Diabetes an Insiders View

Now that holidays are only a couple of days away, it is not the time to let down your guard when it comes to managing your blood sugar control.

It is alright to party and have a good time, but with moderation. If you are not sure how something is made and what is might contain, take smaller portions or politely abstain. Always have your blood glucose meter handy and make sure that your readings are in the normal range for you.

It is fun to have a good time during the holidays in your home or while visiting someone. No one like spending the holidays in the ER because they didn't take care of themselves when it comes to the blood sugar.

Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas, and a Happy New year.

If you are someone you know has been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, what is the next step?

The first one is to request a session with a registered dietician. You will need to learn how to eat, what you can eat and what you should watch in your diet that can raise blood sugar. Learn as much as you can about how your body reacts to various foods. Test your blood sugar often, at least twice a day or more if your doctor suggests it.

Every three months, you should request an A1c test. This is a test that will tell the doctor how well your diabetes is under control. The A1c test, tests your blood sugar over a 3 month period. A1c is calculated in percentage. The better the control, the reading should be closer to 5.0. Why do you want tight control? The better your control, the less likelihood of complications from diabetes.

What are the possible complications of diabetes?

Retinopathy, Neuropathy, Cataract, Kidney failure, hypertension, heart disease, and stroke are just some of the possible complications due to lack of control. You may also find that with diabetes you may not heal as fast as before the disease. Macular degeneration is also a possible complication from diabetes, which is why a yearly eye exam is recommended for people with diabetes.

If a loved one has diabetes, you should help them with their diet and to make should they take care of themselves. If you are the one with diabetes, follow the doctor's instructions and try to control your blood sugar the best you can.

I was diagnosed with Type 2 over twenty years ago. I was placed on oral medications. After being diagnosed, I managed to alter my lifestyle enough so I could eliminate the need for medications. That was then, and this is now. I am back on medications.

Thanks to the diabetes, I also developed pernicious anemia. Pernicious anemia happens when the intrinsic factor is lost. This little complication means that for the rest of my life, I will require biweekly Cyanocobalam MDV 100MGC intramuscular injections. I asked the question, why do I need injections? The answer is simple, with the loss of intrinsic factor nothing taken orally is dependable enough to get into my system. For me it is an injection every two weeks for life.

Many diabetics think, I take my insulin, or pills, I can do anything I want. Keep thinking that and you will end up in the hospital eventually; that is if someone finds you.

With time has come some complications. I had to have cataract surgery; there may be a link to my Ménière's Syndrome. Ménière's is idiopathic (of diseases arising from an unknown cause), but neuropathy is not. If you live as long with diabetes as i have, things will happen no matter how good the control.

I try to maintain a healthy lifestyle, but with Ménière's, that is not easy. Ménière's can cause balance, hearing loss, and vertigo. This is something I have learned to live with.

The hardest condition to handle is the neuropathy. For those that do not know what neuropathy is, it is any pathology of the peripheral nerves; mine is centered in my feet. This makes it difficult for me to walk any distance. Between the Ménière's and the neuropathy, I have to walk with a cane, which is for balance.

Some people might bemoan the fact of diabetes and its complications. I just live with the problems. If possible, the best thing to do is to avoid diabetes as much as possible. This can be accomplished by watching your weight, watching what you eat, and staying active.
I live well with my diabetes, others can also, you need to be careful about things.

Robert Medak
Freelance Writer & Editor

Hi Robert,

Thank you for being my guest. I look forward to reading your post on living with diabetes.

Thanks
Tina D.

If the diabetic in your life likes gifts more along the pamper me line, here are as few suggestions since diabetics tend to have dry skin, hair and nails.

Lets look at gift ideas from head to toe:

Head:
1) A trip to your sweeties favorite salon for barber for as day of scalp bliss on you.

2) A gift basket filled with their favorite shampoo and conditioners, as an extra offer to wash, condition and dry his or her hair (have a day at the spa from home)

Skin/Spa

1) Non-drying bubble baths, body butters, seas salts, lotions, bath fizzies and the like. Have a gift basket done up of his/her favorite scents so that they are on hand for a day of relaxation.

2) A new bath robe or giant bath towel. Here at TD Gift Solutions we can turn the giant bath towel or a bath robe into a basket and fill it with favorite bath scents, bubble bath and lotions. Call us to place your order and get pricing on this fun gift idea.
Call 1-877-999-7237 M-F 9am to 5:30 pm

Feet
Sandal ready feet, cool comfortable feet at the end of the day, there is nothing like it. Care of the feet for a diabetic must be a daily priority. He or she must make it a habit to check for any cracks, sores or numb areas due to the possible problems that can arise in the feet from having diabetes. You can offer comfort or help with every day care by providing a fun foot care gift or even assisting in checking the feet if the person is not able to look at the bottoms of their own feet. On our site A Unique Find Gift Baskets we offer a variety of foot themed gift baskets as well as the ability to do custom gifts.

Here are some additional gift giving ideas for the diabetic on your shopping list

Tina D.