News and Features Related to Diabetes
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Diabetes Medications and Diet: Synergistic Success
It's a tricky balancing act - using diabetes medications to keep blood sugar at just the right level. You're coasting along, trying to "eat right," when suddenly you're confronted with a crisis -- sharing a very large pizza. It's so difficult turning away from pizza -- yet you face the inevitable bl
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Healthy Eating With Diabetes: Your Menu Plan
Most people with diabetes have learned that what they choose to eat and drink can help raise or lower their blood sugar levels after meals. So which foods should you choose if you have diabetes? There are four components in food that can affect your blood sugar: Carbohydrates Fiber Protein Fat Carbo
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Diabetes and Men: Sexual Issues
A funny thing happened to Jim Turner years ago when he was hiking with a girlfriend. It was evening and the two were lying on a blanket under a full moon. The conditions were perfect for romance. "And I just had zero interest in sex," says Turner, an actor and dLife television host, who has type 1 d
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Protecting Your Kidneys When You Have Diabetes
If you have diabetes, monitoring your blood glucose is important. But it’s not enough. "It's crucial that everyone with diabetes -- and their doctors -- watch for signs of kidney problems too," says Rita Kalyani, MD, assistant professor of medicine at Johns Hopkins University. Kidney failure is a se
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When Low Blood Sugar Has No Symptoms
No one with diabetes welcomes signs of a low blood sugar, also known as hypoglycemia. These physical and emotional changes, such as shakiness, dizziness, sweating, moodiness, and anxiety, signal that your blood sugar is dropping and must be treated quickly. But what if your body stops giving you the
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How Diabetes Affects Your Brain
If you have diabetes, you may know that insulin levels can have a direct impact on your risk of complications such as kidney damage and heart disease. What you may not know is that insulin levels may affect the brain too. "Even people who study diabetes may not always consider the impact of insulin
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Diabetes and Your Skin
Diabetes affects many organs in the body, including the skin. People with diabetes are more prone to skin problems, including dry skin, injection-related scarring that affects insulin absorption in the body, and vaginal infection. Because diabetes increases the risk for infection, even a minor skin
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How Diabetes Affects a Woman's Sexual Health
Sex is good for diabetes. It's good for the heart and circulation, helps sleep, and improves mood. So why are many women with diabetes not enjoying sex? The reason, of course, is that although sex may be good for diabetes, having diabetes is not always good for sex. Nerve damage, or neuropathy, can
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Diabetes: Counting Carbs
When you found out you have diabetes, your doctor might have asked you to start counting carbohydrates. Anyone with diabetes can use counting carbs to help better manage their blood sugars. Maybe you're wondering if you can ever have cake again. Here's the good news: there is no diabetes diet. You c
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Red Meat, Processed Meat Linked to Diabetes Risk
Aug. 9, 2011 -- Red meat, particularly processed red meats like bacon, sausage, and hot dogs, may increase a person’s risk of developing type 2 diabetes. The more processed or unprocessed red meat a person eats, the greater the risk, according to a new study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutri
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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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