Diabetic Live

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.

Playing The Blame Game Or Choosing To Live With Diabetes: You’ve just received news that has rocked your world. You have diabetes. You want to rail against the idea, deny the awful truth and you are ready to affix blame wherever you can.

Maybe it was the extra fruit smoothie you had last month or a cup of gourmet coffee with a name that’s longer than most medical terms. You mind ventures to the steak medallions you had at the steak house or the candy you like as a snack. Were these responsible for your condition?

Sure you blame yourself, but there’s plenty of blame to go around. Maybe you were genetically predisposed to diabetes. Was it your mother’s fault – perhaps your dad’s?

Were there environmental factors that contributed to your condition? Were there marketing practices that led you to an unhealthy lifestyle?

Why did diabetes have to strike? Why did it strike you? Why did it strike now?

Whenever bad things happen we respond with a sense of grief to the news. The Grief Recovery Institute provides a new list of grief stages. These events seem to follow sequentially and have a particularly strong bearing on the loss of a loved one, but may be applicable to other issues. These stages tend to be Shock and Denial, Volatile Reactions, Disorganization and Despair, and Reorganization.

When applied to diabetes we find there can be strong evidence of shock and denial with regards to the existence of diabetes. This event can lead to volatile reactions that are an expression of the anger you feel over the injustice of the disease. Disorganization and despair can often follow, as there are new things to learn that can help, but you have no emotional energy to get on track. Eventually this tends to lead to a reorganization of your priorities, eating habits and plans for physical activity.

Some patients can stay in the shock and denial or volatile reaction phase for a long time. This is the arena where blame is typical. When patients remain in this place it can be hard to consider the possibility of a productive future.

When a diabetic can move to the place where they refuse to heap blame on themselves or others they are finally free enough to begin looking at the possibilities associated with improving their quality of life.

By accepting where you’re at and then enacting a plan that can improve life you have the capability of embracing a future instead of living perpetually in the past.

Diabetes can be managed, but it needs your cooperation. Without your willingness to involve yourself in the process you are delaying results and allowing negative effects to continue to mount within your body.

Giving up is not only pessimistic it is also potentially damaging to your future.

If knowledge is power then finding out more about your condition and how to treat it provides a strong incentive to live and pursue life.

When you finally get to the reorganization phase of grief recovery you may feel as if the world around you has crumbled and you’re left to sort the remaining pieces. That’s not a bad picture of the way this phase works. This phase does allow you to take only the pieces you need for recovery and discard things like preconceived ideas and old habits. It also allows you to trade in many good habits for even better habits. It can help you locate those individuals most capable of helping you in your effort to reorganize. In the end others may discover a brand new you.

Yes, there is life after a diabetes diagnosis. Are you ready to live it?

The Body Of A Diabetic – The Inside Effect: Have you ever wondered exactly what happens inside your body when you have type 2 diabetes?

Most of us understand it is an issue involving insulin and blood sugar, but what’s really going on, and what parts of your body are most affected by diabetes?

Muscles need insulin to convert blood sugar to energy. When these muscles don’t have the insulin they need you can feel tired and drained of energy. The ambition you usually have may seem to fade.

Kidneys are designed to process waste in your bloodstream and release that waste through urine. Excessive blood sugar in your system and a decrease in insulin render the kidneys less effective. The reason this is true is that the insulin allows your body to best use the blood sugar as fuel. When there is not enough insulin your kidneys respond incorrectly to blood sugar. When the kidneys no longer process the blood sugar (glucose) it essentially flushes it through the urine.

The liver is another part of your body that is confused by diabetes. For instance in most cases the liver of a diabetic will produce an excessive amount of blood sugar. In most cases this can be helpful for providing the body with fuel. However, because the body becomes resistant to insulin the liver continues to produce blood sugar, but has very little ability to actually use what it produces and forces the kidney to dispose of what it’s created.

The pancreas is the part of the body that produces insulin. While your body needs this chemical it is generally resistant to the insulin. The body will keep sending messages to the pancreas to create more insulin because it knows it needs it. At some point the pancreas can’t keep up with the orders for insulin that isn’t being used very well.

The stomach is the first line of defense for the diabetic. The reason this is true is that the food you put into your body is the fuel your body uses to keep it going. If you provide fuel that causes the other organs to work overtime in counteracting the negative impact of the food you eat you are essentially weakening your entire system for a time. If you can provide food that your body can use to assist in positive glucose impact you will feel better and your body will function more efficiently.

The more you can learn about how your body reacts with diabetes the more you can strategize to help it in every way possible. This can mean an improved diet, exercise, natural remedies or a medical treatment plan.

Various hormones and body chemicals can add to the confusion of your body systems. Some things your body needs it can’t use optimally. Other chemicals your body doesn’t need seem to be found in abundance and can ultimately damage your heart.

The bad news is this information sounds like doom and gloom. The good news is that isn’t the point of the article. In every instance there are steps you can take to protect those parts of your body that are struggling with the effects of diabetes. You can do something about reducing cholesterol and tryglicerides while improving the performance of your kidney, liver, pancreas and muscles, but you need a plan.

You will find a wealth of ideas right here on our website to help with appropriate meal planning, snacking and exercise. A plan is within your reach. Our site is here to help you define goals and then achieve positive results.

The Normal Diabetic And Other Myths: What is a normal diabetic? Is it someone who must take insulin? Is it someone who must be subjected to blood tests? Is it just someone who can’t have sugar?

Depending on the diabetes type there may be a wide variance in what describes a diabetic. Some diabetic patients seek to manage their disease using a diet while others live with a variety of medications to regulate blood sugar and assist with the functions of the body hampered by the presence of diabetes.

Diabetic Mythbusters

1. T/F People who don’t eat the right kinds of food are more likely to develop diabetes.

False.

Onset diabetes is not a condition that is predicated on your diet. It is brought on when your body does not produce enough insulin or does not use that insulin correctly. Your diet has a bearing on diabetes only to the degree that obesity has been linked to onset diabetes. If your diet leaves you overweight you may wish to switch diets and participate in physical exercise.

2. T/F People who eat too much candy and other sweet treats are more likely to develop diabetes.

False.

Again a sweet tooth in and of itself is not a causal agent for diabetes, but just like your diet if it leads to excessive weight then the additional pounds could contribute to the development of the disease.

3. T/F You can give someone else diabetes.

False.

Diabetes is not contagious and cannot be passed on like the common cold. It is a direct response from your body to conditions within the body.

4. T/F By watching your stress level you can avoid getting diabetes.

False.

Stress levels are important to the diabetic because they can make symptoms worse when under severe stress. However, stress itself will not bring on type 2 diabetes. That being said it is always a good idea to reduce stress because it can show up in other physical ailments.

5. T/F If you have diabetes you can never have sugar or carbohydrates again.

False.

You can actually have both, but you will want to work with a physician and nutritionist to learn the amounts that may be considered acceptable under your diet plan.

6. T/F If you get diabetes you can’t be physically active anymore.

False.

In both type 1 & type 2 diabetes exercise is a key component to disease management. It can serve to help moderate blood sugar levels and generally makes the individual feel better following prescribed exercise.

7. If I get diabetes I will know it.

False.

Diabetic symptoms may be minor and unnoticeable when type 2 diabetes is present. Only a blood test can determine the presence of diabetes. Your physical sense of well being cannot be an accurate indicator of diabetes.

Back to normal

Perhaps the best description of a normal diabetic is one who is not afraid to live life. These are the individuals who refuse to give up and continue to explore life and all manner of adventure.

Generally speaking almost any job is open to someone who has diabetes. The disease itself should pose no meaningful threat to your ability to function in life and to contribute your own unique giftedness to the world around you.

A normal diabetic is one who gets the facts, adjusts their lifestyle to LIVE with diabetes and then refuses to present themselves as less than able.

Diabetes does not have to mean disabled, just differently abled. This is the new normal for diabetics.

Diabetes And Health Insurance: Good health insurance is important for everyone – although it’s especially important for diabetics, given the additional medication that is needed and the risk of complications. Despite this, it’s estimated that over a million Americans who suffer from diabetes don’t have any kind of health insurance. And as any diabetic knows, dealing with diabetes isn’t cheap – it costs around $13,000 per year for treatment.

Most people who don’t have health insurance are poor anyway, or unemployed and unable to take advantage of an employer’s health insurance; and there is some evidence of a link between poverty and diabetes – low income people tend to be more at risk of developing type 2 diabetes. In addition to a lack of medical treatment, they are also more likely to suffer from a poor diet and lack of exercise – both of which are risk factors for type 2 diabetes.

Even those of us who are diabetic and do have adequate health insurance can find that it isn’t always that easy to get treatment or medication covered. Some health insurance policies don’t cover basic diabetic needs, some policies require an extra surcharge for covering diabetes, and some health insurers won’t cover diabetes as they consider it to be a pre-existing condition.

It is possible to find health insurance specifically aimed at diabetics, although it can be difficult. Check any existing health insurance policy carefully to determine whether it covers your condition or not – if in doubt, call your insurance company and make sure you understand any exclusions. Your premium may also be lower if you can demonstrate that you have your condition under control.

If you are looking for new health insurance, try to find a company that specializes in diabetes coverage; the internet has made it fairly easy to compare products and services, although you may be quoted a better rate if you speak to an agent in person. If you know other people with diabetes, ask them – chances are that they have been in your situation and can recommend a health insurance company.

If you have group health insurance provided through your employer, you won’t have any problems with the issue of diabetes – by law, you are guaranteed coverage and can’t be turned down for any pre-existing condition. And if you let your existing policy lapse, or are taking out a new policy, a pre-existing condition will be fully covered after a year has elapsed.

Your options for health insurance that covers diabetes may also vary, depending on the state that you live in. As of the middle of 2008, over 45 states have some type of law in place that requires health insurance to provide coverage for diabetes. This coverage can include the cost of equipment and supplies used by patients at home, as well as the cost of any actual treatment.

Finding Health insurance can be difficult enough, but diabetics can also find it a challenge to find affordable and effective travel and life insurance, and it isn’t always easy to determine the exclusions by reading the fine print on policies. A travel insurance policy should include such things as treatment while overseas, emergency supplies of insulin and emergency transport back home.

As any diabetic knows, living with diabetes can be challenging enough – being able to enjoy adequate health insurance shouldn’t be a challenge too.

Diabetes And Smoking: Despite the well documented dangers of smoking, an estimated 45 million people in the United States still smoke regularly – around 15% of the population. For an otherwise healthy person, cigarettes are unhealthy enough; for a person who suffers from diabetes, they can be even more detrimental to health. And even if you don’t smoke, exposure to so-called second hand smoke is almost as unhealthy.

Unfortunately, many people with diabetes adopt the attitude that they already suffer from poor health and to smoke as well won’t make that much difference. However, most people who control their diabetes are able to delay or prevent complications for many years – a person who smokes and has diabetes has less control and is far more likely to die from a stroke or a heart attack than a non-smoker.

Smoking is especially bad for a diabetic as it reduces the body’s ability to use insulin as well as raises blood sugar levels. Smoking also reduces the amount of oxygen that can reach tissues, thus increasing the chances of a heart attack, or even a miscarriage. A diabetic who smokes regularly generally finds that it is much more difficult to effectively control their diabetes – in fact, just one cigarette can lower the body’s ability to produce insulin by up to 15%.

A diabetic who smokes also has an increased chance of having various other ailments such as ulcers, bleeding gums, kidney disease and nerve damage. Smoking can also increase the possibility of getting a cold or respiratory infection, as well as increase the possibility of limited mobility in the joints. And if you are a diabetic male, smoking can also increase your chances of becoming impotent.

Diabetes can lead to blood circulation problems in the feet and legs, as it can damage the body’s blood vessels. In general, smokers who have diabetes are more likely to have some difficulty with circulation in the legs and feet as well as with wounds not healing properly. In extreme cases, this problem of poor blood circulation can lead to infection, and even amputation.

Not only is smoking bad for a person with diabetes; there is also some evidence that smoking can contribute to the development of type 2 diabetes. It’s estimated the risk is almost 50% higher – even more for heavy smokers. And if you are a pregnant woman, you should not smoke for many reasons – one of which is the chance of getting diabetes and it leading to type 2 diabetes later in life.

If you do quit smoking, you will almost certainly notice that your diabetes control will improve; you may also find it necessary to change your schedule of diabetes pills or your  insulin doses. Any medication for high cholesterol or high blood pressure may also have to be modified once you give up smoking. Be sure to consult your physician if you are a diabetic and are giving up smoking.

As any smoker knows, quitting is not easy. Many diabetics who smoke do so because they wrongly feel that it simply doesn’t matter. And many smoke due to concerns over gaining weight – although the benefits of not smoking generally outweigh any adverse effects due to gaining weight. But if you are a diabetic, it’s even more of an incentive to give up the habit.

I have Been Diagnosed With Diabetes: Now What: If your doctor diagnoses you with type I diabetes, what do you do?  At first, you try to understand it and perhaps even go into denial.

And then it sinks in.  Is diabetes treatable, does it recur, is there a natural cure for diabetes, will I have to inject myself everyday, does a diabetes diagnosis mean no more sugar?  What happens to my quality of life? These are some of the nagging questions.  We have heard of diabetes many times, but when it hits closer to home, we realize we don’t really know much about it.

Diabetes Diagnosis:  The Next Steps

When your doctor says you have type I diabetes, what steps should you take?

• Ask your doctor about blood sugar monitoring and insulin delivery options and ask him to help you decide which option is the most appropriate in your case.
• Take heart.  Millions who have type I diabetes can expect to live long and healthy lives.  Being diagnosed with type I diabetes is not a death sentence.  Your attitude should be “I’m going to fight this.”
• If you have type I diabetes, your doctor will advise you to be vigilant about the following:  frequent need to drink water to relieve thirst, frequent urination (as sugar fills the bloodstream, tissues pull in more fluid resulting in thirst and increased urination); fatigue (tiredness and irritation come about when cells don’t have sufficient stores of sugar); erratic vision (again this is caused by tissue pull-in of fluids, even in the eyes); hunger pangs (when the body does not have sufficient amounts of insulin, it is more difficult for sugar to reach the cells) and weight loss (in spite of eating more).

Treating Diabetes

Effective treatment for type I diabetes revolves around 5 key factors:

• Maintenance of ideal weight
• Healthy diet
• Regular physical exercise
• Blood sugar regulation
• Intake of insulin

The best approach is to keep your blood sugar level as close to normal as possible.  Being able to do this also generates a positive outcome:  you diminish your risks for diabetes-related heart problems by about 50%.

Don’t feel that your diabetes is a source of added stress.  It doesn’t have to be that way.  Take it slowly and gently.  Maintain open communication with your health care team.  Advise your doctor, dietician and diabetes support staff of any changes in how you feel.

Keeping a vigilant eye over your blood sugar is of paramount importance.  Why?  Because no matter how disciplined you are about following your medication and schedule, blood sugar tends to fluctuate without warning.   This is why your doctor will encourage you to monitor your blood sugar at least four times a day.

Monitoring one’s blood sugar involves keeping an eye on what you eat, the amount of stress you face, your hormone levels (if you’re a woman), how often you engage in physical exercise, medications (if you’re taking other medications for other health problems, they may affect the effectiveness of your insulin intake), alcohol (diabetics are strongly advised to control their alcohol consumption) and illness (having fluish symptoms or other symptoms related to other disorders can alter your blood sugar levels).

If you’ve been diagnosed with diabetes, the first thing you should NOT do is despair.  You are not alone.  After asking, “now what”, deal with it, do as your doctor says, and be positive.