Infographic - The Truth Behind Diabetes

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Diabetes May Not Raise Knee Replacement Risks

Study findings contradict previous research linking the disease with poor surgical outcomes.

Patients with diabetes, controlled or uncontrolled, who undergo total knee replacement are no more likely to experience infections or other post-surgical complications than patients without diabetes, according to researchers at Kaiser Permanente, a large integrated health care organization.

The findings, published in The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery, contradict earlier studies showing that diabetes can lead to poor outcomes after knee replacement surgery. 

For instance, a 2009 Duke University study found that patients with uncontrolled Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes had a significantly higher risk of postoperative stroke and wound infection than patients who had controlled or no diabetes.

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Diabetic Friendly Potato Salad

Source: engagement23.diabeticconnect.com via Betty on Pinterest

Ingredients:  
1 pound small red potatoes, cooked and cubed
1-1/2 cups chopped fresh broccoli
1/2 cup sliced celery
1/4 cup chopped red onion
1/4 cup sliced radishes
2 tablespoons chopped green pepper 
1/3 cup fat-free italian salad dressing
1/2 teaspoon salt-free seasoning blend
1/4 teaspoon dill weed 

Directions 

In a large bowl, toss the potatoes and vegetables. In a small bowl, blend the salad dressing and seasonings; add to potato mixture and toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour or until serving.

Dealing With Unexplained Blood Sugar Spikes

Even if you do everything right and are managing your diabetes well, you can still wake up with unexplained blood sugar spikes. Learn the causes and how to take control.

You can do everything right to keep your diabetes under control – eat a smart diet, exercise, take medications as prescribed, and follow your doctor’s instructions for blood sugar monitoring – and still wake up in the morning with unexplained blood sugar spikes.

Continue Reading Article - Dealing With Unexplained Blood Sugar Spikes

Kitchen Tips and Tricks for Diabetes

At first, people with type 2 diabetes may find it challenging to follow a healthy diabetes diet. It's normal to feel that many of your favorite dishes are now off limits due to restrictions on sugar, fat, carbohydrates, salt, and other ingredients.

However, there are many ways to tweak recipes to better accommodate a diabetes diet. You can also pursue healthier cooking methods that give the flavor you desire while helping to manage diabetes.

Goals of a Diabetes Diet

Following a healthy diet for diabetes is about choosing foods that will help you control your blood glucose levels and manage your weight. For people who are overweight, losing weight is an important part of managing diabetes, and a healthy diet along with exercise can help you do it.

See what the goals of a type 2 diabetes diet are at 
Kitchen Tips and Tricks for Diabetes - Type 2 Diabetes - Everyday Health

Diabetic Travel Tips

I was reading this article on "American Diabetes Association" site and wanted to share some valuable travel tips for those of us who are diabetic - Charles

Planning a trip? Whether you're camping or cruising, you can go anywhere and do almost anything. It just takes a little planning ahead to handle your diabetes.

How you prepare depends on where you're going and for how long. 

Two weeks backpacking through Europe takes different planning than a week at the beach. Will you be crossing time zones? What kind of food will you eat and when? Will you be more active or less active than usual?

See Your Doctor Before You Go

Before a long trip, have a medical exam to make sure your diabetes is in good control. Schedule the exam with enough time to work on your control before you depart. Get immunization shots -- if you need them -- at least one month before you leave. If the shots make you sick, you'll have time to recover before your trip.

Before any trip, get two papers from your doctor: a letter and a prescription. The letter should explain what you need to do for your diabetes, such as take diabetes pills or insulin shots. It should list insulin, syringes, and any other medications or devices you use. The letter should also list any allergies you have or any foods or medications to which you are sensitive.

The prescription should be for insulin or diabetes pills. You should have more than enough insulin and syringes or pills to last through the trip. But the prescription may help in case of emergency. In the United States, prescription rules may vary from state to state.

The prescription laws may be very different in other countries. If you're going out of the country, write for a list of International Diabetes Federation groups (www.idf.org).

Here's the article source, and you will find more tips here

7 Easy Lunches for Type 2 Diabetes

Sticking to your diabetes diet at lunchtime is easier than you think. Here's a week's worth of ideas to keep your midday meal interesting and healthy.

Source: the-girl-who-ate-everything.com via CE on Pinterest

If breakfast is the most neglected meal of the day, lunch can often be the most hurried. 

A recent survey found that 62% of Americans rush through lunch at their desks, and even when we manage to leave the office, fast-food restaurants and food courts often prevail over more healthy options. 

But they don't have to be your only option — and, in fact, they shouldn't be your first choice if you have type 2 diabetes. In general, try to pack your own lunch whenever possible — the health benefits, not to mention the cost-savings, can be enormous. Short on prep time? 

Put these quick and nutritious lunch ideas on your diabetes menu to fill you up and keep your blood sugar in check. Check out Easy Lunces at Every Day Health

African American & Kidney Disease

Infographic: National Kidney Disease Education Program

Saving Money on Type 2 Diabetes Care

I have personally saved quite a bit on my Diabetic mediation after Anthem dropped my coverage at the beginning of 2013. I signed up with United Health Care through AARP, and my costs are drastically lower - Charles


From medical co-pays to the cost of supplies, type 2 diabetes can be expensive to treat and manage. 

When you add up the costs of diabetic supplies, medications, and insurance co-pays, living with type 2 diabetes can be an expensive proposition for both patients and the health system. 






The latest figures from the National Institutes of Health estimates that diabetes costs the United States $245 billion each year.

One study found that a person newly diagnosed with diabetes spends over 4K more in medical expenses each year than his peers without diabetes. 

Medical costs increase per year after diagnosis. Most of these costs come from diabetes complications such as kidney disease. And these increases in annual medical costs are in addition to those associated with simply aging. 

Also, a recent study found that even among families with employer-sponsored health care plans, those dealing with chronic conditions like diabetes spent more out of pocket, primarily because of prescription co-payments.

Cutting Costs in Diabetes Care

Here are some strategies for reducing diabetes care expenses:

• Understand disease management goals. Use the valuable time you have with your doctor to make sure you know what your goals are. 
• Go generic. If you need medications, ask about using generics. Most diabetes medications are available in generic form. 
• Schedule testing. Regularly checking your blood sugar helps keep it under better control, but testing strips can add considerable costs to your diabetes care. The frequency of monitoring, he says, depends on whether the patient is using oral medications or insulin, and whether the patient has poor control over blood sugar levels.
• Ask about discount programs. Ask your pharmacist or the manufacturer of the diabetic supplies and medications you use if a discount program exists, and find out if you're eligible. 

Long-term vs. Short-term Costs

Managing your diabetes today may seem to be stretching your budget to the breaking point. There are some hard choices to make, acknowledge experts. 

Achieving consistent control of your blood sugar may lead to greater costs in the short-term: Frequent testing can keep blood sugar under control, but it requires buying more testing strips. But if you don’t manage your blood sugar levels now, your health becomes harder to control as time goes by.

Living with diabetes means you have some difficult choices to make — but you can find a way to be healthy, keep your blood sugar under control, and stay on top of your budget.

Full article by By Madeline Vann, MPH available at Every Day Health

New Study Links Diabetes to Availability of Sugar

A decade-long study of diabetes and eating habits in 175 countries around the world has found a surprising connection between rates of the disease and how much sugar is available to consumers.

The study - which was done by a team of Bay Area researchers from Stanford, UCSF and UC Berkeley - found that for every additional 150 calories of sugar available per person per day, the rate of diabetes in that country's population rose 1% - The same was not true for additional calories from non-sugar products.

For many decades, doctors believed there was a direct connection between sugar consumption and diabetes risk, but multiple studies had shown that wasn't quite true, and that obesity, from eating too much of any kind of food, was the problem.

So the new study results were unexpected, scientists said. They noted that their study looked only at the amount of sugar available in the food supply, and not how much people actually ate. 

Future studies, they said, should focus on actual consumption, plus the types of sugar people are consuming, such as high-fructose corn syrup.

The study results were published Feb. 27 in the journal PLOS ONE.

Article Source: SFGATE

American Idol Judge Randy Jackson Talks Diabetes

"American Idol" judge Randy Jackson talks diabetes on Tuesday's episode of "The Doctors."

On the syndicated series, the Grammy-winning producer tells the doctors that receiving a diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes was the reason for his dramatic weight loss and his decision to pay attention to his health.

Jackson, who weighed 355 pounds at the time of his diagnosis in 2003, had gastric bypass surgery, got control of his diet and lost 110 pounds. 



Article Source: TulsaWorld

Diabetes and American Indians

Wouldn’t it be great if fighting diabetes was as simple as eating better and taking medication? But it’s not that easy, particularly among American Indians, who have the highest prevalence of the disease.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, American Indians have a 17% incidence rate of diabetes, the highest among all racial and ethnic groups in the United States.

Mugur Geana, associate professor of journalism and director of the Center for Excellence in Health Communication to Underserved Populations at The University of Kansas, is the principal investigator for a study that will use a web application to deliver tailored health information about best practices in diabetes management to two American Indian communities in Kansas: Prairie Band Potawatomie Nation in Kansas and the Iowa tribe of Kansas and Nebraska.

The web application was developed by Geana, according to a news release. The grant is funded by the Center for Diabetes Translation Research from the Washington University in St. Louis.

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The Sexy Diabetic

Chrystal Leary is extremely active online spreading education and awareness among the African American population.

Chrystal lives in the Los Angeles, CA, area and was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes just over five years ago. 

Since then, she’s quickly stepped up to her new role as an advocate, busting myths, countering stereotypes and working to educate folks at her blog, The Sexy Diabetic. In her day job, Chrystal is a chemist (!), working in the personal care/cosmetic industry. 




Today, Chrystal shares her own story via Diabetes Mine as a guest blogger sharing some of the important race-related issues that diabetes brings to the table.

#HealthTalk - National Eating Disorders Awareness Week

Did you know it's National Eating Disorders Awareness Week?

Join Everyday Health and the National Eating Disorders Association for a live Twitter chat today, Wednesday, February 27 at 2 pm EST to learn the facts about the types of eating disorders, signs you or a loved one may have one, and treatment and prevention options. 

Bring your questions and follow the hashtag #HealthTalk to participate.

The National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) is the leading non-profit organization in the United States advocating on behalf of and supporting individuals and families affected by eating disorders. 

Reaching millions every year, NEDA campaigns for prevention, improved access to quality treatment, and increased research funding to better understand and treat eating disorders. NEDA works with partners and volunteers to develop programs and tools to help everyone who seeks assistance.

Birth Order May Raise Rise of Diabetes or High Blood Pressure

Study finds reduced insulin effectiveness, high blood pressure in first-born children

Long a source of sibling rivalry, birth order may raise the risk of first-born children developing diabetes or high blood pressure

According to this recent study accepted for publication in The Endocrine Society's Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism (JCEM) - First-born children have greater difficulty absorbing sugars into the body and have higher daytime blood pressure than children who have older siblings.

The study was conducted at the University of Auckland's Liggins Institute in New Zealand, and is the first to  document a 21% drop in insulin sensitivity among first-born children.

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Power Foods for Diabetes

Including these extra-healthy power foods in your diet will help you meet your nutritional needs as well as lower your risk of diabetes complications such as heart disease. 

Source: diabeticlivingonline.com via CE on Pinterest

Of course, the foods on this list shouldn't be the only foods you eat, but incorporating some or all into your diabetes meal plan will help improve your overall health.

If you already follow a healthful meal plan filled with whole grains, fresh fruits and veggies, and lean protein, congratulations! You're on your way to a long, healthy life and are taking a major step in controlling your weight and blood glucose levels. Plus, you're probably already eating a bunch of the foods on this list.

For those who are taking the baby-steps approach to eating better, this list is even more helpful. Not only are these power foods high in fiber, antioxidants, and vitamins and minerals, they're also familiar and easy to find. That means you don't have to hunt down any exotic ingredients or shop at specialty grocery stores to find foods that will help you get on track with a healthful meal plan.


Find Out If These Power Foods in Your Diet?

Diabetic Gift Basket

Here's a great gift for diabetics

Source: store.wellbaskets.com via CE on Pinterest

Deluxe Diabetic Gift Basket Contains:

Broccoli Soup--rich source of vitamin C, chromium, fiber, and potassium Sprouted Sunflower Seeds--great for snacking or in salads Whole Wheat Pasta--excellent source of unrefined carbohydrates and fiber Ariston Vinegar Tea with Cinnamon--cinnamon benefits GoRaw Flax Snacks--flaxseeds have a beneficial impact on diabetes Steel-Cut Oatmeal for unrefined carbohydrates, fiber, and magnesium Pistachios--vitamin E, magnesium, monounsaturated fats Smoked Salmon--magnesium and Omega-3 fatty acids Bean Soup Roasted Pumpkin Seeds Recommended Food Guide for Diabetes Prevention/Management Handmade Basket

Control Your Cravings

Know what your body really needs . . .

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Precautions For Drivers With Diabetes

A study of 202 people with diabetes who were taking insulin found that about 60% of participants never tested their blood glucose levels before driving. 

Sudden bouts of low blood sugar, or hypoglycemia, can lead to confusion, delayed reaction, visual disturbances or loss of consciousness. Even in the absence of low blood sugar, people with diabetes may have impaired vision or nerve function in the feet, which can affect driving.

Image Credit lauren's hope blog

While most accidents related to diabetes complications happen to a small group of people with Type 1 diabetes, who need to take insulin, people with Type 2 diabetes are also at risk.

Read full article 

Also visit lauren's hope blog for a great post on Diabetes and Safe Driving

Study Finds Good Bacteria In Intestines Prevents Diabetes

All humans have enormous numbers of bacteria and other micro-organisms (10 to 14) in the lower intestine. 

In fact our bodies contain about ten times more bacteria than our own cells and these tiny passengers are extremely important for our health. They help us digest our food and provide us with energy and vitamins. 

These "friendly" commensal bacteria in the intestine help to stop the "bad guys" such as Salmonella that cause infections, taking hold. Even the biochemical reactions that build up and maintain our bodies come from our intestinal bacteria as well as our own cells. 

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