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Know your blood sugar numbers!
pharmacy
Checking your blood sugar is the best way to know how well you are managing your diabetes. Regular blood sugar checks are vital to making decisions on how to treat diabetes.
Managing Sick Days
diabetes complications
Everyone gets the occasional flu or cold but if you have diabetes, more attention needs to be given to caring for yourself when you get sick. Blood sugars can become elevated when you are sick even if you have not eaten because your body is stressed. Follow these tips when feeling sick to better control blood sugars.
Does having diabetes mean I have to give up my glass of wine with dinner?
nutrition
In a word... no. Having diabetes does not mean you have to give up alcohol, so long as your alcohol consumption is in moderation. Moderation in alcohol terms equates to having 1 or less alcoholic beverage each day if you are a woman and 2 or less alcoholic beverages each day if you are a man.
Reap the Benefits of Exercise
exercise
Ok, you know exercise is a good idea for anyone. Many have thought of all the excuses of why not to exercise - maybe due to time limitations or not knowing where to start or perhaps the idea of sweating.
What's the difference between Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes?
general info
Most people have heard of diabetes, but did you know there is more than one type?
Now that I have diabetes, will my children get it too?
general info
You may have heard diabetes is genetic but genes are not the only risk factor for diabetes.
Lifestyle factors including obesity and physical inactivity leads to Type 2 diabetes. These risks coupled with a genetic predisposition is the unpleasant recipe for Type 2 diabetes.
The Ins & Outs of Heart Disease
diabetes complications
Diabetes mellitus increases risk for heart disease. What is heart disease? What are the risks? How can risks be reduced? These might have come to mind if your doctor mentioned this heightened risk. Consider the following to reduce your risk for heart disease.
What’s so great about fiber?
nutrition
Fiber is a type of carbohydrate found in fruits, vegetables, and grains. Why is fiber such a big deal? Not only do fibrous foods contain many vitamins and minerals, fiber also packs health benefits including:
Can I eat sugar?
nutrition
In the past, when someone was diagnosed with diabetes, they were told they should not eat sugar. The thinking was that sugar affected blood sugars more than complex carbohydrates (table sugar compared to a slice of bread).
Medications for Diabetes... how do they work?
pharmacy
Type 2 Diabetes is characterized by an inability to produce adequate insulin. Insulin moves sugar from the blood into the cell.
Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes includes a healthy food plan, exercise, weight loss, and oral medications or insulin. What's the difference between oral medications and insulin?
Get a move on fitness!
exercise
You have probably been told exercise is important. It aids in weight loss & can help improve insulin effectiveness for those with Type 2 diabetes. Where do you start?
What is the difference between carbohydrates and sugar?
nutrition
Sugar is a carbohydrate. There are 3 main sources of calories your body can use for energy: carbohydrates, fat, and protein. Carbohydrates are your body’s favorite source of energy
Where should my blood sugar goals be to avoid complications?
diabetes complications
Normalizing blood sugars is the main goal. Strive to get blood sugars close to that of a healthy person who does not have diabetes. Several organizations provide recommendations of blood sugar testing goals.
What is the treatment for diabetes?
general info
Those recently been diagnosed with diabetes, often ask "how will this change my life?" or "what is the treatment for diabetes?". Treatment depends on diabetes diagnosis.
What can a food label tell me?
nutrition
The Food and Drug Administration has standardized the food label found on foods. These food labels provide the nutritional content of a food. Food labels include carbohydrates, fats, sodium, and portion size. Take a look at the following food label and read on to learn more!
How did I get diabetes?
general info
Type II diabetes (aka adult onset diabetes) is the most common type of diabetes, affecting 90% of all people with diabetes. Type II diabetes was considered the adult type of diabetes, but now children are being diagnosed as well. Genetics and lifestyle are the main factors contributing to type II diabetes.
What do the experts mean when they say exercise 5 times a week?
exercise
You may have heard the recommendation of exercising 5 times a week. What constitutes exercise 5 times a week? What type of exercise? What is the time commitment? Read on to learn the specifics of exercising 5 times a week.
Why is my doctor concerned that my blood sugars are high?
diabetes complications
Poorly controlled blood sugar comes with risk and potential long term complications. When you have a high concentration of sugar in your blood, if affects your body's ability to do its job effectively. Damage can arise due to this increased concentration of sugar in your blood.
Sweeteners 101
nutrition
Artificial sweeteners can be used to substitute regular table sugar. Sweeteners such as aspartame (NutraSweet) and saccharin (Sweet n Low) are concentrated in sweetness. One packet of these sweeteners is equivalent to the sweetness of 2 t. of table sugar.
Medication Checklist
pharmacy
Understanding and planning to use medication is key in treating diabetes. Below is a checklist to help make the most of your diabetes medications.
Will I always have diabetes?
general info
Yes. There is no cure for diabetes… but it can be treated. Those with well-controlled blood sugar levels and those maintaining normal bodyweight, can look forward to a healthy life. It takes planning… the most successful person with diabetes takes control of their diabetes and plans. Planning means:
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