physician will best be able to tell you how to fix the problem and deal with the varying blood sugar levels in the correct manner.

Another way to aid in the prevention of cold side effects is to alter your diet a bit. Make sure that you are getting the proper amount of carbohydrates and fluids throughout the day. One may actually require more carbs and fluids than usual due to the cold and accompanying symptoms. Just be certain to keep in stride with your usual diabetes menu plan and not eat anything that is not within your usual diet.

Tips On Cold Prevention
The best way to prevent any side effects from resulting due to your cold is to keep from getting sick in the first place. Whether diabetic or not, there are a few tips to keep in mind to pursue healthy daily habits. Things such as washing your hands regularly, avoiding those with colds and other germs and eating healthy foods such as fruits and vegetables are all ways to prevent the common cold.

What To Do When You Get A Cold
If you are diabetic and find yourself coming down with a cold, there are a few things that you can do to lessen the inconvenience and discomfort associated with the illness. First, drink lots of fluids to keep yourself well hydrated. Secondly, make sure that you get enough rest as sleep will help you to rid yourself of the cold in a much quicker fashion. Also, diabetics are able to take some cold medicines but it is important to discuss the recommended types with your doctor before taking anything as some products could be detrimental to the health of the diabetic. Lastly, make sure that you keep up with your proper insulin doses and be mindful of maintaining your blood sugar level as certain things can be forgotten when one is not feeling well.

Foot Care Tips For Diabetics: Proper foot care is essential for all individuals but it is especially necessary for those who have diabetes. Since diabetics who experience foot injuries and conditions can get seriously ill as a result thereof, it is imperative for these individuals to take good care of their feet on a daily basis. If you have diabetes, the following will provide some helpful hints with regard to daily foot care essentials which will aid in promoting the best health possible.

Daily Foot Care
In order to keep your feet in excellent condition and free of any injuries, chafing or dryness, there are a few things which you can do each day to have healthy feet and therefore optimal health. First, ensure that your feet are washed well and moisturized every day. Doing so will prevent your feet from cracking and getting cuts due to dryness. You should also check your feet each day to ensure that they are free of cuts, swelling and blisters. If you do happen to find any of these things on your feet, let your doctor know right away so that you can prevent further injury from occurring. Another thing which you should do on a continual basis is to trim your toenails. By keeping the toenails neat and trim, it will be less likely that cuts and cracks will occur on the feet.

Wear Sensible Shoes
In addition to the aforementioned daily foot care, it is also necessary to wear comfortable shoes each and every day. Wearing sensible shoes and the right type of socks with the shoes will enable you to walk in comfort and prevent injury to the feet. Also, it is very important that you wear shoes that cover the toes and forego the flip-flops, sandals and especially bare feet. Although one can get pretty bored with the same type of shoes day in and day out, wearing shoes that cover your toes is one of the best things that you can do to protect your feet and prevent any serious injury from resulting due to the potentially lethal combination of having diabetes and experiencing a serious foot injury.

Keep Your Feet At A Neutral Temperature
It is also a wise idea to keep your feet at a neutral temperature and ensure that you are not walking on surfaces which are too hot or too cold. If getting into water, always be certain to check the temperature before putting your feet into the liquid. Jumping in without testing it first can lead to detrimental results and be bad for your health due to your diabetic condition.

Reasonable Amount Of Blood Flow To The Feet
Diabetic individuals must also be sure to keep a reasonable amount of blood flowing to their feet. When sitting down, try to prop your feet up and move them around whenever possible in order to keep the blood flowing freely to the lower extremities. It is also important to not sit with your legs crossed for a long period of time as this too can prevent the flow of blood to the feet.

Consult Your Doctor For Foot Care Tips Directly Targeting Your Needs
Since everyone’s diabetic condition is specific to the individual, it is a good idea to ask your doctor what more you can do to promote good foot care. Your doctor will be able to determine which preventive measures will work best for you and keep your diabetes and any concurrent illnesses in check. Again, if you have any problems with regard to your feet or diabetes in general make an appointment right away to see your medical health professional and have the issue resolved.

Tips For Diabetics Who Love To Travel: Traveling is something which many individuals love to do each year. For diabetics, traveling can be a bit more difficult as there are more factors to consider than simply packing one’s bags and hitting the road. Issues such as eating right, having insulin on hand and preparing for the potential glucose related incident are all things which must be given great thought prior to traveling. For those who want the freedom of travel and not have their diabetes hinder their trip, there are a few tips to keep in mind which may prove helpful and make the vacation a success.

Pre-Travel Preparations
Before you hop on that flight or get into your car for a much needed road trip, there are a few pre-trip preparations which all diabetics should complete. First, consult with your medical health professional to ensure that traveling is okay. During that doctor’s visit, ask for a generous amount of insulin and other necessary medications so that you will be sure not to run out of medicine while away on vacation. In addition, ask your doctor if he can recommend a medical facility in the area in which you will be vacationing and if not, call ahead and see what hospitals and doctors are in the area just in case you need some medical attention while away. Always ensure that you have documents on your person stating that you are diabetic as this may be needed in the case of an emergency where you are unable to let them know yourself.

Flying With Diabetes
If your travel plans include flying, there are a few tips to take note of in order to ensure that you get on your flight in a timely manner. First, prior to going through the security area, tell the officials that you are diabetic and have medical supplies in your bags. If you are wearing an insulin pump, make sure to alert them of this fact as well. A note from your doctor will make the whole process go a lot smoother. In addition, labeling is extremely important as are prescriptions so be sure to keep all insulin labels on the bottles and prescriptions on hand. Lastly, ask your doctor what changes should be made with regard to insulin injections if needed during the flight as the injection given in a pressurized cabin such as the one in an airplane might necessitate some changes in how it is done.

Vacation Travel By Car
If heading out on vacation in your own vehicle, you also must be aware of basic necessities when traveling with diabetes. As stated above, make sure that you have more than enough insulin and medication to last the entire trip and then some. Since your prescribing doctor is at home, it is vital to get all that you need before you leave on vacation. In addition, make sure that you have some snacks in the car with you in case you need to get your blood sugar under control. It is also important that you wear comfortable shoes which cover your toes as diabetics need to take extra special care of their feet at all times, not just while on vacation.

Emergency Plan While On Vacation
While on vacation, it is very important to have an emergency plan in mind. Know how to get a hold of doctors, where medical facilities are located and what to do should your blood glucose level be off-target. By having a plan in mind, you will be able to rest easier while on vacation and know that should something occur you are more than ready to handle it.

Cigarettes have become so depended on that much of the world would go into an extreme frenzy if they were one day unable to get. No doubt someone somewhere would have a pack of cigarettes and you would see people climbing up walls and down buildings to get one cigarette. Just like with that Elmo doll a few years ago, people were trampling over each other for a simple doll who had pretty much became unpopular in today’s world. No doubt cigarettes are somewhat more approachable and more addicting than that of a doll but you get my drift. Cigarettes have become more addicting then any habit out there and people are dying each day for the measure of a simple ingredient, Nicotine.

So what’s to become of this imposing epidemic? What are people to do when a bad habit can not simply be dropped? When the scent of another person’s cigarette grabs you and throws you in to world wind of wanting more nicotine into your body. What do you do then?

Researchers have come up with answer, if you are willing to let one little tablet help you that is? Chantix is what I am talking about. Chantix has only been around for a couple of years but has already proven itself top of the line for helping to help people quit smoking. It is a non-nicotine drug taken in pill form that targets those receptors looking for their nicotine. Chantix was approved by the FDA in May of 2006 and had already helped many people quit smoking and move on with a healthier life. Many have suggested that Chantix not only helped reduce their want to smoking but held little symptoms of many other patches and gums out there on the market.

However, I think to understand how Chantix works you might want to know how nicotine works first. People have receptors in their head that are actively looking for nicotine, almost like a little voice bouncing in your brain telling you to grab the cigarette because you will feel better. And mentally that is very true. Once the nicotine gets the receptors in the brain, a little “text” message is sent to the other side of the brain making the delivery of nicotine known which will then allow the receiving side of the brain to produce Dopamine which is the same chemical released during sex. So the pleasure you feel from smoking cigarette through-out your brain when smoking is sometimes compared to sex. I guess that somewhat explains why some people go out for a cigarette afterwards, they can get a double dose of Dopamine to make then feel better longer.

Chantix works two different ways which are very helpful for the necessary achievement of dropping cigarettes. First of all, Chantix works by allowing an easier approach to those annoying symptoms that are found from trying to quit smoking. Another way is that it prevents nicotine effects if a person decides to continue smoking while being treated. Of course that is self-explanatory, if you are going to continue smoking after receiving treatment from habit then Chantix will make sure that you are at least not feeling the additive part of nicotine.

Studies have been done to prove Chantax’s worth out on the market. One study showed a decrease in 44% of people who were full-time smokers while they were treated in 12 weeks. The Center for disease control also gave a compelling study, they stated that more then 44.5 million people just in the United States are smokers. Forty-four and half million! That is a lot of smokers and a lot of people who are going to have an untimely death due to cigarettes. 8.5 million of those people were said to already have developed some form of disease from their smoking habit. Chantix can not help those people gain their lives back after smoking for so many years and developing a disease, but it can help then to stop smoking to enjoy the rest of their lives.

Chantix is given in the form of both a 1 mg blue tablet or a .5 mg white tablet both are needed to ensure you a chance a successful treatment. First you will be told to take the .5 mg white tablet for the first 3 days of treatment; you will only need to take the tablet once daily. Secondly, you will take the same .5 mg tablet twice daily for days 4-7, this will help you to get used to the medicine and trust that you won’t have any bad side effects to it. When taking it twice daily it will be best if it’s taken in the morning with breakfast and then at night with supper. On days 8 through 84 you will be taking the 1 mg blue tablet twice daily and the same rules apply one in the morning and one at night.

If you are choosing to quit smoking then you are making an excellent decision. Smoking can cause countless injuries to your body and it makes you feel as though you have less energy and less motivation to do anything. It can cause kidney disease and countless problems with both you kidney and lungs. On of the major problems suggested with smoking harms in lung cancer, it is one of the biggest causes of deaths in the U.S. You can also find yourself with heart disease, lung diseases, and various forms of cancer even a stroke and some respiratory illnesses.

The main active ingredient in Chantix is Varenicline tartrate which a whitish- yellowish solid powder that in soluble with in water. Some other ingredients in Chantax are microcrystalline cellouse, phosphate, croscamellouse sodium, magnesium state, anhydrous dibasic calcium, Opadry? White which is used for .5 mg tablet. Opadry? Blue and Opadry? Clear are both used for the 1 mg and .5 mg tablets.

Before taking Chantix there are some things you should probably discuss with your doctor. If you have ever had any kidney issues, disease or kidney dialysis then you should tell your doctor because Chantix may not be the right drug for you. Those who are pregnant, trying to become pregnant or who are breastfeeding should let their doctors know because Chantix does not mix well with women who are under those 3 “conditions”.

You should also let your doctor know of any medications or even vitamins you are taking especially if you are taking insulin for diabetes or being treated for asthma or taking blood thinners for decreasing blood clots.

Chantix can be very expensive but it is a very good drug to help you quit smoking. For a 1-month dosage you can buy it from a pharmacy for $100 to $150 it all depends on your insurance provider though.

They are some side effects that you should know about that could accompany Chantix so you must be aware of them. The most common side effects complained about is a nausea most times the side effect will be released once your body gets used to the medication itself. Some other side effects include a headache, insomnia, gas, constipation and changes in people’s dreams. Again, these side effects should go away with the post introduction the medicine, however if they do not then you should go see a doctor because this medicine may not be for you.

Dawn Phenomenon: During prime sleeping hours your body may release a high dose of blood sugar. The effects of this early morning release can be problematic for Type 1 diabetics. The Dawn Phenomenon is difficult for diabetics because it leaves them working desperately for control of their blood glucose levels. This is not the most appealing wake up call.

Still, a high blood glucose reading in the morning does not prove that a diabetic has experienced dawn phenomenon. If the insulin in a diabetic wears-off during the night, then that diabetic will have a high blood glucose reading in the morning.

Other Causes
Various hormone releases that can occur naturally during sleep can also create a resistance to insulin within the body of a Type 1 diabetic. These hormones include…

• Cortisol
• Epinephrine
• Glucagon
• Human growth hormones

Prevention Possibilities
MayoClinc.com provides some remedies doctors may pass along to their patients to better manage the dawn phenomenon.

• Not eating a carbohydrate snack at bedtime
• Adjusting your dosage of medication or insulin
• Switching to a different medication
• Using an insulin pump to administer extra insulin during early morning hours

A diabetic can work toward better-managed diabetes. Your doctor can help supply an action plan.

Lifestyle and Education Changes
Like the control of diabetes, symptom reductions in the dawn phenomenon depend on the adoption of certain lifestyle alterations. As with the control of diabetes, those changes focus on the foods you eat, and the times in which those foods are eaten. Those changes will have a direct impact on the total amount of required insulin each day.

Many experts suggest the addition of a protein based bedtime snack to help reduce the effects of high blood glucose if the patient is susceptible to the dawn phenomenon. The food digests slowly and can help regulate blood sugar over a longer period of time. Insulin alterations may also be required in an effort to compensate for the occurrence of a swing in glucose levels.

Don’t Skip Breakfast
Most experts insist that skipping breakfast because of high blood glucose is a bad idea. In most cases the addition of breakfast can stop the flood of blood sugar into your system. Diabetics need to understand and appreciate the value of regulated meal times and sleep patterns to the successful managed care of their diabetes.

The Dawn Phenomenon May Actually be Normal
Your body was designed to act and react in a certain way. In a typical body the dawn phenomenon does not cause a problem because the pancreas is able to regulate blood glucose while the hormones listed above are sent to do what they are supposed to do. So, when this situation occurs in a Type 1 diabetic it is not exactly strange, but it is difficult for the diabetic to control.

How Glucose is Released
The liver stores glucose in the form of glycogen. If the body senses a need for glucose, it conducts the needed biochemical changes. Appropriate hormones signal for completion of a process called glycogenolysis. That is the name that biochemists use to describe the conversion of stored energy in the liver (glycogen) into usable energy (glucose).

The sleeping body also carries out a process called gluconeogenesis. During gluconeogenesis, the body converts amino acids into glucose. Like the release of stored glycogen the creation of glucose from amino acids occurs in response to hormonal signals.

The body does not count on the signal from a single endocrine gland. The body of the sleeping diabetic responds to signals from several different glands. The pituitary gland produces growth hormone. The adrenal cortex produces cortisol. The alpha cells in the pancreas make glucagons. The outer layer of the adrenal gland sends out a chemical called epinephrine. Those hormones manage to raise the blood glucose level.

Those hormonal signals cause the cells to become more insulin resistant. Together, the production of those signals triggers the release of stored energy and are responsible for the resulting rise in the level of the blood glucose.

Caught Unaware
Because sleep is important to the diabetic it can be hard to live with the dawn phenomenon because it means allowing your blood glucose to get out of control while you sleep. Sleep is important, but so is managed care. This is why a plan of action based on your doctors best advice may help regulate the glucose shifts allowing you to stress less while you sleep.

Could You Have Diabetes Mellitus: A complex disease, diabetes mellitus can go undetected for several years before finally being diagnosed. It is not uncommon to have this chronic illness, yet exhibit no symptoms. With the number of diabetics steadily increasing, diabetes education is crucial in the fight against this debilitating disease. Identifying and treating symptoms early on can make a critical difference in both the physical and emotional well-being of the diabetes patient.

Similarities in Type I and II Diabetes
A majority of the symptoms of Type I and II diabetes are very similar. In both forms, there is an excessive amount of glucose present in the blood, and an insufficient number of cells in the body. The difference in the two types all comes down to insulin. In Type I, insulin producing cells in the body have been destroyed, leading to an absence of insulin and extreme glucose levels. Those with Type II diabetes have developed a resistance to the insulin produced in the body.

Two of the most common symptoms of both forms of diabetes are excessive thirst and urination. Extreme thirst or polydipsia, is usually caused by high blood sugar. The body tries to neutralize these high levels by alerting the brain to dilute the blood. The brain ultimately interprets this as thirst. A second way the body attempts to rid itself of excess blood sugar is through excessive urination, or polyuria. This process can lead to dehydration, as large amounts of water are also excreted with the sugar.

There are several other signs and symptoms exhibited in Type I and II diabetes:
Fatigue is a notable symptom in the diabetes patient. As the body of a diabetic person is not able to use glucose for energy, it is sometimes forced to metabolize fat to use as a source of fuel. This metabolizing process uses a large amount of the body’s energy, causing an overall feeling of fatigue.

A susceptibility to infections is another sign of diabetes. There are certain infections that are a direct result of immune system suppression and existence of glucose in the tissues of the body. Frequent yeast infections, skin infections, or urinary tract infections are signs of blood sugar dysfunction present in diabetics.

Individuals affected by diabetes cannot process the calories in many of the foods they consume. Although an appropriate or sometimes extraordinary portion of food is eaten, many diabetics will lose a significant amount of weight. The excretion of both waters and sugar in the urine also adds to this weight loss.

Distinct Symptoms of Type I and II Diabetes
Often identified in childhood or early adolescence, the symptoms of Type I diabetes are often extremely dramatic, and appear very suddenly. Type I is often contributed to an illness or virus, and sometimes an injury. The initial signs of Type I Diabetes are fatigue, weight loss, extreme thirst and urination, and blurry vision. Infections of the genital region can also occur with Type I. If Type I diabetes is not treated in the early stages of the disease, the body begins producing chemicals known as ketones. Called diabetic ketoacidosis, this condition can cause stomach discomfort and vomiting, fatigue, and an increase in heart rate. If diabetic ketoacidosis is left untreated, coma or even death can result.

Type II diabetes often develops slowly, and can take many years to diagnose. The more common of the two forms, Type II is often attributed to obesity. Almost two-thirds of Type II diabetics report having no signs or symptoms of the disease. If symptoms are present, the most commonly encountered signs are, excessive thirst and urination, increased appetite, unusual weight loss, fatigue, and overall “sick” feeling. Left untreated, Type II diabetes can lead to heart disease, nerve damage, in addition to, kidney failure.

Kelli Kuehne is a famous golfer diagnosed with diabetes. She was born in 1977 from Dallas, Texas. The Kuehne family is full of famous golfers as well. Her two bothers activity plays the sport and wins tournaments. Kuehne has been a part of several championship matches including United States Girl’s Junior Amateur, United States Women’s Amateur and the British Ladies Amateur. She has won all three titles. Kuehne began the professional tour and finally won the LPGA Corning Classics in 1999. Kelli Kuehne is 31 years old.

Diabetic Live’s Top 50 Celebrities With Diabetes: 

A majority of athletes with diabetes have made public statements about their condition. Kuehne is one of those people. She has been dealing with diabetes since the early age of 10. On May 18, 2003, Kuehne said this: “My biggest goal in life is to help diabetic children understand that because they have the disease they need to take care of themselves, see a dietician and get plenty of knowledge about the illness.”

Dogs Helping Diabetics: Dogs can be trained for almost anything. There are dogs that are trained to be police dogs, watch dogs, rescue dogs. companion dogs and seeing eye dogs. Did you know that dogs can also be trained as a medical alert dog for diabetics? These dogs can detect when a diabetics blood glucose goes to low and will alert them. There are organizations all over the country that are training dogs to help people just like you who suffer from diabetes.

One of the organizations, Heaven Sent Paws was founded based on a mother’s personal experience with her son and his diabetic seizures. She did some research and worked with a dog that she bought and sure enough, the dog was able to tell when her son’s blood sugar level was getting to low and she alerted the family to the child’s falling blood sugar level and they were able to get it back up before he went back into seizures. Others have started organizations based on similar experiences.

So exactly how does it work? With most of the organizations they train the dogs from the time they are puppies. Some organizations will take in pregnant strays, saving both the mother and the puppies. The puppies will then begin to be trained. They are trained on many behavior commands and actions. They are taught acceptable public behaviors and are started on scent discrimination training. The key to having the dog work well is to also go through extensive training with the new owner.

Heaven Sent Paws requires you to go through a three week training course with your dog. If the dog is for your diabetic child, then your child has to be there also. Through out this three week training course, you and your dog will participate out in public as a class. You and your dog will be brought to many of the same places that you will go to in your everyday life. Places like the supermarket, department stores, malls, movies, restaurants, bowling alley, on a train, in elevators and even on a school bus if you have a diabetic child. It is essential for you to feel comfortable with your dog in these situations and other situations once you get back home. Plus, it will get you use to having your dog with you everywhere you go.

When you get your dog, it is best that you go into it not expecting a perfect dog. The dog is still a dog and you will still have to make sure you praise it and sometimes correct it. You also have to make sure your dog gets plenty of love and attention. Most of these organizations will match you up with a dog. As of right now, there are no known trainers out there who can train a dog you might already own to become a medical alert dog for diabetes. There have been some reports though that there are dogs who have not had any formal training who can sniff out if their diabetic owner has had a drop in blood sugar level, but there is no hard evidence to support this.

Having a dog who can alert you when your blood sugar is dropping is a excellent pet to have. They can help you better manage your diabetes and lessen your risk of complications.