What It’s Like Dating Someone With Type 2 Diabetes

From verywellhealth.com

A guide for navigating the condition in new relationships 

Type 2 diabetes requires constant management, such as choosing foods carefully, staying physically active, regularly checking blood sugar, and sometimes taking medication. If one or both partners in a romantic relationship has type 2 diabetes, it's important to communicate needs and boundaries pertaining to the condition and how it is managed.

Read on to learn how romantic couples can be affected by type 2 diabetes and for some tips on navigating dating with diabetes.

Read on to learn how romantic couples can be affected by type 2 diabetes and for some tips on navigating dating with diabetes.

Fertnig / Getty Images

Dating Someone With Diabetes: Things to Know

Good communication, respect, and boundaries are important in any relationship, but when one or both partners have a chronic condition like type 2 diabetes, it becomes even more so.

When both people understand each other and act as a team, it makes managing the condition easier and the relationship stronger.

Pre-Date Planning

Managing type 2 diabetes requires certain lifestyle choices like eating nutritious foods that limit blood sugar spikes and being physically active.

This may make common date activities, such as going out to eat, tricky — but with some planning ahead of time, you can have an enjoyable time while still taking care of your health.

If you are planning on going to a restaurant:

• Try to look at the menu before your date so that you can plan out your meal.
• If you can, make a reservation so that you know what time you will be eating.
• If you are having an appetiser, choose something light like a salad or one that is lower in fat, such as barbecued or grilled fish or meat, as opposed to more rich foods.
• Look for main dishes that are steamed, boiled, or grilled instead of fried.
• Load up on vegetables like a side salad or an extra plate of steamed veggies.
• If you have dessert, keep portion sizes small.
• If you will be having alcohol, know how it affects your blood sugar ahead of time, make sure your healthcare provider says it is safe for you to drink alcohol (especially if you are taking medications), and choose water or soda water as mixers instead of sugary drinks.

If eating out seems too stressful or complicated, try planning a date in which you make your own food, such as a picnic in the park. Or choose an activity that doesn't involve food, like a museum, a movie, or window shopping.

Since exercise is an important part of managing type 2 diabetes, consider planning a date that incorporates physical activity, such as:

• Skating
• Going for a hike
• Biking along a trail
• Playing a one-on-one sport like squash or tennis.
• Swimming
• Rock climbing
• Golfing
  

No matter what activities you plan, make sure you take everything you need with you, such as your blood sugar meter, medication, and snacks.

What to Pack in a Bag in Case of a Blood Sugar Spike or Drop

Your blood sugar doesn't care that you are on a date. Blood sugar spikes and drops can happen, so you need to be prepared ahead of time. It's a good idea to pack a kit to keep with you in case your blood sugar becomes unbalanced. Your daily diabetes kit may include:

• Testing Supplies: Such as your blood glucose meter, lancet device, lancets, and alcohol swabs
• Insulin and/or Oral Medication: Aim for a three-day supply. Make sure to follow the storage instructions, including temperatures at which your insulin or medication needs to be kept.
• Emergency Fast-Acting Carbohydrates and Glucagon: Pack fast-acting carbs, like hard candy, glucose tablets, fruit juice, or regular soda (or, if recommended by your healthcare provider, prescription nasal glucagon) in case of a severe drop in blood sugar (hypoglycaemia)
  
• Medical Identification: Wear a medical bracelet or tag that indicates you have type 2 diabetes
  

If you are traveling, such as going on a vacation, you will need to pack a more extensive kit.

Communicating Your Needs

Both partners in the relationship have needs that need to be understood. In addition to typical relationship communication, some diabetes-specific topics are likely to be discussed.

What Is Type 2 Diabetes?

Don't assume the partner without diabetes knows what the condition entails or has accurate information. It's helpful to give them an overview of type 2 diabetes, provide resources they can use to learn more, and be open to any questions they may have (that fall within your comfort level).

What Managing Type 2 Diabetes Entails

Discuss your diet and exercise plans and how your partner can support you with them. If you use injections, be mindful that your partner may feel squeamish about needles, and give them a heads up before you do it.

What to Do in an Emergency

Make sure your partner knows the signs of low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia) including:

• Shakiness
• Sweating, clamminess, or chills
• Nervousness or anxiety
  
• Irritability or impatience
• Weakness or fatigue
• Hunger or nausea
• Dizziness
• Difficulty concentrating
  
• Blurred vision
  
• Anger, stubbornness, or sadness

Tell your partner what to do if your blood sugar drops too low or if there is another diabetes-related emergency.

How Type 2 Diabetes Affects You

Type 2 diabetes can cause changes in mood and emotions. Knowing that this can happen and why may be reassuring to your partner. Your partner may also want to discuss how your mood swings affect them, and together you can discuss what to do when they arise.

Changes in mood that escalate to verbal abuse, violence, or other harmful behaviour are unacceptable. If this occurs, you will need to find a way to manage it.

How Involved Do You Want Your Partner to Be?

You may want to manage your condition as a team, or you may prefer to do so independently. Make sure your partner knows what support you need and when you would prefer they step back.

How Can You Bring Up Type 2 Diabetes on the First Date?

Some people prefer to tell a potential partner about their diabetes on a first date, while others would rather wait a bit. When you tell others about your condition is entirely up to you.

There are some benefits to getting it out in the open early, including making planning diabetes-friendly dates easier, being able to do blood sugar checks or taking your insulin/medication without feeling you need to leave the room, and so that your date knows what to do if you have a dangerous blood sugar drop. You don't need to go into great detail initially; simply mentioning that you have type 2 diabetes and will need to check your glucose levels occasionally is a good introduction.

Type 2 Diabetes Dating Resources

If you have type 2 diabetes, you may wish to connect with potential partners who also have diabetes. Some dating sites are aimed specifically at pairing people who have diabetes with each other, including:

• Diabetes Dating Site
• Diabetic Dating

As with any dating site, do your research before joining and be mindful of safety and security. Verywell Health has not vetted nor endorses these dating sites.

Diabetes and Sex

Diabetes can have an impact on sex, including the potential for erectile dysfunction, vaginitis (inflammation of the vagina), cystitis, and diminished clitoral sensation. Hypoglycaemia can also occur during sex. If diabetes is impacting your sex life, talk to your healthcare provider.

Summary

Type 2 diabetes can affect both partners in a relationship, but with open communication, each person can get the support they need. Diabetes management should be kept in mind when planning dates. Choose diabetes-friendly foods when dining out, and consider incorporating physical activity into your dates.

It's a good idea to bring a diabetes kit with you when you go out that contains anything diabetes-related you might need, including your blood glucose meter, medication, and ways to raise blood sugar that is too low.

A Word From Verywell

Dating with diabetes can feel intimidating for both partners, but with good communication and thoughtful planning, successful and fulfilling relationships are possible.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

• How do you ask questions about your date’s diabetes?

  If your date is open to it, it's OK to ask about their diabetes. Some key things to remember include:

  • Every person with diabetes is an individual with different needs and preferences.
  • Be mindful of boundaries, and step back if your date feels uncomfortable.
  • Be attentive when they are speaking. They are trusting you with personal information about themselves, be respectful of it.
• What are the emotional effects of type 2 diabetes?

  Ups and downs in blood sugar levels can affect your mood.

  If your blood sugar is low, some emotions you may feel include:

  • Angry, frustrated, or irritable
  • Sad or depressed
  • Scared, panicky, or overwhelmed with anxiety (may mimic a panic attack)
  • Tired
  • Silly, feeling like you are drunk

  High blood sugar can cause you to feel moods such as:

  • Angry
  • Irritable or cranky
  • Depressed
  • Tired
  • Unenthusiastic for daily activities
  • Feeling "under the weather"

  
  
• https://www.verywellhealth.com/dating-and-type-2-diabetes-6537611
  

5 eye care tips for people living with Diabetes

From timesofindia.indiatimes.com

If you or a loved one has diabetes, you are probably aware of how crucial it is to maintain blood sugar levels within the prescribed range. Controlling and monitoring blood sugar, HbA1c, lipid levels, and blood pressure can help prevent or postpone major, long-term health problems like eyesight loss, heart disease, and kidney disease.

The eyes can be severely affected by diabetes, which can lead to visual impairment and/or blindness. This is because high blood sugar can harm the capillaries in the most delicate tissues of the eye, which communicate information to the brain to produce clear vision. This damage to the retina due to high blood can lead to permanent vision loss.

However, there is hope. One can avoid major eye damage by monitoring and regulating the blood sugar levels as per their doctor’s recommendation.

The following five actions can help safeguard vision during diabetes.

1. Understand Numbers

When blood sugar levels rise, the delicate blood vessels that nourish the most delicate areas of the eyes are often the first to sustain damage. High blood sugar specifically harms the retina. The thin tissue that makes up around 65% of the back of the eye is called the retina. Many light-sensitive cells reside there, allowing the eyes to communicate visual information to the brain via the optic nerve. The blood vessels that supply the retina are harmed when blood sugar levels rise. Vision blurring may result from this, either temporarily or permanently. Diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, and cataracts are three distinct eye conditions that are quite common in people with diabetes. Timely detection and interventions can minimize such complications. By keeping track of the blood sugar levels one can reduce the risk for these sight-stealing conditions.

2. Stop Smoking

Every physiological system is harmed by smoking, but diabetics are particularly vulnerable. Smoking harms the veins, arteries, and capillaries in the body, aggravating diabetes-related eye damage already present. Whether you’re a smoker and have tried to quit, or want to quit for the first time, don’t give up. Talk to your doctor about your options.

3.Moving It

Exercise benefits all physical systems in the same way that smoking does, so get moving! After lunch, go for a couple laps around the block. Take a few extra steps and park at the far end of the parking lot. Regular exercise can reduce your risk of developing diabetic eye disease since it lowers blood sugar levels. Put it on your calendar each week to remind you to make time for this appointment with yourself that will improve your life. Before beginning any workout regimen, discuss it with your doctor to find out the exercises they advise.

4. Focus on Eating Healthily

You are what you eat, we’ve all been told since we were young. Healthy eating leads to healthy eyes. Eat a diet that is well-balanced and contains meals that provide your body with good nutrients to safeguard diabetic eyes. Vitamins A, C, E, beta-carotene, lutein, omega-3 fatty acids, zinc, and zeaxanthin are some of them. Consuming a diet high in leafy greens, fatty fish like salmon, tuna, or mackerel, nuts like walnuts and almonds, beans, lentils, and mushrooms will help you reach this goal. Maintaining a low glycaemic diet is important to manage blood sugar levels.

5. Yearly Dilated Eye Examination

The finest tip is reserved for last: get a full dilated eye exam from your ophthalmologist once a year, or more frequently if advised, to make sure that your efforts to control blood sugar are aiding in maintaining the health of your eyesight. A screening for cataracts, glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy may be performed at this visit. Your pupils enlarge as your eyes dilate, allowing your ophthalmologist to inspect the retina, macula, and optic nerve up close. Your doctor can identify diabetic retinopathy in its early stages long before you have any symptoms by looking at these sensitive tissues.

Furthermore, regular eye check-ups are critical for early detection and preventive measures to protect your eyes.

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/blogs/voices/5-eye-care-tips-for-people-living-with-diabetes/ 

Diabetes Diet: Expert Suggests Healthy Snacks Alternatives To Manage Blood Sugar Level

From food.ndtv.com

Photo: iStock

Highlights

• Diabetes can be easily managed with the right kind of diet and lifestyle
• There are quite some healthy swaps that we can make in our diet
• Here are some diabetes-friendly snack options

Diabetes is a major cause of concern all over the globe as more and more people are dealing with elevated blood sugar levels in today's time. While it is difficult to cure the condition, it's not as difficult to manage it and live a normal life. Our diet plays an important role in regulating blood sugar levels. It's true that diabetics have to follow a restricted diet but it doesn't have to be necessarily boring. A few tweaks and twists can help one enjoy their food without having to worry about their sugar level. If you find it difficult to find options for your meals, especially when it comes to snacking, we have brought some expert tips that will make it easier for you to follow a healthy diet.

Nutritionist Rashi Chowdhary, with a post on her Instagram page, suggested some helpful tips to plan your snacks menu. She shared some healthy alternatives to common snacking foods that you can easily apply with easily-available ingredients at home.

Here Are 6 Healthy Snacking Alternatives For Diabetes Diet:

Nutritionist Rashi Chowdhary suggested the following food swaps for a healthy diabetes diet.

1. Instead of regular poha, switch to green moong dal chilla, which is rich in protein and fibre, and is also super easy to make. Here is a recipe of moong dal chilla that you can try.
2. If you want to avoid too much carbs, swap regular atta roti with jowar roti, which has a low glycemic index. Rashi Chowdhary also warned against ragi flour, which has a relatively high GI. Here is a jowar roti recipe that you can try.

3. Instead of cereals or granola, you can opt for eggs or varieties of grain-free granola, available in markets.

4. Fruits are naturally sweet, and some fruits are more sugar-rich than others. Swap sugary fruits like banana with nuts.

5. Make sure to avoid artificial sweeteners, and if you must add some sweetness to your meals, go for natural sweeteners like monk fruit. But remember to have it in moderation.

Healthy eating habits can help you greatly in managing health issues like diabetes. So choose your foods wisely.

https://food.ndtv.com/health/diabetes-diet-expert-suggests-healthy-snacks-alternatives-to-manage-blood-sugar-level-3635310

 

More Steps Per Day, Lowered Odds for Type 2 Diabetes in Women

From usnews.com

FRIDAY, Dec. 23, 2022 (HealthDay News) – Move your body every day to guard against type 2 diabetes.

That's the upshot of a new study that analysed Fitbit data and type 2 diabetes rates from participants in a nationwide research program, reporting that women who logged more steps each day had a lower risk of diabetes.

"We investigated the relationship between physical activity and type 2 diabetes with an innovative approach using data from wearable devices linked to electronic health records in a real-world population,” said lead author Dr. Andrew Perry, of the Vanderbilt Translational and Clinical Cardiovascular Research Centre in Nashville, Tenn. “We found that people who spent more time in any type of physical activity had a lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Our data shows the importance of moving your body every day to lower your risk of diabetes."

The data came from more than 5,600 people, 75% of them women, who were part of the National Institutes of Health’s All of Us research program between 2010 and 2021.

All of Us aims to advance individualized health care by enrolling and collecting data on more than 1 million people over many years.

Over four years, researchers found 97 new cases of diabetes among the 5,600 people in this new study.

People with an average daily step count of 10,700 — a little over 5 miles — were 44% less likely to develop type 2 diabetes than those with 6,000 steps, the study found.

The findings were recently published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.

About 90% to 95% of people with diabetes have type 2, in which the body can’t use insulin properly. It does not carry sugar into the cells.

Although type 2 diabetes is most common in people age 45 and up, more children, teens and young adults are being diagnosed with the disease.

“We hope to study more diverse populations in future studies to confirm the generalizability of these findings,” Perry said in a journal news release.

https://www.usnews.com/news/health-news/articles/2022-12-23/more-steps-per-day-lowered-odds-for-diabetes-in-women