Indholdsfortegnelse for November/December 2019 i Diabetes Self-Management

Dear readers, In November, the diabetes community observes National Diabetes Month, founded in 1975 to spread awareness of diabetes and the impact it has on millions of people in the United States. Curious to discover more about how the movement got started, learn how top diabetes organizations are making differences in the lives of people with the condition, and find out how you can participate? You’ll find information and inspiration in “What’s the Story Behind National Diabetes Month?” (page 44) and “Questions and Answers: American Diabetes Association CEO Tracey Brown and JDRF President and CEO Aaron Kowalski” (page 18). It’s also Diabetes Self-Management’s 36th year in print, and the issue you’re holding is the first installment of a fresh, updated design, created with you, the reader, in mind. We’ve added…

November is National Diabetes Month. Diabetes continues to be an epidemic throughout the world, but education can help lead to early diagnosis. Take this quiz to see how much you know about some of the less obvious signs and symptoms of diabetes. 1. Thirst can be a symptom of diabetes, but which of the following can also indicate high blood sugar? ○ A Hunger and shakiness. ○ B Feeling full and tremors. ○ C Hunger and having headaches. ○ D Feeling full and having headaches. 2. Which of the following changes in mood could be a sign that your blood glucose is out of whack? More than one answer may be correct. ○ A You suddenly feel happy all the time. ○ B You feel more impulsive than usual. ○…

For nearly the entire time since its discovery, insulin—and later, insulin analogs—have been the only drug treatment available for type 1 diabetes. That’s changed ever so slightly in recent decades, with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approving the injectable drug pramlintide (Symlin) in 2005, which can reduce insulin requirements and improve blood glucose control in many people. But as researchers have learned more about how the disease process and potential complications develop in type 1 diabetes, many have wondered if certain drugs for type 2 diabetes could also help some people with type 1. That’s because over time, many people with type 1 diabetes appear to develop insulin resistance—a hallmark of type 2 diabetes—and need more insulin to have the same effect at lowering their blood glucose. Insulin…

Q It seems like my lispro mealtime insulin takes forever to work. Is there anything faster? A The reason it seems to take so long is because it does. “Rapid” insulins such as lispro, aspart and glulisine (brand names Humalog, NovoLog/NovoRapid and Apidra) work much more slowly than insulin produced by the pancreas. Rapid insulin typically takes about 15 minutes to begin working, 60-90 minutes to reach its peak effect, and three to five hours to finish working. This is mainly because of the time it takes to absorb into the bloodstream from the fat layer below the skin. You can make your insulin absorb a little faster by increasing blood flow to the area; warming/rubbing the injection site or exercising the muscles near the injection site can make rapid…

The holiday season can be far from a ‘holiday’; it can be stressful, especially for those trying to manage their weight. The temptation of indulgent holiday foods can trigger cravings, pressure to organize the perfect get-togethers can evoke stress eating, and even slightly falling off the wagon can compound the struggle. It is no surprise that so many of us suffer with holiday blues, but fortunately there are ways to fortify your willpower and get into the spirit of the holiday season. Prepare: You already know the dangers ahead, which empowers you to prevent or at least lessen the stress associated with this time of year. If there’s going to be a family or office get-together with lots of foods that are not appropriate for your weight management plan, eat…

Holidays are an occasion to enjoy time with family and friends and celebrate with delicious food. I’ve included my tips on which holiday cocktails to sip or skip, low-carbohydrate appetizers to serve at your next gathering, and a few no-cook holiday gift ideas that will save you time in the kitchen during the busy holiday season. Which holiday cocktails should I include and avoid? Alcoholic beverages should always be consumed in moderation. Moderate alcohol use is considered up to one drink a day for women and up to two drinks a day for men. If one is truly following moderate drinking guidelines and just indulging in one or two of his or her favorite one-time-a-year cocktails, really any option can be enjoyed (yes—even higher-calorie and -carbohydrate choices). If social schedules…

If you know anything about kidney stones, you probably know they are not uncommon and can be excruciatingly painful, though not always. Kidney stones are formed by chemicals in your urine (urine contains various wastes). Crystals can form when you have too much waste in too little liquid. They can get larger if you don’t pass them out of your body through your urine with the help of your kidneys. Most individuals have enough liquid to prevent a stone from forming. The chemicals that form kidney stones are calcium, oxalate, urate, cystine, xanthine and phosphate. According to the National Kidney Foundation (NKF), an estimated 1 in 10 people will have a kidney stone at some point—a number that has more than doubled since the late 1970s. Kidney stones are more…

Halki Diabetes Remedy: Hype or Hope Is the Halki Diabetes Remedy for real or is it just another “too good to be true” scam that makes false promises and empties your wallet at the same time? Find out from Certified Diabetes Educator and Registered Dietitan Amy Campbell. Dealing With the Diabetes Police With the holidays coming, are the “diabetes police” putting a damper on your day? While often well-meaning, loved ones who constantly question how you’re managing your condition can take a toll. Get four top tips for dealing with diabetes police in your life. 5 Diabetes Tattoos and the Meaning Behind Them People with diabetes are increasingly choosing to get tattoos that relate to diabetes. The tattoos are chosen for various reasons, and we found five people with type…

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the first generic versions of Lyrica (generic name pregabalin), a popular medicine used for nerve pain from neuropathy (nerve damage) as well as for seizures, fibromyalgia and other neurological conditions. Neuropathy is one of the most common diabetic complications, estimated to affect up to 70% of people with diabetes. It typically affects the feet and legs and sometimes the hands and arms, with symptoms that can include pain, tingling, burning and numbness. Pain from the condition can be difficult to address, with limited treatment options available. Approved in 2004, Lyrica is believed to work on damaged nerves, possibly by reducing “extra” electrical signals, but it is not known exactly how the medicine works in the body. According to the Associated Press,…

News coverage of diabetes is often about the latest discovery or initiative, whether it’s related to research, advocacy or a new drug or device. But many of these developments are guided by an organization working diligently on a long-term plan behind the scenes. Two of the most influential organizations in the world of diabetes are the American Diabetes Association and JDRF, both of which support research, advocacy, and education to help their target communities. Diabetes Self-Management recently asked the leaders of both groups about the impact of their work. Here are their responses (edited and condensed). Diabetes Self-Management: How does your group make a difference in the lives of people with diabetes? TRACEY BROWN, CEO, AMERICAN DIABETES ASSOCIATION: Our whole reason for being is to support people living with diabetes…

Let’s face it. Even if you’ve managed to make exercise part of your regular daily routine, all of that can fly out the window when the holidays arrive—between travel, hosting, cooking and gift-buying, you may not be able to take the walk or jog that you’re used to, let alone get to the gym. That’s when it’s time to look for opportunities to wedge in movement wherever you can. If you’re hosting, you have to choose specific times when it’s OK to get away and go for a walk or a run—following a big meal, for instance. While everyone else is snoozing in front of the TV in the living room, you can sneak out for a walk or a jog. Or you can see if anyone wants to join…

Almost everyone loves some type of soft cheese, whether it is a spreadable cream cheese or a soft, crumbly feta cheese. Soft cheeses include cottage cheese, ricotta, feta, cream cheese, blue cheese, mascarpone, labne, brie and fresh goat cheese. Soft cheese made from full-fat or whole milk contains significant amounts of unhealthy saturated fat, with amounts up to 7 grams of saturated fat per serving. Select fat-free or low-fat or try soft cheese substitutes such as low-fat Greek yogurt in place of sour cream or farmer’s cheese for ricotta cheese. Salt is a standard ingredient in cheese making, and soft cheese such as cottage cheese, feta cheese and some spreadable cheeses are high in salt, with amounts close to 400 milligrams per serving. Low-sodium cottage cheese and feta cheese with…

With the holidays upon us, a question that often comes up for those with diabetes is, “Can I drink alcohol?” It’s a perfectly reasonable question—after all, with the merriment of the season, it’s only natural that you might wonder if you, too, can join in and imbibe! The good news is that most people who have diabetes can drink alcohol. But there are some caveats and recommendations to heed in order for you to stay safe. Understanding alcohol’s effects You may have had a glass of wine or beer without giving too much thought to it. Interestingly, alcohol is classified as a sedative-hypnotic drug, which is a drug that depresses or slows the body’s functions. That’s because alcohol works on the central nervous system. However, alcohol can affect every organ…

The observance has been around for decades, but events and awareness campaigns have taken off more recently. As you’ll know by the end of this sentence if you didn’t already, November is National Diabetes Month in the United States. It’s an opportunity for diabetes-oriented organizations to highlight what they do, communicate the impact diabetes has on people across the country, and urge people to get tested and treated for diabetes. But it wasn’t always this way. When it first began, National Diabetes Month received far less attention from any group—including the one that started it. Over the years, more and more organizations have climbed on board with more activities. Here’s a brief history of how November came to be associated with diabetes awareness, and more importantly, how you can get…

Vitamin D supplementation may slow the progression of prediabetes and type 2 diabetes in those newly diagnosed by improving insulin sensitivity and beta cell function, according to a small new study published in the European Journal of Endocrinology. Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin involved in a number of critical processes in the body, including maintaining bone health, preserving immune function and reducing chronic inflammation. Deficiency of the vitamin is common worldwide, affecting an estimated three quarters of teens and adults the United States population, and the condition has been linked with a variety of serious health issues, including type 2 diabetes. The researchers looked at 96 people who were at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes or who had recently been diagnosed with the condition. The participants were…

The keto, or ketogenic, diet has recently risen in popularity, with many people who have diabetes trying this low-carb approach to eating in an effort to manage their blood sugar levels. In response to the demand, California-based chain Blaze Pizza is debuting a keto pizza crust. In July, the company announced the launch of the keto crust, which includes ingredients such as flaxseed, eggs and cheese and contains only 6 grams of net carbs per serving. “Pizza crusts are traditionally made mostly of flour, water and yeast,” said Blaze Pizza’s executive chef, Brad Kent, in an interview with Business Insider. “Removing the flour brings several challenges since the gluten and starches and sugars (carbohydrates) deliver the desirable light, crispy and chewy texture in addition to its toasty and yeasty flavor.”…

ErgoErgo Wobble Seat You can (and should) do exercises to strengthen your core. But sitting at a desk all day or being limited in your mobility can make that a bit challenging. Why not try the ErgoErgo wobble seat? What looks a lot like a child’s toy is actually a workout—and a chair—all in one. Visit ergoergo.com to learn more. Bee’s Wrap Reusable Food Wraps According to National Geographic, 91% of plastic isn’t recycled. It also takes more than 400 years for plastic to degrade. One way that we can all do our part to be eco-friendlier is to switch to using Bee’s Wrap reusable food wraps. These wraps are a viable and sustainable alternative to plastic wrap. Visit beeswrap.com for more information. Colonel Popper Silicone Microwave Popcorn Popper What’s…

Not a single functioning cell, tissue or bacteria in our bodies is still, ever. They are constantly on the move, generating and expiring energy to succeed in their given purpose. If they were still, they would either be defective or, most likely, dead. These functions take place without our conscious effort (autonomic system). Similarly, on a larger scale, our muscles, bones, heart and joints thrive with regular movement, yet these areas require our deliberate attention to function optimally. As Hall of Fame football coach Lou Holtz famously stated, “You’re either growing or you’re dying, so get in motion and grow!” In other words, our entire body with all of its systems is designed for movement. Movement creates demand that requires our body to work more efficiently to keep up, and…

New York City is magical in every season, but the holidays cast an extra layer of enchantment on tourists and locals alike. The typical hustle and bustle of the Big Apple change as everyone prepares for the season. The smell of chestnuts roasting on the street, the Salvation Army’s jingle bells chime through the brisk air and the excitement of holiday shoppers all make for a festive backdrop to the many sights and experiences unique to the city’s holiday traditions. The season kicks off when Santa arrives on his sleigh in front of Macy’s department store at the end of the Thanksgiving Day Parade. Macy’s continues the holiday momentum by having the most unique Santa experience in the city. Santa Land is a stroll through a 13,000-square-foot Christmas village complete…

Holidays are full of festive celebrations with tasty treats and drinks that are hard to resist. Eating sweet treats is part of the fun during the holidays, and the urge to enjoy desserts can be irresistible. The downside to all of the extra delicious desserts is added weight and under-controlled blood sugar levels. To find the joy in your holidays while also keeping your weight and blood sugar levels under control, follow these tips during the holiday season. Set sugar goals: Make realistic goals on how many treats you will have during holiday gatherings. Avoid vague goals like, “I’m going to eat fewer cookies this year.” Rather, consider setting specific goals that are achievable. For instance, “I’m going to only have one slice of Aunt Mary’s homemade apple pie” or…