Diabetes Issues*

Discuss your diabetes here.

The term "diabetes mellitus" refers to a group of diseases that affect how your body uses blood glucose, commonly called blood sugar. Glucose is vital to your health because it's the main source of energy for the cells that make up your muscles and tissues. It's your body's main source of fuel.

If you have diabetes, no matter what type, it means you have too much glucose in your blood, although the reasons may differ. Too much glucose can lead to serious health problems.

Chronic diabetes conditions include type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes. Potentially reversible diabetes conditions include prediabetes — when your blood sugar levels are higher than normal, but not high enough to be classified as diabetes — and gestational diabetes, which occurs during pregnancy.

Diabetes symptoms vary somewhat, depending on what type of diabetes you have. If you have prediabetes or gestational diabetes, you may not experience symptoms. Or you might experience some or all of the symptoms of type 1 and type 2 diabetes:

* Increased thirst
* Frequent urination
* Extreme hunger
* Unexplained weight loss
* Fatigue
* Blurred vision
* Slow-healing sores
* Frequent infections, such as gum or skin infections and vaginal or bladder infections

Although type 1 diabetes can develop at any age, it typically appears during childhood or adolescence. Type 2 diabetes, the most common type, can develop at any age and is often preventable.

When to see a doctor

* If you suspect you may have diabetes. If you notice any possible diabetes symptoms, contact your doctor. The earlier the condition is diagnosed, the sooner treatment can begin.
* If you've already been diagnosed with diabetes. If you've been diagnosed with diabetes, you'll need close medical follow-up until your blood sugar levels stabilize.

Thriving with Diabetes

It is easy to become overwhelmed by your diabetes and all that comes along with it. But it is possible to break that mind set and realize living successfully with diabetes is achievable. Thriving with Diabetes offers down-to-earth tips and easy-to-use advice to get through the day-to-day hurdles of diabetes.

Top Ten Tips to Avoid Getting Sick on Vacation

Recent headlines in the news have been a reminder about the importance of taking common sense precautions to avoid illness. And nothing is worse than getting sick on vacation. As you and your family prepare for the summer travel season, read these tips to help you stay healthy and avoid getting sick while you are enjoying some rest and relaxation:

1. Embrace the Scout Motto. Be prepared! Create a timeline several weeks in advance so you can get things ready. Doing a little each week leading up to vacation will eliminate last-minute stresses.
2. Get Your Papers in Order... medical papers that is! Talk to your health care providers to obtain extra prescriptions, letters explaining your diabetes and/or your medications or other documentation you need to take with you.
3. Supply and Demand. Organize all of your diabetes supplies. Make sure all of your prescriptions are filled before you leave and you pack plenty of extras just in case.
4. Be a Bellhop. Become an expert in luggage—at least at knowing how to pack it. If flying, know what you should take in your carry-on and what you can store in your suitcase. Don't forget to pack insulin carefully to prevent it from breaking or overheating.
5. What's the Frequency? Check your blood glucose frequently while traveling, including before and two to three hours after meals. You may be eating unfamiliar foods that have unknown effects on your blood glucose levels. Plus, the excitement of being on vacation may also affect your blood glucose levels.
6. What Happens When You Assume? Bring plenty of snacks for the entire trip. Don't assume that there will be food everywhere you visit. And when traveling, plan on delays throughout your journey just to be on the safe side.
7. Rub a Dub Dub. Wash your hands. A lot. This is the easiest way to avoid germs while traveling. Pack an alcohol-based hand sanitizer for those times you are unable to use traditional soap and water.
8. Bottoms up. Drink plenty of water, instead of caffeinated beverages, which can deplete your body fluids. Vacations usually mean increased time in the sun or increased activities so be sure to have a bottle of water close by.
9. O-T-C to the Rescue. Pack medications to treat common illnesses such as colds or diarrhea. Be sure to check with your health care team if any over-the-counter medicines will interact with your diabetes medications.
10. Not-So-Perfect-Attendance. Let's face it: we have all become sick while on vacation at some point. Talk with your provider about making a plan for sick-day care and be sure to take it with you.


For more information, check out the American Diabetes Association's latest publication Diabetes 911.

MyFoodAdvisor
is a unique calorie and carbohydrate counting tool that can help with diabetes management and nutrition. Tracking what you eat can help manage your diabetes and in turn prevent the onset of complications. Learn about different types of food and make meal planning fun and easy with MyFoodAdvisor.

* Explore 5000 different foods
* Search database by setting your own criteria for carbohydrates and 4 other nutrients
* Search for healthier alternatives
* Easily add up the carb, fat and 20 other nutrients you eat in a day
* Browse recipes or search by criteria that you select
* Save meals & recipes to your personal recipe box