Two T1ds Walk Into A Bar: Would You Undo Your Diabetes?
Two T1Ds Walk Into a Bar: Would You Undo Your Diabetes? Another video inour Two T1Ds Walk into a Bar series! This time, I turn the camera on Haley -- a California nativewho loves graphic design, great food, San Francisco, quilting, hiking, and ping-pong. Oh, and she's had type 1 diabetesfor 18 years. ;-) She's a pro. Watch the video here or below! This time around, Haleytakes the stageand gives us her opinion on the coolest parts of having diabetes. And there are LOTS. Firston Haley's list, there's all that cool diabetes stuff. All the gadgets and gizmos that comewithmanaging diabetes. Haley's favorites? Well, she's hooked up toher Omnipod insulin pump, and (pink!) Dexcom CGM. And we have toagree -- diabetes gearis pretty stinkin' cool if youreally thinkabout it (i.e., how far it's come). Notto mention, there is allsorts ofcool diabetes stuff to find these days: fromCopenhagen-based designer & fellowT1D'er Monica Vesci 's @casualtygirl line, to @ihavethesugars ' Sugar Shop , complete with punny, genius, and totally relatable diabetes tees. Cool diabetes stuff, swag, gear -- it totally exists. But Haley's favorite part about diabetes? All the great people she's met along the way (totally agree!)... It turns out, diabetes can bring a lot of good. So there's there's all the cool gear involved, butwhat aboutdiabetes on a personallevel? Haley reminiscesaboutattending diabetes camp (it's the best!) and being able toconnect with atotalstrangeraboutsomething thatcan feel very... isolating. Want to see more? Check out Rachel's thoughts on the worst part of having diabetes! As long as you can connect with others and take some time to laugh about it, there are some cool sides to diabetes. When I asked Haley whether she'd go back in time and undo diabetes if, giventhe chance, sheh Continue reading >>
Top Must Have Diabetes Supplies
Whether you found your way here as a veteran in the #DLIFE, or you are newly diagnosed, one thing always remains constant, diabetes no matter the stage can be challenging. While the challenges are always there, I will say this, it does get easier. Living a life with diabetes will give you exactly what you put into it. For those like myself who learn better when provided a visual clue think of it like this: A car takes gas to work. When you fill the gas tank up, that car will take you wherever you want to go. What happens though when you try to drive the car with no gas at all, when you neglect filling it back up with gas after you used what was in there? Its not going to go anywhere. In terms of diabetes management , if you take the information and training your medical team has given you and simply neglect the care of your diabetes, what happens to your body? Your mind? You cant run on empty, just like the car. Learning to manage your diabetes doesnt have to be tough. Instead of neglecting your care, taking the information your medical team provided you with is the first step. Learning how to process the information youve received is the next. The final step in management is putting everything to use, discovering your role and living. Part of diabetes management is learning which types of products work best for you. Everyone is different so the products that your doctor initially recommends might not be the best fit. As you move forward in your diabetes care and management youll learn which are best. Below youll find a list of some of the more common types of diabetes management products, that are not typically covered by insurance . (Disclaimer: Everyones insurance is different, so check first before you purchase any of the items on the list, if your insurance covers Continue reading >>
My Favorite Things- Gift Guide For Type 1 Diabetics
Other than raindrops on roses being some of my favorite things… I have composed a long list of things that can make it easier for someone shopping for their Type 1 Diabetic family member or friend. A lot of non-diabetics don’t know what to get for with Type 1 Diabetic friend, daughter, son, mom, dad, etc. And even a lot of Type 1 Diabetics don’t know of all the cool and helpful products out there that can make Type 1 Diabetes a little more fun or stylish or silly! I wanted to make a large list of my personal favorite things that have helped me in my diabetic life! This ultimate gift guide can be used as a great resource for people to get for their: other dia-besties, birthdays, holidays, dia-versarys (anniversary of your T1D diagnosis), or even to just get for yourself because they are so cool and everyone should be able to “treat yo’ self” every once in a while. To be honest, receiving and trying each of these things has made my Type 1 Diabetic life a little more fun and exciting! Using these things gets you kind of excited about being a Type 1 for once in your life! I created a list of names/products with their link to access it easily, a description of what they do, and some pictures to get a taste of what each product is! So lets get on with this super exciting list that will make you yell “Yay for having Type 1 Diabetes!”: Myabetic Bag Myabetic has created fashionable premium diabetes supply cases and accessories to control your diabetes with style! Fits everything that you would need like insulin pens, lancets, glucose meters, Dexcoms, pockets for extra needles, alcohol wipes, test strips, etc. Comes in many different colors, sizes, and designs. I have the Myabetic Banting Wallet in pink pictured below. The Genteel is a pain-free lancing device tha Continue reading >>
What People With Type 1 Diabetes Wish You Knew | Everyday Health
Please dont tell me what I should and shouldnt eat. Type 1 diabetes is a chronic condition in which your body doesnt produce insulin. While type 1 diabetes can be managed by taking insulin and making healthy lifestyle choices, it cant be cured by losing weight, exercising, or quitting smoking. An estimated 5 to 10 percent of people with diabetes have type 1, and most have been managing their condition since childhood. Type 1 diabetes is usually diagnosed in children and young adults, but it can occur at any age. Common symptoms of type 1 diabetes include extreme hunger or thirst, fatigue, blurry vision, and weight loss. Once diagnosed, insulin injections and other therapies can allow people with type 1 diabetes to manage their condition and lead long and active lives. Think you already know a lot about type 1 diabetes? There may be several assumptions or things youve heard that may not be accurate about the condition. Here are nine things that people with type 1 wish you knew. 1. Type 1 and type 2 diabetes are distinct conditions. Diabetes is a disorder in which the body has trouble regulating blood glucose, or blood sugar , levels. The two main types of diabetes are type 1 and type 2. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks and destroys the cells in the pancreas that make insulin . Insulin is a hormone that enables sugar to enter the bloodstream to be used by cells for energy or stored for later use. Without it, a person with type 1 diabetes cant process glucose and their blood sugar levels can get dangerously high. Type 2 diabetes is a metabolic disorder; the pancreas still produces insulin but is unable to use it effectively or the body has developed a resistance to it. In general, theres not a lot of awareness about type 1 diabet Continue reading >>
Holiday Gifts For Kids With Type 1 Diabetes
Holiday Gifts For Kids With Type 1 Diabetes Looking for a special holiday gift for a kid with type 1 diabetes? Weve gathered our list of favorites from funny to practical and everything in between. This year we include ideas from I Heart Guts, The Sugars, American Girl, Pump Peelz, Laurens Hope Medical ID Bracelets, Sugar Medical Supply, Myabetic, ExpressionMed, and Jerry the Bear. While I think the holidays should be all about the holidays and not about diabetes, there are a few diabetes-related items that might be fun gifts. My thought is that any diabetes-related gift shouldnt replace a gift that they would otherwise get. For instance, if your non-d-kid gets 5 toys and your d-kid gets 4 toys and a diabetes gift, well thats kind of a punishment for having a busted pancreas. But since some of these are high ticket items, the holidays might be a good time to give them. I also have a list of 30+ Non-Candy Stocking Stuffer Ideas and Non-Candy Stocking Stuffersfor teens . (Note: a few of the links are affiliate links. Most are not.) (Another note: when I shop online, I make sure to take advantage of Rakuten , formerly called eBates. They have a web browser tool that will pop up whenever you are shopping at a store that gives cash back. If you havent signed up for eBates, I highly recommend it. If you use my friend link to sign up , well both get an extra reward.) Our kids might not have fully functioning pancreii (pancreases?), but they might love this huggable organ. I Heart Guts makes several pancreas-themed items including magnets and lapel pins and this little guy. If they dont want to hug it, maybe they would like to throw it across the room when diabetes isnt cooperating. Just a thought. Visit the I Heart Guts website and use code GIFTS4T1DKIDS for 20% off anything Continue reading >>
8 Things I Wish People Understood About Having Type 1 Diabetes
I was 25 and in the middle of my second year of law school when I started feeling tired, thirsty, and hungry. I had blurry vision all the time. I was lucky — I mentioned this to a friend, and she said whenever she complained about her eyes her dad tested her blood sugar, because that's how he got diagnosed with diabetes. I had a family history of both types, but I figured I was too old for Type 1 and too young and too much of a gym rat for Type 2. Still, I went to student health. I explained my typical diabetes symptoms and family history to a person we will call "Helpful Nurse." Helpful Nurse decided the best immediate course of action would be to gaslight me aggressively in the five minutes it took to get the results back on my sugar test. "We don't usually get people in here 'thinking' they have 'diabetes.'" Cool story. "See, your vision isn't that bad." It's usually 20/19. "I'm sure you're just stressed about finals." Yeah, especially since I've spent most of the semester unconscious. That's when we heard someone scream from the lab down the hall and around a corner, "Don't let her leave." The equipment in student health had a limited range. My test didn't generate a number. It just said "high." "High" means it was at least six times normal. No, my life isn't over. It's a pain in the ass, it's terrifying, but the treatments will on average get me through the day. I was waiting for a friend to take me to the ER when Helpful Nurse started talking about high- risk pregnancy and "not dying the way my grandmother died." Pregnancy? I have exams in a month. And I watched my T1 grandmother die. Thanks, Helpful Nurse, you can go now. Of course this was a Friday. I spent the weekend eating nothing but tofu and zucchini with my sugar camped at three or four times normal, and Continue reading >>
Type 2 Diabetes - Symptoms, Treatment, And More
By Barbie Cervoni, RD, CDE | Reviewed by a board-certified physician Type 2 diabetes is a progressive, chronic disease related to your body's challenges with regulating blood sugar. It is often associated with generalized inflammation. Your pancreas produces the hormone insulin to convert sugar (glucose) to energy that you either use immediately or store. With type 2 diabetes, you are unable to use that insulin efficiently. Although your body produces the hormone, either there isn't enough of it to keep up with the amount of glucose in your system, or the insulin being produced isn't being used as well as it should be, both of which result in high blood sugar levels . While this can produce different types of complications, good blood sugar control efforts can help to prevent them. This relies heavily on lifestyle modifications such as weight loss, dietary changes, exercise and, in some cases, medication. But, depending on your age, weight, blood sugar level, and how long you've had diabetes, you may not need a prescription right away. Treatment must be tailored to you and, though finding the perfect combination may take a little time, it can help you live a healthy, normal life with diabetes. Make Way for a New Diabetes Classification System Type 2 diabetes is most common is those who are genetically predisposed and who are overweight, lead a sedentary lifestyle, have high blood pressure, and/or have insulin resistance due to excess weight. People of certain ethnicities are more likely to develop diabetes, too. These include: African Americans, Mexican Americans, American Indians, Native Hawaiians, Pacific Islanders, and Asian Americans. These populations are more likely to be overweight and have high blood pressure, which increases the risk of developing diabetes. As Continue reading >>
A Cool New Tool For Kids With Diabetes
An online calculator determines exactly how much insulin a child should have before eating. Courtesy of Nationwide Children's Hospital Nationwide Children's Hospital recently developed an online resource to help parents manage their child's diabetes more effectively and care for their health at home. The "Diabetes Calculator for Kids," a first-of-its-kind electronic tool geared toward children, allows parents and caregivers (and adolescent patients) to create an individualized chart which calculates the correct insulin dosage that should be given prior to eating. Diabetes, which affects nearly 1 in every 400 children and adolescents in the United States, according to the American Diabetes Association, is a disease that is characterized by a high blood glucose or sugar level. Managing a child's diabetes requires the proper balance between insulin dose, food, and activity on a daily basis. It is important to keep the child's blood sugars within a target range at all times. Insulin therapy involves administering rapid-acting insulin before each meal and adjusting the dose based on the current blood glucose level and how much food will be eaten. The Diabetes Calculator for Kids, available for any patient who uses insulin, creates an individualized chart for rapid-acting insulin bolus dosage in five easy steps. After the parent or patient completes those steps online, a customized chart is produced that can be emailed or printed. It provides the parent, caregiver, or patient an easy way to look up the correct insulin dosage based on current blood glucose, without having to do the math each time. "The goal is to provide an additional tool to empower families to successfully manage their child's diabetes at home in order to provide as normal a life as possible for that child," Continue reading >>
Ten Things You Might Not Know About Diabetes
Did you know these 10 facts about diabetes? About one third of all people with diabetes do not know they have the disease. Type 2 diabetes often does not have any symptoms. Only about five percent of all people with diabetes have type 1 diabetes. If you are at risk, type 2 diabetes can be prevented with moderate weight loss (10–15 pounds) and 30 minutes of moderate physical activity (such as brisk walking) each day. A meal plan for a person with diabetes isn’t very different than that which is recommended for people without diabetes. Diabetes is the leading cause of blindness in working-age adults. People with diabetes are twice as likely to develop heart disease than someone without diabetes. Good control of diabetes significantly reduces the risk of developing complications and prevents complications from getting worse. Bariatric surgery can reduce the symptoms of diabetes in obese people. Diabetes costs $174 billion annually, including $116 billion in direct medical expenses. Continue reading >>
Insulin Pens Don't Have Ink: Catalog Of Cool Diabetes Related Stuff
Yes, I have found some awesome diabetes stuff, so I am making a catalog of it all for future reference! "An insulin pump thats sized like a credit card, Tandems color-touchscreen t:slim is todays slimmest, sleekest insulin pumpup to 25% slimmer than others." This pump is a touch screen pump that looks more like an iPhone than a pump. It looks sleek, hi-tech, and expensive. I like it because, and I quote my friends on this: "...Look like a video game from the 80's." (That's what they said about my Animas Ping.) Good thing my pump warranty expires this November. C: And yes, it is FDA approved. (For everyone 13+) "The Animas Vibe insulin pump and CGM system combines state-of-the-art Dexcom G4 Sensing technology with high-performance Animas pumping. That means it gives you the features Animas pumps are known for, like waterproof durability, fine-tuned dosing and a high-contrast, self-illuminating color display. Its also designed to streamline the whole CGM experience for you, while giving you a full-color view of how your glucose is behaving." - Animas UK Website This is a Pump/CGM duo. It has Dexcom's sensor and Animas's pump power. It combines all of the Animas Ping's features with Dexcom's CGM features. One of the perks of Dexcom's technology for a CGM: the sensor lasts 7 days! It is also on my want list, but it is awaiting FDA approval. "It's the first meter ever that automatically alerts you to patterns you might not even know were there. Together with the One Touch Verio Gold Test Strip, this system gives people on insulin more information for less work, right in the palm of their hands." - One Touch Website This blood tester just looks fancy. It is a sleek white and can tell you when there are patterns in your blood sugar readings, it has a light where the test stri Continue reading >>
Gifts For Diabetics: The Ultimate Guide (always Updated)
Gifts for Diabetics: The Ultimate Guide (Always Updated) Finding a thoughtful gift for a friend or family member with diabetes can be hard. Thats why I created this Ultimate Guide to Gifts for Diabetics! Gifts for diabetics used to be less exciting than getting socks for Christmas, but now there are so many beautiful, useful or just plain cool diabetes products available that I really want to share them with you! All the items in this guide are things that I either already own, or that I would be excited to unwrap myself. We deal with diabetes 24/7, so why not add a little color, technology, information and fun to make our everyday diabetes management a little less clinical and a little more tolerable? I will update this guide whenever I find a new product that deserves to be on it, so it will always be the Ultimate Guide to Gifts for Diabetics, no matter when youre reading it. If you use a product that you think I should include, please leave a link in the comments below so that I can check it out. When you have read this guide, remember to also check out my Ultimate Fitness Gift Guide for the best fitness equipment, gadgets, and accessories. Think before you buy: Diabetes can be overwhelming sometimes, and not everyone will appreciate getting a diabetes-related gift on a day that should be all about fun, family, and friends. If in doubt, I suggest you buy a gift that is useful for people with diabetes without being made specifically for people with diabetes (like the workout pants or Apple watch). We look at our testing supplies and injection devices every day, faithfully carrying them around wherever we go. The girls at Myabetic decided to make that experience a little less medical and ugly looking by creating beautiful high-quality diabetes supply carrying purses a Continue reading >>
Best Holiday Gift Ideas For People With Diabetes - 20 Ideas For Every Budget And All Personalities
20 ideas for every budget and all personalities As you might have guessed, buying a gift for someone with diabetes doesnt have to be different than buying a gift for someone without diabetes. There are, however, certain gifts someone with diabetes might appreciate more than others. Its easy to get stuck, so let our list spark some creative gift ideas to add to your shopping list. Weve got ideas for every budget and all personality types. Some are silly, others are sentimental each is a great gift in its own unique way! Give the gift of monthly deliveries of beauty, fashion, fitness, wellness, and home products. These boxes are customized based on your loved ones profile and preferences, and each delivery includes a set amount of samples. Available in 3-, 6-, or 12-month options, with various price points and themes, youll have fun finding an option that fits. Check out FabFitFun and Birchbox to start. Help make exercise fun this holiday season with a set of yoga or a high-energy dance classes like Zumba . You might even want to treat yourself to a class and join your friend for support. An average class costs around $5-$10, but buying sessions in bulk can help you save money. For a more personalized workout, consider purchasing sessions with a trainer. Personal training sessions usually start around $50, but check with local gyms to find the best deal. Some gyms (such as Planet Fitness ) will provide fitness assessments and program design for free if you have a membership. As an alternative to group exercise or fitness clubs, you can stream workouts in the comfort and convenience of your own homes. Crunch Gyms Crunch Live program promises to help you get fit on the fly by streaming over 75 online workouts that fit your level and schedule. Price Range:Crunch Live has a Continue reading >>
Diabete-ezy
The stylish Multi-fit Case carries everything that the Ezy-fit Case carries plus much more. This new design is suitable for both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetics. The outer case is made of a tough, easy to clean material with a lanyard loop handle, while Velcro and elastic features are used to hold equipment into place.The top compartment carries a BG Meter, 2 x pen needles, foil or canister test strips, a lancet device, insulin vials, Test-wipes, a Record Book, a Card Sized Personalised Management Plan, a biro, a needle and lancet tips, as well as a rubbish bin. The compartment underneath can carry Insulin Pump Consumables, a GlucaGen Hypokit, jelly beans or food for hypo treatments, spare batteries, Test-wipes, test strips, other medications or even money and credit cards.The case suits most blood glucose meters, including the Optium, Xceed, FreeStyle mini, Accu-Chek Perfoma, Integra, Go, Senso Card, CareSens, TrueTrack.Finally, everything can truly be stored in the one place.Terms & ConditionsThe Diabete-ezy, Multi-fit case is fitted with YKK zips. These zips are known for being the strongest in the world. Although the Multi-fit cases have these zips and are designed to house many different items, over packing the case with bulky items can shorten the lifespan of the zips... The dispenser box is designed to fit easily into most testing cases and provides a convenient and simple way to clean your testing site prior and post BGL testing. Test-wipes are also great for cleaning insulin pump sites before inserting and once a site has been removed.Whether you have Type 1 or Type 2 Diabetes, an accurate reading of your blood glucose level (BGL) is vital. Washing your hands before testing seems like a simple solution to remove all impurities, such as fruit juice, food and dirt. Continue reading >>
Facts - Jdrf
There is nothing anyone can do to prevent T1D. Presently, there is no known cure. Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is an autoimmune disease that occurs when a persons pancreas stops producing insulin, the hormone that controls blood-sugar levels. T1D develops when the insulin-producing pancreatic beta cells are mistakenly destroyed by the bodys immune system.The cause of this attack is still being researched, however scientists believe the cause may have genetic and environmental components. Type 1 diabetes (sometimes known as juvenile diabetes) affects children and adults, though people can be diagnosed at any age. With a typically quick onset, T1D must be managed with the use of insulineither via injection or insulin pump. Soon, people who are insulin dependent may also be able to use artificial pancreas systems to automatically administer their insulin. Type 1 diabetes is a 24/7 disease that requires constant management. People with T1D continuously and carefully balance insulin intake with eating, exercise and other activities. They also measure blood-sugar levels through finger pricks, ideally at least six times a day, or by wearing a continuous glucose monitor. Even with a strict regimen, people with T1D may still experience dangerously high or low blood-glucose levels that can, in extreme cases, be life threatening. Every person with T1D becomes actively involved in managing his or her disease. While insulin therapy keeps people with T1D alive and can help keep blood-glucose levels within recommended range, it is not a cure, nor does it prevent the possibility of T1Ds serious effects. Although T1D is a serious and challenging disease, long-term management options continue to evolve, allowing those with T1D to have full and active lives. JDRF is driving research to lessen t Continue reading >>
The Beyond Type 1 2018 Gift Guide!
Welcome to the Beyond Type 1 Gift Guide for all the must-have diabetes goodies of the 2018 Holiday Season! What better time to treat your favorite T1D (or treat yourself!) to some cool new diabetes swag? Gone are the days of ugly meter cases and not-so-fun accessories there are so many great products for Type 1s out there! Check out some of our offices top picks below: 1. A new medical ID is always a great gift! Laurens Hope , Poppy Medical , RoadID and Universal Medical ID all have hundreds of options, so youre bound to find one. Check out our Medical ID Guide here for more. 2. PumpPeelz has a wide variety of fun stickers + covers for nearly every diabetes device out there, and plenty of holiday Peelz to choose from. 3. MedAngelONE is the best tool to manage the temperature of your insulin. It consists of a wireless thermometer you store with your insulin and an app (for iPhone + Android) that monitors the temperatureof your insulin. Some of the coolest features? You will receive alerts if the temperature approaches or exceeds a safe level, there is a built-in medication database of EU and US Insulins (along with many other medications), you can see the history of your medications, and it is waterproof! Get MedAngelONE here . 4. The Holiday season is the perfect time to grab a new bag for all your diabetes supplies, and what better company than Myabetic? With a huge variety of bags + cases in practically every color and size, there truly is one for everyone. Were thrilled to be carrying Myabetic in our store, ShopTheDrop , so head on over to check out some of our top bags, such as the James Compact Case (seen above), the Banting Diabetes Wallet and the Thompson Diabetes Travel Carry-All an excellent choice for traveling with all those supplies! 5. A SPIBelt is a great Continue reading >>
