Anyone with diabetes will have been informed by their doctor about the complications of diabetes – primarily heart disease, high blood pressure, kidney disease, neuropathy and eye disease. However, there are other complications that often aren’t discussed until symptoms occur such as hair loss, a weakened immune system, gum disease, and bone and joint problems. The good news is that there are things diabetics can do to minimize the potential for a variety of health problems.

Diet

Individuals with diabetes know they must control blood glucose levels. It’s equally important to ensure that sufficient vitamins and minerals are obtained. Failure to do so can result in rashes, hair loss, the inability to fight pathogens, and heal wounds.

Eye Exams

They can be time consuming and inconvenient, but they’re essential to detect the earliest signs of deteriorating eyesight. Eye problems due to diabetes can result in blurry vision, cataracts, glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy.

Cataracts tend to develop earlier and worsen faster for diabetics. Medications can help with some type of glaucoma, but retinopathy can result in complete loss of vision. Flashes of light, blurred vision, “holes” in vision, and black spots that seem to float are all signs to see a vision specialist.

Dentist Visits

People with diabetes are more prone to gum disease and tooth loss. Byproducts of infections and bacteria can be swallowed where it will circulate through the blood stream. Tooth infections have been directly linked to an increased risk of heart disease in people with diabetes.

Low Libido

A lack of sexual desire affects diabetics more than the general population and it’s related to poorly managed blood glucose levels. A variety of medications for diabetes and neuropathy and can depress sexual desire, affect arousal, and performance. Improved glucose control can help, but isn’t a sure-fire cure.

Bones and Joints

Osteoporosis and conditions such as frozen shoulder are very real concerns for people with diabetes. Diabetics tend to have poorer bone quality, increased risk of fractures, and more joint conditions. Those that inject insulin are at the highest level of risk for a fracture. Careful and consistent management of blood glucose levels, obtaining sufficient vitamin D, and exercise to strengthen are the keys to minimizing the effects of joint and bone conditions.

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People with diabetes have what may seem like a never-ending list of concerns and precautions to keep their blood glucose levels under control. Monitoring and controlling those levels is especially important since diabetes weakens the immune system.

High glucose levels can produce an inflammatory response in the body. High blood glucose levels result in dysfunction within the body’s immune response. The immune system can fail to fend off invading pathogens and fight infections. The immune system may be impaired in its ability to send white blood cells to the site of an injury. Plaque build-up in blood vessels may inhibit blood flow required to successfully fight infections and neuropathy increases the body’s vulnerability.

People with diabetes typically have a more pronounced response to bacteria, fungi and viruses and they’re more likely to experience complications. Some medications can also contribute to a compromised immune system such as those for Crohn’s disease, rheumatoid arthritis, ulcerative colitis, and those used to treat cancer.

Some of the symptoms of a weakened immune system include a chronic “cold” that doesn’t go away, stomach and digestive problems, slow healing wounds and frequent infections. A weakened immune system can also manifest as feeling tired all the time. Beware of high-stress levels as it weakens the body’s response to invading viruses, bacteria and fungi. Diabetics are more prone to complications from any type of pathogen.

Immune system dysfunction affects metabolism, making it more difficult for people with diabetes to control their blood glucose levels, particularly when they’re ill. A weakened immune system also leads to premature signs of aging. Free radicals from pollution and other sources overwhelm the body’s ability to neutralize them when the immune system is weakened. Excess glucose levels contribute to compromising the immune system.

To give their immune system a boost, diabetics need to get enough sleep, have stress-relieving strategies in place, and get enough exercise. Eating a healthy diet rich in vitamins, nutrients, and low in carbohydrates is essential, along with carefully monitoring blood glucose levels.

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The answer is yes. Without the appropriate testing, Type 1 diabetes can be misdiagnosed as Type 2 diabetes. The danger lies in the fact that both types share multiple symptoms in common, but treatment is different. Misdiagnosing the type of diabetes a person has can even have deadly consequences. Compounding the problem of an accurate diagnosis are the many diseases and conditions that mimic symptoms of diabetes.

Thyroid Disease – It can manifest symptoms of elevated glucose levels, fatigue and weakness, along with swelling, hypertension and weight gain.

Coeliac Disease – The autoimmune disease is triggered by gluten and causes symptoms of weight loss, fatigue, headache and nausea. Coeliac disease is an autoimmune disease and research indicates that diabetes may also be an autoimmune disease triggered by a viral infection, though Type 2 diabetes can also result from poor diet and a sedentary lifestyle.

Joint Conditions – Frozen shoulder, tennis elbow and joint mobility conditions are often treated as arthritis or an injury, especially in older individuals, even though diabetics are more likely to be afflicted by joint conditions.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome – The syndrome produces symptoms that can include numbness, pain, or a pins-and-needles sensation. It can also create a burning sensation that may be worse at night and affects multiple fingers. Those same symptoms are present in diabetic neuropathy.

Dental Problems – In some cases, a dentist is the first to notice symptoms of diabetes that can include gum disease, gum and tooth infections, loose teeth, and chronic bad breath.

Pancreatitis – The pancreas produces digestive enzymes and insulin for regulating blood glucose levels. Difficulty digesting food, slow digestion, diarrhea, oily stools and unexplained weight loss are signs of acute or chronic pancreatitis, but can also be associated with diabetes.

Fibrous Breast Tissue – Also known as mastopathy, it’s a condition that produces fibrous and dense breast tissue. It’s not always associated with diabetes, but it’s more common in pre-menopausal women and those that have had Type 1 diabetes for many years. Type 1 diabetes is cased by a genetic disorder and typically occurs early in life.

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Many individuals with diabetes also take prescription medications to address health conditions ranging from high blood pressure and depression to COPD. Even over-the-counter (OTC) medications have the potential to affect blood glucose levels – especially those containing alcohol. It’s just one of the reasons why those with diabetes need to tell their doctor what supplements, vitamins and other OTC they’re taking.

Antibiotics

Medications commonly prescribed for infections such as pneumonia and urinary tract infections can increase blood sugar levels. They’re a class of antibiotics called fluoroquinolones and some early research has postulated that people that take a significant number of antibiotics in their younger years may be more likely to develop diabetes. However, diabetes has often been found to be linked with viral infections for which antibiotics aren’t useful.

Antidepressants

Paxil, Abilify, Seroquel and Zoloft are just some of the antidepressants on the market that have been associated with increased risk of developing diabetes. They can also cause glucose levels to spike, sometimes dangerously so.

Birth Control

The estrogen present in birth control pills can lead to increased levels of glucose in the blood. Depending on the level of estrogen and the individual, oral contraceptives have the potential to increase glucose by up to 33 percent.

COPD

Prednisone, corticosteroids, and oral bronchodilators are used to address COPD, asthma and even rheumatoid arthritis, but they can also lead to increased glucose levels. Much will depend on the dosage and length of use. They stimulate glucose production and inhibit the body’s ability to utilize glucose leading to insulin resistance.

Heart and Blood Pressure

High blood pressure is often an underlying comorbidity of diabetes, but the same medications used to control blood pressure and heart disease can also affect glucose levels. Atenolol and metoprolol, along with those that treat high cholesterol such as atorvastatin, simvastatin and rosuvastatin can result in as much as a 12 percent increase in blood glucose.

HIV

Medications for HIV can increase blood glucose levels. It’s essential that individuals taking HIV medications be checked to ascertain whether they have diabetes prior to starting a regimen of drugs.

Hormone Replacement

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for women and diabetes is a tricky combination. Visceral fat that can occur during menopause is a risk factor for diabetes and heart disease. Medications to address those issues can increase glucose levels, while HRT has been closely associated with insulin resistance.

Nicotine

Whether individuals are actively smoking or trying to stop with patches, nicotine in any form can significantly increase glucose levels and make the disease harder to control. Nicotine impairs the body’s glucose tolerance.

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If you have extra, unopened and unused boxes of diabetic test strips – whether you have switched brands, no longer need to test or test less frequently, or have a loved one who has passed away – don’t let them gather dust until they’ve expired and end up in the trash. We’re the best place to sell diabetic test strips online, and if you want to sell your test strips, we’re here to make the process easy and enjoyable!

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Acupuncture has been a component of traditional Chinese medicine for centuries. It’s safe and even the World Health Organization (WHO) recognizes acupuncture as an effective treatment for diabetes, neuropathy, maintaining normal blood glucose levels, and other effects of diabetes.

The ancient method is being used to mitigate the symptoms of insulin resistance and assist in weight loss that often accompanies the disease. The goal of acupuncture is the same as modern medical methods, but take different approaches. The technique can be utilized in harmony with Western medicine methods that include insulin, oral medications, diet and exercise.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture utilizes extremely fine needles inserted into designated areas of the body. The treatment has been found to mitigate the pain of diabetic neuropathy and improve blood flow throughout the body, especially the extremities where neuropathy is most likely to occur. Improved circulation is also beneficial for addressing ulcerations and infections that can be common, particularly in individuals with poor diabetic control and management.

Many people are turning to acupuncture as an alternative for pain relief associated with diabetes rather than take potentially addictive pain medications. Multiple trials and analytic studies conducted around the globe have shown that people with the disease demonstrated lower blood glucose levels after fasting and after meals, along with lower A1C levels.

Treating Symptoms

Insulin resistance and higher cholesterol and blood pressure levels are all associated with diabetes. Acupuncture is equally effective in addressing all three of those problems. While not a replacement for Western medical care, acupuncture is beneficial when used in conjunction.

It’s essential that people choose a highly skilled and experienced acupuncturist that adheres to the highest standards of hygiene and sanitation. One way to ensure the best possible experience and results is for individuals to request a referral from their primary healthcare provider. It’s also important for people to understand that ultimately, self-care and management is the key to diabetic health.

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There are dozens of situations in which an emergency diabetes kit is essential, particularly during a natural disaster, power outage or if travel plans are disrupted. Individuals should pack enough supplies for 7 days in their emergency kit. The following are the components of a basic blood sugar emergency kit.

Cooler

The first thing individuals will need is mini cooler and reusable cold packs to keep insulin cool. Some use a small amount of premade ice to start and use non-rigid cool packs to protect the insulin. There are also pre-made diabetes emergency kits, but they typically contain ancillary items to address high or low glucose levels.

Insulin

Don’t forget the insulin. It’s the last item to be placed in an emergency kit for those using refrigerated medication. There’s also insulin that doesn’t require refrigeration and is good for up to 30 days after opening when maintained in temperatures between 59°F and 86°F. Just be sure to rotate the supply periodically to ensure it hasn’t expired.

Glucose Meter

All the planning in the world will come to naught if a glucose meter isn’t included in the emergency pack. It’s critical for monitoring glucose levels.

Test Strips & Lancets

A glucose meter is of no use without the lancets to obtain a blood sample for testing or the test strips to insert into the meter.

Syringes & Alcohol Wipes

At some point, individuals will need to inject insulin to manage their disease and a supply of hygienic syringes is essential. Individually packaged syringes are best for an emergency diabetes kit. Alcohol wipes are necessary for cleaning the injection site.

Glucagon or Glucose Tablets

In the event of a dangerous low sugar event, Glucagon is an injectable to quickly raise glucose levels. Others choose to include a package or two of glucose tablets to deal with low blood sugar since the tablets typically have a long expiration date.

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People with diabetes face a constant battle of choosing the right foods, monitoring their blood glucose levels, and administering the right amount of insulin. What many may not know is that they’re at increased risk of experiencing a condition called adhesive capsulitis, commonly known as frozen shoulder. It occurs when the connective tissue around the shoulder joint becomes inflamed, stiff and swollen.

Effects of frozen shoulder

The pain and inflammation make it difficult to perform everyday activities. As the condition progresses, the stiffness becomes worse and the pain can be excruciating. Frozen shoulder is a symptom associated with poorly managed glucose levels. High levels of glucose affect the protein collagen that’s a major component of connective tissue.

Frozen shoulder typically affects those around the age of 52 and 25 percent of diabetics will experience it. As the condition progresses, the connective tissue of the shoulder thickens, tightens around the joint, and restricts movement. People with diabetes often experience the most severe cases of frozen shoulder.

Stages of frozen shoulder

There are three stages of frozen shoulder. The first is the “freezing stage” with stiffness and pain. In the “frozen phase,” there’s often less pain, but more shoulder stiffness. In the “thawing stage,” the shoulder returns to its previous, normal range of motion.

Since it develops slowly over time, frozen shoulder is often mistaken for arthritis and misdiagnosed by those in the medical community. Even with an MRI, doctors may see what’s termed as age-appropriate rotator cuff tears with a stiff shoulder. It’s a good idea to ask if it could actually be frozen shoulder, since the treatment for each is different.

Treatments

The usual treatment prescribed by physicians is a non-steroid anti-inflammatory medication for pain and a series of exercises that can be performed at home. If the condition doesn’t improve in a specified amount of time, the doctor may prescribe some combination of physical therapy, steroid injections or even acupuncture until frozen shoulder is resolved.

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Exercise is an important element for diabetics to manage their disease, but it’s especially important for preventing insulin resistance. The condition occurs when the body doesn’t utilize insulin effectively and can result in individuals needing to use larger doses of insulin to combat the effects of more glucose in the blood.

Experts recommend diabetics engage in some type of exercise 3 to 4 times per week, in sessions of 30 minutes. There are dozens of activities that allow individuals to reach those goals. Diabetics should choose a type of exercise they enjoy as they’re more likely to do it consistently. Any exercise will aid in fighting insulin resistance and losing weight.

Swimming

Gliding through the water is more than just a pleasant pastime – it utilizes every muscle in the body. It burns calories for weight loss, builds strength and endurance, and is particularly beneficial for the heart. Water buoys and supports the swimmer, while reducing the effects of gravity on the body.

Tai Chi

The ancient Chinese tradition was developed as a means of self-defense. There are now sessions in which it’s practiced as a graceful form of exercise. It aids in managing stress and the body is in constant motion. It places minimal stress on joints, muscles, and is scientifically proven effective against insulin resistance.

Walking

A brisk walk requires no special equipment and is low-impact. Walking a dog for 30 minutes has benefits for the canine and their human companion. Try tracking steps and progress as a motivational tool.

Dancing

It’s fun, can be done with a partner, or even alone at home. It burns calories, relieves stress, and is good for the heart and lowering blood pressure.

Gardening

Most people don’t realize how relaxing flower or vegetable gardening can be. It lowers stress, builds muscle and strength. It’s a low-impact, aerobic form of exercise.

Multiple Methods

There’s a myriad of ways for diabetics to get the exercise they need. Yoga, cycling, rollerblading, and horseback riding are just some of the opportunities to improve balance and fitness levels. Individuals can choose an activity they already enjoy before attempting to move out of their comfort zone.

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If you have extra, unopened and unused boxes of diabetic test strips – whether you have switched brands, no longer need to test or test less frequently, or have a loved one who has passed away – don’t let them gather dust until they’ve expired and end up in the trash. We’re the best place to sell diabetic test strips online, and if you want to sell your test strips, we’re here to make the process easy and enjoyable!

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Dogs have been used as guardians by humans for as long as time has been recorded. These pups have provided a means of defense and protective “buddy” to human beings. Most recently, these dogs have been trained to be service animals for those who suffer from a health condition that makes them extra susceptible to seizures.

Diabetes is a health condition that has become a prevalent disease. There is a massive surge in the number of people testing positive for diabetes every year, which calls for a drastic solution. There is a variety of tools and tracking devices to help those with the condition. Among those tools is the diabetic service dog.

Service Dog helps in monitoring and alerting a diabetic patient

Service dogs can help individuals compete against diabetes and its related health issues. The canine trained to respond to diabetes-related needs such as blood glucose monitoring, alerting for hypoglycemia, and reminding at risky times of insulin and caloric intake for dieters and patients on dialysis. These specially trained animals can provide independence while still acting as a security blanket at critical moments in an individual’s day.

Help to reduce blood glucose levels

A diabetic service dog is an animal with specific training to help people living with diabetes. They can help you with several different tasks. Their role is also to warn their owners before anything dangerous happens, such as when their insulin drops too low (hypoglycemia), when their blood sugar drops, or when they’re having low or high blood sugar reactions.

Detect low blood sugar levels or fluctuations

Dysfunction in the autonomic nervous system causes a person to be unaware of how much carbohydrate is absorbed from the digestive tract. A diabetic service dog monitors this process by detecting signs of low blood sugar levels or fluctuations in cardiovascular function. If one of these conditions is reached, it will contact the owner and help get them out of a situation before they need medical assistance.

Assist in changing lifestyle for people with diabetes

Diabetic service dogs offer assistance to change lifestyle for diabetic patients, such as trouble with self-monitoring, meal prep, and management systems. The role of a diabetic service dog is very vital. The “Type 1” service dog is specifically geared toward diabetic needs. The service’s main duties are to remind its handler to take multiple daily blood sugar levels and respond appropriately when the levels ebb or flow out of the desired range. Since a diabetic service dog will be with a person throughout the day, they can alert their owner to a few key changes in blood sugar levels.

Smell a change in the smell of perspiration

A service dog can smell a change in the smell of perspiration or notice differences in your urine. If your dog notices that there’s a drop in your blood sugar, they will bark to let you know that something might happen soon.

Conclusion

As you can imagine, the role of a service dog in someone with diabetes is incredibly important and benefits many different areas in a person’s daily life. I would highly recommend that everyone with diabetes take the time to learn more about their options for living with diabetes, including having a Diabetic service dog.

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If you have extra, unopened and unused boxes of diabetic test strips – whether you have switched brands, no longer need to test or test less frequently, or have a loved one who has passed away – don’t let them gather dust until they’ve expired and end up in the trash. We’re the best place to sell diabetic test strips online, and if you want to sell your test strips, we’re here to make the process easy and enjoyable!

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Between trick-or-treating, parties, and festivals, Halloween could be one colossal sugar rush, however, it doesn’t need to be. Your child with diabetes can experience Halloween treats carefully, however, keep in mind there’s more to October 31 than sweets. Listed here are some guidelines for celebrating the spooky holiday without sending glucose stages soaring.

Plan Ahead

Sit down together with your child and discuss your Halloween plans in advance so they know what to assume. Create some boundaries and basic rules, and include them in the choice-making during the festivities. They’ll be less prone to complain about a plan they helped create. Discover what’s important to them about the day, and try to work collectively to have fun and manage diabetes safely.

Prepare Activities That Don’t Involve Food

Take the focus off of sweet via encouraging arts and crafts tasks, pumpkin carving/painting contests, observing a Halloween movie, touring a haunted house, or attending a hayride. It is a first-class option to create recollections that don’t involve food.

Avoid Snacking on Candy

Planning to go trick-or-treating? Make sure your child eats healthy the previous day so they can begin the evening with average blood sugar. Then, make a pact with your youngster to avoid snacking unless until you get home from trick-or-treating. Once you’re home, your child can dose the correct amount of insulin for the carbs within the sweet he/she is ready to eat.

Use Candy to Treat a Low

D-mother Extraordinaire, Meri Schuhmacher, recommends preserving non-chocolate candy that can be utilized to treat future lows, like starburst and skittles, and divide them up into servings of 15 grams of carbohydrates and bag them in my opinion. Store the baggage of sweet in easy to reach areas (like your child’s backpack, your bag or automobile). Consistent with the American Diabetes Association (ADA), chocolate and other larger-fats treats don’t work well for treating lows so these may also be put aside for purposes other than treating a low.

Limit Pieces of Candy per Day

Teaching moderation is essential. Set a rule as to what number of pieces of candy your child can eat a day. Apply this rule to everyone within the home, not simply the child with diabetes.

Donate Extra Candy

You can donate the extra candy to all sorts of neighborhood agencies, a regional children’s health facility, or troops overseas by way of the Halloween sweet purchase-back program. These are also excellent ways to teach your youngster about giving.

Halloween can be a challenging holiday to celebrate with diabetes, but following a few of these tips can help your child have a fun and safe Halloween.

If you would like to find out about earning cash for your unwanted, unused and boxed test strips, complete our online quote form today.

If you have extra, unopened and unused boxes of diabetic test strips – whether you have switched brands, no longer need to test or test less frequently, or have a loved one who has passed away – don’t let them gather dust until they’ve expired and end up in the trash. We’re the best place to sell diabetic test strips online, and if you want to sell your test strips, we’re here to make the process easy and enjoyable!

Visit us at Sell Your Test Strips and get your free quote today!