This type 1 artist had tried different paths before he realized he wanted to become a diabetes specialist.
A study looked at survey results from Type 1 Diabetes Exchange’s patient community, Glu, and found most people with type 1 diabetes struggle with managing low blood sugars from exercise. The survey involved 502 adults with type 1 diabetes. Researchers analyzed the exercise preparations and the management techniques used before and after exercise and tried to find out the affect different technologies had on managing blood sugars for exercise. The Struggles of Exercise and Hypoglycemia in People with Type 1 Diabetes Researchers indicated in their study abstract that 79 percent of survey respondents said they increased carbohydrate intake before exercise while 66 % said they increased carb intake after exercise. Fifty-three percent of respondents lowered their meal boluses before exercise and 46 percent did after exercise. Seventy-seven percent said they stuck to a target blood sugar level before starting exercise. Even with all these changes, 70 percent of survey respondents reported low blood […]
DJ is a content creator living with type 1 diabetes. In his spare time, he hosts video game streams + has connected with a number of other T1Ds as a result.
diaTribe is a non-profit organization providing free cutting-edge diabetes management tips from diet and exercise, to ways to avoid diabetes complications.
This content originally appeared on Beyond Type 1. Republished with permission.By Erika Arff Ten years ago if you had asked me to show off my insulin pump, you would have had me running for the hills. If you had asked me if I was truly comfortable in my own skin, I would have laughed in your face. Diet culture and the beauty industry told me my size was not desirable. They told me women like me might have a harder time finding love and they told me that I needed to work harder and eat healthier in order to be “strong and sexy!” Media representation told me women don’t have tubes attached to themselves and they told me that diabetes is not a part of everyday life. Now, obviously, they didn’t say these things directly to me. But they didn’t need to — it was entrenched in the messages I […]
We know diabetes is stressful so let’s jump right to identifying some of the specifics: 1. High and low blood sugar levels cause awful physical symptoms. You can’t avoid some stress during a high or low blood sugar because your body is physically out of homeostasis, it is literally in distress and the various symptoms produced are quite stressful whether it’s the sick, comatose feeling of a very high blood sugar or the shaky, weak, and disoriented feeling of a low blood sugar. 2. Diabetes is hard to hide. Hiding the fact that you have diabetes is not advised because you need to be able to check blood sugar, treat lows, and take medication as needed and you don’t want anything in the way of that. This means that you have to be ready to cope with the stress of managing a condition in front of others. It is tough to […]
Dr. Polonsky was one of four featured experts during Beyond Type 1’s Knowledge Drop Series. He talks about the start of the Behavioral Diabetes Institute.
In a time where individualized medication therapy is the standard, there are few places in medicine where we find near agreement on a treatment. One notable exception is Metformin being the cornerstone for oral therapy in treating type 2 diabetes. Metformin’s ability to lower A1C, low incidence of hypoglycemia and protective effects on the heart make it the first line recommendation in most clinical practice guidelines. But many people with diabetes need more than one medication to get to their A1C goal. With numerous classes of drugs used to treat diabetes, how is the second drug chosen? Why does one person get a prescription for one medication, while someone else might be given something completely different? Prescribers treating patients with diabetes have more choices than ever before. While this seems like it would be an advantage (and it clearly is!), the decision-making process for the second, third, and any […]
Football season is upon us! Whether you go to a game and tailgate or watch from home with a table full of snacks, you might want to prepare a strategy for managing your diabetes in the midst of so many delicious and exciting distractions. Here are a few ways to make sure you have a great time and keep your diabetes from going out of bounds: Test blood sugar during the pre-game show. Once the game starts, you might start eating and getting swept up in what’s happening on the field and as you know the best offense is a great defense. Know where your blood sugar levels are at. Choose your food wisely. Watch out for high-carbohydrate foods. Choose instead foods like chicken wings and celery sticks in ranch dip, jalapeño poppers, salted nuts or peanuts, deviled eggs, coleslaw, and pork rinds dipped in guacamole. Get into the vegetable […]
What are some steps that you can take this year for a better life with diabetes? Here are 100 tips to start your year off right.
Here’s an interesting fact: If you ask almost anyone about the history of polio and its cure, they will mention Jonas Salk. But if you ask people with diabetes to tell you about famous names in the history of diabetes research, they will draw a blank. Why should anyone care? I would say that a good reason to care is that people with diabetes are alive and well, with type 1 or type 2 diabetes, because of the pioneers who developed interventions. Let’s take a quick look at the history of our disease so that we can pay homage, in our minds, to those who came before. It’s a fascinating story, and it is ours. Diabetes: A Dreaded Disease Before the early 1900s, diabetes was a death sentence. Doctors knew little about treatment, and they could only surmise that diet might be a factor. The diagnosis was sketchy at best: […]
Read the answers to the common questions about diabetes and blood donations during COVID-19.
I fielded a question earlier this week on my Facebook page in regards to a fellow type 1 diabetic having diabetic hand pain and issues with their hands being stiff and they seemed harder to move. Immediately carpal tunnel syndrome popped into my head, but after she brought this up to her doctor and they ruled out carpal tunnel, they moved on to another diagnosis. A condition called diabetic hand syndrome (DHS). Honestly, I’ve never heard of DHS but like most things that grab my attention and not knowing much about something, I decided to see what this was all about. So what is DHS? Let’s take a closer look! What Is Diabetic Stiff Hand Syndrome? So here we are, diabetic hand syndrome or as its more formerly know as, stiff hand syndrome or cheiroarthropathy. Stiff hand syndrome is one of the most common hand disorders for people with diabetes. Another common nerve […]
Emily enjoyed effortless weight loss and optimal glucose control after switching to a low-carb diet.
Dating when you have diabetes adds a layer of complexity to what can already be a bewildering experience. Frequent questions on the topic include, “when should I tell a date about my diabetes?” and “how do I explain my diabetes without scaring my date?” While many out there would tell you that if you scare off your date with the mention of your diabetes, you got saved from an unfortunate relationship partner, most of us can empathize with someone who gets intimidated at the prospect of entering in a relationship with someone who lives with a serious chronic illness. We expect people to be critical of who they date and to pay attention to details that matter. Well, diabetes is a detail that matters. For this post, the question is, how can we explain that diabetes is serious to a date while not overshadowing our wonderful self with the potentially […]
I haven’t always been a certified personal trainer. When I started to get really serious about fitness, I was a corporate girl and didn’t know much about the nuts and bolts of working out and how it would impact my blood sugars. The first personal trainer I signed up with had no experience working with clients with diabetes, so I had to find out everything for myself (and educate her as well) as I became more informed. One of our readers wrote a very sweet email to me about how she was newly diagnosed and had just started working with a personal trainer. She also mentioned that they were both super nervous about the whole setup. That made me think of what I would have told my trainer back when I started, had I know what I know today. A list of the most important things to tell your trainer […]
Glooko, the diabetes digital health platform which includes Glooko Web and Mobile has recently partnered with Diasend, a European-based company. Medscape News recently reported some fascinating findings about average blood glucose levels among members worldwide. The companies track data from blood glucose meters, continuous glucose meters, insulin pumps, and fitness and activity trackers from over 1.5 million people. Of all those participants sharing data, about two in three have type 1 diabetes. Their 2017 Annual Diabetes Report, which analyzed over 8 billion data points, can help us learn more about trending blood sugar data in people with diabetes. Which Country Has the Most High Blood Sugars? Glooko has users in 23 countries. Of those, Belgium had the lowest average blood glucose level at 157 mg/dL (8.7 mmol/L) followed by Czech Republic at 165 mg/dL (9.1 mmol/L). For highest average blood glucose level, that was found in Australia with a blood […]
Everyone is confused about what types and amounts of training people with diabetes should be doing for optimal blood glucose control and health. When I last wrote about this topic, the latest exercise research older adults with type 2 diabetes enduring six sessions of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) was done on a cycle ergometer over two weeks. 1 The training sessions, which were typical of some of the latest HIIT, consisted of 60 seconds of cycling done 10 times at ~90% of maximal heart rate, interspersed with 60 seconds of rest—for a total of only 10 minutes of actual exercise and 10 minutes of recovery. So, that protocol involved almost an all-out sprint for a minute at a time, repeated 10 times with very little rest in between. Some call this low-volume, high-intensity interval training (HIT); others call it pure torture–even though it did lower overall and after-meal blood glucose levels […]
In this study, the risk for atrial fibrillation in men with type 1 diabetes was found to be slightly higher whereas it was 50 percent higher in women and higher depending on blood sugar levels and kidney complications. Researchers noted in their study abstract that we know type 1 diabetes is linked to a higher risk for heart-related complications but, what about type 1 diabetes and atrial fibrillation? They conducted a prospective case-control study of individuals with type 1 diabetes found in the Swedish National Diabetes Registry who were all matched with five controls for age, sex, and county of residence found in the Swedish Population Register. The cases of atrial fibrillation were found in the Swedish National Patient Registry. What is Atrial Fibrillation? Atrial fibrillation, or AFib, according to the Mayo Clinic is “an irregular and often rapid heart rate that can increase your risk of stroke, heart failure […]
Twenty years after her diabetes diagnosis, Christine shares her highs and lows and everything in between.
Betsy was a superstar in high school. She excelled at sports, was homecoming queen and enjoyed hanging out with friends. She was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at age 11 and earned the nickname “Splenda” in high school because she was sweet, and didn’t let her diabetes dampen her spirit. Betsy was from a small town and didn’t know anyone personally who had type 1 diabetes. Once she went off to college, Betsy started to enjoy her newfound freedom and attended off-campus parties. One night, she wanted to wear a cute outfit, but her insulin pump seemed to bulge out of her shirt. Betsy realized that if she removed her insulin pump, her shirt would look “perfect.” So she removed it for the evening. When she weighed herself the next day, her weight was down two pounds. Betsy realized that if she didn’t wear her pump (and didn’t take her insulin), she […]
Researchers say that almost a third of all people with type 1 diabetes develop another autoimmune disease. It has been known that people with type 1 diabetes develop additional autoimmune diseases at higher rates but researchers looked to find out more details such as prevalence and additional factors in a recent study. According to Endocrine Today, a “diagnosis of at least one other autoimmune disease was found for 27% of participants; most had one additional diagnosis (20%) followed by 5% with two and less than 1% with three, four or five.” Janet B. McGill, MD, FACE, professor of medicine at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis and Endocrine Today Editorial Board member and team used data they obtained from 25,759 participants with type 1 diabetes who were enrolled in the T1D Exchange Registry. They analyzed the types and frequency of autoimmune diseases in these participants including their […]
Welcome to the Diabetes Daily recipe collection! We share low-carb recipes as well as recipe makeovers. We include a recipe nutrition label below each recipe so you can decide if it’s a good fit for your diet.
Allison shares an encounter with a doctor who didn't have a basic understanding of the different types of diabetes.
Food provides information to the body. Calories influence energy levels and body fat. Protein influences everything from muscle growth, appetite control, right through to hormone production. Fiber feeds the bacteria in our guts which play a role in the health of our immune system. Carbs influence blood glucose and exercise performance. Vitamin C protects against the damaging effects of high blood glucose and oxidative damage. Salt influences water retention. Etc… We could go on forever. The nutritional components of food serve many different roles within the human body. This article aims to highlight five key nutritional aspects of food which have been shown to improve the action (or sensitivity) of insulin, resulting in improved blood glucose management in people with diabetes. Before we go into details – it is important to understand a few key terms surrounding insulin and diabetes. Key Terms Insulin is a key hormone involved in the use and storage of fuels […]
What does a low blood sugar feel like? Hear about it in the words of the diabetes community.
Hospitalizations happen and there are special considerations when you are hospitalized with diabetes. Whether you’re admitted to the hospital for diabetes-related reasons, for surgery, delivering a baby, having a routine outpatient procedure, or other health reason, it’s important to know your rights and what to ask for to best control your health while in the hospital. One of the largest concerns for people with diabetes in the hospital is maintaining blood glucose control. It’s well known and documented that higher blood glucose levels (hyperglycemia) can delay healing and create more susceptibility to infection while hospitalized. “Extensive data from observational and randomized controlled trials indicate that inpatient hyperglycemia, in patients with or without a prior diagnosis of diabetes, is associated with an increased risk of complications and mortality, a longer hospital stay, a higher admission rate to the intensive care unit (ICU), and a higher need for transitional or nursing home […]
A discussion on how diabetes may affect immune system function, and whether all people with diabetes are "immunocompromised".
You may have started the new year out with the best of intentions to increase your fitness and better manage your diabetes by exercising regularly. If you have diabetes or are at risk of developing the disease, deciding to commit to fitness could be a real lifesaver. That’s why it’s more important than ever that you make sure this decision sticks. Here are some motivational tips for getting started being more active. Check Your Blood Glucose When you start a new exercise, checking your blood glucose before, sometimes during, and after your workout pays off. A reading that changes — especially in the direction that you want it to — can be very rewarding and motivating. If you don’t check, you may never realize what a positive impact you can have on your diabetes simply by being active. For example, if your blood glucose is too high after you eat […]
This is one of those questions that needs to be answered on an individual, case-by-case basis. However, due to the unique aspects of diabetes, mastery is useful to acquire. The good news is you don’t have to master diabetes, in general–just your diabetes. Reasons for Mastering Your Diabetes Safety. For many individuals, diabetes can involve dangerous high and/or low blood sugar levels. Simply knowing what to do or what not to do in various blood sugar circumstances can be life-saving. Beyond knowing how to deal with blood sugar extremes, gaining mastery over your diabetes can help you reduce the frequency of those extremes, too. Empowerment. You’ll get a major self-confidence boost from truly understanding and being an expert in your condition. This confidence will spread to other areas of your life and help you feel better and make better decisions for yourself. Peace-of-mind. The constant questions we have when we’re […]
Happy July! It’s been a while since I’ve posted, almost a month! Honestly, this pregnancy is getting the better of me. I have been fighting a cold for what seems like forever (in reality it’s been about three weeks). My last “pregnancy” specific post was when I was entering the third trimester, which seems like a lifetime ago! So I thought I’d try and take a minute to catch you up on what’s been going on. I am 35 weeks along, almost 36! I have been going to weekly high-risk OB appointments and I’ve started the Bio-phsyical profile tests. I mentioned this in my first pregnancy, but in case you are unsure what a BPP is, it’s a test that “measures the health of your baby (fetus) during pregnancy. A BPP test may include a nonstress test with electronic fetal heart monitoring and a fetal ultrasound. The BPP measures your baby’s heart rate, muscle […]
While many don’t personally mind being referred to as a “diabetic”, I use the term “person with diabetes” in speech and writing because for many, “diabetic” sounds like labeling or separated from the fact that we are all people first and foremost–who just happens to live with diabetes. In a prioritized effort to welcome all readers and reach as many as possible, “person with diabetes” is a preferable term. Experts Call for Diabetes Language Changes Recently, experts from the ADA and Diabetes Association of Diabetes Educators came up with a set of guidelines concerning the use of language in diabetes care and education. The article is published in the ADA’s Diabetes Care journal. Their article gives recommendations for language to be used by healthcare providers and others when they talk about diabetes in spoken or written words whenever they are directing people with diabetes, colleagues, or the general public. In […]
Researchers found that half of US adults with diabetes perceive financial stress with a fifth enduring food and medical insecurity which translates to cost-related non adherence (CRN). What is Non Adherence and Insecurity? Non adherence is a clinical term to refer to patient treatment directions not being carried out. On paper, it objectively demonstrates that a person with diabetes, for example, isn’t taking their medication(s) as prescribed or following lifestyle recommendations from their healthcare provider. CRN refers to financial stress being the root cause of someone’s inability to follow prescribed treatments from their provider. Insecurity (such as food or medical insecurity) refers to limited access to that which is needed. In the case of food insecurity regarding a person with diabetes, the issue may not be an inability to afford food but the specific types of food that best supports the management of their diabetes. Researchers Study Cost-Related Non Adherence Researchers […]
Today is National Grief Awareness Day and Beyond Type 1 is launching a new program to provide support and resources to families affected by the death of a loved one from type 1 diabetes. The program, Jesse Was Here, was largely developed by Michelle Page-Alswager, whose son Jesse was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at age 3 and passed away as a direct result of the condition at age 13 in 2010. Michelle has been actively involved in the diabetes community, and has worked for several diabetes organizations–most recently, as the Sales Director here at Diabetes Daily. While it is critical to emphasize that so many individuals with type 1 diabetes lead rich and fulfilling lives–playing sports, running marathons, having children, living well into old age–it is equally important to acknowledge that type 1 diabetes is still a very serious and life-threatening condition. “Despite major advances in management and care, type 1 diabetes […]
Diabetes and anxiety can often coexist. Learn more about the connection and what you can do to find relief.
Chronic illness sufferers Allie Cashel and Erica Lupinacci created the "Suffering the Silence" portrait series to give voice to those with chronic illness.
Regular exercise is key to managing glycemic control and overall health in people with type 2 diabetes. But when you’re exhausted by “diabetes fatigue,” working out is easier said than done. Learn how to work up to doing 30 minutes of exercise a day plus the best exercises when dealing with diabetes fatigue.
It was a just an ordinary day at the office with not much going on. I smiled and said a few hellos as I made my way through the maze of cubicles on my way to obtain my much-coveted second cup of coffee. Little did I know that in a moment my life would change forever. As I made the last turn before I hit the elevator bank I saw our receptionist, Carol, sitting at her desk testing her blood with a glucose meter. Carol shot a smile at me as she gestured for me to stop and summoned that I give her..
In this article I review the signs and symptoms of diabetes. It is a brief and simplified version of what is happening in your body when you have diabetes mellitus.
Study examines effect of obesity on progression and treatment response in most common form of pancreatic cancer in animal models and samples from patients.
Keeping blood sugar under control reduces the risk of early death for people with Type 1 diabetes, a study finds. But keeping that tight control can be hard, even for people with good health care.
There is a lot of misinformation floating around these days about sugar consumption and how it can affect your health. Here are some common myths that are
Get health information in English and Spanish on NIDDK-related diseases and conditions from the NIDDK Clearinghouses, and learn about past education programs.
If you have diabetes, you'll likely experience fatigue at some point. We'll tell you what you need to know.
Why your blood sugar tends to rise in the morning and 4 simple strategies you can use to avoid high morning blood sugar.
