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Most parents react with shock, disbelief and sadness when a child is first diagnosed with diabetes. Many thought that diabetes only affects older people. It is hard to accept the diagnosis. Once the first shock is over, parents are faced with managing a complicated daily routine to keep their child healthy. Creating an environment in which their child can thrive and grow seems difficult. Many parents do not feel equipped to cope with the needs of their child. They may become stressed and exhausted. Parents, as well as children, need care, support and education to get through this difficult transition.
Celiac Disease and Diabetes - understanding the connection
Celiac disease is an illness where the inside lining of the small intestine is damaged by eating wheat, rye, barley, oats and triticale. These grains contain a protein called gluten. When these grains are eaten, the bodyâs immune (defence) system overreacts and damages the cells in the intestine that help the body to absorb food.
Children and Teens with Type 2 Diabetes - a growing concern
Type 2 diabetes is a serious disease that affects more than 1.2 to 1.4 million adult Canadians. Once called 'adult-onset diabetes,' Type 2 is now affecting children and teens at an alarming rate. Twenty years ago, almost all children who had diabetes had Type 1. This was referred to then as 'juvenile onset diabetes.' Today, Type 2 diabetes is no longer an adult disease. Recent studies suggest that eight to 45 per cent of children with newly diagnosed diabetes have Type 2, although this statistic varies greatly among different ethnic groups.
Cholesterol Lowering Medications - facts on drug options
Diabetes brings with it a higher risk of heart attack and stroke. If your cholesterol levels are high as well, you are even more likely to have cardiovascular (heart and blood vessel) problems. Other factors may also put you at risk for heart attack and stroke. Fortunately, high cholesterol is one risk factor you can take steps to control.
Cold Comfort - shaking off the symptoms while managing diabetes
Cough and cold season is upon us. Adults will have, on average, two to three colds each season. Young children will experience five to eight colds. You can take steps to reduce the risk of catching a cold. Furthermore, if you feel you are coming down with a cold, there are things you can take to lessen the symptoms. Finally, if you are in the midst of sneezing, nose blowing and congestion, here are tips to manage your suffering while lessening the impact remedies have on your blood sugar control.
Constipation - a manageable problem
As many as one in four Canadians and up to half of people with diabetes say they are troubled by constipation. Although it is common, many of us feel uncomfortable discussing it with a doctor. Symptoms include irregular bowel movements, straining, and passing hard bowel waste (stool). Fortunately, constipation is not a disease. With the right information and tools, you can learn to manage what is often a preventable problem.
Continuous blood glucose monitoring - Another way to improve control
Good blood glucose control is an essential part of managing diabetes. However, repeated checks with a traditional monitor can be both uncomfortable and impractical. A continuous blood glucose monitor system (CGMS) offers an alternative. It uses a sensor to continuously measure blood glucose levels â up to 288 times in 24 hours. While a CGMS cannot replace traditional monitoring, it is another tool you can use to gain control.
Diabetes Meter Technicians
When it comes to diabetes management, your family doctor and pharmacist are reliable sources of information. However, talking with a diabetes meter technician (DMT) can also make a difference in your diabetes care.
Diabetes Myths - Uncover the facts
Many myths are associated with diabetes and its treatment.âExamining a few of these can reveal the truth.
Diabetes and Depression - Dealing with a double whammy
Diabetes is a complex condition. Dealing with it can be overwhelming, especially when first diagnosed. If you are struggling with feelings like sadness, loss or hopelessness, you may also be experiencing depression. People with diabetes are two or three times more likely to become depressed.
Diabetes and Driving
You have just learned that you have diabetes. As long as you can keep it under control, it may seem that diabetes is your own business. However, once you choose to get behind the wheel, your condition has the potential to affect others.
Diabetes and High Blood Pressure
Many people with continuous high blood pressure, or hypertension, do not know they have it. Since elevated blood pressure is almost always symptom-free, it is called a âsilent killer.â If you have diabetes, you likely also have high blood pressure. In Canada, only 44 per cent of people with diabetes have their blood pressure under control.
Diabetes and Menopause
Louise is 50 years old and is going through menopause. Although her Type 2 diabetes is under good control, she wonders how this change is going to affect her health. She is also trying to decide whether she should start taking hormones.
Diabetes and Oral Health
Are you aware that diabetes can play a role in the overall health of your mouth? Since diabetes can contribute to gum disease, people with diabetes have a higher than average risk of developing it. The good news is you can prevent gum problems by taking excellent care of your teeth at home and visiting the dentist regularly.
Diabetes and schizophrenia - Living with two challenging conditions
Diabetes and schizophrenia are serious, long-term illnesses. Both of these chronic conditions must be continually managed to experience the best life possible. Since having either condition calls for life changes, having both can be very challenging.
Diabetes and Thyroid Disease - a common illness that can affect blood glucose levels
Thyroid disease is a common illness affecting one to four of every 100 Canadians. Hormones made by the thyroid regulate metabolism - the rate at which the body uses food, and at which the body and its systems work. Everyone has an individual rate at which their body works best. An excess or lack of thyroid hormone speeds up or slows down the metabolism.
Diabetes and Your Eyes - retinopathy can steal your vision
If you have diabetes, you are probably aware of the many possible complications to your health. Your eyes, with their fragile nerves and blood vessels, are at particular risk. Vision is often the first area where damage occurs. Many people are first alerted to undiagnosed diabetes after problems are found during a routine eye examination.
Diabetes and Your Mouth - avoiding periodontal disease
Did you know having diabetes might increase your risk for developing periodontal (gum) disease? At the same time, having severe gum disease can make it harder to control your diabetes. Believe it or not, you can better control your diabetes by improving your oral hygiene habits. Brushing, flossing, and visiting the dentist for regular cleaning and check ups can all make a difference.
Diabetes Care Team - Susan's health care professionals advise and support
Susan may have diabetes, but she is not alone. A team of experts works with Susan to keep her diabetes under the best possible control. Susan’s team help her monitor and control her blood glucose, allowing her to live well and stay healthy with diabetes. The team consists of Susan, her family doctor, diabetes educator, dietitian, pharmacist, eye doctor, podiatrist, dentist and any other medical specialist she may require. She is glad to be part of her own diabetes team and knows she is the key player. Do you know who is on your diabetes team?
Diabetes Management ABCs - learn your ABCs to live a healthier life
Those who live with diabetes find it a demanding, around-the-clock condition. Learning the ABCs of diabetes management can help you avoid troubling and severe complications that can arise from diabetes.
Diet Tips for South Asians with Diabetes - how to modify the traditional cuisine
The diagnosis of Canadians with type 2 diabetes is rising dramatically as our population ages, obesity rates increase, and we continue to be inactive. Type 2 diabetes is the result of both genetics and lifestyle. Seventy-seven per cent of new Canadians are at higher risk for this type of diabetes, including those of Hispanic, Asian, South Asian or African descent. It can be difficult for those new to North America to give up their tasty traditional foods. In India, the excess weight that comes with eating food rich in fat and sugar is a sign of affluence.
Dogs and Diabetes - your best friend may share your condition
Your dog is your best friend. You share everything with him: your home, your yard, perhaps even your bed. You may even share the same condition - diabetes. Diabetes in dogs happens when the beta cells in the pancreas begin to release less insulin, or when the action of insulin becomes less effective. In dogs, the condition is grouped into Type 1, Type 2, and Type 3. Type 1 is the most common form in dogs and is similar to Type 1 diabetes in people.
Eating Disorders - a serious risk for young people with diabetes
Fourteen-year-old Devon has had trouble adjusting to her type 1 diabetes since diagnosis two years ago. In spite of her very supportive family, she feels having diabetes interferes with her freedom, independence and social life. During a routine check on her diabetes, I roll up her sleeve to check her blood pressure and am shocked by the thinness of her arm.
Eating to Protect Your Kidneys - slowing chronic kidney disease
Most of us rarely give our kidneys a second thought. Kidneys work away behind the scenes, never receiving the recognition they deserve for their multi-tasking skills. Among other tasks, they control fluid balance, remove certain body wastes, control blood pressure, balance the bodyâs minerals, and produce hormones.
Eggs in a Diabetic Diet - a simple nutritious food
Canadians, especially those with diabetes, are rediscovering how well eggs fit into a healthy diet. If you ve been avoiding eggs, it may be time to take a fresh look and rediscover their goodness. According to Sharon Zeiler of the Canadian Diabetes Association, eggs are a good, high quality protein. They are low-cost and easily digested. Eggs are suitable for a variety of people.
Erectile Dysfunction - solving a common problem for men with diabetes
A man with erectile dysfunction (ED), has trouble getting or keeping an erection. As many as 40 per cent of men over the age of 40 will experience some degree of ED and the numbers increase as men age. Men with diabetes have an even greater risk for ED.
Exercise Excuses - getting past the top ten reasons not to exercise
Statistics show that most of us do not get the recommended amount of physical activity. Over 25 per cent of adults are not active at all. Although it is easy to find reasons not to exercise, most excuses donât hold up. Which of the top 10 reasons is yours?
Fad Diets - if you want to lose weight, do it safely
Though it may have taken years to gain those extra pounds, we are always looking for a surefire, hunger-free, easy as pie, pounds-just-melt-away diet to quickly shed weight. Fad and popular diets promise that pounds will be shed quickly and effortlessly. They initially work for the very same reasons they eventually fail: very restricted food choices, lack of flexibility, and no decision-making. Most of us get very tired of eating the same foods and having limited choices. Once we start to cheat, we eventually fall back to our poor eating habits.
Fats - how to tell the difference between good and bad
Youâve finally made it to your doctorâs office for a physical exam. Depending on your age and other circumstances, youâve likely had some blood tests. In the follow-up discussion with your doctor, youâve found out that your cholesterol is high. Youâve been advised to eat better and pay more attention to the type of fats you are using. But where do you start? Every day there seems to be new and conflicting information out there and it is hard to make sense of it.
Fibre - It's making a comeback
Remember the oat bran craze about ten years ago, when stores couldnât keep up with the demand for this previously unknown cereal? Well, fibre is making a comeback, especially for people with diabetes.
Food Temptation - plan ahead to resist successfully
Itâs Christmas and Aunt Mary and Uncle Harold arrive with their own special eggnog and famous home-made Yule log...On your birthday the people in the office bring in a cake from an expensive bakery...Valentineâs Day and youâre surrounded by boxes of chocolates and cinnamon hearts. These and other similar scenarios are replayed every time people get together to share happy times. However, for someone with diabetes, they can be stressful. .
Footwear and Foot Health - Choosing shoes to keep your feet happy and healthy
We take our feet for granted. We stand, walk, jump, and dance on them. We run, skate, and ski on them. We might tap them in impatience while waiting in line, or stomp them in frustration when the other team scores. With all of the shock, wear and tear they absorb, our feet deserve some regular TLC. This is especially true if you have diabetes. With careful daily monitoring, you can avoid some of the serious problems diabetes can cause to your feet.
Fruits and Veggies - a foundation for good health
You have been told to eat them since you were old enough to feed yourself. Still, are you convinced? Fruits and vegetables are the natural nutrition powerhouses in our diet. Think of them as the fuel (the energy your body needs), oil and antifreeze (vitamins, mineral and fibre) you need to make your vehicle run effectively.
If you are physically active, you probably know that good nutrition is essential for peak athletic performance. Those with diabetes are particularly aware of how food affects health and ability.
The HbA1c Test - get the facts
As someone with diabetes, you can take control of your health by working closely with your health care team. Part of this take-charge approach is being aware of the various blood tests, when they need to be performed and how to interpret them. One test, the HbA1c, or glycated hemoglobin, is a blood test indicating overall blood glucose control. This test is generally done in medical labs although some medical offices, pharmacies and diabetes education clinics have portable machines.
Healthy Beverages - choosing healthier versions more often
There's nothing like sitting outside sipping a refreshing beverage, especially during warm summer weather. When it's cold out, fancy hot drinks are great for warming up. Coffee shops, restaurants and grocery stores offer tantalizing choices such as fruit smoothies, slushes and a variety of iced and hot coffees.
Health Benefits of Soy
Soy has long been considered a fashionable âwonder-food.â While many health benefits appear to be linked to soy, not all claims are rooted in science. Doing your homework is necessary to make an informed decision.
Healthy Eating, Restaurant Style
Itâs Friday night. Youâve been waiting all week to relax in your favorite restaurant, enjoying a bowl of fresh pasta or a tasty steak dinner. For many of us, eating out is one of lifeâs simple pleasures. People with diabetes can still enjoy this luxury, whether in fast-food places, cafĂŠs or elegant restaurants. Making your dining experience a healthy one is just a matter of following a few simple guidelines. Controlling portion size and the amount of fat eaten, choosing healthy beverages, asking questions and planning ahead make all the difference.
High blood pressure - Are you at risk?
If you have diabetes, you are at risk for high blood pressure. Knowing how to control your blood pressure reduces your risk of complications. Fortunately, your actions can make a big difference.
High Blood Lipids - simple tips to improve your health
Lipids are specific fats that are found in your blood. It is not uncommon for people with diabetes to have blood lipids that are high. Two of the well-known ones are cholesterol and triglycerides.
Holiday Party Survivor Guide - Stay in control during the holiday season
Resisting the enticing array of goodies that arrive along with the holiday season can be very challenging. Still, if you have diabetes, you have added reason not to overindulge. Planning ahead helps keep both cravings and diabetes under control.
Home Alone and Sick - managing Type 1 Diabetes and illness on your own
Michelle slowly wakes to the sound of her alarm buzzing away. Her head is pounding in synch with the alarm, every bone in her body aches and she is burning with fever. She calls out for her roommate, then realizes that Jan has already left for class. Michelleâs family is 1,000 kilometres away and she is alone in her university residence⌠and sick.
Home from the Hospital - questions to ask before you leave
No one likes being in the hospital. Most people try their best to avoid a stay there. Still, those with diabetes may be hospitalized for a variety of reasons. Older adults with diabetes are 70 per cent more likely to be hospitalized than the general population. Most often, the time spent in hospital is related to complications of diabetes. These include cardiovascular disease (leading to heart problems or stroke), problems with blood circulation, infected wounds, amputations, kidney disease, or eye disease.
High Blood Pressure and Diabetes - small changes mean big results
High blood pressure, or hypertension, affects about one in four Canadian adults. Age, weight, lifestyle and smoking all play a role. For people with diabetes high blood pressure is even more common, affecting as many as 60 per cent of those with the disease. If you have diabetes, you are twice as likely to have high blood pressure.
Impaired Glucose Tolerance - lower your chances of developing diabetes
Impaired glucose tolerance is a condition to be taken seriously, as it places you at higher risk of developing heart disease and diabetes. What exactly is impaired glucose tolerance? Who is at risk? How do you know if you have impaired glucose tolerance?
Incredible Incretins - A hormone-based treatment for type 2 diabetes
Incretins are a small but important part of the complex way your body processes food. When you eat, your intestine releases these hormones. The word incretin comes from intestinal secretion of insulin. Incretins are an essential part of the bodyâs blood glucose control system. Although first discovered in the early 1900s, nobody knew then how to use incretins. In those with type 2 diabetes incretins do not work well. However, we have recently found ways to involve incretins in treating this condition.
Injecting Insulin: Syringes or pens... which are right for you?
If you need to inject insulin, you want to choose the delivery device that is right for you. Two types are available â insulin syringes and insulin pens.
Insulin - The key to your body's energy management
The first time you heard about diabetes, you probably also heard about insulin. Your body makes this hormone in an organ called the pancreas. Insulin is your bodyâs energy manager.
"Insulin? No Thanks" The most common reasons for putting it off
The discovery of insulin in 1921 was, and still is, considered one of the greatest medical discoveries of our time. Insulin saves lives and is still the most powerful tool for controlling blood glucose. However, 90 years later, many people with type 2 diabetes are not taking advantage of this wonderful medication to help manage their condition. Why? Where does the reluctance come from?
Insulin Handling - tips and tricks
Insulin requires proper handling to ensure it is effective when used. Insulin that is not handled correctly may become less effective in lowering blood sugar.
Insulin Pumps - different people, different needs... get the pump best for you
You many be looking for greater flexibility in managing your diabetes. Consider the following scenarios. In each switching to insulin pump therapy could have an advantage. Mary is a 25-year-old elementary school teacher. She runs and swims to keep in shape. She has had type 1 diabetes for 20 years and injects insulin six times a day. Adam is an active three-year-old with type 1 diabetes. His parents are frustrated with his unpredictable appetite and eating habits. John is a 56-year-old carpet installer, with type 2 diabetes. His workload and schedule vary from day to day. On weekends, he is less active. He takes insulin four times a day.
Insulin Pump Infusion Sets - Get the set that fits you best
Pregnant women, growing children, travellers, athletes â anyone with changing physical needs can find it difficult to properly control diabetes. If this is true for you, an insulin pump infusion set may be the solution. This device attaches directly to your body to regulate insulin supply.
Insulin Pump Therapy - is it an option for you?
A growing number of people with Type 1 diabetes are choosing to manage their disease with insulin pump therapy. Although insulin pumps have been around for over 20 years, early models were very large and not very efficient. In the last few years, with improved technology and new rapid-acting insulins, insulin pump therapy has become very effective. A pump can add freedom and lifestyle flexibility, as well as improve blood glucose control.
Health information on the net - don't believe everything you see
Many of us use the Internet everyday to connect with family and friends, as part of the job, or just for entertainment. It is also a great source of information. Valuable and accurate information on almost any topic can be found in minutes by anyone with Internet access. Unfortunately, the Internet also rapidly spreads false or misleading information. How can you decide if the health information you find on the Internet is reliable? Consider the following when you are looking on the Internet.
Immunization and Diabetes - Should you be vaccinated?
Over the past century, the development of vaccines has significantly lowered the rates of disease in the world. A vaccine contains a small amount of weak or dead bacteria or virus. Your body notices the foreign substances and mounts an attack to kill these intruders. Once your body eliminates these germs, it remembers the bacteria or virus. If the illness ever returns, your immune (defence) system can recognize and destroy the intruders very quickly. This prevents you from getting sick from the same virus or bacteria.
Islet Cell Transplantation - exciting research and hope for a cure
Islets in the pancreas produce the hormone insulin. It is these cells that are at the center of research looking for a cure for diabetes. The Immune Tolerance Network (ITN) is a research program funded by the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation (JDF) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in the United States. In July 2000, the ITN announced that 10 centres led by the Edmonton islet transplantation group would transplant 40 patients using the 'Edmonton Protocol'.
Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) - What you need to know about this medical emergency
Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a serious, life-threatening complication of diabetes. It occurs when the body uses fat as a fuel source because it cannot use sugar (glucose). DKA happens when there is little or no insulin in the body. It is far more common in people who have type 1 diabetes, but may also happen to those with type 2 diabetes.
Ketones - Understanding ketones can save your life
If you have Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes, understanding ketones is important. Knowing about ketones may even save your life if you are ill. Ketones (key-tones) are made when the body breaks down fat to use for energy. This happens when carbohydrates (which turn into glucose) are not available and the body burns fat instead of glucose for energy.
Kidney Disease - Reducing the Risk for People with Diabetes
If you have diabetes, the odds are good that you have some form of kidney damage. In fact, diabetes is the most common cause of kidney disease today. An estimated 50 per cent of people with diabetes have some form of kidney damage. Many are not aware that their health is at risk. Kidney disease affects up to 40 per cent of those with type 1 diabetes, and between 10 and 40 per cent of those with type 2 diabetes.
Kidney Lab Tests - Understanding them is key to kidney health
Many people who have diabetes are not aware that it is the most common cause of kidney disease. Anyone at risk of kidney disease, and those diagnosed with it, will likely have many blood and urine tests. The results may seem so complex and confusing that people simply ask if everything is okay.
Living Powerfully with Diabetes - control your condition, don't let it control you
Being diagnosed with diabetes brings many thoughts to mind. âWhat?! Me?? What did I do to deserve this? What does this mean? How will my life change? Should I be worried? What do I do now?â
Low Blood Glucose - the signs, symptoms and treatment of hypoglycemia
Agnes is playing cards when she starts to have trouble following the game. Her hands are trembling, the cards seem blurry, and she suddenly feels very tired. Her friend Helen asks if she feels okay. When Agnes tries to answer, her speech is slurred. Helen quickly goes to the refrigerator to get Agnes a glass of orange juice to drink. Helen knows Agnes has diabetes and has just started taking a new medication that could cause low blood glucose (also called low blood sugar or hypoglycemia). The way that Agnes is feeling and behaving indicates common symptoms of hypoglycemia.
Managing Diabetes - understanding and controlling your disease
As someone with diabetes, you must take responsibility for managing your disease. This may sound blunt but the message is too important to cushion softly. If you understand your disease, you will know the important things you need to do to care for yourself. The more you know, the wiser your decisions will be.
Managing Blood Glucose Levels - how often should you test?
This question is frequently asked of diabetes educators by people with diabetes. Unfortunately, there is no one answer that suits everyoneâs needs. Those with diabetes test their blood glucose anywhere from many times each day to once a month. A diabetes educator could respond to this question with another question. âHow often do you or are you able to test?â On the other hand, if a person with diabetes is directed to test two to four times each day there is little room for discussion even if once a week testing is desired.
Meal Planning - healthy eating, diabetes management and prevention
How many times have you picked up reading material about healthy eating to find a totally different message from the last article you scanned? Are you confused by all the different nutrition messages the media is sending? What's the difference between a high and low carb diet or good and bad fats? What choices are healthiest for you and your family?
Medication Research Studies - what you should know, how you can help
Have you ever wondered how medications become available for use in Canada? Or how your doctor decides which treatment and dose is best for you? How does the pharmacist know about all those side effects? The answer is quite simple â research.
Metabolic Syndrome - one in four adults has it. Do you?
Colin is barely 50 years old and has always felt fine. Recently though, Colin was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. He was still coping with this news when he had a heart attack. It was his first indication of heart problems. These health issues have Colin feeling discouraged. He knows he is a little overweight, has a middle age pot belly, and his blood pressure has been up a bit. He also has relatives with diabetes, but they are in their late seventies. He thought he had years before he needed to worry.
Microalbuminuria - A signal that you could develop health problems
The kidneys, which make urine, work by filtering blood through very small blood vessels. When someone has diabetes, these small vessels can become damaged. The vessels may begin to leak and not be able to filter blood properly. The pressure of the blood flowing through the kidneys may also increase. One of the first signs that the kidneys are not working properly is microalbuminuria.
New Medications and Technologies - making diabetes management easier
Wouldn't it be great to be able to better control your blood glucose, lose excess weight, take insulin without an injection, or know your glucose level without pricking your finger? Researchers are now evaluating new medications and devices that one day may make managing diabetes easier
Nutrition Food Labels - what's in it for you?
Grocery shopping is an important part of taking good care of your diabetes. The foods you buy become the snacks and meals that affect your blood sugar levels. If you have diabetes, choosing certain foods can help you. However, shopping for food isnât always easy. You face hundreds of decisions each time you enter a grocery store. What foods should you buy? What makes one product different from another?
Osteoporosis - How diabetes affects your bone health
Adults are not meant to shrink as they get older. Although we may think of it as common, losing height is not a normal part of aging. Rather, it can signal osteoporosis â a disease where bones become fragile and break more easily. Having diabetes can increase the chance of suffering a broken bone due to osteoporosis. In learning how diabetes affects bone health, you can help keep your bones strong for a lifetime.
Over-the-counter Medications - are they safe for people with diabetes?
ââŚnot recommended for use by people with high blood pressure, diabetes, or glaucoma without a doctorâs supervisionâŚ.â âConsult your doctor before taking if you have diabetesâŚ.â
These warnings are often found on the packaging of non-prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medications. Such cautions are often related to the potential for drug interaction. Medications can react with other drugs, food, beverages, or existing medical conditions.
The Pain of Walking - all about peripheral arterial disease
If you have pain in your legs when you walk that goes away with rest, it could be peripheral arterial disease (PAD). This condition, also called peripheral vascular disease (PVD), can affect any arteries outside the heart and brain. Since having it multiplies the risk of heart attack and stroke, take this condition seriously. People with diabetes are two to four times more likely to develop PAD, largely due to the damage high blood glucose can do to large and small blood vessels.
Planning for Pregnancy When You Have Diabetes - Preconception planning makes a difference
Women who have type 1 or type 2 diabetes have a higher risk of problems in pregnancy than women who do not. These problems can be very serious for both mother and baby. Care of diabetes in pregnancy is much better now than it used to be, but there is still some risk. It has been known for years that a woman with type 1 diabetes can lower her risk by going to a diabetes clinic before she gets pregnant for preconception counselling. Studies now show that counselling before pregnancy is just as important for women with type 2 diabetes.
School Rules - Success in school for children with diabetes
If you have a child with diabetes, each school year brings its own challenge. For your family, developing a relationship with the school community is particularly important. Teachers must be able to keep tabs on your childâs diabetes management during class hours.
Sensible Snacking - will eating more often work better for you?
When I was diagnosed with diabetes, my doctor told me to eat more often. I am not hungry between my three meals and do not like to snack. What is better for me: eating three meals or six smaller meals?
Sound familiar? Fortunately, there are no rules about how many times a day a person should eat. Frequency of meals can be different for everyone, depending on lifestyle, preferred eating schedule and blood glucose levels. Here are some general guidelines.
Setting and Achieving Health Goals - how to reach them
By setting goals, you can accomplish almost anything you want to do. Learning how to set and achieve goals is an important part of managing any chronic disease. If you have such a disease, you likely spend an average of 12 hours each year with health care professionals. During the other 364½ days, you must take care of yourself. Choices you make each day have a big impact on controlling conditions such as diabetes.
Sharps Disposal
The disposal of used sharps is a public safety issue that concerns all of us. A ‘sharp’ is any object that can pierce, puncture or cut the skin. Lancets, pen needles, syringes, knives, scalpels, razors, scissors or broken glass are all examples of sharps.
Shorter Insulin Needles - could they help you?
Shorter insulin needles are now available for both syringes and pen needles. Many people feel their injections are more comfortable when they use a shorter needle, but have questions about them. Here are some of the most common questions and their answers.
Sleep - A Missing Link in Diabetes Care
George is a 52-year-old moderately overweight businessman recently diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. He has started on oral blood glucose lowering medications. Although George takes his medications, watches his diet and exercises as recommended, he is still having trouble bringing his blood glucose to target levels. He is also being treated for high blood pressure and high cholesterol.
Not Snoozing? You may be losing - a good night's sleep helps your health
There was a time, not so very long ago, when our ancestors rose and slept with the natural rhythm of the rising and setting sun. Modern technology has given us the luxury of challenging our sleeping patterns. We can try to finish work and get to that soccer game, fly to Paris overnight, or shop for groceries at 3 am. However, does this pace hurt our health?
Snack Bars: How snack, sport and meal replacement bars fit into your diet
You may have noticed more snack bars displayed on your local grocery store shelves. Not all are the same. What's the difference? Granola bars are usually small-size bars. They are often made with oats and may contain dried fruit and nuts. Cereal bars often use dry breakfast cereal as one ingredient in the bar. They may also contain dried fruit or nuts.
Snack Attack - Wise choices help control diabetes
Do you wake up feeling very hungry or find yourself ravenous at the end of the day? Perhaps your blood glucose is high in the morning, even though it was within target levels before bed. If so, you may need snacks throughout the day to help control hunger and blood glucose levels.
Stress and Diabetes - understanding stress helps in dealing with it
Traffic jams, ringing phones, holidays â stress is part of daily life. The way our bodies react to stress has a profound effect on both physical and mental health. Understanding stress is the first step in dealing with it effectively.
Solving the Insurance Puzzle
You need a basic understanding of how disability insurance companies work. Remember, they are in business to make money. To do this, they must control claims costs. They pay claims that they ought to pay, and deny those that they should not pay.
Supplements - preventing complications naturally
Everyone with diabetes wants to avoid the complications of diabetes. Conditions such as heart disease, neuropathy (numbness or tingling in the legs and arms), nephropathy (kidney disease) and retinopathy (damage to blood vessels in the retina of the eye) can occur over time in a person with diabetes.
Supporting a spouse with diabetes
In many ways, a diabetes diagnosis can affect a spouse as much as the person with the disease. Although chronic illness can stress a partnership, with education and lifestyle changes, life can again become normal.
Sugar, Carbohydrates and Blood Glucose Control - the facts about diabetes and sugar
According to a popular myth, people with diabetes must avoid sugar and sweets. Thankfully, this isn't true! Those with diabetes can have sugar, and just like anyone else, they should watch the amount of sugar they consume. Dietary guidelines for people with diabetes are much more flexible than in the past. This is partly because we have learned more information about how food, and especially foods containing carbohydrates, are absorbed into the blood.
Sweeteners - how and when to use them
As someone with diabetes, you should know how and why using sweeteners can affect your health. There are two basic types of sweeteners. Nutritive sweeteners contain about four calories in each gram. These include fructose, sugar alcohols, sugar and honey. Non-nutritive sweeteners, which provide no calories, include saccharin, aspartame, acesulfame potassium (Ace K) and sucralose. Artificial sweeteners, if used properly, allow people with diabetes something sweet without a serious impact on their blood sugar. Ask the dietitian on your diabetes team how to include artificial sweeteners in your meal plan. When cooking or baking with artificial sweeteners, start with a recipe developed for the sweetener you are using. Substituting an artificial sweetener for sugar in a regular recipe may produce varying results.
Think Positive - dealing with the emotional aspect of diabetes
Each day, we experience a wide range of emotions, from highs to lows - joy, sadness, excitement, anger, pride and anxiety. If you are living with a chronic health condition like diabetes, it can be easy to dwell on negative feelings and harder to see the bright side of life.
Top 10 Reasons to Exercise - Physical activity is key to controlling your diabetes
Over two million Canadians have diabetes, and the number is growing rapidly. North American lifestyles play a huge role in this increase. If you have diabetes, exercise is one of the best tools for managing it.
Toe the Line - Caring for Your Feet
Having diabetes puts your feet at risk. While the responsibility for protecting them is yours, both you and your health-care team must be involved. Understanding why and knowing how to care for your feet can help prevent injury.
Tiny Bites Equal Big Calories
Spring is a time of new energy and renewal. The season offers a great chance to refocus on what is really important: your health. If you are not in good health, you will have a difficult time with day-to-day tasks and taking care of those you love. Try these tips to be at your best, both mentally and physically.
Tips for a Better You - Simple ways to be at your best
"I never eat between meals... I rarely have dessert... Almost everything I eat is low fat... so why am I still gaining weight?"
Treating Hypoglycemia - The role of Glucagon in an emergency situation
Keeping blood glucose at a normal level is essential for anyone with diabetes. If you use insulin or oral medication to control high blood glucose, hypoglycemia (abnormally low blood glucose) is a risk. When blood glucose is low, the brain and body do not receive enough fuel in the form of sugar to meet their constant energy needs. You, your family, close friends and co-workers must be able to recognize signs of low blood glucose. Knowing how to effectively treat it can resolve a medical emergency.
Treating Low Blood Glucose - Advice for adults with diabetes
Low blood glucose (also known as hypoglycemia) occurs when the amount of glucose in the blood (blood sugar) falls below 4.0 mmol/L.