Diabetes Self-Management

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Dear Readers, Stiffness, pain and even spasms of your shoulder joint. These are the symptom of frozen shoulder, also known as adhesive capsulitis, and if you’ve been experiencing them, you’re not alone. According to estimates, roughly 2% of people in the general population will deal with this painful condition, and that number increases to as many as 20% of people with diabetes. Want to learn more about risk factors, symptoms, diagnosis and potential treatments? Head over to “Thawing Out That Frozen Shoulder” (page 22). Along with putting you at higher risk for conditions like adhesive capsulitis, diabetes also affects your life in many other ways. For instance, you may be in discussions with your doctor about if now is the right time to start taking medicine or to add another drug to…

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Healthy Eating During Hard Times Get expert tips from diabetes educator and dietitian Amy Campbell that can help ensure you and your family eat healthy and tasty meals and snacks while dealing with the coronavirus pandemic. Monitoring Blood Glucose In this video from diabetes educator Alison Massey, learn recommended blood glucose levels, when to monitor your blood glucose, how to perform a blood glucose check and more. Caring for Your Feet Foot problems, annoying enough by themselves, are just a step away from bigger problems. Taking the time to treat your feet royally can keep both them and you healthier. Custard Peach Tart If you’re looking for a dessert that won’t throw your blood sugar levels off-kilter, you’ll love our tart recipe. This delightful, summery treat contains only 14 grams of carbohydrate per serving—but you’d never know…

diabetic retinopathy raises stroke risk: study

It’s well known that having diabetes, especially when you have lived with it for long periods of time, raises the risk of cardiovascular disease—including heart attack and stroke. But it hasn’t always been clear what factors make someone with diabetes more likely to have a stroke, beyond diabetes control and duration and general stroke risk factors. But new research points to a previously unknown factor in your risk of having a stroke: whether or not you have diabetic retinopathy, an eye disease caused by damage to small blood vessels in the retina (the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye). Researchers at the University of Utah speculated that retinopathy could be a sign that someone also has small blood vessel damage in the brain, which is a risk factor for…

treatment for foot ulcers shows promise

Diabetic foot ulcers are one of the most common complications of diabetes. It’s estimated that between one-fifth and one-third of people with diabetes will develop them at some point. And they can get serious. More than half of all diabetic foot ulcers become infected, and about 20% of patients with moderate to severe infection will require amputation of a toe. Among these statistics, however, is an encouraging one: regular foot examinations can reduce amputation rates by as much as 85%. Experts recommend a foot exam should be part of every diabetes patient’s visit to their healthcare provider. A recent study from researchers at the Konkuk University School of Medicine in Seoul, South Korea, indicates that treatment with a newly formulated medical paste can improve the treatment of foot ulcers. For their…

diabetes and yoga

It goes without saying that stress management is more important now than ever, especially for those dealing with chronic health conditions. You probably already know that practices such as yoga help manage stress and benefit your overall health, but did you know that scientific evidence shows yoga can help control diabetes? If you decide to pursue yoga, speak with your healthcare provider to determine which type of beginner yoga and what intensity are best for you. Take this quiz to see how much you know about yoga and how it affects diabetes management. 1. How can yoga help people with diabetes? ○ A. It can reduce BMI (body-mass index) and improve blood glucose control. ○ B. It can improve blood pressure, insulin levels, triglycerides and weight management. ○ C. It can reduce levels of…

study indicates that metformin lowers insulin requirements in type 1

Since its introduction in the United States 25 years ago, the drug metformin has become a mainstay of treatment for type 2 diabetes. While its exact mechanisms of action are still being figured out, it appears to prevent the liver from releasing too much glucose as well as make the body’s cells more sensitive to insulin. Metformin is not a substitute for insulin, and it’s not widely prescribed along with insulin in people with type 1 diabetes nor approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in this way. But a new study shows why doctors may want to consider prescribing it more to people with type 1—not because it improves blood glucose control, but because of other benefits the drug can provide. Published in the Journal of Diabetes, the…