Affordable and adequate health care insurance is critical for people with diabetes. Yet a significant portion of adults and children with diabetes are underinsured or uninsured. People may have to choose between their health and paying the bills or putting food on the table.

One change that will impact diabetics that receive Medicare goes into effect on Jan. 1, 2023. It forces Medicare to cap the price of insulin at $35 per month. That’s good news, but it doesn’t reduce the cost of test strips and other supplies diabetics require. Neither does it affect anyone with traditional insurance.

Insurance coverage of diabetic supplies varies wildly among insurers. Diabetics that work are still at the mercy of employer-provided insurance coverage that can charge virtually any amount of co-pays they want and pass the majority of the cost for diabetic supplies on to the patient.

Coverage through the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, can be obtained at the Healthcare Marketplace. There are plans that have no monthly premium if the applicant qualifies and they cover diabetic supplies. However, the deductibles are typically so high – up to $5,000 or more – that the average person is still shouldering the entire cost of their insulin and other diabetic necessities.

Medicaid helps low-income households with medical costs, providing individuals meet income eligibility guidelines. They may have deductibles, also called spend-downs, that run into thousands of dollars before Medicaid will pay for any covered expenses.

Diabetes has multiple ways it affects the body. Depending on how well the disease is controlled and how long the person has been afflicted will have an impact on the healthcare services a person will need. Each person must evaluate their current and ongoing healthcare requirements to locate the insurance company and policy that best meets their needs now and in the future.

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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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If you’re like most people, you tend to eat a meal in a descending order of favorites. Meat fans will consume their meat portion first and so on. Several studies with non-diabetic subject have demonstrated that the order in which you eat your food has a direct impact on your blood sugar levels.

Your glucose levels naturally begin to rise when you eat. The order in which food is consumed has does impact how the body releases glucose into the bloodstream and how insulin affects that process. Subjects in the study that ate vegetables and protein first had glucose levels that were 28 percent lower than those that ate high-carb foods such as bread and pasta first.

Mitigating Factors

The research can have important implications for people with diabetes, but there are other facts that you should consider. By eating your veggies first, you’re beginning to fill up on vegetables before you even get to other parts of the meal. You may not even be able to eat as much of the protein and other meal elements. Since vegetables are lower in carbs, blood glucose levels will reflect that.

A number of other factors will impact your blood sugar levels. Drinking too much coffee, consuming alcoholic beverages, insufficient sleep, hormonal levels, and high or extended levels of stress will increase glucose levels. Other things that will affect your glucose levels include certain medications, smoking and dehydration, in addition to pain, illness, injury, infection and surgery.

There are dozens of considerations when you have diabetes, from what you eat and your activity level to regular testing and precautions when going out in very hot weather. Even the temperature of your shower will affect glucose levels. If eating your veggies first can keep blood sugar levels from spiking, it’s worth a try.

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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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According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 96 million Americans have prediabetes and they don’t even know it. It’s very common and there are simple lifestyle changes that people can implement to prevent the condition from deteriorating into full-blown diabetes.

People with a family history are at greatest risk of developing prediabetes, along with those of African-American, Hispanic, and Native American descent. Other risk factors include being overweight, people age 45 and over, and those with a sedentary lifestyle.

Lose Weight

Never start an exercise program without a doctor’s clearance. Start slowly and don’t expect instant results. Individuals don’t have to start a hard-core gym regimen, though they can work with a trained coach if desired.

It’s important that individuals choose a type of activity they enjoy doing. That can encompass horseback riding, walking, biking, swimming, bowling or badminton. No one is going to keep doing something they don’t enjoy.

Eat Healthy

Make an appointment with a nutritionist. The professional can teach individuals how to eat healthy and make healthy choices. Individuals will also learn how food choices affect blood sugar levels.

Stress & Motivation

Stress can result in overeating and an abundance of comfort foods, both of which are detrimental for those with prediabetes. High and sustained levels of stress hormones affect the amount of insulin the body produces.

Staying motivated can be a problem for those managing prediabetes. A lapse in daily exercise or consuming a cookie doesn’t mean the entire plan for managing prediabetes has failed. People should be kind to themselves and plan for ultimate success.

Stop Smoking

A little-known fact, even among those with diabetes, is that smoking increases insulin resistance, making it difficult for the body to use insulin effectively. There are a number of smoking cessation methods from which to choose and not everyone responds the same way to each technique. If one method doesn’t work, try a different one.

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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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Every woman is familiar with the blood tests her OB/GYN orders throughout her pregnancy. He/she is looking for many indicators, including evidence that the patient is developing gestational diabetes. The individual may need to take an oral medication and/or insulin.

Gestational Diabetes

In the U.S., approximately 6-9 percent of pregnant women will develop gestational diabetes. It occurs when a woman’s pancreas can’t make enough insulin to use blood sugar for energy. The condition typically goes away after the baby is born, but additional blood tests will need to be performed to make sure.

However, in some instances, the disease persists and doesn’t disappear. It’s then defined as Type 2 diabetes. Even when the disease does vanish women that develop gestational diabetes are more likely to develop Type 2 diabetes later in life.

It’s important that gestational diabetes be detected early. Uncontrolled gestational diabetes results in extra-large babies. It has the potential to cause problems with the delivery. Babies can be born with nerve damage that occurs during delivery and can necessitate the need for a C-section. The disease can also cause high-blood pressure.

Gestational diabetes often doesn’t present any overt symptoms and is often mistaken for normal signs of pregnancy that includes an increase in thirst, tiredness, and more frequent urination. Science doesn’t know why some women develop the disease and others don’t.

Some women are at more risk than others of developing diabetes during pregnancy. They include women with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or above, women who have previously had a baby weighing 10 lbs. or more, and those who developed gestational diabetes during a previous pregnancy. Women of Black, Hispanic, Asian, and Native American descent are more likely to develop the disease.

Women can help manage and control the potential for developing the disease while pregnancy by eating healthy, exercising, and taking medication if required. More frequent checkups and blood work will be required

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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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The summer season presents some special concerns for people with diabetes. It’s more difficult for individuals to keep their blood sugar levels at a safe level during the heat of summer. It’s a time when diabetes management can be interrupted for many reasons.

Use of Insulin

High temperatures affect the way the body uses insulin. Individuals will need to test more often to keep blood sugar levels within range. Individuals will need to adjust their diet, liquid intake, and insulin dosage.

Dehydration

People with diabetes are more sensitive to humidity and temperatures, and they’re at increased risk of heat exhaustion. Diabetics get dehydrated quicker than others and failure to drink enough liquids – preferably water – can increase blood sugar levels. Those elevated levels make individuals urinate more often. Diuretics and some blood pressure medications can contribute to dehydration.

Diabetics should drink water, even if they don’t feel particularly thirsty. Eschew any type of alcoholic drinks and beverages that contain caffeine. That includes coffee, tea, sports drinks and energy beverages. They contribute to dehydration.

Heat Exhaustion/Heat Stroke

Damage to blood vessels and nerves is a common problem for diabetics and can interfere with the ability to sweat and cool the body. That can easily lead to medical emergencies of heat exhaustion or heat stroke Keep informed about the heat index. The temperature may be 80, but can actually feel like 100 due to the combination of heat and humidity. Stay in the shade as much as possible.

Use A/C

Make good use of air conditioning, especially during the hottest part of the day. Fans don’t cool – they just blow around the heated air. Exercise, walk the dog and run errands during the coolest part of the day. Consider exercising at an air-conditioned gym or fitness center.

Dress Light and Loose

Wear light colored clothing that fits loosely and is lightweight to reduce sweating and allow sweat to evaporate better.

Power Outages

Plan ahead for power outages. Have a small cooler and ice on hand for insulin that must be kept cool. Go to a cooling station or other facility where air conditioning is available if the outage will last several hours.

Symptoms

Know the symptoms of high or low blood sugar levels. Symptoms encompass dizziness, headaches, nausea and increased heartbeat, along with muscle cramps, profuse sweating and even fainting. The inability to sweat is a major danger sign.

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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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When you’re diagnosed with diabetes, the overwhelming warning you receive from doctors is to be careful of high blood sugar levels. You’re cautioned about the symptoms of glucose levels that are too high and the deadly conditions to which you’re susceptible ranging from heart disease to kidney failure. What doctors and dieticians seldom tell you is the dangers of low blood sugar known as hypoglycemia.

Low glucose levels can be just as dangerous and deadly as those that are too elevated. In an effort to manage the disease, you could be placing yourself at risk for low blood sugar levels. Glucose levels continually change throughout the day and it’s essential that you know the symptoms of hypoglycemia, its causes, and what to do.

Reasons for Low Blood Sugar

You may have taken too much insulin, it’s been too long since you’ve eaten, or you’ve been engaged in physical activity which uses extra sugar to fuel the body. Drinking alcohol and caffeinated beverages, being dehydrated, and exposure to very hot and humid conditions can also result in low blood sugar. Women may experience low blood sugar levels during menstruation. Some diseases and disorders, types of prescribed medications, and over-the-counter remedies can affect blood glucose levels.

Symptoms

Many of the symptoms of low blood sugar are similar to those of elevated glucose levels. You may begin to shake and/or sweat, feel nervous or anxious, and display irritability or confusion. Dizziness and fast heartbeat are also symptoms and you might or might not feel hungry.

As hypoglycemia worsens, symptoms include weakness, along with difficulty seeing clearly and walking. It’s not uncommon to faint and seizures may eventually occur. One of the reasons that frequent blood sugar testing is essential is that some people have no overt symptoms and may be unaware that their glucose levels have dropped.

Treatment

For immediate relief of symptoms, drink some orange juice or other high sugar beverage. You can also eat some glucose tablets, hard candy or glucose gel. It’s a good idea to keep a glucagon emergency kit handy and make sure that family and friends know how to use it.

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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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Monitoring blood glucose levels is an essential part of living with diabetes. It becomes progressively easier over time for adults to prick their fingers to obtain a sample of blood. Parents must perform the testing for very small children. However, a day will come when parents will have to teach their child how to use test strips and glucose meters on their own.

How to Check

Even though they may have seen their parents perform the testing procedure many times, doing it on their own is an entirely different matter. Parents will need to walk a child through the process and it may take many repetitions before they feel confident and do it correctly. That’s to be expected and parents shouldn’t get frustrated with them.

Why to Check

Parents need to have an honest conversation with the child. Children need to know that testing is the way they can help keep themselves safe. Explain what normal readings are, along with what constitutes a high or low reading and what to do. The readings tell them whether they need to eat something, take insulin and if so, how much. If the child is involved in sports and other activities, they need to know that testing allows them to monitor their glucose levels so they can participate.

When to Check

Teach the child that they’ll need to check before breakfast, lunch and dinner and before bed. Teens will need to know they should never get behind the wheel of a car unless they’ve tested their glucose levels first. It’s important for them to know that sometimes they’ll need to check more often – before, during and after exercise. Sometimes glucose levels can drop during the night and there may be times when they need to wake up and check, especially if their glucose levels are low at bedtime.

Additional Checking

When people are ill, it can affect their glucose levels and some medications also affect glucose levels. Be sure the child knows that blood glucose levels can fluctuate if they’re sick and it’s a good idea to test more often if they’re ill. Parents shouldn’t panic about teaching a child to test their own blood – they’ll always be there to provide advice and assistance.

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!

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People with diabetes have a lot to deal with. They must monitor their blood glucose levels, contend with a weakened immune system, and premature aging. What they may not foresee is a battle with hair loss. Diabetics are far more likely to experience alopecia areata, a condition in which the immune system attacks hair follicles. It can result in hair loss in patches on the head and other parts of the anatomy.

Even with careful blood glucose monitoring, diabetes causes damage within the body. When blood vessels are damaged, they can’t transport oxygen or nutrients throughout the body adequately – and that includes to the scalp. High glucose levels impact the hair’s regular growth patterns.

Hydration is especially important for diabetics. Without sufficient hydration, hair becomes dry, brittle, and more prone to breakage. A variety of nutrients are required for hair growth and a lack of vitamin D contributes to hair loss and stunts new growth.

Additionally, oral medications that lowers blood glucose levels may increase the potential for hair loss. The medications can prevent the body from absorbing vitamin B12 that produces red blood cells responsible for carrying oxygen to the scalp. An iron deficiency also affects hair loss and is associated with obesity. Vitamin B7 is also needed for hair growth.

The good news is that when glucose levels are under control, some hair regrowth will occur and fewer hairs will be lost. In most instances, the hair follicles retain the ability to regrow hair. However, that’s small comfort for diabetics that are losing their hair. Hair loss can be gradual and occur over time or suddenly increase in noticeable amounts.

Hair loss due to alopecia areata isn’t life threatening. The psychological and emotional toll is devastating, affecting confidence and self-image. It can be especially detrimental to people with diabetes who may withdraw and discontinue their exercise regimen. The expertise of a dermatologist that’s familiar with hair loss due to diabetes can be especially helpful.

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!

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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.

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!

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.

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!