How to make sense of blood sugar values
I don’t understand what my blood sugar range means! If you live with diabetes, you have probably been asked to check your blood sugar a lot. But what are you supposed to be checking? How do you interpret the values you see? Managing your diabetes is easier when you know what the values mean and what you are trying to accomplish. What is the normal blood sugar range? Your doctor is the best person to ask what your blood sugar goals should be. Since everyone is different and unique, your goals may be different from the standard ranges. Things like age, your health...
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5 ways to manage type 2 diabetes while working from home
Making the shift from being an in-office employee to one who works remotely can certainly be an adjustment. You may need to learn how to balance your own conference calls, create boundaries between your family time and late-night requests from colleagues when there’s no commute separating the spheres of your life and focus on that quarterly report when there are piles of laundry staring you in the face. But if you’re one of the nearly 4 million Canadians living with diabetes, working from home presents a whole different set of challenges. Let’s face it; it’s easier to give into stress...
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Demystifying injections
Diabetes is often associated with injections—whether it’s for capillary blood glucose testing, insulin injections or other injectable medications. In fact, in recent years, it is not only insulin that can be injected, but also other diabetes medications. Having to inject medication yourself can be unsettling for many people, but most people don't feel fear after a few times. Many people even breathe a sigh of relief after the first injection, because the injection is not as painful or complicated as they expected. Insulin and other injectable medications come in...
Read More
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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6 things to know when diagnosed with type 2 diabetes
If you’ve been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, you’ll probably never forget the moment your doctor shared the news--and the rollercoaster of emotions that followed. Maybe you saw it coming; your doctor told you sometime within the last few years that you were living with prediabetes, and you always assumed diabetes was inevitable. Or maybe it came out of left field. I’m not even overweight, you thought. First, know this: All your feelings are valid and completely normal. It’s overwhelming to find out that you live with a chronic disease such as Type 2 diabetes. And it can make...
Read More
Tips for taming type 2 diabetes
Changing habits: one step at a time People who are diagnosed with diabetes must learn to live with the disease. This can be a daunting task, as it requires significant lifestyle changes. However, it is important to be kind to yourself and to implement these changes at your own pace. Nutrition Pay special attention to your eating habits. In addition to lowering your sugar intake, make sure you eat enough carbohydrates. As a general rule, adults need 45 to 75 grams of carbohydrates per meal (and 15 to...
Read More
5 simple ways to manage type 2 diabetes
Living with type 2 diabetes can feel like a balancing act, juggling many competing demands at once. But with the right habits and tools, you can live well with diabetes without getting overwhelmed. From meal planning to exercise to blood glucose monitoring, there are several simple steps you can take to ease your type 2 diabetes management. Start by learning about diabetes Whether you’re newly diagnosed or...
Read MorePages
5 ways to manage type 2 diabetes while working from home
Making the shift from being an in-office employee to one who works remotely can certainly be an adjustment. You may need to learn how to balance your own conference calls, create boundaries between your family time and late-night requests from colleagues when there’s no commute separating the spheres of your life and focus on that quarterly report when there are piles of laundry staring you in the face. But if you’re one of the nearly 4 million Canadians living with diabetes, working from home presents a whole different set of challenges. Let’s face it; it’s easier to give into stress...
Read More Demystifying injections
Diabetes is often associated with injections—whether it’s for capillary blood glucose testing, insulin injections or other injectable medications. In fact, in recent years, it is not only insulin that can be injected, but also other diabetes medications. Having to inject medication yourself can be unsettling for many people, but most people don't feel fear after a few times. Many people even breathe a sigh of relief after the first injection, because the injection is not as painful or complicated as they expected. Insulin and other injectable medications come in...
Read More 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...
Read More 6 things to know when diagnosed with type 2 diabetes
If you’ve been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, you’ll probably never forget the moment your doctor shared the news--and the rollercoaster of emotions that followed. Maybe you saw it coming; your doctor told you sometime within the last few years that you were living with prediabetes, and you always assumed diabetes was inevitable. Or maybe it came out of left field. I’m not even overweight, you thought. First, know this: All your feelings are valid and completely normal. It’s overwhelming to find out that you live with a chronic disease such as Type 2 diabetes. And it can make...
Read More Tips for taming type 2 diabetes
Changing habits: one step at a time People who are diagnosed with diabetes must learn to live with the disease. This can be a daunting task, as it requires significant lifestyle changes. However, it is important to be kind to yourself and to implement these changes at your own pace. Nutrition Pay special attention to your eating habits. In addition to lowering your sugar intake, make sure you eat enough carbohydrates. As a general rule, adults need 45 to 75 grams of carbohydrates per meal (and 15 to...
Read More 5 simple ways to manage type 2 diabetes
Living with type 2 diabetes can feel like a balancing act, juggling many competing demands at once. But with the right habits and tools, you can live well with diabetes without getting overwhelmed. From meal planning to exercise to blood glucose monitoring, there are several simple steps you can take to ease your type 2 diabetes management. Start by learning about diabetes Whether you’re newly diagnosed or...
Read More