Many weight loss stories out there closely resemble fairy tales. The star reaches their weight loss goal and then the credits roll. Sure, the “happily ever after” is fun to read about. It may even motivate us for a few weeks. But for many, the weight loss fairy tale can turn into a recurring nightmare. … Continue reading A healthy lifestyle starts by changing behavior
Diabetes is a condition that can be detrimental to your feet. If you have diabetes, regular foot care is necessary to prevent serious problems. Giving special attention to your feet can help you prevent foot problems that could lead to the loss of a toe, foot or leg. Follow these 12 tips to take care of your … Continue reading 12 foot care tips for diabetics
November is Diabetes Month, and according to the American Diabetes Association, nearly 30 million children and adults in the United States have diabetes. Diabetes Mellitus is a cardiovascular disease. When a person with diabetes mellitus has persistently elevated glucose levels above 180 mg/dl (Hemoglobin A1c at or greater than 8.0%), complications to the small blood … Continue reading 4 things to watch for if your diabetes goes unchecked
Dialysis and kidney transplantation are treatments for severe kidney failure. When kidneys are no longer working effectively, waste products and fluid build up in the blood. When they fail – often because of diabetes, high blood pressure or hereditary conditions – the damage can spread to other parts of the body. There is a shortage … Continue reading Dialysis or transplant? During kidney failure, know your options
Adjustments in your daily lifestyle can have a dramatic effect on risks and complications of heart disease and diabetes. This includes losing weight, quitting smoking, eating healthier and exercising. Reducing your body weight by 5 to 7 percent reduces long-term complications of heart disease and diabetes in every race and ethnicity. For diabetic patients, a … Continue reading Want to lower your risk of heart disease, diabetes?
Holiday travel can be stressful enough, but for the many millions of Americans who have been diagnosed with diabetes, it may be especially challenging. This recent dailyRx feature offers some helpful tips for those traveling with diabetes. The piece notes that “Traveling can disrupt meal, rest and exercise routines, all of which can make it harder … Continue reading Traveling with diabetes? Plan with these tips
Peripheral arterial disease, or PAD, is defined as the blockage of the peripheral arteries, excluding the arteries in the heart, aortic arch or brain. It is characterized by the hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis) and the subsequent blockage of the arteries in the extremities, and is a marker for systemic vascular disease involving the heart, brain … Continue reading Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) a risk for smokers, diabetics
Complications secondary to diabetes can be devastating. The good news is that you can make a big impact on preventing those complications by doing three things: reduce your hemoglobin A1c (Hgb A1c) level, reduce body weight and increase exercise. Long-term diabetes complications are directly correlated to elevated blood glucose levels. Ideally, your diabetes managing physician … Continue reading Diabetes complications and how to reduce them
There’s some troubling news out this week about the rates of pre-diabetes and diabetes in this country. USA Today reports: “Americans are getting fatter, and older. These converging trends are putting the USA on the path to an alarming health crisis: Nearly half of adults have either pre-diabetes or diabetes, raising their risk of heart attacks, … Continue reading Curbing the diabetes health crisis in America
As a nurse, I have cared for many patients with diabetes, so a recent report from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) stating 9.3 percent of the U.S population (29.1 million people) has diabetes did not surprise me. What really got my attention is that a startling 8.1 million of those people are undiagnosed. That means more … Continue reading CDC: Millions have diabetes and don’t know it
