Q. I'm working on a research project on diabetic devices and how they could be improved, also, my dad has mild diabetes, and I had some questions.
It seems like there are many types and brands of glucose monitoring and insulin delivery devices with a variety of different features, some better than others, but I don't understand how a person comes to choose and buy a particular device.
Does the doctor prescribe a specific kind, or do they give you a prescription for an insulin pump say, then you have a choice of what brand? Do you shop around? Does your insurance only cover certain types?
If you do have a choice, how do you learn about the different available devices?
Are there certain ones that are like the "iPod" of diabetic devices -- the one everyone has or the one everyone wants to have?
If someone who has diabetes or knows someone who does could explain the process you/they use, I'd really appreciate it!
P.S. You can learn more about our YouTube video project here: http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/vol/354715779.html
It seems like there are many types and brands of glucose monitoring and insulin delivery devices with a variety of different features, some better than others, but I don't understand how a person comes to choose and buy a particular device.
Does the doctor prescribe a specific kind, or do they give you a prescription for an insulin pump say, then you have a choice of what brand? Do you shop around? Does your insurance only cover certain types?
If you do have a choice, how do you learn about the different available devices?
Are there certain ones that are like the "iPod" of diabetic devices -- the one everyone has or the one everyone wants to have?
If someone who has diabetes or knows someone who does could explain the process you/they use, I'd really appreciate it!
P.S. You can learn more about our YouTube video project here: http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/vol/354715779.html
A. I've had type one diabetes for almost ten years- and that's a long time when you're 17. In the beginning we (my parents and I) chose my supplies based on whatever the doctor told us. As I've gotten older, I've started doing more research on my own.
For things like blood sugar testing equipment, I ask my doctor what the options are, and weigh each product's advantages against what is important to me. Things I keep in mind are cost of the test strips, memory, and range of testing. I used to use the Freestyle Flash because of its size and its backlight. But if something happened to my pump and I didn't get insulin, the testing range of the flash doesn't go past 500. I know that sounds really high, but when you're on short-acting insulin alone, if you don't get the insulin your blood glucose can rise quickly to really bad numbers.
When I chose my pump, I went with MiniMed. At the time that I got my first pump (2002/2003) it had the most features available. When I chose my second pump early this year, I chose MiniMed again. I looked through all of th information given to me, and all that was available on the internet. I go through insulin quickly, and the Minimed pump had the largest reservoir, and that was important to me. It has several compatable infusion sets, and if I wasn't comfortable with one, I could try another.
In a way I think that the MiniMed pumps are becoming the "iPods" of diabetic supplies. They have a wide selection of products for your pump (belt clips, bra pouches, skins).
For things like blood sugar testing equipment, I ask my doctor what the options are, and weigh each product's advantages against what is important to me. Things I keep in mind are cost of the test strips, memory, and range of testing. I used to use the Freestyle Flash because of its size and its backlight. But if something happened to my pump and I didn't get insulin, the testing range of the flash doesn't go past 500. I know that sounds really high, but when you're on short-acting insulin alone, if you don't get the insulin your blood glucose can rise quickly to really bad numbers.
When I chose my pump, I went with MiniMed. At the time that I got my first pump (2002/2003) it had the most features available. When I chose my second pump early this year, I chose MiniMed again. I looked through all of th information given to me, and all that was available on the internet. I go through insulin quickly, and the Minimed pump had the largest reservoir, and that was important to me. It has several compatable infusion sets, and if I wasn't comfortable with one, I could try another.
In a way I think that the MiniMed pumps are becoming the "iPods" of diabetic supplies. They have a wide selection of products for your pump (belt clips, bra pouches, skins).
What are are harmless fruits for diabetic patients?
Q. I have developed some diabetic problems recently. I am not taking any medicenes. I have just started taking suger free contents in for Tea/Milk and started morning walk for 20-30 minutes. I want to know the fruits which can be consumed by a diabetic patient.
A. person suffering from diabetes should abstain from eating foods that are rich in cholesterol and fats. The food should be light, non-greasy and easy to digest with lots of fibre content.
Most fruits fit correctly in this category, and are known for their various beneficial effects on a patient suffering from diabetes. They are low on fats and highly rich in nutrients and vitamins and have a positive effect on the unusual rise in the blood glucose levels.
Visit my free website for more information
http://www.reddiabetes.com
However, one should avoid fruit juices and fruit concentrates, because they contain lot of sugar and many fruits are required to make one glass of juice. Moreover, fruit juices do not provide a person with the dietary fibre.
Choose whole fruits more often than juices. They have more fibre.
Choose fruits and fruit juices without added sweeteners or syrups.
Eat lots of citrus fruit such as oranges, sweet lime, grapefruit, or olives.
You can choose from any of the fruits available in the market. Each one has some benefit or the other.
Although diabetics can have any fruit, but they should preferably avoid mango, custard apple, grapes, chikoo, as they have a high sugar content. There are three fruits in particular that are especially beneficial for diabetic patients - apple, grapefruit and jambul (jamun).
Apple
One the most popular fruit, apples have a high pectin content and are very beneficial to diabetic patients. Pectin is found in the rind and in the pulp, and acts as a detoxifier of the body by supplying an excessive amount of galacturonic acid. This helps remove harmful waste from the bloodstream and can lower a diabetic�s insulin requirements by up to or even more than 35%. Besides being rich in pectin, apples are also rich in Vitamin B1. Vitamin B1 prevents the damage of the brain cells that can occur due to diabetic acidosis.
Grapefruit
Grapefruit � a citrus fruit with a typical, refreshing flavour has several medicinal properties that helps one fight diabetes � can bring down the blood glucose level within a time span of just three days. However, just a diet of grapefruit is not enough. One needs to take more of vegetables and fruits rather than a diet rich in fats.
Nutritionists recommend that anyone suffering from high blood sugar levels should be consuming at least three servings of grapefruit every day. Grapefruit can also be used as a preventative measure against high blood sugar levels, especially when used in conjunction with a low fat, low-sugar, low-starch diet. Diabetic patients should experience a change in less than three months.
Rose apple or jambul
The elements present in jambul have a strong positive effect on pancreas. It prevents the conversion of starch into bad sugar, thus controlling the blood sugar levels. The seeds of this fruit can be dried, powdered and then taken with water. Apart from controlling diabetes, it also relieves thirst and prevents excessive urination.
In addition to the fruit, the bark of the jambul tree is also used to treat diabetes. The bark itself is dried out entirely, then burned into a white-colored ash which is then taken. In Ayurveda, a diabetic patient is given about two grams of this ash in the morning on an empty stomach and two grams each in the afternoon and in the evening - an hour after meals.
The question is not whether or not you should eat fruit but rather how much and what kinds of fruit you should be eating.
People with diabetes are encouraged to eat at least five portions of fruit and vegetables every day. Spreading the fruit you eat through the day will avoid a sudden rise in blood glucose levels. Although some fruits have a lower glycemic index, the important thing is to increase the variety of different fruits that one eats. Eating more fruit and vegetables also helps to improve the overall balance of the diet. Fruit is the perfect snack.
However, one needs to be careful about the fruits chosen to eat, how often you eat them and when you eat them. It is advisable to choose fruits that rank low on the glycemic index. Fruits high on the index are mango, chikoo, custard apple, dates, pineapple.
How fast a fruit will raise your blood sugar also depends on considerations as whether you eat the fruit after a high-calorie meal or drink it as a glass of fruit juice on an empty stomach.
It is also important to pay attention to the size of the fruit you eat - choose a small or medium-sized portion over a large one (or eat only half of the large one).
Most fruits fit correctly in this category, and are known for their various beneficial effects on a patient suffering from diabetes. They are low on fats and highly rich in nutrients and vitamins and have a positive effect on the unusual rise in the blood glucose levels.
Visit my free website for more information
http://www.reddiabetes.com
However, one should avoid fruit juices and fruit concentrates, because they contain lot of sugar and many fruits are required to make one glass of juice. Moreover, fruit juices do not provide a person with the dietary fibre.
Choose whole fruits more often than juices. They have more fibre.
Choose fruits and fruit juices without added sweeteners or syrups.
Eat lots of citrus fruit such as oranges, sweet lime, grapefruit, or olives.
You can choose from any of the fruits available in the market. Each one has some benefit or the other.
Although diabetics can have any fruit, but they should preferably avoid mango, custard apple, grapes, chikoo, as they have a high sugar content. There are three fruits in particular that are especially beneficial for diabetic patients - apple, grapefruit and jambul (jamun).
Apple
One the most popular fruit, apples have a high pectin content and are very beneficial to diabetic patients. Pectin is found in the rind and in the pulp, and acts as a detoxifier of the body by supplying an excessive amount of galacturonic acid. This helps remove harmful waste from the bloodstream and can lower a diabetic�s insulin requirements by up to or even more than 35%. Besides being rich in pectin, apples are also rich in Vitamin B1. Vitamin B1 prevents the damage of the brain cells that can occur due to diabetic acidosis.
Grapefruit
Grapefruit � a citrus fruit with a typical, refreshing flavour has several medicinal properties that helps one fight diabetes � can bring down the blood glucose level within a time span of just three days. However, just a diet of grapefruit is not enough. One needs to take more of vegetables and fruits rather than a diet rich in fats.
Nutritionists recommend that anyone suffering from high blood sugar levels should be consuming at least three servings of grapefruit every day. Grapefruit can also be used as a preventative measure against high blood sugar levels, especially when used in conjunction with a low fat, low-sugar, low-starch diet. Diabetic patients should experience a change in less than three months.
Rose apple or jambul
The elements present in jambul have a strong positive effect on pancreas. It prevents the conversion of starch into bad sugar, thus controlling the blood sugar levels. The seeds of this fruit can be dried, powdered and then taken with water. Apart from controlling diabetes, it also relieves thirst and prevents excessive urination.
In addition to the fruit, the bark of the jambul tree is also used to treat diabetes. The bark itself is dried out entirely, then burned into a white-colored ash which is then taken. In Ayurveda, a diabetic patient is given about two grams of this ash in the morning on an empty stomach and two grams each in the afternoon and in the evening - an hour after meals.
The question is not whether or not you should eat fruit but rather how much and what kinds of fruit you should be eating.
People with diabetes are encouraged to eat at least five portions of fruit and vegetables every day. Spreading the fruit you eat through the day will avoid a sudden rise in blood glucose levels. Although some fruits have a lower glycemic index, the important thing is to increase the variety of different fruits that one eats. Eating more fruit and vegetables also helps to improve the overall balance of the diet. Fruit is the perfect snack.
However, one needs to be careful about the fruits chosen to eat, how often you eat them and when you eat them. It is advisable to choose fruits that rank low on the glycemic index. Fruits high on the index are mango, chikoo, custard apple, dates, pineapple.
How fast a fruit will raise your blood sugar also depends on considerations as whether you eat the fruit after a high-calorie meal or drink it as a glass of fruit juice on an empty stomach.
It is also important to pay attention to the size of the fruit you eat - choose a small or medium-sized portion over a large one (or eat only half of the large one).
What is the criteria for deciding which diabetic diet to place someone on?
Q. I am an RN attempting to find this information and coming up short. How do you decide whether to place someone on a 1200 ADA diet or a 2500 ADA diet?
A. It depends on the severity, the age of onset, and the type. I assume you are asking about type II diabetes in an older person. If the person is still producing sufficient insulin to control glucose when the diet is stabilized, then
How often should a diabetic exercise? What kinds of exercise would be appropriate?
Q. I'm not sure how much exercise would also be considered too much. I've heard and read some recommend an exercise of 3 times a week. Would exercising daily be too much? I think other people leading active lifestyles have no problem with daily physical activity. Is it possible for a diabetic to still build up their muscles? Or would their condition make it a little more difficult for them?
A. If you're out of shape or have recently been diagnosed as having diabetes, see your doctor before you begin an exercise program. Your doctor can tell you about the kinds of exercise that are good for you depending on how well your diabetes is controlled and any complications or other conditions you may have. Here are some tips for starting:
* If you're planning to walk or jog, be sure your shoes fit well and are designed for the activity you have in mind. Be alert for blisters. Wear new shoes for a bit each day until they're comfortable and not as likely to cause blisters. Remember, always wear socks.
* Start slowly with a low-impact exercise such as walking, swimming, or biking.
* Build up the time you spend exercising gradually. If you have to, start with five minutes and add a bit of time each day.
* Always wear an ID tag indicating that you have diabetes to insure proper treatment in case there's a problem when you're exercising or you have an injury.
* Avoid lifting very heavy weights as a precaution against sudden high blood pressure.
* If you have foot problems, consider swimming or biking, which is easier on the feet than jogging.
* Stretch for five minutes before and after your workout regardless of how intense you plan to exercise.
How often should you exercise?
Try to exercise at the same time every day for the same duration. This will help control your blood sugar. Exercise at least three times a week for about 30 to 45 minutes.
What about food and insulin?
If you plan to exercise more than an hour after eating, it's a good idea to have a snack. Generally, it's good to have a high-carbohydrate snack such as six ounces of fruit juice or half of a plain bbagel.
If you're doing heavy exercise such as aerobics, running or handball, you may need to eat a bit more such as a half of a meat sandwich and a cup of milk.
If you haven't eaten for over an hour or if your blood sugar is less than 100 to 120, eat or drink something like an apple or a glass of milk before you exercise. Carry a snack with you in case of low blood sugar.
If you use insulin, exercise after eating, not before. Test your blood sugar before, during and after exercising. Don't exercise when your blood sugar is more than 240.
If you're not an insulin user, test your blood sugar before and after exercising if you take pills for diabetes.
When is exercise a problem?
If your blood sugar level is over 300 mg/dl, if you are sick, short of breath, have ketones in your urine or are experiencing any tingling, pain or numbness in your legs, don't exercise. Also if your medication is peaking, it's better not to exercise.
you can visit this site for more information on diabetes
http://diabetes-complications.blogspot.com/
* If you're planning to walk or jog, be sure your shoes fit well and are designed for the activity you have in mind. Be alert for blisters. Wear new shoes for a bit each day until they're comfortable and not as likely to cause blisters. Remember, always wear socks.
* Start slowly with a low-impact exercise such as walking, swimming, or biking.
* Build up the time you spend exercising gradually. If you have to, start with five minutes and add a bit of time each day.
* Always wear an ID tag indicating that you have diabetes to insure proper treatment in case there's a problem when you're exercising or you have an injury.
* Avoid lifting very heavy weights as a precaution against sudden high blood pressure.
* If you have foot problems, consider swimming or biking, which is easier on the feet than jogging.
* Stretch for five minutes before and after your workout regardless of how intense you plan to exercise.
How often should you exercise?
Try to exercise at the same time every day for the same duration. This will help control your blood sugar. Exercise at least three times a week for about 30 to 45 minutes.
What about food and insulin?
If you plan to exercise more than an hour after eating, it's a good idea to have a snack. Generally, it's good to have a high-carbohydrate snack such as six ounces of fruit juice or half of a plain bbagel.
If you're doing heavy exercise such as aerobics, running or handball, you may need to eat a bit more such as a half of a meat sandwich and a cup of milk.
If you haven't eaten for over an hour or if your blood sugar is less than 100 to 120, eat or drink something like an apple or a glass of milk before you exercise. Carry a snack with you in case of low blood sugar.
If you use insulin, exercise after eating, not before. Test your blood sugar before, during and after exercising. Don't exercise when your blood sugar is more than 240.
If you're not an insulin user, test your blood sugar before and after exercising if you take pills for diabetes.
When is exercise a problem?
If your blood sugar level is over 300 mg/dl, if you are sick, short of breath, have ketones in your urine or are experiencing any tingling, pain or numbness in your legs, don't exercise. Also if your medication is peaking, it's better not to exercise.
you can visit this site for more information on diabetes
http://diabetes-complications.blogspot.com/
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