Pregnancy is a wondrous and exciting time. Itís a time of change, both physically and emotionally. With the proper attention and prenatal medical care, most women with diabetes can enjoy their pregnancies and welcome a healthy baby into their lives.
Why Tight Blood Sugar Control Is Critically Important
Blood sugar control is important from the first week of pregnancy all the way until delivery. Organogenesis takes place in the first trimester. Uncontrolled blood sugar during the early weeks of pregnancy increases the risk of miscarriage, and birth defects. (Women donít develop gestational diabetes until later in pregnancy, which means they don’t share these early pregnancy risks.)
Later in the pregnancy, uncontrolled blood sugar levels can cause fetal macrosomia, which may lead to shoulder dystocia, fractures, and the need for Cesarean section deliveries. Very high blood sugar levels can increase the risk of stillbirth.
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4 Types Of Diabetes Which Are You
Type 1 diabetes
Results from the body’s failure to produce insulin, the hormone that unlocks the cells of the body, allowing glucose to enter and fuel them. It is estimated that 5-10% of Americans who are diagnosed with diabetes have type 1 diabetes. Most treatment is administered with insulin pumps.
Having type 1 diabetes increases your risk for many serious complications. Some complications of type 1 diabetes include: heart disease (cardiovascular disease), blindness (retinopathy), nerve damage (neuropathy), and kidney damage (nephropathy).
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Diabetes Testing Supplies May Help People Avoid Episodes Of Ketoacidosis
An article appeared in the Journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics that caught our eye. It shined a spotlight on a recent ketoacidosis study and diabetes testing supplies. We found it interesting for several reasons, the subject matter being one of them.
The ketoacidosis study focused on youth that were diagnosed with diabetes and how important early detection can be in regards to overall health outcomes. What the study’s team found was that many people are not familiar with the condition or the diabetes testing supplies that may be used to help detect it before the person’s health deteriorates.
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June Is National Fruit And Vegetable Month
June is National Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Month, so why don’t you challenge yourself to eat more fresh produce this month!
Fruits and vegetables are nutrient-dense, which means they provide lots of vitamins and minerals with fewer calories. They also contain fiber to keep you feeling full, and antioxidants that may protect you against certain chronic diseases such as cancer or heart disease. The USDA MyPlate guidelines recommend filling half of your plate with fruits and vegetables. That means most of us should eat 1.5-2 cups of fruit per day AND 2-3 cups of vegetables per day. If you choose, you can consume fruits and vegetables that are canned, frozen, dried, and in 100% juices.
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Diabetes Testing Supplies And Modified Meal Plans: News About Staying Healthy
For years, many Americans have lived with the misguided notion that it is better to eat a series of small meals each day as opposed to three large ones. In May 2014, more information was released that further disproves the age-old myth. Only this time, the researchers involved looked directly at the relationship between meal frequency and diabetes.
The study, which was published by the magazine Diabetologia, indicated that opting to consume just two, appropriately sized meals a day may be best for some diabetics. The two meals that the researchers are now recommending be considered by diabetics are breakfast and lunch. They feel that adopting such a routine may make diabetes management, at least for those diagnosed with type 2, much easier and more effective.
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Advice For Newly Diagnosed Diabetics
Sorry to hear that you have joined us! Diabetes is a lot to live with, but really, it is manageable! And if you are depressed, I can understand. Being depressed is pretty common with us, especially right after a diagnosis.
In fact, if you take care of yourself, you will be healthier and happier than you ever were. That paradox is something many of us experience. Learning about diabetes… will give you…power over the disease.
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Exercise A Key Treatment For Type 2 Diabetes
Blood sugar control: Exercise helps to lower blood sugar in two ways. First of all, exercise decreases insulin resistance, the hallmark of type 2 diabetes. Secondly, exercise increases glucose disposal. An exercising muscle simply uses more sugar than a resting muscle.
Blood sugar control: Exercise helps to lower blood sugar in two ways. First of all, exercise decreases insulin resistance, the hallmark of type 2 diabetes. Secondly, exercise increases glucose disposal. An exercising muscle simply uses more sugar than a resting muscle.
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Diabetes & How To Manage Hypertension
Approximately 50 million Americans have hypertension. That is one out of every four adults. If you are African American, make that one out of three. High blood pressure tends to run in families. It strikes more often in people over 35 years old, and by age 65, more than half of us will have high blood pressure. Women are especially susceptible after menopause. Birth control pills may cause hypertension in some women. Although more common in adults, hypertension can still affect young adults and even children. People with type 2 diabetes are twice as likely to have hypertension.
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Diabetic Meal Planning: Sugar & Sweeteners
The use of sugar, sweeteners, and sugar substitutes has often been a topic of hot debate. Until recently, using sugar has been discouraged in diabetic meal planning. Current scientific studies have not supported the necessity of completely abstaining from sugar, and now it’s becoming widely accepted that sugar may be used in moderation without causing deterioration in blood sugar control. Countless studies have investigated the safety profiles of artificial sweeteners.
Listen with a critical ear. Try to review the scientific studies, not the hearsay. Consider the source of the information. In the end, the decision of what to use is up to you.
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Diabetes & Pregnancy Twice As Important
Pregnancy is a wondrous and exciting time. Itís a time of change, both physically and emotionally. With the proper attention and prenatal medical care, most women with diabetes can enjoy their pregnancies and welcome a healthy baby into their lives.
Why Tight Blood Sugar Control Is Critically Important
Blood sugar control is important from the first week of pregnancy all the way until delivery. Organogenesis takes place in the first trimester. Uncontrolled blood sugar during the early weeks of pregnancy increases the risk of miscarriage, and birth defects. (Women donít develop gestational diabetes until later in pregnancy, which means they don’t share these early pregnancy risks.)
Later in the pregnancy, uncontrolled blood sugar levels can cause fetal macrosomia, which may lead to shoulder dystocia, fractures, and the need for Cesarean section deliveries. Very high blood sugar levels can increase the risk of stillbirth.
Read more
Eat Right For Your Lifestyle During National Nutrition Month And Beyond
Eating right is essential to keeping your mind and body running at its best. During this year’s National Nutrition Month, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics reminds us to build an eating plan with your unique lifestyle and nutritional needs in mind. So whether you’re a career professional, vegetarian, student, athlete, or busy parent, it’s important to “Eat Right, Your Way, Every Day.”
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