Diabetes Is A Serious Illness
Sorting facts from fiction is important About one in seven U.S. adults has diabetes now, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. But by 2050, that rate could skyrocket to as many as one in three. Many of us don’t understand diabetes. To help contain this leading cause of disability and death, it’s important to separate fact from fiction. FICTION: Eating too much sugar causes diabetes. FACT: Many factors lead to the development of diabetes. Genetics, nutrition, exercise and lifestyle all play a role. Sugar may contribute to type 2 diabetes if it leads to weight gain, but it doesn’t cause the disease. “A diet high in calories — whether they’re from sugar or fat — raises your risk for type 2 diabetes,” said Mounaf Alsamman, MD, a family medicine doctor with Allina Medical Clinic – Brooklyn Park. “In this disease, your pancreas makes little or no insulin or your body’s cells don’t use it well. As a result, blood sugar can’t move from your bloodstream into the cells that need it for energy.” Alsamman tells his patients that sugar does not cause diabetes but it still needs to be monitored or reduced. “You just have to make sure to build your sweet treats into a healthy eating and exercise plan,” he explained. A healthful, balanced diet as well as regular exercise and maintaining a healthy weight can help prevent diabetes. Go for gradual, achievable changes to your sugar intake, such as cutting back on sweetened beverages. FICTION: Only people who weigh far too much will develop type 2 diabetes. FACT: People of all ages and body types can develop type 2 diabetes. Being overweight is just one of the risk factors. Many people with type 2 diabetes are at a healthy weight or just moderately overweight. Excess weight increases yo Continue reading >>
What Is Diabetes And How Serious Is It?
Learning to control diabetes starts with finding out as much as possible about the disease and how serious it is. That will help reduce stress when making lifestyle changes necessary to stay in good health. Step 1: Learn About Diabetes Diabetes means that your blood glucose (blood sugar) is too high. There are two main types of diabetes. Type 1 diabetes — the body does not make insulin. Insulin helps the body use glucose from food for energy. People with type 1 need to take insulin every day. Type 2 diabetes — the body does not make or use insulin well. People with type 2 often need to take pills or insulin. Type 2 is the most common form of diabetes. Gestational diabetes — occurs in some women when they become pregnant. It raises her future risk of developing diabetes, mostly type 2. It may raise her child’s risk of being overweight and developing type 2 diabetes. Diabetes is serious. You may have heard people say they have “a touch of diabetes” or that their “sugar is a little high.” These words suggest that diabetes is not a serious disease. That is not correct. Diabetes is serious, but you can learn to manage it! It’s not easy, but it’s worth it! All people with diabetes need to make healthy food choices, stay at a healthy weight and move more every day. Taking good care of yourself and your diabetes can help you feel better. It may help you avoid health problems caused by diabetes, like: Heart attack and stroke. Eye problems that can lead to trouble seeing or going blind. Nerve damage that can cause your hands and feet to hurt, tingle, or feel numb. Some people may even lose a foot or a leg. Kidney problems that can cause your kidneys to stop working. Gum disease and loss of teeth. When your blood glucose is close to normal you are likely to: Ha Continue reading >>
Type 2 Diabetes And Your Workplace Rights
Living with type 2 diabetes is hard enough. But what if your condition affects your work or the way people treat you there? Learn about your employment rights as someone with diabetes. Diabetes is considered a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This law applies to any employer in the United States that has 15 employees or more. It also applies to: labor organizations joint labor-management committees employment agencies all state and local government employers If you’re employed by or applying for a job with one of these organizations, the ADA protects you from discrimination. An employer can’t refuse to hire you based solely on your diabetes. In fact, you don’t even have a legal obligation to tell a prospective employer about your condition. Once you’ve been hired, the ADA also requires your employer to provide reasonable accommodations. These include changes to your workplace or routine that can help you to manage your condition. You may also be protected under the Rehabilitation Act if you’re federally employed. Depending on where you live, additional state laws may cover smaller employers or offer broader protections. In most cases, an employer can’t use your diabetes as a reason: not to hire you not to promote you to fire you The only exception is if your condition poses a direct threat to your health or safety or those of others. For example, do you frequently experience hypoglycemic episodes that could interfere with your duties? These episodes might incapacitate you while you’re operating heavy machinery. This could put your life at risk. In this case, an employer has the right not to hire you for a role that requires you to operate that machinery. Once you’ve received a job offer, you’re subject to the same medical req Continue reading >>
What Counts As A Serious Health Condition Under The Fmla?
The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) allows eligible employees to take time off work for a "serious health condition" as defined in the act. If you have a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), you might assume that it automatically counts as a serious health condition for which you can take FMLA leave. But even though the terms seem pretty similar, they are not identical. Not every disability counts as a serious health condition under the FMLA, and not every serious health condition is a disability. Below, we explain how the Family Medical Leave Act defines a serious health condition. (Learn about the basics of FMLA leave and whether you're eligible in our article Your Right to FMLA Leave.) There are six specific categories of serious health conditions under the Family and Medical Leave Act (described below), mostly involving some form of incapacity (the inability to work or perform other daily activities). Unless your disability is incapacitating in some way, it won’t qualify you for FMLA leave. And that makes sense. If you are capable of doing your job and taking care of daily tasks, you won’t need time off work because of your disability. Permanent or Long-Term Conditions If you are under the supervision of a health care provider for a condition that makes you unable to work for a long time, or permanently, you have a serious health condition under the FMLA. This category can include cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, terminal illnesses, and advanced amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease). Even if you are not in treatment for your condition, you may use the FMLA to take time off work as you need it. Chronic Health Conditions You may take FMLA leave for a chronic serious health condition, like epilepsy, diabetes, depress Continue reading >>
Fmla Certification Requesting Only One Month Of Intermittent Leave Negated “chronic” Condition
An employee whose FMLA request was denied and who was fired shortly before being diagnosed with diabetes and high blood pressure saw her FMLA interference claims dismissed after a federal district court in Pennsylvania concluded that her medical certification, which requested only one month of intermittent leave due to her symptoms, was “negative on its face,” allowing her employer to rely on itt to conclude she did not have a “chronic” serious health condition. The court rejected her argument that the certification was simply insufficient and her employer was obligated by the FMLA to give her seven days to cure. Her retaliation claim also failed ( On March 1, 2013, the employee began experiencing shortness of breath, nausea, and vomiting. On March 13, her doctor completed an FMLA request form seeking intermittent leave twice a week “for a probable duration of one month or until about April 1, 2013.” The employee was absent March 13-14 and 23-25. On March 28, she was fired for those absences. When she brought up her request for FMLA leave, she was informed her March 13 request was denied. Thereafter, she saw for the first time a March 26 letter stating that FMLA leave was denied because her “condition presently [did] not qualify as a serious health condition under the criteria set forth” by the FMLA. In early April, the employee was diagnosed with diabetes and high blood pressure, which were found to be the cause of her symptoms the prior month. These conditions were chronic and permanent, requiring continuing medical treatment. Filing suit under the FMLA, the employee alleged that the employer interfered with her rights by failing to provide her with seven days to cure any deficiencies in the medical certification and FMLA request form, as well as by la Continue reading >>
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Health Risks Of Being Overweight
Overweight and obesity may increase the risk of many health problems, including diabetes, heart disease, and certain cancers. If you are pregnant, excess weight may lead to short- and long-term health problems for you and your child. This fact sheet tells you more about the links between excess weight and many health conditions. It also explains how reaching and maintaining a normal weight may help you and your loved ones stay healthier as you grow older. What kinds of health problems are linked to overweight and obesity? Excess weight may increase the risk for many health problems, including type 2 diabetes high blood pressure heart disease and strokes certain types of cancer sleep apnea osteoarthritis fatty liver disease kidney disease pregnancy problems, such as high blood sugar during pregnancy, high blood pressure, and increased risk for cesarean delivery (C-section) How can I tell if I weigh too much? Gaining a few pounds during the year may not seem like a big deal. But these pounds can add up over time. How can you tell if your weight could increase your chances of developing health problems? Knowing two numbers may help you understand your risk: your body mass index (BMI) score and your waist size in inches. Body Mass Index The BMI is one way to tell whether you are at a normal weight, are overweight, or have obesity. It measures your weight in relation to your height and provides a score to help place you in a category: normal weight: BMI of 18.5 to 24.9 overweight: BMI of 25 to 29.9 obesity: BMI of 30 or higher For an online tool that will calculate your BMI score, see the Additional Links section. Waist Size Another important number to know is your waist size in inches. Having too much fat around your waist may increase health risks even more than having fat Continue reading >>
Why Is Diabetes Dangerous?
Diabetes is dangerous for many reasons. For those with diabetes, low-blood sugar levels can cause immediate, life-threatening situations, and a long-term pattern of consistently high sugar levels places you at greater risk for heart disease, strokes and other serious conditions. Diabetes is also the leading cause of new cases of blindness among working-age adults. If you are diagnosed with diabetes, special care should be taken to keep your vision in check. Key steps to taking better control of your diabetes or prediabetes condition involve adopting a healthier diet and starting a regular exercise program. Careful management of blood sugar levels can help you avoid some of the health complications linked to diabetes. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recently recommended that every American over the age of 45 should be screened for both type 2 diabetes and prediabetes, the common condition of having blood glucose levels higher than normal. As type 2 diabetes continues to spread it is important to do all you can to fight it. If you've got it, reverse it. Type 2 diabetes is a disease you can almost always kick to the curb if you manage it like a pro. If you've got prediabetes, treat it as a warning and adopt a healthier lifestyle. The number one key to preventing diabetes is to lose even a little weight, especially by avoiding added sugars and saturated fats. Diabetes doesn't just do in your body (i.e., eyes, heart, kidneys), it also attacks your brain. It restricts circulation and creates so much damaging inflammation that new studies show your brain shrinks by 15%. The most affected areas are your ability to talk, make decisions, handle tasks and remember what you just said. Diabetes is a serious, sometimes life-threatening disease. Over time it can affect every b Continue reading >>
Is Diabetes The World’s Most Connected Health Condition?
The world marks January 11 as the 95th anniversary of the date that insulin was first used in humans to treat diabetes. Since then it would seem that barely a week passes without another device or treatment in the works. According to the Centre for Disease Control, more than 29 million Americans are living with diabetes, and 86 million are living with prediabetes, a serious health condition that increases a person’s risk of type 2 diabetes and other chronic diseases. Health monitoring is a critical part of daily diabetes management. A range of apps, connected devices, more recently wearables can assist people to monitor, treat and manage their health. As tech companies compete, let’s take a look at what on the market and what’s in the future: Connected devices One of the most notable diabetes devices of recent years is the MyDario all in one glucose meter. It enables people living with diabetes to test their blood glucose levels in seconds, directly onto their smartphone. A corresponding app can share this information with medical professionals and family members and also helps track carb intake and exercise. Wearables Whilst you would like to think that wearable devices are becoming more and more prevalent, this is not really the case when it comes to diabetes management. The FDA only approved one diabetes connected device in 2015 and three in 2016. Two examples of these: Dexcom G5 Continuous Glucose Monitory System Dexcom has been providing a digital makeover to its continuous glucose monitoring systems for some time and the latest incarnation is the Dexcom G5 Continuous Glucose Monitory System. The wearable sensor and transmitter can collect glucose measurements and send it directly via the companion app to a smartphone. Readings are available every five minute Continue reading >>
What Is A Serious Health Condition Under The Fmla?
Under the federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), eligible employees have the right to take time off to care for a family member with a serious health condition or to recuperate from their own serious health condition, among other things. (For information on other circumstances in which you might be entitled to time off under the FMLA, see Taking Family and Medical Leave.) Colds and other minor health concerns don't typically qualify for FMLA leave; the law is intended to provide time off only for more serious ailments. As you'll see, however, the rules about what does and does not qualify as a serious health condition can get a bit complicated. What's a Serious Health Condition? The FMLA divides serious health conditions for which FMLA leave may be taken into these six categories: inpatient care incapacity for more than three days with continuing treatment by a health care provider incapacity relating to pregnancy or prenatal care chronic serious health conditions permanent or long-term incapacity, and certain conditions requiring multiple treatments. Find out everything you need to know about the FMLA with Nolo's book The Essential Guide to Family & Medical Leave. Inpatient Care A condition that requires inpatient care -- in other words, an overnight stay -- at a hospital, hospice, or residential care facility qualifies as a serious health condition covered by the FMLA. An employee is entitled to FMLA leave for the time spent receiving inpatient care and for any period of incapacity or subsequent treatment connected to that inpatient care. Incapacity for More Than Three Days Plus Continuing Treatment Someone who is incapacitated (unable to work, attend school, or perform other regular daily activities) for more than three days also has a serious health condition, Continue reading >>
Wage And Hour Division (whd)
FMLA-87 Dear Name*: This is in response to two letters from your office asking a number of questions regarding the definition of the term "serious health condition" under the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 (FMLA). I regret that, due to the volume of inquiries and other work associated with administering FMLA, we were not able to respond earlier. Before answering your specific questions, it may be helpful to first examine the pertinent sections of the FMLA and its implementing regulations, 29 CFR Part 825, and explain their underlying rationale. Under FMLA, “eligible employees” may take leave for, among other reasons, their own serious health conditions that make them unable to perform the essential functions of their position, or to care for immediate family members (i.e., spouse, child, or parent) with serious health conditions. Section 101(11) of FMLA defines serious health condition as "an illness, injury, impairment, or physical or mental condition that involves: inpatient care in a hospital, hospice, or residential medical care facility; or continuing treatment by a health care provider.” Under the express statutory language, any absence involving inpatient care qualifies as a serious health condition. A more difficult task, however, has been to define those illnesses that would qualify as serious health conditions because they involved "continuing treatment by a health care provider." The legislative history states that the meaning of serious health condition "is broad and intended to cover various types of physical and mental conditions" and "is intended to cover conditions or illnesses that affect an employee's health to the extent that he or she must be absent from work on a recurring basis or for more than a few days for treatment or recovery." Sim Continue reading >>
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What Is The Best Diet In Order To Lower My Bad Cholesterol (ldl) And Raise My Hdl, Prevent High Blood Pressure, Prevent Type 2 Diabetes, Have A Good A1c And A Low Glycemic Index, And Keep A Healthy Heart?
Chronic inflammation is an increasingly common health condition that contributes to heart disease,diabetes, obesity arthritis and metabolic syndrome. Caused by a number of environmental factors including eating processed foods, saturated fats, sugar, and chemicals, inflammation is a dangerous condition that mimics many other serious health issues. Fortunately, there are a number of natural foods that reduce inflammation levels in the body - these include fresh fruits and vegetables, fish, whole grains, and certain spices. Increasing the amount of omega-3 fatty acids in the diet is perhaps the most important step in preventing inflammation in the body. 3 of the Top Anti-Inflammatory Diet Foods include: Ginger With over 500 natural compounds, ginger has a number of health benefits - including calming an upset stomach, preventing motion sickness, and reducing inflammation. While science has yet discovered exactly how fresh ginger reduces inflammation in the body, it has been shown to reduce inflammation that contributes to arthritis and various cancers. Vitamin C Found in grapefruit, oranges, lemons and many vegetables, vitamin C is most commonly known for its cold fighting abilities. However, vitamin c is also a powerful antioxidant that reduces the harmful effects of stress and teams with vitamin E to serve as a very effective anti inflammatory food. Being water-soluble, vitamin C is not stored in the body; meaning it needs to be consumed throughout the day to maintain appropriate levels. Since the typical American diet is low in vitamin C, 1,000 to 4,000 mg a day through fresh fruit, vegetables, or supplement is recommended. Omega 3 and Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs) Omega 3 and Essential Fatty Acids are good, healthy fats that assist in preventing heart disease, joint pa Continue reading >>
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Organ/tissue Donation And Registry
Few things impact your life more than a serious health problem. Chronic diseases, including heart disease, stroke and diabetes; cancer; and communicable diseases affect the health of millions of people and cost billions of dollars in medical expenses every year in Missouri. Lifestyle choices – such as not smoking, maintaining a healthy weight and being physically active – can help prevent some of the most common chronic diseases and some types of cancer. Regular health screenings can often discover chronic conditions and cancers early when treatment is more likely to be successful. Communicable diseases can often be prevented through a number of measures including vaccines and proper hand washing. By making smart choices, Missourians can avoid or overcome many health problems and live longer and more productive lives. Cancer About two in five Missourians will have cancer during their lifetime. Screenings can detect several types of cancer including breast cancer, cervical cancer and colorectal cancer. Chronic conditions Chronic diseases include asthma, heart disease, stroke, diabetes and arthritis. These diseases often can be prevented or controlled keeping risk factors, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol and elevated blood sugar levels, under control. Communicable diseases Communicable diseases are caused by germs transmitted through people, animals, surfaces, foods and air. Influenza, or flu, is a highly contagious viral respiratory illness. Flu can cause a worsening of chronic medical conditions such as heart disease, asthma and diabetes. To help prevent the spread of the flu, a flu shot is recommended every year, especially for people who are at high risk for flu complications. Other vaccine-preventable diseases include measles, mumps, polio, dypthe Continue reading >>
Why? A Serious Health Condition Under The Fmla – Part 8.
OK, this is it. We are almost done with the definition of a serious health condition. I’m serious. Let’s deal with chronic conditions. You know, the sorts of health conditions a person might get that just does not go away. Like asthma or diabetes or epilepsy. How do these kinds of conditions fit into the definition of a serious health condition? Let’s start with the definition again: (a) For purposes of FMLA, serious health condition entitling an employee to FMLA leave means an illness, injury, impairment or physical or mental condition that involves inpatient care as defined in §825.114 or continuing treatment by a health care provider as defined in §825.115. 29 CFR §825.113(a). And back to §115 we go. A serious health condition involving continuing treatment by a health care provider includes any one or more of the following: * * * (c) Chronic conditions. Any period of incapacity or treatment for such incapacity due to a chronic serious health condition. A chronic serious health condition is one which: (1) Requires periodic visits (defined as at least twice a year) for treatment by a health care provider, or by a nurse under direct supervision of a health care provider; (2) Continues over an extended period of time (including recurring episodes of a single underlying condition); and (3) May cause episodic rather than a continuing period of incapacity (e.g., asthma, diabetes, epilepsy, etc.). 29 CFR §825.115(c). So we have three things we need for a condition to be “chronic” and we will start from the bottom and work our way up. First, the condition may cause “episodic” incapacity. You know, once in a while. Like when the weather is bad (or really good he said dripping with sarcasm) and the employee gets an asthma attack. The condition has to continu Continue reading >>
Fact Sheet: Sick Leave To Care For A Family Member With A Serious Health Condition
Sick Leave Entitlement An employee is entitled to use up to 12 weeks (480 hours) of sick leave each leave year to provide care for a family member with a serious health condition. Sick Leave Usage Limits Per Leave Year An employee is entitled to a total of 12 weeks (480 hours) of sick leave each leave year to care for a family member with a serious health condition, which includes 13 days (104 hours) of sick leave for general family care or bereavement purposes. If the employee previously has used any portion of the 13 days of sick leave for general family care or bereavement purposes in a leave year, that amount must be subtracted from the 12-week entitlement. If an employee has already used 12 weeks of sick leave to care for a family member with a serious health condition, he or she cannot use an additional 13 days in the same leave year for general family care purposes. An employee is entitled to no more than a combined total of 12 weeks of sick leave each leave year for all family care purposes. Definition of Family Member The definition of family member covers a wide range of relationships, including spouse; parents; parents-in-law; children; brothers; sisters; grandparents; grandchildren; step parents; step children; foster parents; foster children; guardianship relationships; same sex and opposite sex domestic partners; and spouses or domestic partners of the aforementioned, as applicable. The list of family members for whom an employee may request sick leave for family care or bereavement purposes (as well as important associated definitions for the terms son or daughter, parent, domestic partner, and committed relationship) may be found on our fact sheet Definitions Related to Family Member and Immediate Relative. When an employee requests sick leave to care fo Continue reading >>
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Symptoms
Print Overview Diabetes mellitus refers to a group of diseases that affect how your body uses blood sugar (glucose). Glucose is vital to your health because it's an important source of energy for the cells that make up your muscles and tissues. It's also your brain's main source of fuel. If you have diabetes, no matter what type, it means you have too much glucose in your blood, although the causes may differ. Too much glucose can lead to serious health problems. Chronic diabetes conditions include type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes. Potentially reversible diabetes conditions include prediabetes — when your blood sugar levels are higher than normal, but not high enough to be classified as diabetes — and gestational diabetes, which occurs during pregnancy but may resolve after the baby is delivered. Diabetes symptoms vary depending on how much your blood sugar is elevated. Some people, especially those with prediabetes or type 2 diabetes, may not experience symptoms initially. In type 1 diabetes, symptoms tend to come on quickly and be more severe. Some of the signs and symptoms of type 1 and type 2 diabetes are: Increased thirst Frequent urination Extreme hunger Unexplained weight loss Presence of ketones in the urine (ketones are a byproduct of the breakdown of muscle and fat that happens when there's not enough available insulin) Fatigue Irritability Blurred vision Slow-healing sores Frequent infections, such as gums or skin infections and vaginal infections Although type 1 diabetes can develop at any age, it typically appears during childhood or adolescence. Type 2 diabetes, the more common type, can develop at any age, though it's more common in people older than 40. When to see a doctor If you suspect you or your child may have diabetes. If you notice any poss Continue reading >>
