News and Features Related to Diabetes
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Is Stevia a Good Substitute for Sugar?
In every issue of WebMD the Magazine, we ask our experts to answer readers' questions about a wide range of topics. In our January-February 2011 issue, we asked WebMD's Diabetes Expert, Michael Dansinger, MD, whether stevia, a new natural sweetener, is a good sugar substitute for people with diabete
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Recall of Defective Glucose Test Strips
Dec. 22, 2010 -- The FDA says it is working with Abbott Diabetes Care to recall 359 million defective glucose test strips -- sold under a variety of brand names -- that may make blood glucose levels look lower than they really are. The FDA says the defective strips “can lead users to try to raise t
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Dairy Fat May Lower Diabetes Risk
Dec. 20, 2010 -- Experts recommend avoiding high-fat dairy products to lower diabetes risk, but a new study suggests this advice may be wrong. Researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health say they have identified a substance found primarily in dairy fat that appears to lower the risk of type 2
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Inhaled Steroids May Increase Diabetes Risk
Dec. 14, 2010 -- Using inhaled corticosteroids to treat chronic breathing problems may slightly increase a person’s risk of developing type 2 diabetes, a new study finds. The study’s authors say the increase in risk probably doesn’t outweigh the benefits to people taking daily puffs of inhaled corti
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Diabetes Advance: Researchers Grow Insulin-Producing Cells From Testes
Dec. 13, 2010 -- New research suggests it may be possible for people with type 1 diabetes to grow their own insulin-producing cells -- an advancement that could lead to a cure for this form of diabetes. The preliminary findings are slated to be presented at the American Society of Cell Biology 50th
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Experts: Exercise Crucial for Patients With Type 2 Diabetes
Dec. 10, 2010 -- New guidelines jointly issued by the American College of Sports Medicine and the American Diabetes Association call for people with type 2 diabetes to get at least 150 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous aerobic exercise over the course of at least three days during the week, and not to
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Smoking Too Common Among Young Diabetes Patients
Dec. 3, 2010 -- Smoking rates are high among young people with diabetes, and many teens and young adults with the condition report never being asked about their smoking habits or advised by their doctors to stop, according to a new federally supported study. Diabetes and smoking are both risk factor
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Diabetes Cuts Years off Life Span of Americans
Dec. 1, 2010 -- Diabetes cuts about 8.5 years off the life span of the average 50-year-old compared to a 50-year-old without diabetes, new research indicates. The study also shows that older adults with diabetes have a lower life expectancy at every age compared to people who do not have the disease
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Diabetes Epidemic Will Hit Half of U.S. by 2020
Nov. 23, 2010 -- More than half of all Americans may develop diabetes or prediabetes by 2020, unless prevention strategies aimed at weight loss and increased physical activity are widely implemented, according to a new analysis. These efforts could in theory also save about $250 billion in health ca
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ED Linked to Heart Disease in Men With Diabetes
Nov. 22, 2010 -- Erectile dysfunction may be an early sign of potential heart-related problems down the road in men with type 2 diabetes. A new study of men with type 2 diabetes shows that those with erectile dysfunction (ED) were much more likely to develop heart disease, suffer a stroke, or die fr
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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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