Do you know your ABC's of Diabetes?

Do you know the three important factors to stay on top to be a 'healthy Diabetic?'  Quite

literally, the ABC's of diabetes are in fact: A, B, and C words.

A1C: Known formally as Hemoglobin A1C - this is the amount of oxygen and 'red pigment' that is in the blood for the last 2-3 months.  The red blood cells have an average three month life span, but every 20 seconds or so, 2.4 million red blood cells are renewed and replaced!!  The average A1C for a non-diabetic is 5.5% ....a Diabetic's average A1C should be under 7%.  Keeping a log (digital or written) will help you get a better feel for your numbers, and where you need to make change.

Blood Pressure: This number is written systolic/diastolic (For example: 110/70). The Diastolic (relaxed) is the pressure that is exerted on the walls of the various arteries around the body in between heart beats when the heart is relaxed. The Systolic (contracted) is the normal rhythmical dilatation of the heart during which the chambers are filling with blood.  Keeping your blood pressure below 130/80, will reduce Hypertension and further complications from diabetes.. of course, this goes for those without diabetes, as well.  

Also interesting.... "Diastolic" comes from the Greek diastole meaning "a drawing apart."

"Systolic" comes from the Greek systole meaning "a drawing together or a contraction."

Cholesterol: Your cholesterol numbers tell the amount of fat in your blood. HDL cholesterol helps protect the heart, and you should aim for above 40. LDL cholesterol can clog arteries and lead to heart disease, and you should aim for below 100.  For a total, you want to be at 200 or less.  (Again, this goes for non-diabetic as well, not just us!) 
What about Triglycerides?  (I'm not even sure I could pronounce that one!)  Those are another kind of blood fat that can affect your risk of heart attack and stroke.  Those need to be under 150. Reducing unhealthy fats, like butter, whole milk, and making sure processed foods are 'trans fat free' is the best way. Also, taking an Omega 3 supplement daily, or eating fish 2-3 times per week should put you there..

So, now I've 'learned my ABC's ... won't you come and sing with me?' :-) 

World Diabetes Day ... Nov 14 2013

Today is special .... it is Thursday, November 14, 2013, marking World Diabetes Day, a day designed to raise awareness of diabetes around the world.   There are nearly 26 million Americans with diabetes (and almost one-third of them are not aware they have diabetes).

Today, we applaud the hard work of the communities that shows support for Diabetes Awareness and  It's a global effort to influence effective management of this disease!!!!

For more information on World Diabetes Day, please visit the International Diabetes Federation website .

Diabetics... are we more educated?

When I was first diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, I will admit, I got obsessed on

researching and trying to find out every piece of important information I could possibly find.  It was to the extreme side where I Googled everything, read every article, printed my notes and placed them ON the fridge, and I even contacted a former boyfriend who is diabetic for his 'footnotes' on life!  
Now that I have a 'basic education' built up, I must admit that you never stop learning about your diabetes and the different ways to make it easier.  I honestly enjoy it.. and I just thought the other day, are 'Diabetics naturally smarter on how the body works or functions BECAUSE we have diabetes?'
I had to ponder it .... 

Currently I am going under a drastic 'career switch' and taking Anatomy.  (I say drastic because it is.  I am switching from the Graphic Design field to the Medical field.)  I am currently on Chapter 9 in my huge telephone-directory-sized-book, and it is titled the 'Endocrine System.'  We all know what that is, correct??  (Right.... it's the system we have trouble with and I have considered 'lazy' when speaking about it....) Each section in the book has a 'Section Review' with questions at the end of each chapter.  I was instantly curious what they would ask.  Eager to test my knowledge, I flipped back there.  As I read them to myself, I thought 'hmmm well I know #1.  Ok, I know the answer to #2.... I know #3, #4, and #5!'  Before I knew it, the section review was ending...I was finished!  I went directly to the answer key, and there it was 17 out of 20 answered correctly.  Shocking ... but not really, right?

Could it be we all secretly have education on this subject built up to the point we could educate others when needed?  It should come as no surprise, as we would only get smarter on the subject we live with everyday, definitely not dumber.  My ER doctor, when I came into the hospital, I will not forget, he said 'from now on, your education on diabetes is what will keep you alive and well.  Then you must inform others..'

Powerful and true words, that I now agree with and truly comprehend.

Diabetes card - use it to your advantage?

I do not know about you, but I am the type of person that hates attention from other people if it is not from a person that knows me personally (because to me, those are the people WHO care).  I also hate pity and for someone to have that 'oh poor you' look on there face if they are talking to me.  Do they actually think I am NOT capable of something??  The only pity I like in particular, is my Mom or Dad treating me special when I am ill and feeling vulnerable wrapped 'burrito style' in my blanket. 

I can be quite extreme, to the point where I hide birthday or any other special event in my life from other.  I will simply keep it to myself, going about my days business- particularly from those who do not know me as well as others.  Sometimes I do believe it is because I am shy, but then I think about it - and... I am not that shy at all?  I make eye contact, I say hi to others, and I give compliments and make small talk (ok, it is VERY small talk) but you get the point... 

On a particular Friday afternoon about two weeks ago, I pulled the diabetes card and I have to admit, I did not feel bad at ALL.  There are few who know I have diabetes at work, I mean maybe 4 total (two of those people, are managers - and that is hard to hide when you miss work from your original diagnosis of being in the ICU for 3 days).
So it was Friday, it was after 12pm... and it was pretty outside - the sun shining and temperature a nice 81 degree.  I had dreams of walking outside with my iphone feeling the sun on my face, and getting my nails done after.  Oh yeah, and I needed to go to the post office............ BACK TO REALITY:  I was in a cube, with 4 gray walls, listening to a customer on the phone complain about there website menu not being in proportion to there site they pay $80 a month for.  I suddenly felt like I had to ESCAPE.  It is just about the equivalence of breaking out of jail, some times..  then I remembered, the managers know I am a new diabetic.  Could it be easier? 

A simple email to my boss, I told her I was not feeling so hot .. 'from diabetes' and should probably go.  I know it was wrong, using the Diabetes card when I really did not feel bad- but I could not resist.  We face so much as diabetics some times, I feel like we have right to use it to our advantage some days!  To take time for ourselves and just accomplishment the things we do not always get the time to do ... 

Her reply 5 minutes later: HAVE A NICE DAY!!

A bloodless meter future is near?

Sunday was a beautiful day on the gulf coast and I was out doing my regular 2 mile walk feeling the breeze and smelling all the flowers I would walk by.... listening to Madonna, thinking how nice it is to NOT be working.  Selecting my next music choice on my iphone, I noticed my index finger and thumb .. small scars and pin needles marks from using my glucose meter everyday.  Looking at my other hand, not a single mark was present, and I thought I need to rotate and not abuse the other one so frequently.Then, I thought ...... WAIT.  Should there not already be a bloodless glucose meter in the near future, if not NOW and today? I did a Google search on this and discussed something very present and in our hopeful near future. 

 A company called 'Grove Instruments' is claiming before 2016 they will be the first company to have a bloodless glucose meter on the market using the heat from your finger (or earlobe) to produce an accurate reading in 20 seconds.  The device is small, battery operated, and fits in your shirt pocket.  The biggest plus of it all?  Say goodbye to lancets, test strips, and going to the pharmacy.  So far, over 300 diabetics nationwide have participated in a continuing study and innovation of this product that matches the accuracy of a blood glucose meter.  That's right .... matching the accuracy of a standard meter. Is this nothing but a sweet dream for all of the diabetics out there? ...25 million and rising to be exact.  But why, why are we waiting until 2016 to see such a remarkable and life changing device?  Grove Instruments has one patent pending, 10 funded grants, and several endorsements.  It seems the needed support and funds to reach the top, are there.  Oh yeah .. and I love this part: The CEO has 2 children with type 1 diabetes.  (I actually went searching for his bio, thinking he knew someone who had it, or had a reason to think of such a device.)

We all know where Big Pharma makes there oodles upon oodles of dollars, right?  Testing supplies.  When I run out before insurance can pick them up, I would pay $40 for a box of 25.  I can still not believe these prices.  (Friendly tip: go to Ebay and they are cheaper.) So, with the evolution of such a product - the need for these supplies would greatly decrease.  Does anybody see a connection with this waiting game?

It is something to think about.  I was once in Europe talking with a friend about how small the cars were, comparing them to our Chevy Tahoes, and Lincoln Towncars in the USA.  The person replied, 'The country usually gives it's people what they demand.' 

Calling all supporters!  Check out Grove and spread the word..

The All Mighty, All Powerful .... Steel Cut Oats!

If you like oatmeal in the morning for breakfast, and you have diabetes, then you are in luck!  No, I am not talking about the 'Quaker Oats 6 pack singles' with 30+ grams of sugar...  You know, that big cylinder of oats that are NEXT to those other products?  :) 

I have been eating it more often for breakfast and not only does it keep you full until lunch time comes around, but it reaps other health benefits that you might not have known about:

1) It stabilizes Blood Sugar - It causes a lower rise in blood sugar, starting your day off right while keeping you at the healthy level you need.

2) Antioxidant Benefits - In addition to its fiber benefits, oats are also a very good source of selenium. This powerful antioxidant aids in the prevention of heart disease. Also, selenium takes part in DNA repair and is associated with a reduced risk for cancer, especially colon cancer.

3)Immune Response - Several studies in the past showed significant enhancements to the human immune system's response to bacterial infection. So, starting your day with a bowl of oatmeal may boost your immune response in addition to your morning energy levels.

4) Lower Cholesterol Levels - Studies show that a person with high cholesterol (above 220 mg/dl), consuming just 3 grams of soluble oat fiber per day (an amount found in one bowl of oatmeal) lowers total cholesterol by 8-23%.

I personally love to fix mine with fruit on top, some cinnamon, and then give it a big stir!  Remember - it does not always have to be boring, the more colorful fruit in your diet- the better..

Mediterranean Diet helps maintain a low blood sugar?

Being a Type 1 diabetic, I always think about even if I wanted to diet, it is not always

going to work completely because of the 'highs and lows' that we all encounter from time to time.  I guess some would reply that moderation is the best way to go about eating, and then adding exercise to the equation.  I do agree!  Although, I have finally made the exercise thing a habit, I have not so much on the eating thing.  I do well, and then sometimes you just want to sit and eat in your comfy cotton pants and watch HBO :) 

Today, I read more about the Mediterranean Diet online.  A large observation study is adding another feather to this diet's cap, suggesting that the Mediterranean diet helps Diabetic's maintain a healthy blood sugar.  The diet consists of vegetables and fruits, whole grains, beans, cheese, and fish.  I found on All Recipes website, several great recipes that would definitely satisfy an urge of any type!

Eating a Mediterranean diet is not just good for your metabolic actions, it can also lower your risk of heart disease and stroke, and improves overall brain function.  They say a 'good diet' is one FULL of color ... looking at the picture I found above online, it looks like a rainbow of good food source!