Everything you need to know about HbA1c
Hemoglobin A1c, HbA1c, A1c… You have probably heard these letters and numbers before. However, what do they actually mean? What is an HbA1c test? What is a “normal” HbA1c level? What can you do to lower your HbA1c? These are great questions. Well, we’ve put together everything you need to know about HbA1c here. What is the HbA1c test? Hemoglobin is the part of your blood that carries oxygen. It’s what gives your blood its red color. When glucose is processed by your body and enters your bloodstream, a small amount of it...
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Cholesterol: What Is It Good For?
It’s a fact that diabetes increases the risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke. Adding high cholesterol into the mix can result in quite a threat hanging over your head. But you should know that not all fats are created equal—and that some are even good for you. Here’s a quick overview. What it actually is Cholesterol refers to a group of lipids (fats) called lipoproteins that are both produced by your body and found in your diet. They play an important role in keeping various body functions running smoothly, especially hormones and digestion...
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Healthy New Year! 5 steps to getting back into your routine.
Which healthy habits went out your window over the holidays? Portion control? Enough sleep? Getting your steps? Eat the recommended serving of vegetables? It's easy to wake up in January and realize that your routine isn't quite a routine anymore. So how can you get back on track? 1. Give up the guilt. You may have eaten too much, took your measures too infrequently or chosen eggnog over the treadmill, but that's in the past. Be glad you enjoyed the holidays, then let it go and look forward. 2. Go to bed early....
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To The Great Outdoors!
What better way to enjoy nice weather than by having a picnic? With a bit of planning, you can have all the fun you want while properly managing your blood glucose. Summertime, and the playin’ is easy Your outing can combine good food and physical activity! If you’re out with friends, bring out your frisbee or your old hacky sack. Have you still got it since high school? Going out as a family, you can play ball with the kids! Remember to always protect your skin from the sun. Crunchy foods, dipping foods Bring an assortment of raw...
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Managing Your Diabetes At Work
We all have days when we’re just overwhelmed. No matter what field you work in, you’re always asked to produce more, faster and with fewer resources. What happens to managing diabetes, then? Stress, emergencies and blood glucose It’s a familiar refrain: stress increases cortisol and causes blood glucose fluctuations. And when your days at the office are a never-ending sprint, eating well, being active and testing your blood glucose can become secondary concerns… which threatens your health—and, ironically, that sacrosanct productivity by the same token! Jumping everyday...
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Money, diabetes and you
Glucose meter, syringes, lancets, strips, insulin, medication… for many people, all of that costs a lot—sometimes too much. The burden is even heavier for the less affluent, such as seniors with fixed incomes. According to the American Diabetes Association, 57% of people living with diabetes say they are unable to follow the treatment they were prescribed because they can’t afford the medication, the devices and the associated supplies. Considering the risks of complications related to improper blood glucose management—neuropathy, strokes, blindness, amputation,...
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Springtime is the perfect "lower your A1C" time
If your healthcare provider has talked to you about reducing your A1C test result, or you want to make some improvements to your diabetes care, this is the ideal time to get started. After all, warmer weather makes it easier to get outside and get active, fresh foods are easier to come by, and the sunshine may help you feel like you can conquer anything. 7% vs. 7.0 mmol/L First, let's be clear on what your A1C result means. It can be a little confusing, as the A1C is a percentage, rather than a direct measurement of the glucose in your blood. Your regular blood sugar checks tell you the amount of...
Read More
Aim for better, not perfect
Guest article by Riva Greenberg. Let's dispel a diabetes myth right now—the idea that you can manage your diabetes and blood sugar perfectly. You can't. There are so many tasks involved in managing diabetes and blood sugar that you will not be able to do them all, every day, with absolute success. For example, you won't eat perfectly all the time. There will be times an event will prevent you from being active. You may forget to take your medicine or log your blood sugar every now and then. Further, while we know keeping our blood sugar in the recommended target range helps delay or prevent diabetes...
Read More
Women with diabetes - own your strength and lift each other up
BY CHRISTEL OERUM (DIABETES STRONG) I am a woman living with diabetes, and if you read this, there is a high likelihood that you are too. Aside from living with diabetes, we might not have much in common, but that does not mean that we cannot or should not support each other. Living with diabetes as a woman comes with a tremendous number of challenges, and there is no reason why any of us should have to face those challenges entirely on our own. Strong women lift each other up...
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Cholesterol: What Is It Good For?
It’s a fact that diabetes increases the risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke. Adding high cholesterol into the mix can result in quite a threat hanging over your head. But you should know that not all fats are created equal—and that some are even good for you. Here’s a quick overview. What it actually is Cholesterol refers to a group of lipids (fats) called lipoproteins that are both produced by your body and found in your diet. They play an important role in keeping various body functions running smoothly, especially hormones and digestion...
Read More Healthy New Year! 5 steps to getting back into your routine.
Which healthy habits went out your window over the holidays? Portion control? Enough sleep? Getting your steps? Eat the recommended serving of vegetables? It's easy to wake up in January and realize that your routine isn't quite a routine anymore. So how can you get back on track? 1. Give up the guilt. You may have eaten too much, took your measures too infrequently or chosen eggnog over the treadmill, but that's in the past. Be glad you enjoyed the holidays, then let it go and look forward. 2. Go to bed early....
Read More To The Great Outdoors!
What better way to enjoy nice weather than by having a picnic? With a bit of planning, you can have all the fun you want while properly managing your blood glucose. Summertime, and the playin’ is easy Your outing can combine good food and physical activity! If you’re out with friends, bring out your frisbee or your old hacky sack. Have you still got it since high school? Going out as a family, you can play ball with the kids! Remember to always protect your skin from the sun. Crunchy foods, dipping foods Bring an assortment of raw...
Read More Managing Your Diabetes At Work
We all have days when we’re just overwhelmed. No matter what field you work in, you’re always asked to produce more, faster and with fewer resources. What happens to managing diabetes, then? Stress, emergencies and blood glucose It’s a familiar refrain: stress increases cortisol and causes blood glucose fluctuations. And when your days at the office are a never-ending sprint, eating well, being active and testing your blood glucose can become secondary concerns… which threatens your health—and, ironically, that sacrosanct productivity by the same token! Jumping everyday...
Read More Money, diabetes and you
Glucose meter, syringes, lancets, strips, insulin, medication… for many people, all of that costs a lot—sometimes too much. The burden is even heavier for the less affluent, such as seniors with fixed incomes. According to the American Diabetes Association, 57% of people living with diabetes say they are unable to follow the treatment they were prescribed because they can’t afford the medication, the devices and the associated supplies. Considering the risks of complications related to improper blood glucose management—neuropathy, strokes, blindness, amputation,...
Read More Springtime is the perfect "lower your A1C" time
If your healthcare provider has talked to you about reducing your A1C test result, or you want to make some improvements to your diabetes care, this is the ideal time to get started. After all, warmer weather makes it easier to get outside and get active, fresh foods are easier to come by, and the sunshine may help you feel like you can conquer anything. 7% vs. 7.0 mmol/L First, let's be clear on what your A1C result means. It can be a little confusing, as the A1C is a percentage, rather than a direct measurement of the glucose in your blood. Your regular blood sugar checks tell you the amount of...
Read More Aim for better, not perfect
Guest article by Riva Greenberg. Let's dispel a diabetes myth right now—the idea that you can manage your diabetes and blood sugar perfectly. You can't. There are so many tasks involved in managing diabetes and blood sugar that you will not be able to do them all, every day, with absolute success. For example, you won't eat perfectly all the time. There will be times an event will prevent you from being active. You may forget to take your medicine or log your blood sugar every now and then. Further, while we know keeping our blood sugar in the recommended target range helps delay or prevent diabetes...
Read More Women with diabetes - own your strength and lift each other up
BY CHRISTEL OERUM (DIABETES STRONG) I am a woman living with diabetes, and if you read this, there is a high likelihood that you are too. Aside from living with diabetes, we might not have much in common, but that does not mean that we cannot or should not support each other. Living with diabetes as a woman comes with a tremendous number of challenges, and there is no reason why any of us should have to face those challenges entirely on our own. Strong women lift each other up...
Read More