Features Related to Diabetes
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Take 5: Diabetes
If you're one of the nearly 24 million Americans living with type 2 diabetes, you know your body has difficulty using or producing insulin. What can you do to manage the disease? We asked Jill Crandall, MD, professor of clinical medicine and director of the diabetes clinical trials unit at Albert Ei
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Top 10 Type-2 Superfoods
Yes, variety is essential when it comes to diabetes. But these 10 tried-and-true staples are nutrient-rich, protect against chronic diseases, and are ideal foods for people with type 2 diabetes, says Kathleen Zelman, MPH, RD, LD, WebMD's director of nutrition. Plus, they're delicious. Berries A smar
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By the Numbers: Prediabetes
Total health care costs for diabetes in the U.S.: $218 billion. Estimated number of people in the U.S. who have prediabetes: 79 million. Total health care costs to cover prediabetes: $25 billion. Reduced risk of developing diabetes over three years if you follow a healthy food and exercise program:
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Can You Drink Alcohol if You Have Diabetes?
In every issue of WebMD the Magazine, we ask experts to answer readers' questions about a wide range of topics, including questions about what's true and not true in the field of medicine. For our July/August 2012 issue, we interviewed a researcher from the Joslin Diabetes Center about alcohol and d
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Managing Diabetes with Exercise
Two years ago, when Jennifer Auyer's father died at age 64 from complications related to type 2 diabetes, she faced a turning point in her own struggle with the disease. Her father's diabetes had led to heart disease, a quadruple bypass, a foot amputation, and vision problems, among other serious he
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Getting Better Sleep When You Have Diabetes
In every issue of WebMD the Magazine, we ask our experts to answer readers' questions about a wide range of topics. In our July/August 2012 issue, we asked WebMD's diabetes expert, Michael Dansinger, MD, about the link between diabetes and poor sleep. Q: I have diabetes, and I'm not sleeping well.
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Gary Hall's Toughest Competitor: Diabetes
It was the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia. Eight of the top swimmers in the world were lined up, ready to hit the pool for the 50-meter freestyle. The buzzer sounded. They propelled themselves into the water. In just under 22 seconds, the race was over. American Gary Hall Jr. had won gold
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Diabetes-Friendly Summer Grill Recipes
Kathleen Zelman, MPH, RD, LD, WebMD's director of nutrition, created this delicious and colorful meal of grilled salmon with black bean corn salsa and salad. It's a low-calorie lunch or dinner that is rich in fiber, antioxidants, and heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids. The balance of complex carbs, p
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Diabetes and Weight Loss: Finding the Right Path
There's no question about it: If you're overweight and have type 2 diabetes, dropping pounds lowers your blood sugar, improves your health, and helps you feel better But before you start a diabetes weight loss plan, it's important to work closely with your doctor or diabetes educator - because while
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Diabetes: 5 Steps to Total Body Care
If you have type 2 diabetes, you know that blood sugar control, a balanced diet, weight management, regular exercise, and checkups are vital to your health. Taking special care of every part of your body to avoid serious complications is just as critical. Among some of your biggest concerns with dia
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Is This Normal? Get the Facts Fast!
Answer:
0-69
70-130
131+
Your level is currently
If the level is below 70 and you are experiencing symptoms such as shaking, sweating or difficulty thinking, you will need to raise the number immediately. A quick solution is to eat a few pieces of hard candy or 1 tablespoon of sugar or honey. Recheck your numbers again in 15 minutes to see if the number has gone up. If not, repeat the steps above or call your doctor.
People who experience hypoglycemia several times in a week should call their health care provider. It's important to monitor your levels each day so you can make sure your numbers are within the range. If you are pregnant always consult with your health care provider.
Congratulations on taking steps to manage your health.
However, it's important to continue to track your numbers so that you can make lifestyle changes if needed. If you are pregnant always consult with your physician.
Your level is high if this reading was taken before eating. Aim for 70-130 before meals and less than 180 two hours after meals.
Even if your number is high, it's not too late for you to take control of your health and lower your blood sugar.
One of the first steps is to monitor your levels each day. If you are pregnant always consult with your physician.
Did You Know Your Lifestyle Choices
Affect Your Blood Sugar?
Use the Blood Glucose Tracker to monitor
how well you manage your blood sugar over time.
This tool is not intended for women who are pregnant.
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