The Many Benefits of Quitting Smoking
Get ready for February and American Heart Awareness Month by being kind to your heart and decide to quit smoking. I know it easier said than done; because smoking is an addictive habit it takes great motivation and willpower to quit without relapsing. You may need to be prepared to work harder than you ever have before, but the good news is today we are fortunate to have many resources to help keep you on track - support groups, hot-lines and forums, to name a few. And aside from the health benefits, smoking cessation is favorable to your pocket and your senses.The Many Benefits of Quitting Smoking originally appeared on ...
Source: About Diabetes - January 29, 2014 Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news
The Importance of Eye Health
The American Diabetes Association recommends that people with diabetes have a dilated comprehensive eye exam once per year. The reason is because people with diabetes are at increased risk of developing eye disease and early detection is critical for preventing complications. Glaucoma is one of the many eye conditions that people with diabetes are at increased risk for. I recently learned that January is National Glaucoma awareness month so I decided to educate myself on the topic and share my knowledge with all of you. The good news is that just because you have diabetes doesn't mean you will develop eye problems - you ca...
Source: About Diabetes - January 25, 2014 Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news
Five Apps to Help You Manage Your Diabetes
Diabetes can be overwhelming -it takes time and effort to meal plan, count carbohydrates, log blood sugars, and attend physician appointments. The good news is that we now have a plethora of tools to help us manage. Among some of the most useful are smartphone apps. With so many to choose from though it can hard to weed out the best. I have my five favorite that assist with blood glucose management, cooking, dining out, meal planning, calorie counting, exercise logging, etc. They contain features such as: education videos, frequently asked questions, and options to share information across media channels and devices.Five A...
Source: About Diabetes - January 22, 2014 Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news
The Number One Diet of 2014
There is no one size fits all when it comes to dieting, but when your looking to start a diet plan its best to choose one that is credible, proven to work, and does not eliminate any food groups. The DASH diet plan has been nominated by the U.S. News and World Report as the top diet for the fourth year in a row. It has been proven to help lower blood pressure and facilitate weight loss. The diet is rich in fruits, vegetables, lean protein and low-fat dairy. My patients tell me that they find the diet easy to follow once they stock up on fruit and vegetables - might be worth a try.The Number One Diet of 2014 originally appe...
Source: About Diabetes - January 21, 2014 Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news
Can Fun Exercise Actually Be Beneficial?
What do you think of when you hear the word exercise? I ask my patients this quite often and the typical response is: "push ups," "sit ups," "running," and "boring." While some of us may associate exercise with boredom and pain it doesn't have to be that way. Exercise can be fun, exciting, and different and now we have proof. A recent article, suggests that participants who used a program such as Wii Fit Plus for thirty minutes a day during a twelve week period had improvements in weight, blood sugar and mood. An exercise regimen that is fun and beneficial is the best kind - one that you will stick to!
What's your favorit...
Source: About Diabetes - January 18, 2014 Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news
10 Cooking Essentials for People with Diabetes
I feel lucky that I love to cook. I enjoy fresh ingredients, putting flavors together and tasting the finished product. I always encourage my patients to cook more if they can because cooking gives you control over your food. By cooking, you have the power to keep fat and calories low and taste high. You can also control portions, added sodium, and sugar. Cooking can help you to lose weight, get blood sugars under control, and jump start a healthy eating plan. The question is: where do you start? You don't need anything fancy - just basics. For example: I use my grill pan almost daily and put hot pepper on everything!
Wha...
Source: About Diabetes - January 18, 2014 Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news
10 Cooking Essential for People with Diabetes
I feel lucky that I love to cook. I enjoy fresh ingredients, putting flavors together and tasting the finished product. I always encourage my patients to cook more if they can because cooking gives you control over your food. By cooking, you have the power to keep fat and calories low and taste high. You can also control portions, added sodium, and sugar. Cooking can help you to lose weight, get blood sugars under control, and jump start a healthy eating plan. The question is: where do you start? You don't need anything fancy - just basics. For example: I use my grill pan almost daily and put hot pepper on everything!
Wha...
Source: About Diabetes - January 17, 2014 Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news
Peripheral Arterial Disease
My mentor once told me that you can tell a great deal about someone's health just by looking at their feet - especially someone with diabetes. During my sessions I conduct foot exams to check for neuropathy, fungal infections, sores or signs of Peripheral Arterial Disease (aka P.A.D). P.A.D is a disease that affects the lower extremities or legs. It occurs when the arteries in the leg become narrowed or clogged with fatty deposits or plaque. People who have diabetes need to pay careful attention to their feet and should check them daily. Your heart is responsible for pumping blood throughout your body - when the vessel...
Source: About Diabetes - January 16, 2014 Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news
What's New
Diabetes medications continue to evolve. Today, diabetes management is much more effective because of the advances researchers have made in medications. In fact, a new class of medications called SGLT-2 inhibitors has now hit the market. The newest approved medication of its class, Invokana, is being used to treat diabetes. Invokana, has been shown to lower blood sugar levels by causing the body to excrete excess sugar. As with any medicine there are pros and cons. It's always a good idea to familiarize yourself with the latest medicines to assess if you are a candidate.What's New originally appeared on About.com Diab...
Source: About Diabetes - December 31, 2013 Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news
Eating a Bigger Breakfast Can Help with Blood Sugars and Weight
Breakfast is my favorite meal of the day. A piping hot cup of coffee and an egg omelet keeps me energized throughout the morning. I understand though, that a big breakfast isn't for everyone. But, you may want to change your mind. A recent study suggests that eating a larger, higher protein, higher fat breakfast can help to improve glycemic control and aid in weight loss. It's never to late to start.Eating a Bigger Breakfast Can Help with Blood Sugars and Weight originally appeared on About.com Diabetes on Tuesday, December 31st, 2013 at 08:00:35.Permalink | Comment | Email this (Source: About Diabetes)
Source: About Diabetes - December 31, 2013 Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news
Maintain Weight and Blood Sugars During the Holiday Season
The holiday season is calming down, but the parties are not over. Many of you will attend a few lingering holiday parties and perhaps a New Years event. If you have finding it difficult to maintain your weight and blood sugars its not too late to change directions. All you need is some good tips to get you pointed in the right direction for 2014.Maintain Weight and Blood Sugars During the Holiday Season originally appeared on About.com Diabetes on Sunday, December 29th, 2013 at 19:52:47.Permalink | Comment | Email this (Source: About Diabetes)
Source: About Diabetes - December 29, 2013 Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news
What Can You Do to Better Manage Your Diabetes
When it comes to diabetes the patient is the most vital part of any health care team. You are responsible for taking your medicine, testing your blood sugar, planning your meals, and following up with your specialists. As educators, we give you the tools, but what you do on a daily basis is up to you. The most successful patients are the proactive ones. Don't be shy to ask questions or to ask to be educated further. If you are unsure as to how to take your medicine, use insulin or what type of meal plan would benefit you, ask for help.What Can You Do to Better Manage Your Diabetes originally appeared on About.com Diabetes...
Source: About Diabetes - December 28, 2013 Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news
What Can Certified Diabetes Educator do for You?
I enjoy taking on new patients because its another person I have the opportunity to make lasting changes with. Some people embrace a visit with the Certified Diabetes Educator, while others feel as though their doctor"forced" them to come. If you or someone you know is scheduled to meet with a Certified Diabetes Educator and are feeling uneasy about it, don't be. Certified Diabetes Educators are wonderful assets to any health care team and can help assist you in reaching your goals.What Can Certified Diabetes Educator do for You? originally appeared on About.com Diabetes on Saturday, December 28th, 2013 at 12:00:57.Permal...
Source: About Diabetes - December 28, 2013 Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news
