Take Your Perks With Type 1
Having Type 1 diabetes has many downsides, or lows, if you will. It is often difficult to look on the bright side of any illness. However, there are certain instances where we get treated to some unexpected daily life perks!Lets take a look at some scenarios where T1Ds get the sweeter end of the deal. Pretty much nobody can tell us not to have food or juice with us. A quick flash of a medical bracelet, prescription or doctors note can sidestep most rules about not bringing food or drinks into a venue! Places where T1Ds are allowed to bring food whereas others are not can include but are not limited to: Not every student gets to head out of class early before lunch, but in most elementary, middle and high schools, thats exactly what kids with Type 1 can do before heading to the nurses office to take insulin, check BG levels, etc! Teachers frown upon technology in the classroom, but T1Ds are always allowed to keep their technology on their person (pumps, meters, etc). Even cell phones are permitted if it is connected to your CGM. As mentioned before, food and drink are always allowed in case of a low. Registering for accommodationsin college can afford you such perks as early registration for classes, preferred room location or rooms with refrigerators, and other benefits to make life easier. For US residents, the Diabetes Scholars Foundation awards scholarships to high school seniors who have high academic performance, are actively involved in their community and the diabetes community. Diabetes Scholars Foundation scholarships are not based on financial need and are due in April each year. For Canadian residents, the Diabetes Hope Scholarship provides education grants to students living with diabetes. Other scholarships for US and Canadian incoming freshman, typically Continue reading >>
The Pros And Cons Of Type 1
A little while back, I asked some of my friends with Type 1 diabetes what their favorite thing was about living with the condition, followed by their least favorite thing. I’ve decided to make a post out of those responses, in the hopes that those of you with Type 1 will be reminded that you’re not alone in this and that there is always someone else out there who gets what you’re going through! The list of least favorite things ranged from minor things to pretty substantial issues. I’ll start with those little things that just really push our buttons: One of the first responses I got was, “I absolutely hate it when my tubing gets caught on doorknobs!” I can’t even begin to describe how many times this very thing has happened to me and how annoying it is! In my case, it usually ends up hurting more when my site stays in rather than the entire thing just getting pulled out. It is such a quick little nuisance, but when it happens it is so irritating! Another response that I got quite a few times was “I hate it when people ask me if I’m allowed to eat certain things.” This is one thing that is of course annoying after it happens a million and one times, but it’s one of the things that annoys me the least. Whenever it does happen (and don’t get me wrong, it definitely bugs me), I just remind myself that this person doesn’t understand Type 1 diabetes. They hear “diabetes” and automatically assume it means no sugar because of the misperceptions and confusion between Type 1 and Type 2. A little spin-off of this particular situation that really got to me about two weeks ago was when I had an episode of low blood sugar, and a friend of mine told me that I should take better care of myself and not let my blood sugar get to that point. I can’t think Continue reading >>
Diagnosed With Diabetes? The Benefits Of Early Action
Diagnosed With Diabetes? The Benefits of Early Action Youve just been diagnosed with diabetes Type 2 diabetes. What do you do? Take action now, research suggests. If you make lifestyle changes immediately, you may be able to lower your blood sugar [glucose] to the level where you are no longer defined as having diabetes, states Dr. James Barnard, UCLA distinguished professor emeritus and author of more than 190 studies on nutrition, exercise, and disease prevention. Major lifestyle changes like the Pritikin Program are likely to be more effective than medications in reducing the risk of complications associated with diabetes. Landmark research that Dr. Barnard and colleagues published in the American Diabetes Association journal Diabetes Care reported the results of 652 people with Type 2 diabetes who changed their lifestyles by attending the Pritikin Longevity Center.(1) The 652 diabetics were divided into three groups: 1) Those who were newly diagnosed and in the early stages of Type 2 diabetes (not yet taking pills): 243 people. 2) Those who were taking pills to control their diabetes: 197 people. 3) Those who were in the advanced stages of Type 2 diabetes, and were on insulin injections: 212 people. The 243 newly diagnosed diabetics had, without question, the best results. Within three weeks of adopting the eating and exercise guidelines of the Pritikin Program, their blood glucose was reduced from an average of 164 down to 124. Fully 76% left Pritikin with their diabetes diagnosis reversed. Most of the 197 diabetics on pills also responded well. More than 70% significantly lowered their blood glucose and had their medications discontinued within three weeks of starting the Pritikin Program. The results achieved by the Type 2 diabetics on insulin injections were no Continue reading >>
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Is There A Benefit To Being Diagnosed With Type 2 Diabetes?
Is There a Benefit to Being Diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes? Type 2 diabetesa good thing? Yes, a good thing. I know it sounds like a crazy thing to say. How could having type 2 diabetes ever be a good thing? There can be a silver lining to this big dark cloud. But first lets go back to the beginning. Type 2 is a Symptom of Insulin Resistance Having type 2 diabetes is actually a symptom of something else:insulin resistance. The body stops responding to insulin in the normal way and that leads not onlyto type 2 diabetes but also: weight gain, obesity, increased risk of several other disease: The last decades of medical research examining the pathogenesis of common tumours have provided compelling evidence for the involvement of insulin resistance in cancer. Consequently, many research articles have been published in the literature which give support to the hypothesis that patients with insulin-resistant syndromes, such as obesity and T2D, might be at higher risk for developing cancer than the general population. Clearly, insulin resistance is not simply a problem of deficient glucose uptake in response to insulin, but a multifaceted syndrome that increases significantly the risk for cardiovascular disease. The links between insulin resistance and the associated dyslipidemia, hypertension, hypercoagulability, and atherosclerosis are numerous and complex. This review presents evidence suggesting that insulin resistance plays a role in the pathophysiology and clinical symptoms of Alzheimers disease. Based on this evidence, we propose that treatment of insulin resistance may reduce the risk or retard the development of Alzheimers disease. Treat the insulin resistance with one or several of the available methods (diet, exercise and/or medication) and not only will help your bl Continue reading >>
Advantages & Disadvantages Of Diabetic Diets
Almost 26 million people in the United States have diabetes, according to the National Diabetes Education Program. Diabetes is a chronic illness characterized by high blood sugars. If left uncontrolled, diabetes can lead to other diseases such as heart or kidney disease, as well as an early death. Diet plays an important role in the treatment of diabetes. While there are a number of advantages to following a diabetic diet, there may be a few disadvantages for some people. Consult your doctor or dietitian to help you with your diabetic meal plan. Video of the Day Advantage: Help With Blood Sugar Control The primary goal in diabetes management is getting your blood sugar as close to normal as possible. Your doctor can help you determine your blood sugar goals, but in general, those numbers range from 90 to 130 milligrams per deciliter before meals and less than 180 milligrams per deciliter two hours after a meal. The carbohydrates you eat affect your blood sugar. A diabetic diet helps you control the amount of carbohydrates you eat each day and at each meal for better blood sugar management. Good blood sugar control may reduce your risk of diabetes-related complications. Advantage: Good for Weight Management The diabetic diet is a healthy diet in general. The diet encourages you to eat a variety of foods from all the food groups, emphasizing fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean sources of protein and low-fat dairy. The diet also encourages portion control and eating meals regularly. These healthy diet principles are the same recommendations given to someone who wants to lose weight. If you're overweight or obese and have diabetes, losing as little as 10 pounds can help improve blood sugar. The diabetic diet recommends you eat the same amount of food around the same t Continue reading >>
What Things Would You Say Is An Advantage To Hav... | Diabetic Connect
I am iffy on the good and the bad. I have had many many drawbacks having diabetes. Gained a lot of weight, can't take the oral meds, took meds that have hurt my body, didn't get the proper education on D, didn't know what to eat and what not to eat.. However, Since joining DC I have learned a great deal of information. I have learned what to ask my endo, I am eating better, my A1C is 5.2 instead of 12.8. I feel I am finally getting a grip on this whole D thing and I am doing so much better with everything I do and I owe it all to everyone here on DC. The people here on DC are wonderful, caring, kind and very knowledgable and are willing to help with any question or need I have to deal with. So to everyone here on DC Thank You !!! btw, love the HUGZ !!!! What Jo K. said, is the only thing I can think of. I really can't add anything else to that just been more vigilant about my health than I would have been without the diagnosis ad it made me do what I needed to do. I believe my diabetes was a true turning point in my life. I didn't eat or exercise like I should, but now I am doing positive things to make the changes I should have made a long time ago. It allows me to be a good role model for my kids and grandkids when it comes to taking care of myself. Continue reading >>
Advantages Of Being A Diabetic
Inspirational One Small Positive Thought Black Ink Coffee Cup Diabetes, like any other disease or health condition, has the potential to make us grow. That does not mean that it is not sometimes very hard to live with diabetes,however havinga lot of negative emotions and thoughts about our diabetes is clearly not going to get us out of this situation. On the contrary, it would surely worsen it! Trying to fight diabetes is surely not the best way to deal with it,ithink the best concept is to believe that whatever youre doing to treat your illness is helping you overcome it. We should listen to the advice given to us by our doctor on medication, diet and exercise and educate ourselves on all aspects of diabetes. No matter how negative you perceive your life right now, there is surely something you can be grateful for. Start there and see how, little by little, youll think of more things to be grateful for. For a long time I used to think of diabetes as a negative thing in my life but over the years I have come to realise that it has brought me positive things too. So here are some good things about having diabetes. (Please note there is a difference between saying having diabetes is a good thing, and that there can be good things about having diabetes.) In Touch: How to Tune in to the Inner Guidance of Your Body and Trust Yourself Having diabetes means not only knowing what your blood sugar levels are every day, but reading your body and recognizing when your sugar levels may be too low and paying attention to changes in your vision, feeling in your fingers and toes, energy level, body weight, and more. You have more insight into how you react to certain stimuli, because you have to know how your bodys going to react to anything you put into it Being more aware of your b Continue reading >>
Disadvantages Of Having Diabetes–and Advantages
Abstract About three years ago I became a diabetic, and since then I have been very interested in learning all I can about the disease. I am interested in the medical profession and am considering going into diabetes research. As with other diseases, there are disadvantages to having diabetes. I have found that I must maintain a delicate balance between insulin injections, diet, and exercise in order to keep my blood sugar at a normal level. The maintenance of this balance requires a great deal of my attention, so occasionally I am unable to concentrate completely on some activity. I must always be conscious of my sugar level and be ready to make adjustments if my level is too high or too low. Another problem I have experienced is that other people do not understand diabetes. I have encountered people who think diabetics are sick and cannot lead normal lives. Other disadvantages of diabetes are the daily insulin injections I must take and the complications that can occur if proper control is not maintained. Although I have not experienced complications, some diabetics experience slow healing of wounds and impairments of eyesight and circulation. Despite the disadvantages of diabetes, I have found that having it is advantageous in some aspects. My healthy diet and regular exercise have allowed me to stay in good shape. Some doctors consider diabetes "the healthiest disease." Another advantage of diabetes actually stems from the disadvantages of the disease. In some ways the problems involved with diabetes have made me more determined to excel at whatever I do. Continue reading >>
The Advantages Of Being Diabetic.
Diabetes Forum The Global Diabetes Community Find support, ask questions and share your experiences. Join the community Discussion in ' Parents ' started by flojo1234 , Jan 1, 2009 . i decided ( as i was feeling a bit down about being diabetic) i would write down a list of all the good things about being a diabetic. so here it goes!: 1. people who are diabetic have a very healthy lifestyle in all sorts of areas, ( eating, fitness,skin health e.t.c) 2.at christmas,halloween and easter all diabetics think 'do i really want these sweets and choclate enough to give myself an extra injection?' 3. if we ever feel down we just have too think, 'there are much worse things that could have happend or we could have got.' 4.we are not much different from anyone else realy even though sometimes it feels like it! if anyone could think of anything please post me back! Another advantage to being diabetic, if you break down, the AA get to you a lot quicker!! Hope you had a good christmas, and a very happy healthy new year to you and your family. a)you have to become responsible for your items(ie bs kit ect) but if your like Andrew you can never remember where you put them!but then he's a boy lol) b)sometimes you get out during school, because the hospital makes appointments during school hours.(this can be a good/bad thing) c)theres never anything you can't do that your friends can, just that sometimes you have to plan better ahead.Which isn't a bad thing. d)Andrew got a mobile at the age of 8yrs, when all his friends had to wait til they were 10yrs old, plus he got a lovely silver SOS tailisman, which his friends envy. e)you find out who your real friends are, early in life. And all of the things you said, you'll become a very healthy,beautiful adult. Hahaha Suzi, your post just remin Continue reading >>
The 10 Best Things About Diabetes
Living with diabetes is stressful, frustrating and exhausting, and my general response to people who encourage me to find the bright side of diabetes is to want to slap them. Nonetheless, while I’d take a successful pancreas transplant in a heartbeat, there are certain benefits that diabetes can provide. 1. A medical reason to eat cheese I will never be able to eat a cupcake without worrying about its consequences, and I get physically anxious at the sight of pasta. But while diabetes may have taken away my bagels, it has given me the gift of guilt-free cheese. So filling. So low-carb. So delicious. 2. An increased tolerance for needles Being diagnosed with diabetes makes your tolerance for needles go way up. It’s nice to be able to watch someone draw blood or put an IV in your arm without worrying that you’re going to pass out. And if you’re consistent about where you test your blood sugar, you can also benefit from strategically placed calluses – I’m hoping that if I only test on the tips of my left fingers, I might be able to toughen up my skin to the point where I can play the guitar for more than two minutes at a time. 3. An escape hatch for social situations Desperate to escape from a cocktail party? Caught in a tedious conversation with a stranger? Pull out your glucometer/pump/CGM and say that there’s something urgent you need to take care of. 4. Business ideas Living with diabetes makes you an expert in living with diabetes, and that in turn can give you business ideas (or job opportunities) that someone without diabetes might not have. Plenty of people have used their personal experience to launch diabetes-inspired businesses, like the folks behind Glucolift tablets, Sugar Medical’s carrying cases, and PocketBra’s pump-friendly lingerie. Cons Continue reading >>
The Benefits Of Growing Up With Type 1 Diabetes
Brought to you by Lilly Diabetes | Disney The Benefits of Growing Up With Type 1 Diabetes Kim Vlasnik, guest blogger, TextingMyPancreas.com When a child is diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, a lot of things that were never worrisome before suddenly can seem kind of scary. Before I was diagnosed at the age of 6 in 1986, eating a sandwich was a pretty low-stress activity. Kicking a soccer ball around didnt require much planning past remember to bring a soccer ball, and the most difficult part of spending an afternoon at the pool was avoiding some very obvious tan lines on my face from the swim goggles I wore. And I never worried about what might happen to me while I slept, except for a potential attack by the monster that I was sure resided in my closet. My diagnosis dramatically changed a lot of what was required for me to participate in these everyday activities, but when I look back on my childhood, I dont remember much of that part. Maybe it was because my parents were so cognizant of keeping the focus on the life part of life with diabetes. Or maybe its my tendency to be aware of the good in even the most challenging of situations. My life lived with type 1 diabetes could rarely be described as easy, but I think it very clearly falls under the category of good. Really good. As a parent of a child with type 1 diabetes, you may be wondering what the future holds for your son or daughter. While I dont have a super-clear answer to that, I do have a few light-hearted thoughts to offer on the plus-side of growing up with type 1. Continue reading >>
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Good Things About Having Diabetes, Believe It Or Not
Good Things about Having Diabetes, Believe It or Not By Deborah Mitchell G+ Mar 22 2013 - 6:47am It may be hard to believe there are good things about having diabetes if you have the disease or live with someone who does. However, there is something to be said about viewing a glass as half full instead of half empty, and about looking for some of the positive things to be said about having diabetes, which may help you better cope with and manage the disease. A recent study reported on how motivational training helped patients with diabetes develop a positive attitude and ultimately improve metabolic control. The study involved 61 adults who participated in a motivational program designed to change mental attitude and beliefs, but not teach patients about diabetes. After three months, the participants saw improvements in their weight, body mass index, blood pressure, triglyceride levels, and hemoglobin A1c percentages. The studys authors noted that as these improvements were maintained long-term, this points to sustainable lifestyle change. So here are some good things about having diabetes. (Please note there is a difference between saying having diabetes is a good thing, and that there can be good things about having diabetes.) You are more in touch with your body. Having diabetes means not only knowing what your blood sugar levels are every day, but reading your body and recognizing when your sugar levels may be too low and paying attention to changes in your vision, feeling in your fingers and toes, energy level, body weight, and more. Being more aware of your body and its changes allows you to recognize when something may be amiss and to take action before the situation progresses, such as complications associated with diabetes. You are encouraged to try new foods. Continue reading >>
10 Perks Of Having Type 1 Diabetes
Nine years ago, I was lying on a bed in the emergency room when a doctor rushed in and told me that my year-and-a-half long battle with a mystery illness had a name: type 1 diabetes. I would spend the next five days on an insulin drip while I learned how to count carbohydrates, dose and inject insulin, and test my blood sugar. Nurses handed me glossy brochures with “diabetes” printed across the top in a font that suggested I was bound for an exotic vacation, not a lifetime of disease management. The potential complications of my disease include, but aren’t limited to: blindness, kidney failure, depression, cancer, sexual dysfunction, amputation of feet or legs, and developing other chronic diseases. Until forevermore, I’m insulin-dependent, which means that without the life-giving hormone, I will die. However, modern technology is a beautiful thing, and I’m staying alive with the use of an insulin pump and continuous glucose monitor, two devices I have on me at all times. Pretty exciting, right? Despite having many sick days, frustrations, and falters, there are some perks to having Type 1 Diabetes: 1. I get felt up before every flight. The devices, tubing, and transmitter I use to stay alive are of great interest to the TSA. I get the whole “stand on this square spread your legs and arms” and “I’m going to use the back of my hands on your sensitive areas such as your breasts and buttocks” spiel. While my husband and children (as well as the handful of strangers who want to see what I’m in trouble for) stand on the sidelines gawking, I get to chit-chat with the stranger who gropes my “sensitive areas.” Unfortunately, my feeler-upper has yet to be Ryan Gosling. 2. I get to pick the restaurant, every time. Inevitably, when it’s the rare occasio Continue reading >>
Ten Good Things About Having Diabetes
The idea for this article came to me one night after attending a diabetes support group at a local hospital. During the meeting, the discussion of serious complications became so graphic that there was an air of melancholy and hopelessness permeating the entire room. I thought, "What we really need is the good news." I tried to imagine whether I would miss any part of having diabetes if I could be cured today. Socrates said, "The unexamined life is not worth living." Over the years, because of diabetes, Ive learned a few facts about myself: I have a powerful liver that likes any excuse to pump out glycogen, raising my blood glucose. If Ive been losing my patience a lot, my blood glucose has been too high. If my legs feel weak at the top of the stairs, my blood glucose is too low. If I wake up in the night to tell my husband how to solve the worlds problems, my blood glucose is probably near 40! Who else but a person with diabetes would know this much about himself or herself? Marge, a friend of mine with type 1, remarks: "I feel like I have more insight into how I react to certain stimuli, because you have to know how your bodys going to react to anything you put into itlike cream in my coffee raising my blood glucose. I know better than a doctor that my body reacts to phases of the moon, which affect hormones, which affect my glucose." 2. Seizing the Opportunity to Be the Best I Can Be I believe all people naturally want to excel. Diabetes gives us a framework to know how were doing. Blood-glucose tests, A1Cs, even the first sign of a complication are signposts telling us to get our blood glucose under better control. After the initial frustration with a higher number, I find gratitude for this cue and get back on track. "We have better signposts than most people," of Continue reading >>
Bonus Benefits Of A Healthy Diabetes Diet
Everyday Solutions are created by Everyday Health on behalf of our partners. More Information Content in this special section was created or selected by the Everyday Health editorial team and is funded by an advertising sponsor. The content is subject to Everyday Healths editorial standards for accuracy, objectivity, and balance. The sponsor does not edit or influence the content but may suggest the general topic area. Bonus Benefits of a Healthy Diabetes Diet Want to ward off diabetes complications? A healthy diet can control blood sugar, plus lower cancer and heart disease risks. For diabetes , a healthy diet may just be the best medicine. In fact, a diabetes diet, which is really just an overall healthy diet with good portion control, can go beyond helping you achieve blood sugar control . Lowering your risk for serious health conditions, from heart disease to cancer, are among the benefits. "Eating healthy is important to managing and preventing complications of diabetes," says Angela Ginn, RN, LDN, a certified diabetes educator, program coordinator at the University of Maryland Center for Diabetes and Endocrinology at Maryland General Hospital in Baltimore, and a spokeswoman for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Eating a well-balanced diet is key to protecting your overall health and reducing your risk of other health conditions. "A healthy diet helps diminish the amount of inflammation in the body, increase good cholesterol (HDL), and decrease triglycerides and bad cholesterol (LDL)," explains Betul Hatipoglu, MD, an endocrinologist at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio. "Antioxidants from a healthy diet also help our immune system fight day-to-day stressors in our system." In addition, a balanced diet with healthy carbohydrate sources, healthy fat sources such a Continue reading >>
