Diabetes Self-Management

editor’s note

Dear Readers, Spring is in the air! If you’re looking for tools that can help you get a fresh start on your diabetes management routine, you’ve come to the right place. Interested in learning about devices and medications that have recently hit the market? Turn to “New Diabetes Tools” (page 24). Curious about apps that can help you manage your meal plan, improve your sleep, bolster your mental health and more? Check out “Tech to the Rescue” (page 22) and “Health in the Palm of Your Hand” (page 28). Seeking fare that can stabilize your blood sugar and satisfy your taste buds? Read our roundup of “Top Picks: Diabetes-Friendly Foods” (page 34), selected by a diabetes educator and registered dietitian. No matter what you seek, you’re sure to find something that…

diabetesselfmanagement.com

Managing High Blood Glucose When you were diagnosed with diabetes, your doctor probably told you that your blood glucose levels were too high. Indeed, high blood glucose, or hyperglycemia, is the hallmark of diabetes. Get our tips for managing high blood glucose levels. bit.ly/ManagingHighBloodGlucose Diabetes Logbook Want to keep track of your blood glucose readings to help you better manage your condition? With our free printable diabetes logbook sheets, you’ll be able to monitor the effects of food, exercise, medicines and more. One sheet tracks levels for a week. bit.ly/FreeDiabetesLogbook Circulation Exercises Need help improving your circulation? Try these simple movements at home, the office or your desk to help relax your heart, improve blood flow and feel refreshed. bit.ly/CirculationExercises Is Almond Milk Good for Diabetes? Before you head to the supermarket to stock up on almond milk, it’s…

cpap tied to lower glucose levels

Most people with diabetes are familiar with several factors that can raise their blood glucose levels—including high-carbohydrate meals, inadequate physical activity, and not taking insulin or other medications as prescribed or directed. In some people, psychological or physical stress can also raise blood glucose levels. Ongoing research is also identifying other health conditions that can contribute to higher blood glucose levels in people with diabetes. One of those conditions is obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), in which the airways temporarily get blocked during sleep, stopping a person’s breathing for a period of time. Sleep apnea has been associated with a number of bad health outcomes, and a new study suggests that it’s particularly bad for people with diabetes—but that effectively treating it can help people with diabetes achieve better blood glucose control. The…

hot baths may improve glucose control in type 2

Most people with type 2 diabetes are aware of some basic recommendations for keeping blood glucose levels under control—such as taking medications as prescribed, getting enough physical activity and following a healthy diet. But a new study highlights a potential tool for blood glucose management that isn’t mentioned very much: taking hot baths. The new study suggests that regular heat exposure may have a beneficial effect on blood glucose control, as noted in a summary on the study from the journal Diabetologia. While previous studies have shown health benefits associated with heat therapy—such as hot tubs and saunas—in people with diabetes in controlled settings, the latest study is the first to look at the impact of real-world bath-taking habits in a large group of people with diabetes. For the study, researchers at…

diabetes drugs to combat covid-19?

Can drugs used to treat diabetes help fight the COVID-19 pandemic? A growing number of researchers think so and are actively pursuing studies into the matter. There are good reasons to think the medications might be effective in COVID treatment. At a recent Heart in Diabetes (virtual) meeting, Mikhail Kosiborod, MD, pointed out that COVID-19 is not just a viral disease—it’s also both a systemic disease (that is, it affects the entire body, not just a part of it) and a cardiometabolic disease. (A cardiometabolic disease is one that combines cardiovascular risk with metabolic problems, such as insulin resistance and diabetes. Cardiometabolic diseases tend to share common risk factors). COVID-19 strikes the same body systems that cardiometabolic disease does, which might explain why the virus often affects people with diabetes and other…

diabetes and walking

When you have a busy schedule, finding time for physical fitness can be challenging. Why not consider something as simple as walking? It can provide more positives than many of us may realize. (Before starting a new fitness program, consult with your healthcare provider to ensure it is safe for you.) 1. To achieve any health benefits, you need to participate in higher-intensity activities at least once or twice a week in addition to walking. ○ True ○ False 2. People with diabetes who walk every day for 30 to 60 minutes can obtain which benefits? ○ A. Improved glucose control. ○ B. Improved cardiovascular fitness. ○ C. Improved weight control. ○ D. All of the above. 3. Walking is associated with which of the following in people with diabetes? ○ A. Decreased A1C levels. ○ B. Reduced body-mass index. ○ C.…