Getting support when you have diabetes makes living with it easier. It’s still not easy, but it definitely helps. Here’s how you can get support, plus an inspiring story of how a child diagnosed with diabetes now makes it her mission to support others. Christina was a typical kid who loved to dance and socialize with her friends. At 13 years old, she was diagnosed with type-one diabetes. Here’s how she described it. “It was a scary and confusing experience. I started to feel sick at school that morning to the point that I was lightheaded and nauseous. I was taken by ambulance to the … [Read more...]
Hurricane and Disaster Preparedness for Diabetes
It's hurricane season. Are you prepared to take care of your family, and your diabetes? Here's what you need to know. If you have to evacuate, I want you to have what you need. In addition to the usual items, you will have to do a little extra planning if you have diabetes. (It seems like you always have to do more when you have diabetes). Being prepared ahead of time is huge if you are victimized by a natural disaster. Here are some strategies and resources so you don't have to figure everything out on the run. When Hurricane Katrina hit, many of the folks who were displaced fled to … [Read more...]
How Does Eating Rice Impact My Blood Sugar Results?
Why can I eat rice on two different occasions and have completely different blood sugar results? How does rice impact my blood sugar? I get so many great questions. I like to share the answers here knowing so many of you are eager to learn all you can about diabetes and good nutrition. My husband Bob thinks "Marcia's Morsels" is a good name for these tidbits of information. I like it. This morsel is specifically about diabetes. (If you don't have diabetes you make enough insulin and things are working well enough that you won't see big spikes in your glucose after eating.) Ron was trying … [Read more...]
What Exercise Can and Cannot Do When You Have Diabetes
Today I am sharing the exercise experiences of two people with diabetes as examples of what exercise can and cannot do when you have diabetes. Both used physical activity as a tool to bring their glucose into target but each had a different result. It is a reminder that diabetes is unique in its effect on each individual. First let me introduce you to Evelyn. She had a long history living with diabetes. She maintained regular checkups with her doctor and at each visit was told to lose weight and exercise. She didn’t have a plan for losing weight, and frankly, she was satisfied with her … [Read more...]
What is a CDCES and Why Does It Matter in Diabetes Education?
People who work with a CDCES do better. Research shows that people who have received (competent and professional) diabetes education: Use primary care and preventive services more often than resorting to the emergency room and hospital. (Resulting in savings to the patient and the hospital); Are more likely to take medications as prescribed (thus reducing complications from diabetes and (again) incurring greater health care costs to both the patient and the health care system ); and Are better at controlling their glucose, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels (again reducing … [Read more...]