Type 2 diabetes: Four tips to prevent blood sugar from rising this winter

From express.co.uk

TYPE 2 diabetes symptoms can worsen during the winter months, when the weather is colder and winter illnesses are rife. Follow these four tips to prevent blood sugar spikes this winter.

Type 2 diabetes is a lifelong condition in which the level of sugar in the blood is too high.
It can be dangerous if not controlled properly, as it can lead to serious complications involving the heart, nerves, kidneys and eyes.
In winter, complications are more likely to occur as infections are more common, and it’s easier to indulge in unhealthy foods over the festive period.
Dr Sarah Brewer, working in association with CuraLin diabetes supplement, offers the following four tips to prevent blood sugar spikes from occurring this winter.

Keep exercising
It can be tempting to stay indoors snuggled on the sofa when the weather turns colder, but it’s important to remain active and not neglect your exercise routine.
“Don’t reduce your level of exercise when it’s cold – still go out for a daily walk but wrap up warm. Exercise helps to prevent blood glucose levels from creeping up,” said Dr Brewer.

Get the flu jab
Infections cause blood glucose levels to rise, and respiratory infections are more common during the winter.
People with diabetes are advised to get the annual flu vaccination ahead of winter, which they can get for free on the NHS.

                     People with diabetes are advised to get the flu jab (Image: Getty Images)

Dr Brewer also advises getting a one-off pneumococcal vaccine, which helps protect against pneumonia, meningitis and sepsis.

Take vitamin D supplements
Most people get enough vitamin D from the sun during the spring and summer months.
However, in winter this is not the case, and Public Health England recommends everyone take a vitamin D supplement during the colder months.
“Vitamin D plays an important role in immunity against infections,” said Dr Brewer.

Don’t neglect your healthy diet
It can be easy to over-indulge on cakes and other sweet treats over the Christmas period, which can raise blood sugar levels.

Dr Brewer advises filling up with healthy, winter-warming stews full of low glycaemic-index vegetables and beans.
"Home-made curry makes a great winter warmer, and curry spices such as cinnamon, fenugreek, chilli and turmeric have beneficial effects on glucose control,” said Dr Brewer.

If you are having rice, select brown or wild rice rather than white rice, and choose granary-style seeded and brown wholemeal loaves if having bread.
"Rather than drinking hot chocolate, opt for high flavanol unsweetened cacao, which is a delicious way to help improve glucose control by reducing insulin resistance,” Dr Brewer added.

https://www.express.co.uk/life-style/health/1037677/type-2-diabetes-symptoms-diabetic-tips-blood-sugar-winter

4 Ways Diabetes Support Groups Can Change Your Life

From everydayhealth.com

When you’re living with type 2 diabetes, you know how important it is to check your blood sugar, eat the right foods, and stay active. But being aware of these actions and actually doing them consistently can be two very different things.
This is where a diabetes support group can go a long way toward successfully managing your diabetes. Connecting with other people who have diabetes can help you stay motivated to take care of yourself by offering both practical and personal support. According to a study published in the January 2012 issue of Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice, people with type 2 diabetes who attend support groups are more successful at maintaining — or even improving — their health.
Here are just a few of the benefits diabetes support groups offer:

1. Community Means You're Never Alone

It’s common for people living with diabetes to feel isolated, especially if you've been recently diagnosed or don’t have any family or friends with the disease. A diabetes support group can help you realize you’re far from alone. You’ll meet an entire group of people who understand what you're going through and are happy to offer guidance and encouragement.

                                                     Watercolor: Diana Ong

2. Practical Advice Makes Managing Blood Sugar Easier

Support groups can provide a wealth of information and ideas on ways to make managing diabetes easier, such as diabetes-friendly recipes the whole family can enjoy, tips for eating right at holiday parties and work events, and local resources for people with diabetes. Plus, you may meet new friends to exercise and do other activities with.

3. Personal Connection Is What Makes Diabetes Support Groups So Effective

When you're living with diabetes, taking care of yourself is a priority. If you are caring for a family, have a demanding job, or have other responsibilities, you may feel overwhelmed at times — and caring for yourself may fall by the wayside. Support group members often have the same challenges and can help you through the tough times and keep you on track.

4. Guest Speakers and Special Events Connect You to New Research, Therapies, and Community

Some diabetes support groups feature guest speakers such as physicians, researchers, and other experts who talk about the latest findings in diabetes management or share their perspectives. Additionally, groups may have special events such as potlucks, group walks, or fundraisers.
Most larger cities offer in-person support groups that meet regularly and are led by a facilitator, but there also are a number of online groups available 24/7 for people who live in smaller towns or who may not have the time or transportation to attend in person. Your physician or diabetes care manager may be able to recommend a group; the links below may also be helpful. It’s a good idea to check out several groups if possible to find the right one for you.

https://www.everydayhealth.com/columns/type-two-and-you/diabetes-support-groups-change-your-life/

A Diabetes Success Story and How to Shape Your Own Journey

From uabmedicine.org

Every person with diabetes has his or her own unique story to tell, from the early symptoms to the official diagnosis and all of the challenges and successes along the way. Their stories often are marked by plenty of trial and error, ups and downs, and a long list of dos and don’ts.
To get a better sense of this journey and in observance of National Diabetes Awareness Month in November, we spoke with Carolyn Walsh, director of communications for the UAB Department of Medicine. She was diagnosed in 1997 with type 2 diabetes, which means that the body doesn’t respond properly to insulin, making it difficult to maintain stable blood glucose (sugar) levels.
If you too have diabetes or pre-diabetes, we hope that Walsh’s story inspires you to find a treatment plan that works best for you and modify your daily habits to become the healthiest person you can be.

Trial and Error

A diabetes diagnosis is life-changing for many people, because it becomes more important than ever to focus on diet, exercise, and everyday habits. This was certainly true for Walsh, who spent years trying to manage her condition with various oral medications but was unable to do so.
“I struggled with this for years until my doctor finally referred me to an endocrinologist, who recommended that I start taking insulin,” Walsh recalls.
In 2005, Walsh began taking insulin injections. “I think I was probably like a lot of people who have been newly diagnosed with diabetes who are super strict with sugar and simple carbs in the beginning,” Walsh says. “I remember counting out 15 potato chips as a serving and throwing away the top slice of bread on my sandwiches. But over time, my discipline failed. Realizing that the effects might be serious but not experiencing any immediate problems, I soon reverted to eating whatever I wanted.”
More than 10 years later, in 2016, Walsh’s primary care physician prescribed a promising diabetes drug that ultimately led to her being hospitalized with diabetic ketoacidosis, a serious condition in which blood glucose levels rise too high, causing the body to break down fat much too fast. “The medicine basically made my blood chemistry wonky, and I woke up feeling very, very nauseated,” Walsh says. “I threw up violently and went back to bed feeling exhausted.”

A Turning Point

When her husband checked on her later, he noticed that she was panting heavily. The reaction only got worse because Walsh’s body wasn’t able to properly expel carbon dioxide.
“We went to the emergency room, and I honestly don’t remember much after that,” Walsh says. “I woke up two days later in the intensive care unit at UAB Hospital-Highlands. Thanks to my entire health care team, I recovered and went home. And I was determined that I would find myself an endocrinologist at UAB.”
She chose UAB Medicine endocrinologist Deepti Bahl, MD, who told Walsh that her blood glucose levels needed to improve. Dr. Bahl referred her to the UAB Weight Loss Medicine Clinic, where that team worked closely with her and helped her lose 60 pounds with the Optifast meal replacement program.
“When I began using Optifast, I conditioned myself to reject the notion that I would eventually go back to a normal diet,” Walsh says. “I learned a new way of eating that replaced the unhealthy old way. I weigh myself weekly and make sure that since every mouthful counts, I try to make all the mouthfuls count!”
Learning how to eat mindfully isn’t easy for anyone, but it can mean the difference between diabetes that is well-managed versus being out of control. Walsh set goals to transform her eating habits and be more diligent about managing her condition. She closely monitors her glucose levels with finger-prick technology multiple times a day and also uses a mobile app called mySugr, which tracks several important diabetes-related levels in the body and offers unlimited test strips with a monthly subscription.
“I’m on half of the diabetes meds I used to take, and I feel so much better,” Walsh says.
How exactly does one practice mindful eating day to day? “If I am going to indulge in something sweet, I make sure it is the very best, most delicious sweet I can have – not just something I snag from the break room counter,” Walsh says. “I am also very intentional about buying and pre-cooking non-starchy veggies for lunch. I can have an entire can of green beans for far fewer carbs than a fist-sized baked potato, so I bulk up the plate with those good-for-me options and minimize sides like fries, chips, and pasta.”

Habits vs. Hunger

Though every person with diabetes has a unique story, there are a few common themes that ring true no matter who you are, where you live, or what you do for a living. Monitoring sugar levels and taking prescribed medications are a good starting point, but getting your diabetes under control and living your best life requires knowledge, commitment, and guidance from medical professionals you trust. For Walsh, a key to her success was figuring out how to change her relationship with food.
“While you can shoot up more insulin to address your carbohydrate intake, it is in your best interest long-term to eat sensibly,” Walsh advises. “It is a day-in, day-out struggle.”
As a culture, too often we turn to food for comfort, out of boredom, and as a way to socialize. In some cases, it’s more about habits than actual hunger. Recognizing this can help you change your mindset and begin viewing food as fuel – fuel to power up your body to do amazing things rather than weighing it down.
“Doing the all-liquid Optifast program for six weeks helped me break up with food like a bad boyfriend,” Walsh jokes. “That’s not to say I have mastered this entirely, but I am more consistent than I’ve ever been before.”

https://www.uabmedicine.org/-/a-diabetes-success-story-and-how-to-shape-your-own-journey

'Spectacular' diabetes treatment could end daily insulin injections

From theguardian.com

Hour-long procedure that stabilises blood sugar levels of sufferers of type 2 diabetes is still effective one year on, study shows

A potential medical breakthrough that could put an end to the daily insulin injections endured by people living with diabetes has been unveiled by Dutch scientists.
By destroying the mucous membrane in the small intestine and causing a new one to develop, scientists stabilised the blood sugar levels of people with type 2 diabetes. The results have been described as “spectacular” – albeit unexpected – by the chief researchers involved.

Woman self-administering insulin with a hypodermic syringe. Photograph: Ian Hooton/Getty Images/Science Photo Library RF

In the hour-long procedure, trialled on 50 patients in Amsterdam, a tube with a small balloon in its end is inserted through the mouth of the patient down to the small intestine.

The balloon is inflated with hot water and the mucous membrane burned away by the heat. Within two weeks a new membrane develops, leading to an improvement in the patient’s health.

Even a year after the treatment, the disease was found to be stable in 90% of those treated. It is believed there is a link between nutrient absorption by the mucus membrane in the small intestine and the development of insulin resistance among people with type 2 diabetes.
Jacques Bergman, a professor of gastroenterology at Amsterdam UMC, said: “Because of this treatment the use of insulin can be postponed or perhaps prevented. That is promising.”

Bergman added of the procedure that it was “amazing that people suffer very little from this”.
He told the Dutch broadcaster Nederlandse Omroep Stichting: “With those people we see a spectacular improvement in blood sugar levels one day after the operation, before they even lose one kilo, which has put us on the track.
“Because the question now is whether this is a permanent treatment, or whether it is something that you have to keep repeating – something that in theory should be possible. We looked at whether we could stop their insulin, which is still ongoing, but the first results are truly spectacular, with the lion’s share of patients no longer using insulin after this treatment.”

The new discovery initially seems most suitable for borderline patients who already take pills but whose blood sugar level is high enough for doctors to advise that they inject insulin in the short term.
Apart from dispensing with insulin injections, researchers claim that those treated could benefit from a lower risk of cardiovascular disease, kidney failure, blindness and numbness in the hands and feet.
Scientists from Amsterdam UMC who presented their study at a conference in Vienna this week were said to be cautious but “jubilant” about the initial results.

People with type 2 diabetes aged between 28 and 75 are now being recruited for a larger study of 100 people.

Almost 3.7 million people in the UK live with a diagnosis of type 1 or 2 diabetes, an increase of 1.9 million since 1998. Type 1 diabetes is where the level of sugar in the blood is too high because the pancreas does not produce insulin.

Those with type 2 diabetes are not producing enough insulin. The impact can be controlled by changes to diet, but it is a progressive disease. Most people will need to take tablets or inject insulin after living with it for five to 10 years.

Nine out of 10 people diagnosed with diabetes have type 2. It is estimated that there are nearly 1 million people currently living with the condition who have yet to be diagnosed and that 12.3 million people are at an increased risk due high levels of sugar in their blood.

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2018/oct/24/spectacular-diabetes-treatment-could-end-daily-insulin-injections

Diabetes: How Spinach Helps Manage Blood Sugar Levels Naturally

From ndtv.com

Diabetes: What is it that makes spinach a great vegetable for managing blood sugar levels and control diabetes and how to use it best to ensure it keeps your healthy?

You may hate it and find it extremely bitter, spinach or palak is not everyone's favourite. But, it is known as a superfood; all thanks to its high fibre, lutein, folate, iron and calcium content, which makes it great for each one of us. Turns out, spinach is exceptionally good for diabetics even if you eat it in relatively large quantities. This water-soluble veggie has a negligible effect on blood sugar, making it a good food to choose if you are following a diabetic diet that's rich in fibre and protein. In fact, the American Diabetes Association denotes spinach as a superfood for type-1 and type-2 diabetes. So, what is it that makes it a great vegetable for managing blood sugar levels and control diabetes and how to use it best to ensure it keeps your healthy?

Spinach For Diabetes:

• Spinach is a rich source of fibre, which doesn't digest easily. So, spinach does not cause immediate spikes in blood sugar levels. Soluble fibre is, in fact, responsible for reducing blood glucose levels and control diabetes. Each cup of cooked spinach is said to have about four to five grams of fibre.
• Spinach is a non-starchy veggie, which means it does not have much effect on blood sugar levels. So, you can enjoy the green delight as much as you want.
• Spinach is considered a low-glycaemic index food, and foods that have low GI are said to have little or no effect on the blood sugar levels.
• Diabetics are generally recommended to limit their carbohydrate consumption. Spinach is a veggie that is low in carbohydrate content, which keeps diabetes in check.
• Spinach is super-low in calories, and foods that have few calories are generally responsible for stabilising blood sugar levels. Moreover, low-calorie foods also help maintain your weight, which is crucial for diabetics.

How To Use Spinach For Diabetes?

One way to use spinach is to make spinach-rich vegetables and curries for your meals. You could toss boiled or steamed spinach in your healthy salads. One of the best ways, however, is to drink a glassful of spinach juice. Here's how you can make spinach juice.

• Take a bunch of spinach and wash it thoroughly.
• Now, chop it and put it in a blender or juicer.
• You could add some mint leaves and coriander leaves to add extra flavours.
• Now, blend the ingredients together to get a smooth mixture.
• Strain the juice using a sieve or strainer in a glass.
• Add some lemon juice and black pepper to it.

Drink up the goodness first thing in the morning or in the evening as snack and manage diabetes in a healthy way. Make sure you consult a doctor before switching to this home remedy.

Disclaimer: This content including advice provides generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your own doctor for more information. NDTV does not claim responsibility for this information.

https://www.ndtv.com/food/diabetes-how-spinach-helps-manage-blood-sugar-levels-naturally-1936318

Type 2 Diabetes and Healthy Eating - Should You Eat Pasta?

By Beverleigh H Piepers

One question many people diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes who are looking to control their blood sugar levels and lose weight, is whether or not they should include pasta in their eating plan on a regular basis. Is pasta a "safe" carb to consume? Your gut instinct may be to say no. So, is this a fact?
Here's what to know...

1. The Calorie Content Of Pasta. The reason you often hear pasta should not be consumed when following a weight loss plan is it contains far more calories than you probably bargained for - that is if you eat a typically sized serving. As a rule, people sit down to a one to two cup serving which is too much for anyone to have, whether they are dealing with Type 2 diabetes or not. A one or two cup serving can add up to almost 100 grams of carbs, which is way more than anyone needs to consume in a single sitting.
If you can moderate how much you eat and only eat a half cup, pasta is not too bad. It will then just give you around 25 grams of carbs, which is a "safe" amount to eat on any healthy eating plan.

2. How Pasta is Cooked Matters. Also, keep in mind how you chose to cook pasta. You may be surprised to learn pasta has a low GI mainly if it is served al dente, or not overcooked. Moreover, slightly chilled pasta has a lower GI and is, therefore, a healthier option.

3. Eat It With A Meal. Finally, you will want to ensure you eat your pasta with some protein and fat. Adding protein and fats will help to further slow down the release of the carbohydrates into your bloodstream, ensuring you are not going to experience a high that is problematic for people with Type 2 diabetes and blood sugar issues. However, do watch you do not add too many fats. Having a high fat intake and a high carb intake at the same meal can increase your risk for weight gain.
It is when you eat a large plate of pasta without added protein and some fat you will find you run into trouble.

Keep these points in mind and know pasta is not necessarily a bad choice. You do need to be careful in the manner you eat it though, and if you are, it is an acceptable addition to your diet plan.

Although managing your disease can be very challenging, Type 2 diabetes is not a condition you must just live with. You can make simple changes to your daily routine and lower both your weight and your blood sugar levels. Hang in there, the longer you do it, the easier it gets.

http://ezinearticles.com/?Type-2-Diabetes-and-Healthy-Eating---Should-You-Eat-Pasta?&id=10023674

Diabetes: Nuts You Should Consume To Manage Blood Sugar Levels Naturally

From ndtv.com

Diabetes: Research in Louisiana State University found that people who regularly eat tree nuts like almonds, pistachios, walnuts and cashews, have lower risk of type-2 diabetes

Diabetes is one health condition that is incurable and is a threat to many in the recent times. It is a chronic disease where the pancreas is not able to produce enough insulin or the body is unresponsive to it, resulting in unstable blood sugar levels. Diabetes can be well managed through a healthy diet and exercises and by leading a fit lifestyle. Most health experts suggest that adding protein- and fibre- rich nuts to your diabetes diet. In fact, research in Louisiana State University found that people who regularly eat tree nuts like almonds, pistachios, walnuts and cashews, have lower risk of developing type-2 diabetes and heart diseases. Another study published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition suggested that nut consumption was associated with a decreased prevalence of selected risk factors for cardiovascular diseases, type-2 diabetes, and metabolic syndrome. Here's why nuts may be great for managing blood sugar levels.

Nuts for diabetes | How nuts help manage blood sugar levels

As per the American Heart Association, people with type-2 diabetes are two to four times likely to die of heart disease as compared to those without it. The healthy fats in nuts protect your heart, further preventing heart diseases and related conditions.
What's more, nuts are said to help regulate blood sugar levels, which makes them a good option for snacking. Almonds have been shown to slow down the blood sugar response when eaten with carbohydrate-rich foods, as per a study published in the journal Metabolism.
Nuts are known to be low-glyaemic foods, which is a ranking of carbohydrate according to how they affect blood sugar levels. They have a limited amount of dietary carbohydrate; therefore, it has a little effect on your blood glucose levels.

Here are a few nuts that are said to be great for diabetics:

1. Walnuts
According to a study published in the Diabetes Care journal, including walnuts in the diet of patients with type-2 diabetes significantly improved their cholesterol profile, reducing the risk of heart disease. Walnuts are known to have more fibre as compared to other nuts. Fibre tends to digest slowly, resulting in instant spikes in blood sugar after meals.

2. Almonds

Almonds are said to decrease post-meal blood sugar spikes. A study found out that eating almonds may help increase insulin sensitivity in people with pre-diabetes.

3. Cashew
Cashews are lower in fat as compared to other nuts. Over 75 percent of the fat in cashews is oleic acid, which is also known to be a heart-healthy mono-unsaturated fat. Moreover, cashews are responsible for lowering blood sugar levels.
Most health experts suggest taking about a handful of nuts every day to enjoy a healthful life. Make sure you consult a doctor before switching to nuts and also check for any allergies.

Disclaimer: This content including advice provides generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your own doctor for more information. NDTV does not claim responsibility for this information.

https://www.ndtv.com/food/diabetes-nuts-you-should-consume-to-manage-blood-sugar-levels-naturally-1934799

Diabetes: Use Cinnamon (Dalchini) To Manage Blood Sugar Levels Naturally

From ndtv.com

Diabetes: We tell you why cinnamon may be a good spice for managing blood sugar levels and controlling diabetes along with how to use it

Cinnamon is a popular spice that is used for flavouring delicacies and drinks. Moreover, this aromatic spice has long been used in traditional medicines and food preservatives. In fact, it turns out, cinnamon or dalchini may be a great spice for managing diabetes. Diabetes is a disease that is characterised by abnormally high blood sugar. Cinnamon comes packed with antioxidants that decrease oxidative stress, reducing the risk of developing many health conditions including diabetes. In fact, several studies have linked cinnamon to better blood sugar levels and some show that it may also curb blood sugar by lowering insulin resistance. We tell you why cinnamon may be a good spice for managing blood sugar levels and controlling diabetes along with how to use it.

_{Diabetes: Cinnamon is a popular spice that is used for flavouring delicacies and drinks}

Here are a few reasons that make cinnamon effective for controlling diabetes:

1. Contains antioxidants
Cinnamon is known to contain large amounts of antioxidants that help the body reduce oxidative stress, a type of damage to cells that is caused by free radicals. Oxidative stress is attributed to the development of many chronic diseases, including type-2 diabetes.

2. It may increase insulin sensitivity
In people with diabetes, pancreas cannot produce enough insulin or cells may not respond to insulin properly, leading to unstable blood sugar levels. According to the NCBI, cinnamon increases insulin sensitivity immediately after consumption.

3. It lowers blood sugar levels after meals
Depending on the carbs you have consumed, blood sugar levels tend to rise significantly. A dash of cinnamon can help keep these blood sugar spikes after meals in check. Scientifically speaking, it tends to slow down stomach emptying and blocks digestive enzymes.

4. Lowers the risk of other diseases associated with diabetes

Cinnamon also helps lower the risk of other health conditions like heart diseases and blood pressure. A study found out that consuming at least two grams of cinnamon for 12 weeks significantly lowers both systolic and diastolic blood pressure.

How to use cinnamon for managing diabetes?

One of the best ways to use cinnamon is to add a small bark of dalchini into a glassful of water and leave it overnight. Drink it first thing in the morning on an empty stomach. You can also sprinkle some cinnamon powder on your dishes, desserts and drinks and enjoy all the goodness it has to offer. Needless to say that you must pair it with a healthy diet and exercises to ensure better management of blood sugar levels.

Excessive consumption of cinnamon may not be good for your overall health, especially if you are dealing with liver problems. Moreover, it contains a potentially harmful substance called coumarin that can be toxic to the liver. So make sure you have consulted a doctor before switching to this spice.

Disclaimer: This content including advice provides generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your own doctor for more information. NDTV does not claim responsibility for this information.

https://www.ndtv.com/food/diabetes-use-cinnamon-dalchini-to-manage-blood-sugar-levels-naturally-1934034

Ten Surprising Things that Affect Blood Sugar Levels

By Bridget Montgomery

As the mother of two children with type 1 diabetes, I’ve learned for certain that carbohydrates raise blood sugar and insulin brings it down.  And I’ve also learned that there are about 800,000 things that affect blood sugar, and many times they are things that aren’t in our control. So, today we’re taking a look at some of the factors you might not realize can throw off  your blood sugar levels.

Stress

Sometimes there’s really no way to avoid stress, and I know it, pardon my language, sucks to hear that it can affect your blood sugars. While stress may be unavoidable, learning to cope with and handle it may be able to help to decrease its effect.

The Weather

When I first heard that the weather can cause blood sugar changes, I thought it was silly, so I understand what you’re thinking while reading this. But it’s true: hotter and colder temperatures put additional strain on the body.

Lower blood sugars can happen when the temperature rises or drops because your body will begin to use extra energy to stay warm or cool off. When on vacation at the beach this year, we had times when both of my kids’ blood sugars were higher than normal and a couple when they were lower.

Being Under the Weather

If you’re sick or have an infection, your body sends out hormones to fight off the illness. Those hormones can cause a rise in blood sugar levels. Having an illness that causes vomiting or causes you to eat less can lead to low blood sugar levels.

Hormones

Hormones. We can’t control them, but boy do I wish we could. Have you ever gone to bed within range and woke up much higher than normal? Or put your little one to bed in-range and noticed a rise overnight? This happens frequently to some people with diabetes. The dawn phenomenon, as we refer to it, is a surge of hormones around 4:00-5:00 a.m. It’s something that’s typically unavoidable, especially in children with Type 1. Not to mention children’s hormones during puberty are changing, which often means blood sugars are doing the same.

Caffeine

Caffeine affects everyone differently, and in excessive amounts, it can change the way insulin works. According to the Mayo Clinic, “the impact of caffeine on insulin action may be associated with higher or lower blood sugar levels.”

Sleep

Getting a full night of sleep is good for everyone, but it’s incredibly important for those with diabetes. A lack of sleep can cause blood sugar levels to rise. Trying to make sure you and your kids get a good night of sleep is crucial to keeping your blood sugar levels within range. I understand fully how this can be a challenge because diabetes doesn’t sleep. Try to make sleep more of a priority by going to bed earlier. When you get a few extra hours of shut eye you will feel better mentally and physically.

Exercise

Okay, well this one isn’t necessarily surprising but the way exercise affects your blood sugar levels can be one of the most frustrating things about diabetes. Yes, I understand that when my daughter is cheering and doing cartwheels like crazy there is a chance that her  blood sugar levels could drop from the increased activity. Or when my son is out marching on the football field with the band, this could cause him to go lower.  So, we take this into account and try to plan better. We decrease basal insulin during the activity, and sometimes increase carbs before the activity. What we have to keep in mind is that exercise can also affect blood sugar levels hours after the activity. This is where it gets really frustrating. We can have stellar levels during activities and the hours after, but sometimes at 2 a.m. when I’m checking blood sugars of the kids, we suddenly have a surprise 50.

Excitement

Yes, yes, being happy can affect your blood sugar levels. When kids get excited for Christmas morning and seeing what Santa left under the tree, their blood sugar levels can rise. Why? Just like stress, getting too excited causes adrenaline to be released which can cause sugar levels to keep increasing.

Artificial Sweeteners

This one took me a little while to figure out. My older son loves hot tea and since being diagnosed we’ve tried many types of artificial sweeteners to sweeten his tea because some of them can cause his blood sugar levels to increase. Most sources will tell you that artificial sweeteners don’t raise blood sugar levels, but if you talk to people with diabetes, you are likely to hear otherwise. It’s not the same for everyone, and it’s really been a game of trial and error when it comes to figuring out which ones cause blood sugar levels to go higher and which ones don’t. It’s always a good idea to do a blood sugar check when trying out a new sweetener.

Dehydration

Drinking water is always a must for those with diabetes. It can help to lower blood sugar levels when they are high, and it’s important to keep those nasty ketones away. Being dehydrated can cause an increase in blood sugar levels. High blood sugar levels can also cause you to pee more often which can lead to  increased dehydration.

https://asweetlife.org/ten-surprising-things-that-affect-blood-sugar-levels/?utm_source=ASweetLife.org+List&utm_campaign=ab9e3a5510-ASweetLife+Weekly+Update++-+Nov.+14%2C+2017_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_5125b14cf8-ab9e3a5510-413392997

Type 2 Diabetes and Healthy Living - Dealing With a Negative Mindset

By Beverleigh H Piepers

One big issue many people face from time to time in their health improvement journey to lower their blood sugar and body weight is a negative mindset. It is simple to get caught up in this trap. Something with your diet or workout program goes very wrong and next thing you know, you are berating yourself for not doing better.

Soon after, you feel like you will never see success and before you know it, you are ready to give up altogether. During these times, it is a must you know how to pull yourself out of this mindset and stay on track. Doing so is what will help ensure you do get the results you are after. Remember that merely showing up and putting in the effort is half the battle.

Here are a few ideas to keep in mind where a "negative mindset" is concerned...

1. Review Your Progress. The first step you can take to help you get out of your negative view is to check on the progress you have made. Look back over recent time: if you do, you will see you are further along today than you were when you started. It is difficult to see progress on a micro-scale, but when you look back over a more significant period, often it becomes much more evident.

2. Perfection Is Impossible. Also, keep in mind perfection is impossible. Too many people are striving for perfection without realizing they are chasing an elusive goal. You cannot be perfect. Mistakes will happen - it is how life goes. No one is perfect - not even those who appear to be.
By remembering this, you might make it a bit easier for yourself.

3. The Greatest Achievers Have Made Mistakes. Speaking of that, keep in mind those people who achieve greatness in their life also make mistakes. They are not perfect either. Often it is those people who are the most successful who have made the most mistakes. They kept going, even when they faltered: that is what sets them apart.
You need to persist in keeping to seeing results. If you give up, you are not going anywhere.

4. Get Support. When you find your mindset is not working, get help. Talk to those around you. Sometimes we get so negative it is hard to pull ourselves from that grasp, but getting someone else's perspective can be one of the best steps we can take.
Do not let yourself think you are not going to see results. Commit and be dedicated. You will then have the success you are seeking.

Although managing your disease can be very challenging, Type 2 diabetes is not a condition you must just live with. You can make simple changes to your daily routine and lower both your weight and your blood sugar levels. Hang in there, the longer you do it, the easier it gets.

http://ezinearticles.com/?Type-2-Diabetes-and-Healthy-Living---Dealing-With-a-Negative-Mindset&id=10019732

Why the Flu Vaccine Is Vital for People With Diabetes

From healthline.com

Experts say people with diabetes should keep their vaccinations up to date because ailments such as the flu can cause serious complications.

It’s back. The start of the flu season, and that leaves people with a decision about whether to get this year’s vaccine.
For people with diabetes, that question is even more crucial.
People with type 1 or type 2 diabetes have an increased risk of contracting seasonal viruses, such as the flu, and being hospitalized while fighting the disease.
For those struggling with obesity, as many people with diabetes do, infections such as whooping cough or the flu are especially dangerous.
For example, a virus that might produce a mild illness in a lean person could tip an obese person with restrictive lung physiology into overt respiratory failure.
“Pertussis — or any respiratory illness — could be worse for severely obese people who may have comorbidities such as sleep apnea and obesity hypoventilation syndrome,” Dr. Eric Sodicoff, author of the Phoenixville Nutrition Guide, told Healthline.
The American Association of Diabetes Educators (AADE) emphasizes that no matter how well-managed your diabetes may be, every eligible person with diabetes should get vaccinated.
“People with diabetes may be at higher risk of getting certain diseases and also serious problems from diseases that could’ve been prevented with vaccines,” Evan Sisson, PharmD, MHA, CDE, FAADE, and associate professor in the Department of Pharmacotherapy & Outcomes Science at Virginia Commonwealth’ University’s School of Pharmacy, told Healthline. “Everyone should know what vaccines they need to protect themselves and discuss with their doctor whether they are up to date with the vaccines.”

Experts say vaccines, such as the flu shot, will most likely not give you the illness they are designed to prevent because they contain a dead version of the virus.
Instead, the vaccines help your immune system prepare the antibodies that will fight off the virus if you come into contact with it.

A flu shot is one of a number of immunizations recommended for people with diabetes. Getty Images

 

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Why diabetes puts you at higher risk

Since type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease, the immune system of someone with the ailment has already been compromised, which means its ability to successfully fight off a virus is less likely.
“People with type I diabetes have immune systems that are less vigilant than in normal people,” Dr. Len Horovitz, a pulmonary specialist from Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City, told Healthline.
“The infection risk in diabetes, whether viral or bacterial, is well known,” Horovitz explained. “In addition, high blood sugar levels [in type 1 or type 2 diabetes] promote infection on their own.”
Horovitz adds that people with diabetes are also more susceptible to pneumococcal pneumonia, increasing the value of vaccines such as Prevnar and Pneumovax.
For patients specifically with type 1 diabetes, a simple bout of vomiting, fever and/or virus-induced dehydration can easily lead to diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA).
DKA, according to the CDC, is “an emergency condition in which extremely high blood glucose levels, along with a severe lack of insulin, result in the breakdown of body fat for energy, and an accumulation of ketones in the blood and urine. Signs of DKA are nausea and vomiting, stomach pain, fruity breath odour, and rapid breathing. Untreated DKA can lead to coma and death.”
Even with previously well-managed blood sugar levels, the addition of the flu virus within a body of a person with type 1 diabetes exacerbates its ability to manage even basic aspects of homeostasis.
A person with type 1 diabetes who is concerned they may have the flu should monitor blood sugar levels with extra diligence. They should get to an emergency room quickly to receive intravenous fluids (saline, electrolytes, and sometimes insulin and glucose) if blood sugars seem resistant to insulin doses, at the first sign of vomiting, and if ketone levels on urine or blood test-strips become moderate to large.
People with type 1 and type 2 diabetes are also twice as likely to die of a complication related to the flu, according to a 2018 study from the Indian Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism.

Why vaccines are important

Approximately 80,000 people die each year from the flu, including otherwise healthy children.
Getting the flu shot and other vaccines like Tdap (for tetanus, diphtheria, and whooping cough) not only protects you, it protects those unable to get vaccinated, like babies under 6 months, and people with severe allergies to vaccine ingredients.
Experts say the flu shot can’t give you the flu because it contains a dead virus. Instead, it simply helps your body prepare your immune system with the antibodies that will help fight off the flu if you come in contact with the virus.
“AADE has partnered with the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to spread the word on vaccines that are important for people living with diabetes,” explains a recent press release from the AADE.

These vaccines include:

Influenza vaccine: “A flu shot is the single best way to protect against seasonal flu. Flu puts people with diabetes at high risk for health complications such as increased blood glucose levels. The illness can also lead to more serious sicknesses such as pneumonia, bronchitis, sinus infections, and ear infections, often resulting in hospitalization, and sometimes even death.”

“People should get a flu vaccine annually, and the vaccines are already available this year.”

Tdap vaccine: “The Tdap vaccine protects against three serious diseases caused by bacteria: tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis, or whooping cough.”

“People should get the Tdap vaccine every 10 years.”

Zoster vaccine: “The zoster vaccine reduces the risk of developing shingles and PHN, serious illnesses for unvaccinated people as they age.”

“People age 50 and older should get the Zoster vaccine.”

Pneumococcal vaccine: “People with diabetes are at an increased risk for death from pneumococcal infections, which can include infections of the lungs, blood, ear, and lining of the brain and spinal cord.”

“People with diabetes should get the pneumococcal vaccine once before the age of 65 and twice more after.”

Hepatitis B vaccine: “Since hepatitis B can be spread via shared blood glucose meters, finger-stick devices, and other diabetes care equipment, it’s critical that people with diabetes receive the vaccine.”

“The hepatitis B vaccine should be given to people who are younger than 60. People age 60 or older should ask their doctors about the vaccine.”

The bottom line

Diseases such as the flu can cause serious complications for people with diabetes or for those who are obese.
People with type 1 and type 2 diabetes are also twice as likely to die of a complication related to the flu, explains a 2018 study from the Indian Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism.
For these reasons, it’s important for people with diabetes to get vaccinated against the flu as well as other diseases.

https://www.healthline.com/health-news/why-its-important-for-people-with-diabetes-to-get-vaccinated#The-bottom-line

The many ways diabetes affects your eyes

From star2.com

Diabetes can affect the eyes in many ways. Diabetic retinopathy affects blood vessels in the light-sensitive tissue called the retina that lines the back of the eye.
It is the most common cause of vision loss among people with diabetes and the leading cause of vision impairment and blindness in adults.
This condition usually develops in anyone who has poorly controlled type 1 or type 2 diabetes.

Diabetic eye diseases also include cataract and glaucoma:
• Cataract: Adults with diabetes are two to five times more likely than those without diabetes to develop cataract. It also tends to develop at an earlier age.
• Glaucoma: Certain types of glaucoma are associated with elevated pressure inside the eye. In adults, diabetes nearly doubles the risk of glaucoma.

All forms of diabetic eye disease have the potential to cause severe vision loss and blindness.

Types of diabetic retinopathy
There are three types of diabetic retinopathy:
• Non-proliferative retinopathy is an early form of the disease, where the retinal blood vessels leak fluid or bleed.
• Macular oedema is a swelling of the macula, caused by the leakage of fluid from retinal blood vessels. It can damage central vision.
• Proliferative retinopathy is an advanced form of the disease and occurs when blood vessels in the retina disappear and are replaced by new fragile vessels that bleed easily. This can result in a sudden loss of vision.
One might not have symptoms in the early stages of diabetic retinopathy. It usually affects both eyes.
As the condition progresses, symptoms may include:
• Spots or dark strings floating in your vision (floaters).
• Blurred vision.
• Fluctuating vision.
• Impaired colour vision.
• Dark or empty areas in your vision.
• Vision loss.

What causes diabetic retinopathy?
Chronically high blood sugar from diabetes is associated with damage to the tiny blood vessels in the retina, leading to diabetic retinopathy.
It can cause blood vessels in the retina to leak fluid or haemorrhage (bleed), distorting vision.
In its most advanced stage, new abnormal blood vessels proliferate (increase in number) on the surface of the retina, which can lead to scarring and cell loss in the retina.
Diabetic retinopathy may progress through four stages:
1. Mild non-proliferative retinopathy
2. Moderate non-proliferative retinopathy
3. Severe non-proliferative retinopathy
4. Proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR).
At this advanced stage, growth factors secreted by the retina trigger the proliferation of new blood vessels, which grow along the inside surface of the retina and into the vitreous gel, the fluid that fills the eye.
The new blood vessels are fragile, which makes them more likely to leak and bleed.
Accompanying scar tissue can contract and cause retinal detachment – the pulling away of the retina from underlying tissue, like wallpaper peeling away from a wall. This can lead to permanent vision loss.
The risk of developing diabetic retinopathy can increase as a result of:
• Duration of diabetes – The longer one has diabetes, the greater risk of developing diabetic retinopathy.
• Poor control of blood sugar level.
• High blood pressure.

• High cholesterol levels.
• Pregnancy.
• Smoking.
Diabetic retinopathy and diabetic macular oedema are detected during a comprehensive dilated eye exam that includes:
• Visual acuity testing.
• Pupil dilation – allowing a physician to examine the retina and optic nerve.
• Optical coherence tomography (OCT) – Scanning of the nerve fibre layers.
A comprehensive dilated eye exam allows the doctor to check the retina for:
• Changes to blood vessels.
• Leaking blood vessels or warning signs of leaky blood vessels, such as fatty deposits.
• Swelling of the macula (DME).
• Changes in the lens.
• Damage to nerve tissue.

Complications of diabetic retinopathy
Complications can lead to serious vision problems such as:
• Vitreous haemorrhage – The new blood vessels may bleed into the clear, jelly-like substance that fills the centre of eye.

If the amount of bleeding is small, one might see only a few dark spots (floaters).

In more severe cases, blood can fill the vitreous cavity and completely block vision.

• Retinal detachment – The abnormal blood vessels associated with diabetic retinopathy stimulate the growth of scar tissue, which can pull the retina away from the back of the eye, which will cause severe vision loss.

• Glaucoma – New blood vessels may grow in the front part of your eye and interfere with the normal flow of fluid out of the eye, causing pressure in the eye to build up.

• Blindness – Eventually, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma or both can lead to complete vision loss.

Preventing diabetic retinopathy

Regular eye exams, good control of your blood sugar and blood pressure, and early intervention for vision problems can help prevent severe vision loss.

• Manage your diabetes. Make healthy eating and physical activity a part of your daily routine.

Take oral diabetes medications or insulin as directed.

• Monitor blood sugar level. You may need to check and record your blood sugar level several times a day.

• Keep blood pressure and cholesterol under control.

• Stop smoking. Smoking increases the risk of various diabetes complications, including diabetic retinopathy.

• Pay attention to vision changes.

Treating diabetic retinopathy

Vision lost to diabetic retinopathy is sometimes irreversible. However, early detection and treatment can reduce the risk of blindness by 95%.

Because diabetic retinopathy often lacks early symptoms, people with diabetes should get a comprehensive dilated eye exam at least once a year.

People with diabetic retinopathy may need eye exams more frequently, and women with diabetes who become pregnant should have a comprehensive dilated eye exam as soon as possible.

Additional exams during pregnancy may be needed.

Early diabetic retinopathy – If one has mild or moderate non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy, one may not need treatment right away.

However, the eye doctor will closely monitor the eyes to determine when you might need treatment.

Work with a diabetes doctor (endocrinologist) to determine if there are ways to improve diabetes management. When diabetic retinopathy is mild or moderate, good blood sugar control can usually slow the progression.

Advanced diabetic retinopathy – If one has proliferative diabetic retinopathy or macular oedema, one will need prompt surgical treatment.

Photocoagulation, also known as focal or grid laser treatment, can stop or slow the leakage of blood and fluid in the eye.

During the procedure, leaks from abnormal blood vessels are treated with laser burns. It is usually done in an eye clinic.

Panretinal photocoagulation, also known as scatter laser treatment, can shrink abnormal blood vessels.

During the procedure, the areas of the retina away from the macula are treated with scattered laser burns. The burns cause the abnormal new blood vessels to shrink and scar.

Some loss of peripheral vision or night vision after the procedure is possible.

In vitrectomy, a tiny incision is made in the eye to remove blood from the middle of the eye (vitreous), as well as scar tissue that’s tugging on the retina.

It’s done in a surgery centre or hospital using local or general anaesthesia.

The eye doctor may also suggest injecting medication into the vitreous of the eye.

These medications, called vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibitors, may help stop growth of new blood vessels by blocking the effects of growth signals the body sends to generate new blood vessels.

The doctor may recommend these medications, also called anti-VEGF therapy, as a stand-alone treatment or in combination with panretinal photocoagulation.

All the above treatments slow or stop the progression of diabetic retinopathy, but it’s not a cure. Because diabetes is a lifelong condition, future retinal damage and vision loss are still possible.

https://www.star2.com/health/2018/10/08/how-diabetes-affects-your-eyes/

Type 2 diabetes: Flu can be serious if blood sugar is high - what to do if you get ill

From express.co.uk

TYPE 2 diabetes can increase the risk of getting the flu, and if sufferers of the blood sugar condition catch the winter bug, it could cause serious health complications. This is what to do if you have diabetes and fall ill with the flu.

Type 2 diabetes is a lifelong condition where the level of sugar in the blood is too high.
It’s dangerous because if not treated properly it can cause serious complications involving the heart, eyes, kidneys and nerves.
People with diabetes are also more at risk of getting the flu.
Although most healthy people recover from the flu within a couple of weeks, the effects are worse in people with diabetes.

Catching the flu can also increase the risk of developing other diabetes related complications.
“Winter conditions can be very bad for your health, especially if you’re living with diabetes,” said Diabetes UK.
“Flu is serious, and can make your blood sugar go all over the place.”
“If your blood sugar isn’t within target, the effects of flu can be dragged out and increase your risk of developing serious complications.”
If you have diabetes and catch the flu, Diabetes UK advises going to see your doctor or nurse as soon as possible, as they will be able to tell you what to do.

Having diabetes can increase the risk of getting the flu, and symptoms can be worse (Image: Getty Images)

If unwell, stop taking SGLT2 inhibitor tablets, but continue taking any other diabetes treatments.
SGLT2 inhibitors reduce the amount of glucose being absorbed in the kidneys so it is passed out in the urine, while also reducing the amount of glucose in the blood.
It’s important to keep warm, both indoors and outdoors, ensuring heating in the house is at least 18 degrees.
As the flu can cause blood sugar to fluctuate, it may be necessary to test it more often than normal.
It’s also vital to keep fluid intake up and eat, even if you don’t feel like it.

This is because some medications require eating regular meals, so try to eat a little and often.
Carbohydrate-based drinks, like milk or juices, may help manage blood sugar alongside any medication.
“If your symptoms don’t improve, you need to see your GP. Don’t waste time. Leaving things until they get worse might lead to more serious infections,” said the NHS.
In order to prevent the flu in the first place, people with diabetes are advised to get the flu jab.
It’s recommended to get the flu jab before winter starts, every year.
The flu jab is available on the NHS for free, for people with diabetes.

https://www.express.co.uk/life-style/health/1028026/type-2-diabetes-flu-can-cause-complications-how-to-treat-it

Can a Vegan Diet Prevent Type 2 Diabetes?

From diabetesselfmanagement.com

A new study in the journal Nutrients of heavy-to-overweight adults suggests a low-fat, plant-based vegan diet can potentially lower the risk of a person developing Type 2 diabetes. According to lead author Hana Kahleova, MD, PhD, of the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, “…this study adds to the growing evidence that food really is medicine and that eating a healthful plant-based diet can ago a long way in preventing diabetes.”
For their study, the researchers recruited 73 adults age 25–75 (8 men and 67 women). They didn’t have diabetes but were heavy-to-overweight (their body-mass indexes [BMI] ranged from 28–40). The participants who went on a vegan diet were instructed to avoid animal products and added fats while taking a vitamin B-12 supplement. The dieters got 75 percent of their calories from carbohydrates, 15 percent from protein, and 10 percent from fats. A control group was told not to change their normal diet, although both groups were asked to limit alcohol intake. The study lasted for 16 weeks.

The researchers found that the vegan diet brought distinct increases in the secretion of insulin after meals. They also reported increased beta-cell glucose sensitivity (the beta cells store and release insulin). In addition, the dieters showed positive changes in BMI and visceral fat (the fat that surrounds the internal organs). These changes were not reported in the control group. The researchers summed up the findings by writing, “Our study suggests the potential of a low-fat plant-based diet in diabetes prevention, addressing both core pathophysiologic mechanisms — insulin resistance and diminished beta-cell function — at the same time.”

https://www.diabetesselfmanagement.com/blog/can-a-vegan-diet-prevent-type-2-diabetes/

Type 2 diabetes: Should sufferers of the condition get the flu jab this autumn?

From express.co.uk

TYPE 2 diabetes can increase the risk of getting the flu, which can disturb blood glucose levels. So is it worth getting the flu jab if you suffer from the blood sugar condition?

Type 2 diabetes occurs when the level of sugar in the blood is too high.
Having a too high level of sugar in the blood is dangerous, because it can lead to serious health problems involving the heart, nerves, kidneys and eyes.
Everybody is at risk of getting the flu during the autumn and winter months, however certain people are more likely to catch the virus than others.
People more at risk include those who are aged 65 or over, young children, pregnant women, and those with an underlying health condition, such as diabetes.

People who fall into any of these categories are advised to get the flu jab. It is free for those people on the NHS.
“Anyone with diabetes, including those who are pregnant, should get a jab against flu,” said Diabetes UK.
“This is because people with diabetes are more at risk of getting the flu and having diabetes will make it worse.”
The flu in people who are otherwise healthy will usually clear up on its own within a week.
However, in those with diabetes, the flu can disturb blood sugar levels.

People with underlying medical conditions such as diabetes are advised to get the flu jab (Image: Getty Images)

If blood sugar isn’t within target, the effects of flu can be dragged out and increase the risk of developing serious complications.
Getting the flu vaccine can protect you from the most common types of flu currently around.
As this changes each year, it means having to get a new flu jab each year.
The NHS advises getting the flu jab between the beginning of October to the end of November, as it can take about two weeks to work.
It is still possible to get the flu in those two weeks, so it’s best to get the jab ahead of the colder winter months.

It’s advisable not to get the flu jab, however, during periods of illness or infection, especially if you have a fever.
If you are unwell, wait until you are better before getting the vaccine.
Diabetes UK warns on the possibility of higher-than-normal blood sugar levels after the flu jab, but this should settle as the body returns to normal.
If, however, blood sugar levels remain consistently high, talk to a doctor or healthcare professional.
“Winter conditions can be very bad for your health, especially if you’re living with diabetes,” said Diabetes UK.
“That’s why you really need to get your free flu jab before winter starts.”

https://www.express.co.uk/life-style/health/1026091/type-2-diabetes-should-sufferers-get-flu-jab-this-autumn