Diabetic Live

Using Insulin Pumps To Administer More Insulin: Insulin pumps emerged about two decades ago. However, they just became on the forefront in about half of that time. The insulin pumps are very convenient for diabetics who don’t want to deal with carrying syringes and needles. It also helps them to be flexible in their daily lives. They will still be able to maintain normal blood glucose levels. The pump is the key to administering more insulin when you need it without having to use a syringe and needle.

The pumps were first used by people who were diagnosed as Type 1 diabetics. This was assisting them to keep the glucose levels stable. It also assisted them in preventing recurrences of low blood glucose levels. If you are a Type 1 diabetic, it is imperative that your blood glucose level stay at a reasonable point. Hypoglycemia can set in, and can wreak havoc on you and others. When you use the insulin pump, it can regulate the insulin you use by administering more if it’s needed.

Type 1 diabetics are not the only ones using the pumps. Type 2 diabetics are using them as well. Even for them, using the pump is another way of administering more insulin without having to use a syringe and needle. With Type 2 diabetics, sometimes their blood glucose level can shoot through the roof. That can be just as bad as encountering low blood glucose levels, but on the opposite end of the spectrum. With the insulin pump, it can be used to administer more insulin if needed. This can help to keep the blood sugar at a reasonable level. The pump will allow you to have control of how much insulin you need to administer.

The pump is great to have because you are free to do more things. You can schedule more activities as long as you don’t go overboard. You can eat without having to constantly set aside time to use the syringe and needle. You have a better selection of what kind of foods you can eat, as long as their detrimental to your overall well being.

If you’re thinking about getting an insulin pump, check with your physician to see how it would work in your plans. You would have to learn how to administer the insulin. You would also have to know how much more insulin you’d have to pump into your system. You don’t want to pump more insulin than needed; on the other hand, you don’t want to pump less either. Once you learn the ropes, using the insulin pump will be a cinch.

Using the pump will help improve your lifestyle as well as your overall health outlook. You will have more time to do things.

Before you make a final decision, find out from your insurance carrier if the insulin pump will be fully covered or not. Also, if you need any assistance in regard using more insulin with the pump, consult your physician for additional help.

An insulin pump may be just the thing you need to get more insulin in your system and create more energy for you.

Ways To Increase Your Blood Sugars In An Emergency: There are a number of different ways in which you can increase your blood sugar in emergencies– they are widely available, and most are not difficult to use. However, it cannot be stressed too strongly that these measures are intended for emergency situations only– they are not meant to be a substitute for being responsible about monitoring your blood sugar and keeping it stable on a consistent basis.

Whether your blood sugar problem is due to diabetes or hypoglycemia, it is wise to discuss this subject with your physician when he diagnoses your condition. The reason for this is that each person’s system is different, and therefore responds differently; so your physician may wish to recommend which specific method you should use if such an emergency arises.

One popular method of increasing low blood sugar is by the use of glucose tablets. The reasons for this method being so popular include their convenience– glucose tablets can be easily and discreetly carried in a purse or pocket; the fact that they are simple to use; and also that there is nothing unpleasant about this product in terms of its taste or aroma. Most people also appreciate the fact that glucose tablets are quite inexpensive. You can find glucose tablets in round or square forms; they are available in orange and lemon flavors. Glucose tablets are sold in pharmacies, as well as some larger grocery and department stores. For on-the-spot blood sugar emergencies, they are a very beneficial product to have on hand.

While liquid glucose is not yet as popular as glucose tablets, its use is becoming more and more prominent. One important reason for this is that you can find liquid glucose which also contains other beneficial elements. Instead of being plain, pure glucose, it will provide you with the additional benefits from vitamins E and B-complex, and magnesium and chromium minerals. As these elements contribute to overall health, the combination makes using liquid glucose for stabilizing your blood sugar a positive choice.

Glucose shots are often used for increasing blood sugar when a person is too severely affected to be able to use other methods. One example is if the person is having difficulty swallowing, or is approaching unconsciousness. Although it should be obvious, glucose shots should not be given to anyone unless their use has been advised by a physician, as the concentration of this product can cause serious complications or even death. Only a physician can recommend whether glucose shots are safe for the individual patient. With the doctor’s recommendation, and used correctly, glucose shots can save a life.

In order to be on the safe side, discuss the ways to increase your low blood sugar with your physician before any emergencies occur. After he has completely assessed your condition, he will be in the best position to advise you as to which method you should have on hand in case you have any such emergency. It is important to keep in mind, however, that monitoring your blood sugar and keeping it as stable as possible is the best way to avoid emergencies.

What Is An A1C Test: If your physician has recommended that you have an A1c test, it may be the first time that you have ever heard this term and would like to know more about it before you have the test.

As diabetes is a very serious condition which has the potential to cause even more serious complications, keeping it “in check” by monitoring it on a regular basis is absolutely essential for the sake of your longterm health. An A1c test is a very positive aid in the process of monitoring the specifics of your diabetes.

If you have been diagnosed with diabetes, having an A1c test performed immediately is preferred. The reason for this is so that your physician can monitor whether or not any changes occur after the initial onset of your diagnosis. If he concludes that you should have this test on a regular basis, such as a number of times each year, this is to alert him to any changes, whether small or significant, so that he can proceed with whichever type of treatment he deems necessary in your specific circumstances.

An A1c test is a procedure to check and keep track of the glucose level in your blood by measuring your hemoglobin-A. This test is one of the surest methods of calculating the progress of your diabetes. While other testing methods, such as urine samples, can detect the presence of high blood sugar, the A1c test is much more comprehensive, thorough, and will provide much more accurate results in determining the overall state of your diabetes.

There are two methods of performing the A1c test; while the choice of which method is most appropriate is usually at the physician’s discretion, most physicians will consider your preference. In other words, some people may intensely dislike or fear the process of blood-drawing, while others do not have an issue with it at all. The A1c test may be performed by drawing blood from the arm, or by a needle-prick to a finger. Once the blood sample is collected, it is then analyzed for its hemoglobin concentration.

Although the A1c test is primarily used for patients who have been diagnosed with diabetes, it is also a good idea for anyone who has pre-diabetes or hypoglycemia. If you fall into either of these categories, keeping track of your glucose level in this manner is a very positive way for your physician to determine, as early as possible, if your condition has changed or progressed into diabetes.

While the medical aspect of an A1c test may sound overwhelming, it need not be– a good way to look at it is that the best method of preventing serious complications from diabetes is with early and regular testing. This one minor test can help your physician to spot a change before it has the chance to become a serious problem, and then to be able to recommend the best treatment accordingly. The A1c test is an essential diagnostic tool which can help to keep you healthier!

What Is Carb Counting: Carb counting is a relatively new method of managing diabetes. Prior to quite recently, diabetes was usually managed by placing the patient on a restrictive diet which essentially meant that there were certain foods and certain types of foods which the person could not eat. If he was motivated enough to take his health seriously, the patient simply abided by this diet, avoiding those foods completely.

Carb counting is more complicated! Instead of placing certain foods as “off-limits,” this newer method encourages the patient to monitor the number of carbohydrates which he consumes. He will find that there are a certain number of grams of carbohydrates in many types of food products, and learns how to monitor the number which he is allowed to consume.

With this method, there is far less emphasis on the difference between simple carbohydrates and complex carbohydrates. Simple carbohydrates, which are found in food products that contain fructose, sucrose, and glucose, and present the most serious potential for problems and complications in a diabetic, are no longer completely off-limits to most diabetics who elect to manage their condition with the carb counting method.

While no longer having one’s diet restricted may sound like a dream-come-true to many diabetics, carb counting is not necessarily as positive and problem-free as a person might hope. One of the most important repercussions of being free to consume foods which were formerly forbidden is that when the diabetic allows himself to consume simple carbohydrates, for which the body has little use and little nutritional value, he must balance out his food choices by limiting complex-carbohydrate foods which are much healthier. In other words, you can have your candy or cake or sodapop– but you will have to balance that out by having fewer vegetables, pasta, and bread. Most people can easily see that the types of food products which contain complex carbohydrates have much more nutritional value and overall health benefits than those which provide simple carbohydrates!

In addition to the common-sense manner of looking at it from the viewpoint of optimal health, there is also the factor of inconvenience. While many people would readily consider the prospect of being able to eat nearly anything they wish to be well worth the inconvenience of consistently keeping track of their carbohydrate intake, many others would not think it to be worth such effort at all. This factor, of course, is up to one’s individual preference.

If you wish to try carb counting, how should you begin? Until you have become well-acquainted with the specific information for the foods that you eat on a regular basis, starting this endeavor will include weighing or measuring each product that you eat, checking the package label or a book to find how many grams of carbohydrates the item contains, and keeping an accurate record of your carbohydrate consumption. It is also essential to note that such factors as your weight, gender, and activity level all play a role in determining the number of grams you need per day.

You may not yet be certain as to whether you want to try carb counting. Perhaps the best way of looking at the subject is that it is a choice between being able to eat nearly anything you want and eating what is the best for your overall health. For example, you will find that the carbohydrate content of a McDonald’s hot fudge sundae is only a little higher than a serving of fresh potatoes– and it is not difficult to see which source of carbs will give you the most nutrition and health benefits!

The Pancreas Transplant: If you have Type-1 diabetes, you may have heard about pancreas transplants, and you may be wondering if this could be an option for you. Perhaps it would be a good idea to examine the facts about pancreas transplants, so that you will be better informed in general as well as more prepared to discuss this subject with your physician.

The main purpose of a pancreas transplant is to free the patient from his need to rely on external forms of insulin. If this procedure is recommended, and successful, you will no longer have to deal with such annoyances as frequent insulin injections. If you have been dealing with the time-consuming, uncomfortable, occasionally messy process of injecting insulin into your body for a number of years, it is quite likely that you are ready to learn about an option! After all, wouldn’t any permanent “cure” be better than coping with needles and insulin throughout the day, every day?

While this may be a tempting way of looking at the subject, the fact is that nothing is as simple as one might initially believe. One of the main drawbacks of a pancreas transplant is that your body may reject the transplanted organ. This is the case whether the transplant involves a whole pancreas or only a partial organ. Your own physician is the best person to advise you as to whether your body presents a better or lesser than average chance of accepting this new organ. It is not a decision to take lightly, because if your body rejects the transplant you can be faced with more medical complications which will need to be resolved.

In addition to this basic risk, it is also essential to determine whether or not you have pre-existing medical conditions which could make a pancreas transplant unsafe for you. With the exception of your diabetes, it is very important for you to be in good general health when undergoing this procedure. A pancreas transplant is, in itself, major surgery, so a person should be strong and healthy if he is to be considered a good candidate for a transplant.

The prospect of being relieved from external insulin dependency is a positive benefit of a pancreas transplant. If you elect to have this surgery, you may indeed find that your life and state of health is much better when you no longer have diabetes. However, it is very important for you to first consider all of the possible drawbacks before you reach a final decision. One factor which you must consider is that the transplant will require you to take medication for the rest of your life, to ensure that your body will not automatically reject the organ at a later date. These medications have the potential to cause complications, such as lowering your resistence to infection, interfering with immunizations, and possibly having side-effects.

As with any form of medical treatment, a pancreas transplant presents pro’s and con’s. When you have all of these facts in hand, you are in a better position to consider both sides of the issue and to discuss your options frankly with your physician.

Thanksgiving Ideas For Diabetics: From the moment you were told you had diabetes you worked to adjust your diet and exercise to assist in your ability to achieve positive health objectives.

Your strict adherence to diet has resulted in very positive results. Your blood sugar is more balanced, your weight is down and you might even feel better than you have in a very long time. Than along comes Thanksgiving.

Suddenly your thoughts return to comfort foods and family traditions. Turkeys dance in your imagination along with pumpkin or pecan pie, potatoes and homemade gravy. Your mind goes back to family gatherings and an almost unlimited supply of taste tempting treats.

It is possible to conclude that this year you may have to cloister yourself away from family and dine on a less than sumptuous meal of celery and sprouts.

Thanksgiving has always been a time for family. Living with diabetes simply means you make the choice to be creative in how you enjoy your time with your loved ones. If you’re the cook you may even help educate others in how to be more sensitive to the needs of those who struggle with their blood sugar levels.

When you live with diabetes you learn to begin looking at food in a new way. By learning what to avoid and what to limit you begin to live more fully within the limitations of diabetes.

Thanksgiving is a time to limit your intake of calories. One of the best ways to do that is to really pay close attention to the food that’s available. Carb laden food such as potatoes, sweet potatoes and stuffing can be used as accents to your plate while modest servings of turkey may also be a familiar treat. Refuse to overfill your plate and resists the allure of second helpings.

One of the best ways to retrain your mind is to concentrate on those gathered around you instead of dwelling on the beauty of past meals. By engaging others in meaningful conversation you will have less time to eat and more time to enjoy the company of family and friends.

Truly savoring the food you do eat is another way to enjoy the meal. You really can eat less and enjoy more when you take smaller bites and chew them longer. This will aid in digestion and reduce the total number of calories and carbs that can prove problematic for you.

Water is always your friend. By making sure you are well hydrated prior to the Thanksgiving meal you may feel fuller and have less need for food. This will always work to your advantage as water is a great cleansing agent and less food will assist in managing your diabetes more effectively.

Resist the after dinner slump. Stay active by inviting others to take a walk with you or by helping with the dishes. We all know the tryptophan found in turkey can be a lure to a mid afternoon nap, but by resisting it you allow the food you have eaten to work through your system without as many problems.

The combination of these disciplines can even pave the way for you to enjoy certain after dinner treats that have strong links to Thanksgiving.

Let’s take a look at a couple of recipes that are geared to assist those with diabetes during Thanksgiving get-togethers.

Better Recipes presents an alternative to the more traditional Thanksgiving turkey by drawing on spice and flavor while keeping things beneficial for diabetics.

Winter Gumbo For Thanksgiving

1 cup okra (sliced 1/2 inch)
1 cup Vidalia onion, diced
1 diced green pepper
3 stalks celery, diced into 1/4 inch slices
1/4 cup olive oil
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
3 vine ripened tomatoes, diced
1 15 oz can of diced tomatoes
2 14 oz cans of chicken broth
4 Tablespoons Emeril’s Essence
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
2 teaspoons Tabasco
2 Tablespoons diced jalapeno peppers (jarred, no seeds)

Heat olive oil in the bottom of a large saucepan on medium high. Sweat the onions, bell pepper, and celery until tender. Add salt, flour and garlic powder. Mix thoroughly until smooth and there are no lumps in the pan. Add chicken broth and canned tomatoes. Bring to a soft boil. Add okra, tomatoes, and jalapeno to the mixture. Add Emeril’s essence and Tabasco to taste. Lower the heat to low and simmer for two or more hours. Serves 10.

Cooks suggests the following delicious dessert recipe that will likely be a hit with all and helpful to those who are on a sugar restrictive diet.

Diabetic’s Pumpkin Pie

1 baked & cooled 9″ pie shell
2 sm. pkg. sugar-free instant vanilla pudding
2 c. milk
1 c. canned pumpkin
1 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
1/4 tsp. ginger
1/2 tsp. cinnamon

Blend all ingredients in blender until smooth. Use plain canned pumpkin. Do not use canned pumpkin pie mixture. Pour into pie shell and chill until ready to serve.

Other snacks that might be appropriate are a moderate amount of nuts or seeds, fruit (dried or fresh), strawberries with angel food cake, or you can try something new and try fruit-kabobs fresh off the grill.

When you start early to develop a strategy for Thanksgiving mealtime you can help keep temptation at bay. You may be certain the course of action you are taking is the correct step to maintaining optimum health, but historic Thanksgiving meals seem to insist you throw off restraint and dine with abandon.

By accepting the temptation to indulge you may actually come to despise Thanksgiving because it always leaves you in poor physical health and sets a negative tone for the remainder of the holiday season.

Be proactive in your planning and mealtime strategy and see if this Thanksgiving might not be the start of a healthier holiday feast that leaves you with no regrets.

Christmas Ideas For Diabetics: A fruitcake in the mail, some bakes goods at work, candy cane static clings on store windows. It can seem as if there is a conspiracy at Christmas time for those with diabetes.

You may be lamenting the fact that your aunt’s holiday fudge along with traditional mulled wine or eggnog is completely off limits. It can feel as if Christmas is simply one big “NO” when it comes to mealtime acceptability.

To add insult to injury the traditional Christmas meal is far from friendly to those who live with diabetes. If a host is thoughtful they will have fruits, nuts and possibly some sugar free candy when they know there is a diabetic who will be attending, but it is possible to take Christmas meals to another and more healthy level. What’s more the possibilities available are easy to research and often easy to put together.

Some of the more traditional Christmas meals will feature offerings such as ham, prime rib or turkey. Added to this caloric fest are an array of side dishes that may be heavy on cream and/or sugar. Carbs are always available in dinner rolls, potatoes and other starchy seasonal favorites. This is often a recipe for disaster for those who absolutely need a low sugar/low carb meal.

None of this adds up to a wholesome memory for the diabetic.

What if you were to consider another alternative for a Christmas meal? What if this meal tasted great, was diabetic friendly and healthy? What if those who don’t have diabetes loved the meal? What if it became a new tradition?

If you are hosting a meal where a diabetic will be present take the time to extend the courtesy of a dish they do not need to feel guilty about. You can still create all the traditional feast favorites, but by adding a dish that is pleasing to the taste and helpful to the body you may find there may be many who will opt for the healthier choice. They might even welcome it.

In Australia some of the more typical Christmas meals consist of seafood and fruit. While the fish may have cholesterol it is generally the good variety with the advantages of Omega-3 Fatty Acids and low calories. They are available because, in December, it is summer down under. Christmas day often finds Australians on the beach and not huddled inside waiting on roast turkey and gravy.

Dishes that include salmon and trout are very positive choices for diabetics and can be prepared in taste tempting ways. Even in the United States these fish are available year round.

One of the greatest fallacies for those who may have been recently diagnosed with diabetes is that good taste is no longer something available. The truth is there are numerous herbs and seasonings that allow an entirely new pallet to be used in the creation of foods that cause a sensory explosion. Advances in sugar substitutes allow sweetness to continue to be a part of a diabetic’s vocabulary.

If you remain partial to traditional favorites the good news is there are numerous recipes using turkey that are very diabetes-friendly. They key to any holiday gathering is monitoring calorie content and keeping total intake to a safe range.

The Wellness Living suggests a seasonal recipe that is pleasing to the eye and palate and features a caloric intake of just over 100 calories per serving. This is one of those ideas that may challenge the way you think about a holiday meal.

Lemon Baked Shrimp

1 pound peeled and de-veined shrimp
1/3 cup dry bread crumbs
1 teaspoon dried parsley
1/2 teaspoon grated lemon rind
1/8 teaspoon salt
2 minced garlic cloves
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon olive oil

Recipe

Coat 4 individual baking dishes with non-stick cooking spray
Divide shrimp between the dishes; set aside
Combine the bread crumbs, parsley, lemon rind, salt and garlic in a bowl; stir in lemon juice and olive oil
Sprinkle bread crumbs over the shrimp
Bake at 400 degrees for 15 minutes or until shrimp are done and the bread crumb mixture is lightly browned
Serves 4

Diabetia suggests a traditional sounding dessert that is actually very friendly to those with diabetes.

Cranberry & Pear Crumble

Ingredients

4 pears
200g fresh cranberries (7 oz)
4tbsp water
1 tbsp sugar substitute
120g oats (4.25 oz)
50g whole meal flour (1.75 oz)
2 tbsp sugar substitute
50g butter or margarine (1.75 oz)
2 tbsp ground almonds

Peel and cut pears into small cubes
Place in an ovenproof dish
Add cranberries and water
Add sugar substitute and stir
Mix other dried ingredients, blending the butter in well
Spread on top of fruit mixture
Cook at 190C, 350F for 30-40 minutes

Serve with a spoonful of yogurt, fromage frais or low fat custard.

If you live with diabetes you do not need to live with the internal voice that always tells you, “NO!” You simply need to explore the yeses that are available to you. Every day the yeses increase. New worlds of dining opportunity exist for the diabetic and holidays are no exception.

When a host asks if there is anything special they can do for you feel free to pass along a favorite dish or one you think others would also enjoy. You might even offer to create something to share that might add a sense of culture and adventure to the holiday atmosphere.

You don’t need to apologize for having differing requirements and can help others deal positively with the differences. Whenever there is a medical difficulty there are many that do not know how to respond. Your encouragement can allow them to become more comfortable, accepting and even accommodating.

Oh, and if you’re a boss or someone offering holiday goodies at work – consider the needs of those who may be diabetic in your office and bring along tasted nuts, fresh fruit, certain types of diabetic trail mix or sugar-free candies and baked goods. This way your holiday cheer can extend to everyone.

Celebrate World Diabetes Day Nov. 14: Diabetes is a serious health condition that affects over 23 million people in the United States and as many as 180 million people worldwide.  As alarming as those statistics are they are nothing compared to how quickly the disease is growing.  Not only is Type 1, also referred to as juvenile diabetes, growing steadily at about a 3% increase per year, but Type 2 Diabetes which was once considered a threat only to people in later life is also growing at an alarming rate in children and people of all ages.  Diabetes can cause death through its own symptoms if left unchecked, but beyond that it increases the risk of many other deadly diseases including heart disease.

Diabetes is considered one of the top 5 causes of death in this country and that is what prompted organizers to declare November 14th as World Diabetes Day.  Having a “day” for a cause helps an organization draw attention to the causes and cures so that the public can be educated.  This is important because as many as one-fourth of the people with diabetes are unaware that they have it.

Bringing attention to World Diabetes Day on November 14th is also important because the recent increase in Type 2 Diabetes among adults and children is believed to be caused by a poor diet and that can be corrected and prevented.  It is sad that in a country that has more food available to them than anywhere in the world people choose to eat foods so high in sugar and low in nutrients that it is causing an epidemic.  The good news is that with proper education and improved habits many people can avoid the onset of this deadly disease.

The theme of this year’s annual World Diabetes Day is “Diabetes in Children and Adolescents”.  It is so important to help educate children because they are the future of the world.  More information about World Diabetes Day and ways to celebrate can be found at worlddiabetesday.org.

Halloween Ideas For Diabetics: Helping your child deal with a serious health condition like diabetes can be a difficult thing on a daily basis, but having to deal with it on Halloween can be even more difficult.  A holiday whose focus is on costumes and candy makes helping a child understand keeping blood sugar stable a little more complicated, but not to worry there are some answers.  There are some good choices in diabetic treats for Halloween these days so your child need not feel left out of all the fun.  There are also some good basic guidelines to follow that can allow your child to enjoy the “regular” treats as well.

While it is important for the diabetic child to understand his or her illness and know how to eat properly to keep it in check, it is also important that they feel normal and aren’t left out of fun traditions.  Talking about the steps he or she should take in advance can help avoid a stressful situation later.  Your child may decide to dress up and go trick-or-treating and then exchange the candy they receive for more appropriate diabetic treats for Halloween such as sugar-free candy, a small bag of corn chips, Halloween pencils, spider rings or temporary tattoos.  There are lots of options to keep the holiday fun.

Another option is to enjoy the regular candy one small piece at a time and work it into the child’s food plan each day.  Small doses of sugar can be compensated for with a healthy meal that is lighter in carbohydrate content and then incorporating increased physical activity into the day’s plan.  The good news about Halloween candy is that most of it comes in appropriate small serving sizes that can allow a fun taste of the candy without overdoing the sugar.

Another good tip for families who have other children without diabetes is to treat everyone the same.  The reality is that eating large quantities of sugar at a time isn’t good for anyone and so choosing to eat just one piece per day is better for them as well.  This shouldn’t feel like a punishment; the bright side is that they will just be finishing up the Halloween candy in time for Easter!  In any event, it is important that the diabetic child isn’t constantly being made to feel different.  The appropriate diabetic treats for Halloween are really healthier for everyone else, too.  The focus of Halloween should be kept on the fun of dressing up and running around to see all of the neighbors and not so much on the candy, which makes everyone healthier.