Diabetes Support Groups: How To Find The Perfect One For You

Diabetes Support Groups: How To Find The Perfect One For You
Haveyou ever felt overwhelmed by diabetes? On a bad day, it can seem impossible to get your blood glucose under control, no matter what you do.
I feel you. To manage your condition well, there are just so many things you need to do from figuring out the foods you can eat, what to do when your blood glucose levels are high or low, and whether your exercise plan is really working. The learning curve for diabetes is reallysteep.
But.. youre not alone! Your friends, family and healthcare team can be an important source of support and motivation. Its easier to cope with diabetes when you have a strong network of people supporting you.
More importantly, other people with diabetes can make a big difference in your life too. Imagine being able to talk freely and share experiences with other people facing the same problems and issues that you are, and who understand what youre going through first hand. Thats something your doctor or nurse wont be able to provide, as knowledgeable as they are.
What kinds of diabetes support groups are there?
Generally, most support groups can be divided into in-person and online groups. Each has its advantages and disadvantages. Tech savvy & younger people often prefer an online support group, where they can ask questions which can be too embarrassing to bring up at an in-person session. Such groups are bridge geographies and are accessible from anytime and any location.
Other people may be prefer an in-person support group, which often has strong ties to community resources and k Continue reading

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Diabetes Alert: Biotin and Chromium Help Control Glucose Levels

Diabetes Alert: Biotin and Chromium Help Control Glucose Levels
Diabetes affects people worldwide and can be incredibly difficult to manage. The significant impact that this condition has on the body can lead to severe fatigue, pain in the extremities, and fluctuations in weight. Because these symptoms can be debilitating, combatting them and the condition that causes them can be frustrating. One of the greatest challenges that comes with a diabetic condition is regulating blood sugar levels. This is further exaggerated for those who are obese. Thankfully, as more information becomes available regarding diabetes, better means of treatment are becoming known.
A great deal of research has been put into understanding and treating diabetes but many who suffer from this condition still have trouble managing proper blood sugar levels. Eating right, properly medicating, and being mindful of ones insulin and glucose levels are important in combatting diabetes. Even if someone is successfully doing these, they may feel as though they need more assistance. Fortunately, there are elements available that further aid in keeping blood glucose balanced. Studies have found that biotin and chromium provide notable benefits for those looking to combat diabetes.
Vitamin B7, also known as biotin, belongs in the powerful family of B complex vitamins . This group is known for aiding various bodily functions that promote better health. Biotin is of particular interest for diabetics because of the role it plays in regulating blood sugar levels, the metabolization of fatty acids, and glucose p Continue reading

Sensing the Big Picture With Continuous Glucose Monitoring

Sensing the Big Picture With Continuous Glucose Monitoring
by By Laura Hieronymus, DNP, MSEd, RN, MLDE, BC-ADM, CDE, FAADE, and Angela Hepner, MEd, RD, LD, MLDE, CDE, CDTC
When you have diabetes, monitoring your blood glucose is a crucial part of your treatment plan. Knowing your blood glucose values can help you avoid short-term problems such as hyperglycemia (high blood glucose) and hypoglycemia (low blood glucose). Ongoing optimal blood glucose control can help you prevent or delay long-term diabetes complications such as diabetes-related eye disease, kidney disease, and nerve damage.
Blood glucose monitors (often called meters) are such mainstays of diabetes care that most insurers, including Medicare, cover their cost. Certain conditions typically limit how often you can get a new meter and the amount of supplies that are covered on a daily basis. In some cases, this may restrict the frequency of your monitoring. To help make the most out of the supplies you have, work with your diabetes care team to determine the optimal times of day to check your blood glucose.
In less than two decades, the use of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) for people with diabetes has gained popularity worldwide. This is largely due to improvement in the technology, the reliability of the information, and ease of use. A CGM system uses a tiny sensor less than one inch long inserted just below the skin. An electrode measures your blood glucose levels within the tissue fluid rather than directly from your blood. A transmitter attached to the sensor sends blood glucose information to a w Continue reading

Termination of pregnancy and sterilisation in women with childhood-onset type 1 diabetes

, Volume 60, Issue12 , pp 23772383 | Cite as
Termination of pregnancy and sterilisation in women with childhood-onset type 1 diabetes
The aim of this study was to explore the association between type 1 diabetes and reproductive health indicators in women, focusing on termination of pregnancy and sterilisation.
We conducted a registry-based cohort study involving 2281 women with childhood-onset type 1 diabetes, matched for age and birthplace with women without diabetes: two control participants for each woman with diabetes. We compared the frequencies of termination of pregnancy and sterilisation over a 25year period between women with type 1 diabetes and women without, and estimated standardised incidence ratios (SIRs). Smoothed age and period effects in the incidence of termination of pregnancy or sterilisation were tested statistically.
There were more terminations of pregnancy (SIR 1.67; 95% CI 1.51, 1.86) and sterilisations (SIR 1.69; 95% CI 1.56, 1.83) in women with diabetes than in control women. During recent years, sterilisations in women with diabetes have decreased and the difference compared with control women has vanished. The indications for both procedures showed a statistically highly significant difference: maternal medical indications were almost absent (<1%) in procedures among control women, but comprised 23.6% of terminations of pregnancy and 22.9% of sterilisations in women with diabetes.
The indications for termination of pregnancy and sterilisation are different in women with diabetes compared with other women. Pregnancies in women with type 1 Continue reading

Travel Like a Pro with Nature Made Daily Diabetes Health Pack!

Travel Like a Pro with Nature Made Daily Diabetes Health Pack!
(This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #NatureMadeHealthPack #CollectiveBias
Please note, this blog does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult with your healthcare practitioner.)
This week marks the beginning of easily my favorite time of year: Summer! While it takes me a bit to adjust to these temperatures heating up (94 today, and going up as the week goes on), Summer always means fun events, lighter evenings, and a road trip or two (of course).
As my date book fills up with more day trips, weekend adventures and some further travels in the works, one thing is always for sure: I need to plan accordingly when we go away. I am the Queen of forgetting something, and have learned (the hard way) to make check lists and notes when I go shopping pre-road trip adventures.
Since last weekend found us in Carmel-by-the-Sea, California, and I knew I needed to stay organized, I made a check list to ensure nothing was forgotten on our little road trip up the California Coast, and, have to admit, I forget how into check lists I am If youre a fellow forgetter, read on as I list some common essentials that we should remember when packing for a little fun in the sun!
SNACKS. BECAUSE YOU DONT WANT A HANGRY MARY TO COME ALONG.
Whether it be a protein bar, fruit, almonds, I need to have a healthy munchies at the ready. And, who doesnt want to munch on a road trip? Which, brings me to my 2nd must-have
Ive been a Type 1 since I Continue reading