Indholdsfortegnelse for Summer 2022 i Diabetes Self-Management

Summer Portion Control: From Beach to Barbecsue Whether at the beach, a picnic, or a barbecue, everyone looks forward to the food almost as much as the company. But when diabetes is part of our lives, it’s best to be smart regarding both food choices and amounts. Here are the top 10 tips for “right-sizing” summer food portions. bit.ly/3pRtoer Seven Ways to Lose Weight The right eating plan will help you maintain a healthy weight, which, in turn, can help prevent the development of diabetes complications. But what if you need to lose weight first before you can think about maintaining a healthy weight? Here are some tried-and-tested methods to help you. bit.ly/3pVnTvu PCOS and Diabetes Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a condition that affects women and is one of…

When it comes to diet and managing diabetes, fruit is often a hot topic. Many people wonder which fruits are best for those living with the condition. The truth is that there isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer. How much do you know about the benefits of fruits? Take this quiz to find out! (Before changing your diet, consult with your health care provider to find out what is safe for you.) 1. For those without diabetes, including more whole fruits in the diet is associated with a lower risk of developing type 2. ∘ True ∘ False 2. What is the best form in which to consume fruit? ∘ A. Canned. ∘ B. Fresh. ∘ C. Dried. ∘ D. Juice. 3. Which glycemic index range (or GI, a scale that ranks…

Having diabetes is linked to a higher risk for a type of sinus inflammation that can cause loss of smell—chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps—according to a new study published in the journal Clinical Otolaryngology. For the study, researchers focused specifically on how having diabetes might affect the risk for different types of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS)—ongoing inflammation of the nasal cavity and surrounding sinus cavities, which may be the lasting effect of an infection in the area. CRS is divided into two further categories: CRS with and without nasal polyps. Nasal polyps are growths of inflamed tissue that form along the inside of the nasal and sinus cavities and can interfere with breathing if they grow large and numerous enough. The researchers used data from the Korean National Health and Nutrition…

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved two spinal cord stimulation devices from Medtronic for treatment of pain from diabetic peripheral neuropathy, according to a press release from the company. In recent years, there has been a steady increase in therapy options for diabetic peripheral neuropathy—a common diabetes complication marked by numbness, tingling, or burning sensations, most often in the legs and feet. The available treatments don’t undo the nerve damage leading to these sensations, which can range from bothersome to extremely painful. But treatments can reduce pain and improve quality of life. The American Academy of Neurology (AAN) recently updated its guidelines on treating diabetic peripheral neuropathy, endorsing treatments ranging from oral drugs to a patch worn on the skin to implantable spinal cord stimulation devices, depending…

“When the spirits are low, when the day appears dark, when work becomes monotonous, when hope hardly seems worth having, just mount a bicycle and go for a spin down the road, without thought on anything other than the ride you are taking.”—Sir Arthur Conan Doyle The benefits of biking With summer here, it’s a good time to heed this advice. Bicycling is great cardiovascular exercise and, as recent studies show, good for keeping your mind sharp. Like all types of endurance exercise, biking helps you keep fit, manage your weight, control your blood sugar, improve cholesterol levels, and ward off heart disease and other conditions. It has also been shown to improve mood and increase blood flow to the brain. In one recent study, 100 older adults (ages 50-83)…

When the warm weather strikes, there’s nothing quite as refreshing as a frozen treat—whether it’s a fudge bar, a fruit pop, or an ice cream sandwich. Yes, you can indulge in a frozen treat if you have diabetes, but the key is keeping the calories, carbs, and added sugars in check. Ice cream or frozen yogurt in a tub can work, too, but portion control gets a little trickier. That’s why a frozen dessert that’s packaged is your best bet when you’re longing to cool off with something sweet. Best choices are no more than about 100 calories, 15 grams of carbohydrate, 4 grams of added sugars, and 2 grams of saturated fat per serving.…

Some people enjoy roller coasters. My wife, for example. And my kids. And my friends. And my friends’ kids. Me, not so much. I find the steep open-air climb to be terrifying, perhaps out of anticipation of what’s sure to follow: The BIG DROP. As the coaster makes its way just past the summit and begins its rapid descent, I start to feel as though my guts have come loose and are headed straight for my throat. Sure, the whole ordeal is exhilarating, but I can think of a thousand more favorable ways to get my heart rate up. Like running from a charging bull or staring down Michael Jordan in a game of one-on-one. Diabetes has its own version of a roller coaster. It comes in the form of…

A month’s supply costs you about the same as a Starbucks latte. It’s one of the oldest drugs in active clinical use today, and it’s now the first-line drug for almost everyone with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes on the planet. Most of the millions of people who take it don’t give it a second thought, but humble metformin may well be the closest thing we have to a wonder drug. Consider the following: Other than insulin, metformin packs probably the biggest blood-glucose-lowering punch of any diabetes drug on the market, decreasing HbA1c (A1C) levels (a measure of long-term blood glucose control) by up to 1.5%. It protects your heart, and it might even hold some cancers at bay. It gets along well with a wide variety of other drugs…

Dear readers, Summertime is here! The season is a favorite for many, full of lazy days at the beach, barbecues with family and friends, dinners on the patio, and perhaps a bit of travel. Curious how you can enjoy some hard-earned fun in the sun without taking a vacation from your diabetes care? Mosey over to “Summer Living” (page 36) for tips on warm-weather eating, medicine, monitoring, and more! If you’re planning some strolls along the boardwalk or hikes in the woods this season, you may be putting a renewed focus on the health of your feet and legs. If you ever experience cramping leg pain while walking that goes away with rest, you may have a condition known as peripheral arterial disease (PAD). People with diabetes have an increased…

Since the option of using A1C (a measure of long-term blood glucose control) to diagnose diabetes was introduced over a decade ago, there may have been fewer diabetes diagnoses than using only older methods of diagnosing diabetes would have produced—meaning that many people may not be getting the treatment they need, according to a new study published in the journal The Lancet Regional Health—Europe. The study looked at changes in how many people were diagnosed with diabetes in Denmark over a 24-year period, from 1995 to 2018—both before and after guidelines included A1C as an option for diagnosing diabetes. There were 415,553 new diabetes diagnoses over the study period, and the researchers used these participants’ data to calculate an age-standardized rate of diabetes diagnosis. The researchers found that from 1995…

Taking a turmeric (curcumin) supplement may help slow the progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD) by changing levels of certain chemicals in the body that are toxic to the kidneys, according to a new study published in the journal Nutrients. Turmeric is a root that is often used as a spice, especially in Indian cuisine. Taking a turmeric supplement is very different from consuming the root or spice because in any high-quality supplement, active compounds from turmeric have been highly concentrated. These compounds belong to a larger family of beneficial chemicals known as polyphenols. Curcumin, in particular, has been shown to have a range of beneficial health effects in studies, including some evidence that it may help preserve kidney health, which is why researchers were interested in looking at that…

When the temperatures rise outside, keeping the oven off is ideal. Not only does it keep your home cooler, but it also provides more time to relax and enjoy the summer months without spending too much time in the kitchen. Building a no-cook or minimal-cook meal plan doesn’t need to be difficult. Try the simple three-day meal ideas provided online at the link bit.ly/3rTOgCT, or use the tips below to start building more no-cook meals into your routine. Tips for building no-cook meals 1. Prepare more plant-based protein sources. There are many reasons to consider including more plant-based proteins in our diets. In terms of diabetes, research suggests that plant-based eating can play a role in reducing the risk of developing type 2 and may also help those who are…

Summertime should be easy: Winter is over, the weather is warm, and you’re more than ready for some fun in the sun. Indeed, there’s nothing better than enjoying a summer vacation. But if you’re thinking of taking a vacation from your diabetes self-care, think twice. The warm weather is a time to be more diligent about many aspects of your diabetes management. Doing so can make summer more enjoyable for you. Summer food tips From cookouts and picnics to ice cream and lemonade, summer brings its own special treats that many of us don’t usually indulge in at other times of the year. Having diabetes doesn’t mean you can’t partake in these treats, but it does mean paying some attention to carbs and portions. Try these tips. • Go ahead…

Do you ever experience cramping leg pain while walking that goes away after a few minutes of resting? It could be a sign of peripheral arterial disease, which can cause a host of problems. The sooner it is diagnosed and treated, the better. Here’s what you need to know. Causes The main cause of peripheral arterial disease (abbreviated PAD and also known as peripheral vascular disease) is atherosclerosis in the arteries in the leg. Atherosclerosis itself is caused by the build-up of a substance called plaque on the inner lining of the arteries. Plaque, a witch’s brew of fat, cholesterol, fibrous tissue, and calcium, can hinder the flow of blood in arteries throughout the body. People with diabetes have an increased risk of developing PAD due to insulin resistance, high…

If you have diabetes, you are at risk for high blood pressure (hypertension) as well. According to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), almost one in three American adults has high blood pressure, and two out of three people with diabetes report taking prescription medications to lower their blood pressure. But do you really need to take medication for your blood pressure? Isn’t cutting back on salt or losing a few pounds enough to get your blood pressure to goal? Let’s take a look at how hypertension is treated. High blood pressure, defined You’ve no doubt had your blood pressure checked each time you go to a doctor’s visit. You might have a home blood pressure monitor that your doctor has asked you to use as well. What do the numbers…

5 High blood pressure, or hypertension, usually doesn’t have any symptoms, and many people living with the condition don’t know they have it. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), high blood pressure may be linked to dementia. Younger people, including one in four adults ages 20 to 44, have high blood pressure. Looking for tips to turn the pressure down? Check out “The Pressure Is On” (page 54). 4 As of April 2021, there were 850,000 active podcasts with over 48 million episodes in total. Roughly 55% of Americans have ever listened to a podcast, and 37% listen to podcasts at least once a month. Per the BBC, approximately 94% of podcast listeners tune in while performing other tasks. According to Statista, comedy is the…

For youth with newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes, taking a vitamin D supplement along with standard insulin therapy may help slow the progression of diabetes, according to a new study published in the Journal of the Endocrine Society. Recent studies have shown that taking vitamin D may reduce the risk for autoimmune diseases in older adults and can help improve blood glucose control in people with type 2 diabetes. For the latest study, researchers compared taking a vitamin D supplement with not taking one in 36 participants with type 1 diabetes. All participants had received a diagnosis of type 1 diabetes less than three months before enrolling in the study and were between the ages of 10 and 21. They also had a stimulated C-peptide level—a measure of insulin production…

Taking metformin is linked to a lower risk of developing neurodegenerative diseases—such as Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease—in people with diabetes, according to a new analysis published in the journal Diabetic Medicine. Metformin is one of the most widely prescribed drugs in the world, and is considered to be the first-line drug treatment for type 2 diabetes. It’s known to offer several potential advantages over many other drugs for type 2, including a tendency to be associated with modest weight loss and no significantly increased risk for hypoglycemia (low blood glucose). Metformin is also known to carry certain risks, including a higher risk for vitamin B12 deficiency and a tendency to lead to digestive upset in many people when they first start taking the drug, but both of these potential…

Q I’ve used a CGM (continuous glucose monitor) for many years. It is usually reliable, but sometimes—especially during the night—it shows a sudden sharp glucose decline out of the blue. Why does this happen? A Yeah, I’ve seen those myself. The trend graph is doing just fine, and then for no reason, the glucose seems to fall off a cliff. And then a few minutes later, it corrects itself and gets back to normal. It looks like a sharp, narrow “V” shape on the trend graph. These are called “compression” lows. The glucose is not really dropping fast … the sensor just thinks it is because of physical pressure being placed directly on the sensor site. This can happen at night if you lay on the sensor while sleeping or…

It’s summertime! Take advantage of the positive warm weather vibes to create some healthy habits that will help with your weight management all year long. Cool down with water Drinking water has a multitude of benefits—not only will it keep you cool and replace all the sweat you are losing in the summer heat, but it will also fill you up. We all know we need to drink more, but it can be so hard to get into the practice. The summer is the perfect opportunity to form a habit that will aid your weight management whatever the weather. You may not want your water as cold when the summer days have come to an end, but once your body is used to a certain amount of water, it will…

Are you ready for a fun and fabulous cookout? All you need are simple and delicious recipes, family and good friends, and a barbecue grill. Whether you grill outside now in the summer sunshine or later in the year at a snowy football tailgate party, our luscious recipes and helpful hints are sure to make your next grilling experience a smash hit. Here are our top tips for a tasty and healthy barbecue meal. 1. Make it about the veggies and fruits. Grill up a variety of delicious and nutritious fresh produce. Low-calorie, low-carbohydrate vegetables are rich in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fiber and may reduce your risk of coronary heart disease and stroke along with some types of cancer. Bonus? Eating low-carb and high-fiber veggies can also help you…

Are you a fan of podcasts? According to recent statistics, over 155 million people who live in the United States have tuned in to at least one podcast, and loyal followers listen to an average of seven episodes each week. The popularity of podcasts continues to rise as people want to connect, be a part of a community, share experiences, and discuss the possibility of future adventures. Podcasts can be informative, thought provoking, controversial, fun, educational, and entertaining. Unlike watching a video (which requires your full attention), you can listen to a podcast while walking, working out, driving, commuting, or cooking dinner. You can download an episode and listen to it at a later time, even if you are offline. Podcasts can inspire new thoughts and ideas or provide motivation…

Anyone with diabetes can relate to the stress of dealing with the unrelenting daily demands of self-management. Deciding what and when to eat, measuring blood glucose, fitting in exercise, scheduling medications—you live your life to the drumbeat of these routines. You devote significant mental energy to keeping diabetes in check every hour of the day, and for many, it can lead to diabetes burnout. Diabetes burnout, also known as diabetes distress, is when worry, frustration, and anger become overwhelming and make it difficult for people to take care of their diabetes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). More than half of U.S. adults with diabetes fail to meet recommended targets, concluded a decades-long report evaluating diabetes management. Higher distress levels are connected to elevated glucose levels…

When filmmaker Crystal R. Emery edited the first version of her 2021 documentary, “The Deadliest Disease in America,” she didn’t include her own story. As a Black woman living with quadriplegia and two chronic conditions—diabetes and Charcot-Marie-Tooth, a degenerative nerve disease—Emery had a lot of material to draw on. And yet: “I hate when filmmakers put themselves in the film. It’s like, jeez, don’t do that,” she laughs. “I thought there were a lot of other stories that were better than mine. But once we saw the footage we had shot and began working with the editor, we realized we needed to open with someone the audience could identify with. That someone happened to be me, though I thought the other stories were just as important.” Her instincts turned out…