Facts About Diabetes And Flu

From nfid.org

November is National Diabetes Month, and the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID) is highlighting the importance of annual influenza (flu) vaccination as a critical component of diabetes management. Healthcare professionals who treat patients with diabetes know how important it is to advise them to take certain steps to stay healthy, including:

• Eat a balanced diet,
• Exercise,
• Monitor and control blood sugar, and
• Take medication as prescribed

But there is one thing you may not know…annual flu vaccination is just as important to protect their health. The American Diabetes Association recommends that people with diabetes get vaccinated against flu every year.
According to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), diabetes—even if well managed—can make it harder for the immune system to fight respiratory infections such as flu or pneumonia, putting patients at greater risk for serious complications. Studies show that people with diabetes are three times more likely to die and six times more likely to be hospitalized due to flu-related complications, compared to people without diabetes.

Flu Complications for People with Diabetes

For people with diabetes, serious flu-related complications may include:

• Worsening of diabetes (poor glycaemic control and acidosis),
• Permanent physical decline and loss of independence
• Hospitalization or even death

Despite these risks, a recent NFID survey found that one out of four US adults who are at greater risk for flu-related complications (including people with diabetes and other chronic health conditions) do not plan to get vaccinated this flu season. The survey also found that 46 percent of high-risk individuals were unfamiliar with pneumococcal disease, and nearly 60 percent report that they have never been advised to get vaccinated against pneumococcal disease.

NFID recommends that healthcare professionals inform people with diabetes about the dangers of flu and pneumococcal disease and insist that they get vaccinated:

• Send reminders during the fall to ensure that patients schedule an office visit to discuss the importance of vaccination to prevent flu and pneumococcal disease
• If the practice does not provide vaccines, write a “prescription” for flu vaccine to emphasize the urgency and importance of flu prevention
• Discuss pneumococcal vaccination during the same visit, to avoid any missed opportunities

3 Tools to Help #LowerYourFluRisk

NFID has developed resources to help share the importance of annual flu vaccination and lower the risks of flu for patients with diabetes. Toolkit materials include:

• 30-second public service announcement (PSA) and short social media videos
• Infographics for healthcare professionals and patients about the importance of flu prevention for those with certain  chronic health conditions like heart disease, lung disease, and diabetes
• Sample social media posts and graphics

View the flu & chronic health conditions toolkit at: www.nfid.org/loweryourflurisk.

https://www.nfid.org/2019/11/07/facts-about-diabetes-and-flu/

Living with Type 1 diabetes: 'Since people can't see it, they don't think you're sick'

From eu.lansingstatejournal.com

LANSING – Most people are surprised when they learn Hillary Coleman has Type 1 diabetes.
"When people find out you're diabetic, they say, 'You're not fat,'" she said.
Coleman, a human resources coordinator who has been living with diabetes for two decades, said that's the most common misconception people have about her condition.

"I just feel like since people can't see it, they don't think you're sick," she said.
Yet the lack of visible symptoms doesn't mean people aren't struggling to manage an illness, she said.

'Back to the basics' 20 years in

Coleman was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes when she was 8 years old.
She said in the 20 years since her diagnosis, she hasn't "really taken care of it the best," but she's started herself on a routine to get healthier.
Her primary motivation: Staying healthy so she can keep up with hobbies. Coleman is a self-described "plant parent" and works regularly in the vegetable garden she put in behind her home just west of Old Town.

She's started using an insulin pen instead of a pump to help manage her blood sugar level, a move she describes as going back to the basics.
Coleman wakes up with her alarm and checks her blood sugar. She takes her insulin while she's getting ready then eats breakfast once she gets to work, giving the slow-acting version of the medicine time to kick in.

Hillary Coleman of Lansing demonstrates the daily regimen she must undertake living with type 1 diabetes, a chronic condition where the pancreas produces little or no insulin, or the hormone needed to allow sugar to enter energy-producing cells, Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2019. Each morning Coleman must measure her blood sugar levels, and then give herself an injection of insulin. She must also monitor her sugar levels prior to and after eating.

Matthew Dae Smith/Lansing State Journal

She'll check her blood sugar again two to three more times throughout the day, adjusting her meal schedule and insulin dosage as necessary to maintain a healthy level.
She said it's harder than most people think to keep on top of managing blood sugar.
"It's hard when you're on the go," Coleman said. "You really have to remind yourself."
That's why Coleman has alarms going off "almost constantly" to remind her to check her blood sugar, eat and more.

'Like a zombie,' tired, irritable

When she isn't on top of doing all those things, it's noticeable, Coleman said, whether her blood sugar drops too low or rockets far above recommended levels.
She recalled two times her blood sugar dropped when she was younger — once when she was getting ready and tried to pour some orange juice but missed the cup completely and once when she woke up from a nap and fell down the stairs.
She describes it as being "like a zombie."
"Physically, you can't do things," she said.

Sometimes, Coleman wakes up in a cold sweat and knows she has to check her blood pressure and have a bit of juice.

She said high blood sugar has a different effect that starts with what feels like a sinus pressure headache and can eventually make you vomit.
"You can't think straight. You're tired and irritable," she said. "You know what you're doing, but you're just not connecting to your brain."
That makes insulin and test strips and other supplies critical, she said.

'Always' an underlying price

Those supplies are far from free.
Coleman says insulin can get "ridiculously expensive."
She used to be on a fast-acting insulin but switched when she fell off her parent's insurance and learned a month's supply of her dose would cost $900.
Now that she's switched to a slow-acting insulin, it costs her $10 a month with insurance. When she goes back to an insulin pump, that will go up to $23 a month.
Coleman's supplies for her insulin pen and for the meter she uses to test her blood sugar cost another $60 a month.

There are hidden costs to managing diabetes, though, she said.
"Nothing's ever free," Coleman said. "There's always something underlying."
For example, after a recent vision check-up, Coleman was charged $40 because while her insurance covered most the exam because it was preventive, it didn't cover parts of the exam that were added on because of her diabetes.
She said those extra costs are frustrating, because she couldn't control whether she got the condition that causes the extra steps in medical exams.
"Diabetes isn't something we asked for," Coleman said.

https://eu.lansingstatejournal.com/story/news/local/2019/11/07/diabetes-type-1-symptoms-insulin-lansing/3844542002/

Diabetes: It’s different for women

From businessreport.com

Diabetes strikes men and women in similar numbers, but it doesn’t affect them in the same way. Complications are different for women so it’s important to educate yourself whether you are newly diagnosed or have been living with diabetes for years.

Diabetes is a condition in which the body’s ability to produce insulin is impaired, resulting in elevated blood sugar (glucose) levels. Complications include nerve damage, kidney damage, blindness, and heart disease—and women with diabetes must be especially vigilant.

Internist Dr. Kenny Cole has studied and treated diabetes for more than 20 years. “According to one study,” he says, “when women have diabetes, they are six times more likely to develop heart disease than women without it. In men, the risk of heart disease is just two- to three-fold.”

Part of the reason, he says, is that women with diabetes are more likely than men to have poor blood glucose control, unhealthy cholesterol levels, to be obese, and have high blood pressure. And death by heart failure is also more common in women with diabetes.

“It’s due to biological differences in how they experience heart attacks,” he says. “Women may be more prone to experience nausea, shortness of breath, or back and jaw discomfort rather than the classic angina-type chest pain. This can delay diagnosis and treatment, leading to a higher risk of complications.”

Depression is also more common in women than in men. “In my own experience, I’ve found that women are more prone to emotional eating patterns or so called ‘stress’ eating, which can be exacerbated by depression and can in turn lead to obesity,” Dr. Cole says. “Many men have emotional eating habits, too, but in general, they have less body fat, more muscle mass, and in some cases, can handle extra calories more efficiently.”

According to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, diabetes is not just different for women, but among them, occurring more often in African American, Native American, and Hispanic/Latino women than white women.

The good news is that diabetes is manageable if patients make simple lifestyle changes—practicing good habits such as maintaining a healthy weight, controlling their blood pressure, monitoring blood sugar every day, and exercising regularly. It’s also important to quit smoking and to drink alcohol in moderation.

One of the smartest things diabetic patients can do is eat a healthy diet.

“For many women, the initial diagnosis of diabetes can be emotionally overwhelming, but with proper education and planning, you can not only control it, but you can prevent other illnesses,” said Terri Keller Nelson, MS, RD, LDN, and owner of Well Consulting LLC. She offers the following nutrition tips:

· Meet with a registered dietitian to develop a meal plan that suits your lifestyle.
· Keep a journal detailing your daily glucose readings, and food and beverage intake.
· Limit carb choices to two per meal. These include grains, starchy vegetables, fruit and fruit juice, milk and yogurt.
· Choose small portions of fibrous carbs such as vegetables, legumes and sweet potatoes.
· Eat lean meats such as chicken and fish.

“We all slip up from time to time,” Nelson adds. “But don’t beat yourself up if you make a mistake. Diabetes is a manageable condition and a healthy diet is the first step toward controlling it.”

https://www.businessreport.com/business/advice/your-health-diabetes-is-more-complicated-for-women

13 health benefits of eating almonds

From msn.com

With nuts often touted as one of the healthiest on-the-go snacks, the benefits of almonds are universally lauded. Fans claim that the Vitamin E-rich nuts are the secret to everything from luminous skin to glossy hair and boosted brain power.

But are these claims legitimate?

In short: yes. Though not actually considered nuts but seeds, almonds are hugely high in nutrients, hence the myriad ways they are now consumed; in alternative 'milks,' butters, oils and flours, raw or in recipes.

"I include almonds in a lot of my recipes; in breakfasts as well as salads and sauces," says nutritionist Angelique Panagos. "They’re a great source of omega 3, a polyunsaturated essential fatty acid, as well as protein, fibre, nutrients and vitamins."

Big name devotees abound. The Duchess of Sussex was vocal about the seed in her pre House of Windsor days, attributing her flawless complexion to eating almonds and almond butter.

So, let's dig into what these oval shaped bites can do for you.

13 Almond Benefits

1. High in protein

Just a handful contains an eighth of our RDA of protein, which is remarkably high for a vegan source.

2. Balances cholesterol

Studies have shown for people of normal weight that almonds can help lower levels of bad cholesterol low-density lipoprotein (LDL).

3. Increases vitamin E

They’re also a good source of vitamin E, providing 37% of our RDA in just a handful. This helps defend the cells against the oxidation of cholesterol which can lead to heart disease.
Early studies have also pointed towards protection from Alzheimer’s disease.

Vitamin E has also been shown to protect cells from oxidative damage, which can lead to signs of ageing.

4. Aids weight loss

Through satiety, consuming almonds can help with weight loss, despite being high in calories and good fats.

5. Lowers some cancer risks

While many health foods claim cancer-reducing properties, almonds have been proven to impact some types.
A study in Mexico found a high consumption of almonds to reduce the risk of developing breast cancer by two or three times.

They’ve also shown to significantly reduce the risk of colon cancer for both men and women.

6. Reduces risk of heart disease

Studies have shown 50g of almonds a day help to keep blood vessels functioning well, increasing antioxidants in the blood stream, reducing blood pressure and improving blood flow.

7. Improves sleep

Though more research is needed for conclusive evidence, as almonds are a good source of magnesium, calcium and melatonin, early studies suggest they may be good for promoting muscle relaxation and sleep.

8. Balances blood sugar levels

Their high levels of magnesium — almost half the RDA in just 45 almonds — could also have an impact on blood sugar levels, which are a key player in diabetes.

One study found consuming 55-60g of almonds lead to lower levels of fasting insulin and fasting glucose, as well as lower insulin resistance.

9. Improves longevity

A study found the risk of early death, from conditions such as neurodegenerate diseases or diabetes, decreased by 23% for individuals consuming half a handful of almonds daily — and others have since backed it up. It's generally held that people who eat nuts tend to lead longer, healthier lives.

10. Boosts gut health

A trending topic currently, almonds seem to good for our microbiome according to a study that found almonds — in seed or butter form — improved the gut biome, potentially due to prebiotic affects on intestinal bacteria.

11. Improves cognitive function

Are almonds good for the brain? The high levels of vitamin E and more specifically alpha-tocopherol, which is the form that’s best absorbed by the body, explain why almonds are thought of as a ‘brain food’.

12. Prolongs memory

They’re also thought to improve memory, though more studies are needed for conclusive evidence.

13. Improves skin and hair

Are almonds good for the skin and hair? Again, anecdotally, almond benefits on the skin and hair are widely assumed. Though research is lacking, almonds are high in B-complex, riboflavin, zinc, niacin, iron and vitamin E which all benefit a healthy complexion — as can be seen on Meghan Markle.

Some almond FAQs…

What’s the nutritional value of almonds?

One serving (which is about 23 almonds or a handful) contains 3.5g fibre, 6g protein, 14g fat (of which 9g are monosaturated).

How many almonds can be eaten in a day?

One serving is thought to be about 23 almonds, which is about a handful, though 8-10 a day have been shown to have notable health benefits.

Can too many almonds be bad for you?

An excess of almonds can cause an upset stomach, including bloating and constipation due to the high fibre levels. Though there’s talk of cyanide in almonds, one would have to eat more than 1,150 in a day to get a sufficient amount for poisoning.

Is it good to eat almonds in empty stomach?

It’s perfectly safe and it’s thought to be better for absorbing nutrients to eat them on an empty stomach.

What are the benefits of eating soaked almonds?

Soaking the seeds in water has thought to make digestion easier and aid the absorption of nutrients but — good news for the time-short — there’s limited evidence to back this up. They do however become softer and creamier, which may appeal if one doesn’t like the bitter tannin taste of unsoaked almonds.
How to soak almonds? Just leave in a bowl of water for 8-12 hours.

What are almond side effects?

Unless you’re allergic to almonds, the side effects shouldn’t be negative and you’ll benefit from the nutrients. But speak to a nutritionist if you’re in any doubt or for more information.

https://www.msn.com/en-gb/health/nutrition/13-health-benefits-of-eating-almonds/ar-AAJSFBX?ocid=spartandhp

Link Made Between Mouth Health, Diabetes

From publicnewsservice.org

PORTLAND, Ore. – Connections are becoming clearer between good oral health and treating high blood sugar.

November is Diabetes Awareness Month, and one way folks can better manage the disease is by seeing a dentist.

Dr. Lisa Bozzetti is the dental director at the Virginia Garcia Memorial Health Centre in Hillsboro, originally founded to serve Oregon's migrant farm worker population in Yamhill and Washington counties. She says dental health and diabetes don't have a causal relationship, but they're on a two-way street – looking after one improves the other.

"Patients who present with diabetes do tend to have a much higher incidence of periodontal disease,” she points out. “And there is some research to support that when you address the periodontal disease with cleanings – whether they be deep cleanings or just regular maintenance cleanings – that they do have an effect on stabilizing blood sugars."

Bozzetti adds the incidence of gum disease is two to three times higher for patients with diabetes.

     The incidence of gum disease is two to three times higher for people with diabetes, and                                         either condition can exacerbate the other. (vetkit/Adobe Stock)

Alexa Jett, oral health integration manager for CareOregon, describes the relationship between the two as a cycle, where high blood sugar increases inflammation throughout the body, causing more gum inflammation and insulin resistance.

That's why her organization is working to integrate dental care, which is covered for patients on Oregon's Medicaid plan, into primary care settings.

"Oral health is part of routine diabetes care, just like it would be seeing your doctor for your blood sugar check or an eye exam, or a foot exam," Jett explains.

Virginia Garcia Memorial Health Centre is one place where CareOregon is pioneering work to more deeply connect oral health and primary care.

Bozzetti says the centre is in the process of integrating the two.

"We actually are embedding dental hygienists in some of our primary care clinics,” she states. “And one of our ideas was to embed a dental hygienist in a primary care clinic that had a large percentage of diabetic patients."

https://www.publicnewsservice.org/2019-11-04/health/link-made-between-mouth-health-diabetes/a68229-1

How This Cyclist Uses a Fitness Tracker to Help Manage His Type 1 Diabetes

From bicycling.com/news

By mapping out how his heart rate affects his blood sugar levels, Zack Hawthorne makes sure his numbers stay steady.

Zack Hawthorne has been living with type 1 diabetes for about 15 years. The 28-year-old cyclist says it’s never stopped him from doing anything, except living off the grid. That’s because he uses fitness trackers—along with diet and exercise—to help control his blood sugar levels.

Instead of relying solely on medication, Hawthorne uses diet (he’s been a vegetarian for over two years), exercise, and a Fitbit Charge 2 HR to monitor his heart rate to help manage his diabetes.

Type 1 diabetes is a condition where your pancreas does not produce insulin, which allows your body to use glucose from carbs to produce energy. Patients often manage this with an insulin pump, which releases a continuous stream of insulin their body throughout the day and boosts of insulin around mealtime.

During the “honeymoon phase” when first diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, people’s bodies continue to make some insulin, but eventually they will need it, explains Akankasha Goyal, M.D., endocrinologist and instructor in the department of medicine at NYU Langone Health. However, some people can use their diet and exercise to help manage their condition.

That’s what Hawthorne does to cut down on his reliance on insulin: He tracks his heart rate and blood sugar while he rides to keep an eye on blood sugar fluctuations—and if he notices it spiking or dropping, he takes steps to normalize it, like eating a carb-heavy snack or drinking more water. He does use insulin on days that he does not exercise, either long-acting insulin at night or quick-acting insulin during the day.

Not all type 1 diabetics can use this technique—how your body responds to exercise can vary from person to person, and most will require regular insulin—but knowing how your blood sugar reacts to exercise and using food to manage it can work well for certain people, says Goyal. (If it’s something you’re interested in trying, you should work with a medical professional, like Hawthorne did, to come up with a plan that’s right for you.)

“During exercise, [managing blood sugar] without using insulin is a possibility, but it depends on how much insight the patient has,” Goyal says. “It involves a lot of math and calculations.”

Hawthorne has an intricate system that relies on food logging through an app, heart rate tracking, and blood-sugar monitoring to make sure all is well. And his previous job as a bike messenger in Pittsburgh provides the perfect way for him to do it.

At first, he relied on a Garmin and a heart rate monitor, but when he got tired of wearing the monitor on his chest, he decided to test out a Fitbit.

Hawthorne rides a minimum of 30 miles a day, though it usually climbs closer to 50 to 60 miles. He uses this time to gather heart rate data through various parts of his day—he found out he averages about 140 to 150 bpm—to help him know when he needs to refuel his blood sugar.

To best figure this out, he wore a continuous glucose monitor (CGM), which takes a measurement every five minutes, to track his blood sugar levels. Then, after a full day of riding, he printed out the readings and lay them over a heart rate graph to track how his blood sugars fluctuated with his heart rate.

“Now I know that, on an 8-hour day, I have some sort of standard of what I ate and how my blood sugar acted,” he says.

What he learned? If he sees that his heart rate is hovering around 170 bpm or so for anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes, he knows this means his blood sugar is dropping. Because his metabolism is burning off a lot of glycogen, or stored carbohydrates, he would take that as a sign to focus on getting sugar into his body. So he reaches for foods like homemade nut-free granola bars (he’s allergic to tree nuts) or Gatorade energy chews to keep his blood sugar stable.

Goyal agrees that keeping food and drink handy—and tracking blood sugar regularly, at least every 20 to 30 minutes—is key: Snacks such as gummy bears or high-quality carbs can help boost your blood sugars if they drop too low, she says. While carbs are not recommended to regulate blood sugar for everyone with diabetes, if you are an athlete, you still need them to fuel your workout.

“You always want to be close to food when you’re cycling,” Goyal says.

Using this fuelling and heart-rate tracking strategy, he even attempted the 400-mile Crush the Commonwealth ride from Pittsburgh to Philadelphia, completing 200 miles on a single-speed bicycle before running into a storm that caused him to stop, without taking any insulin—he just made sure he was refuelling to keep his blood sugar steady.

He also has started recording his rides on his YouTube channel, detailing his blood sugar levels and diet—everything from what he ate the night before through post-ride—along with a summary of the miles ridden and his bike metric data. He does this to show other people what is possible.

“It’s not about the stats or Strava; it is the experience and the journey,” he says. “It’s being in touch with yourself and crushing your own personal goals.”

https://www.bicycling.com/news/a29251142/zack-hawthorne-diabetes-management-cycling/

Type 2 diabetes: Add this cheese to your meals to lower blood sugar

From express.co.uk

TYPE 2 diabetes is a chronic condition that causes blood sugar levels to rise, and, if left untreated, can hike the risk of developing life-threatening complications. Fortunately, certain foods have been shown to boast blood-sugar lowering properties, keeping the risks at bay, including a popular cheese.

Type 2 diabetes is a common condition in the UK and occurs when a person’s pancreas cannot produce enough insulin to control rising blood sugar levels. Overtime, rising blood sugar levels can pose a number of serious health threats, such as heart disease and stroke. Fortunately, overhauling one’s diet can keep the risks of rising blood sugar levels at bay and evidence backs eating a certain cheese.

Research is increasingly shedding a light on the benefits of eating a low-carb diet in helping people with type 2 diabetes manage their blood sugar levels.

A recent study conducted at Bispebjerg Hospital in collaboration with, among other partners, Aarhus University and the Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports at the University of Copenhagen, found that reducing carb intake and increasing the share of protein and fat can help people with type 2 diabetes manage their blood sugar levels. The study, involving 28 patients with type 2 diabetes, found that cutting back on carbs, upping protein and moderately increasing fat content improves glycaemic control (the ability to regulate blood sugar) by reducing blood sugar after meals and long-term blood sugar.
One food high in protein and low in carbs is cottage cheese.

      Type 2 diabetes: Research attributes the benefits of cottage cheese to its high protein content                                                                         (Image: Getty Images )

Evidence suggests eating cottage cheese may help people with type 2 diabetes manage their blood sugar.
In one study, men who ate 25 grams of cottage cheese with 50 grams of sugar had 38 percent lower blood sugar afterward, compared to those who consumed sugar alone.
Research investigating the link between cottage cheese and lower blood sugar levels attributes it to the high protein content.
According to Diabetes UK, foods high in protein slow the breakdown of carbohydrates into glucose in the blood.

The faster carbohydrates are absorbed in a person’s blood, the faster blood sugar levels rise.
Research also shows that opting for regular cottage cheese rather than reduced-fat varieties, provides the added benefit of the blood-sugar-lowering properties of fat.
As Diabetes.co.uk explained: “Unlike sugar, fat has little immediate effect on blood glucose levels and this a key reason why low carb, higher fat diets tend to produce better blood glucose control.”

Other ways to manage blood sugar

According to the NHS, physical exercise also helps to lower your blood sugar level and you should aim for at least 2.5 hours of activity a week to reap the optimal benefits.
As the health site points out, You can be active anywhere as long as what you're doing gets you out of breath.
This could be:

• Fast walking
• Climbing stairs
• Doing more strenuous housework or gardening

What are the symptoms of type 2 diabetes?

Many people have type 2 diabetes without realising. This is because symptoms do not necessarily make a person feel unwell.

Symptoms of type 2 diabetes include:

• Urinating more than usual, particularly at night
• Feeling thirsty all the time
• Feeling very tired
• Losing weight without trying to
• Itching around your penis or vagina, or repeatedly getting thrush
• Cuts or wounds taking longer to heal
• Blurred vision

You should contact your GP if you have any of the symptoms of type 2 diabetes or if you are worried you may be at a higher risk of getting it, advises the NHS.

Diagnosing type 2 diabetes involves a blood test, which you may have to go to your local health centre for if it cannot be done at your GP surgery, explains the health site.
It added: “The earlier diabetes is diagnosed and treatment started, the better. Early treatment reduces your risk of other health problems.”

https://www.express.co.uk/life-style/health/1197451/type-2-diabetes-symptoms-diet-cottage-cheese-low-carb-protein-lower-blood-sugar