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...
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Neuropathy: A Painful Reality
Neuropathy is one of the complications of diabetes: over time, hyperglycemia ends up damaging nerves—particularly those in the lower extremities. This can then compromise the functioning of organs such as the digestive or renal system, the heart or the genitals. Recognizing the problem and diagnosing it in time The risk factors of neuropathy share much with those of diabetes: High blood glucose High triglyceride levels in the blood Excess weight Smoking Hypertension Your health care...
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How and Why to Get a Good Night’s Sleep
When you are getting enough sleep, you may find that you have an easier time controlling your blood sugar. You’ll be more alert during the day, have more energy, less stress, and an overall better mindset for monitoring and managing your diabetes. Consider what happens when you don’t get enough sleep. In addition to other things that may interfere with your sleep like schedule changes or stress, people living with diabetes can have potential complications with sleep. Both high and low blood sugar levels can interrupt your sleep. People living with type 2 diabetes who don’t get a good night’s...
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Delicious Valentine’s Day
Picture this: it’s Valentine’s Day and all that chocolate is looking mighty fine. You’d like to enjoy a good dinner without worries—so what do you do? Do not fear, here we come to the rescue. Here are three ideas to celebrate the occasion while keeping your diabetes managed. 1. This year, forget about overcrowded restaurants and prepare a five-star meal in the comfort of your home by drawing inspiration from Ricardo’s excellent recipes for people with diabetes. You’ll have peace of...
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How to Talk to Your Doctor
Whether you’ve been living with diabetes for years or you’re newly diagnosed, communicating with your health care team is one of the best things you can do. If you’re nervous about opening up to your doctor or pharmacist, there are some good reasons to conquer these fears. Less communication leads to measurable increases in your stress, anxiety, and possible depression. It also leads, inevitably, to less frequent and less successful diabetes management.1 Since communicating with your health care providers is proven to be good for your health, here are some guidelines for starting the conversation and keeping...
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For A Healthy Heart!
Did you know your heart beats about 35 million times a year? It’s quite the hard-working muscle! However, it does need your cooperation to keep working properly. Wondering how you can help? Watch out for high blood pressure. When you have high blood pressure, your heart needs to work even harder, and your blood vessels can suffer from it. Keep in mind that diet plays an important role in managing your blood pressure (for example, consuming too much sodium is a risk factor). Limit your...
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Healthy Barbecue Recipe
Do you recognize the fragrance that’s filling the air in your neighbourhood? That’s right, the barbecue season has begun! You put on your apron, ready to impress everyone with your grill mastery… when suddenly, the question arises. Is this cooking method compatible with diabetes management? Good news: it’s absolutely possible to cook healthy meals on the barbecue. The important...
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Preparing for pregnancy—good reasons to start today
Let's think into the future. Imagine sitting in a rocking chair playing with ten brand-new, tiny toes. That's the image you can remember every time you check your blood glucose, visit your doctor or say no to a glass of wine. And it's absolutely worth it. Not ready for parenthood yet? Here's what you can do now. There are several things you can do to prepare for pregnancy well before you're ready to conceive. Read about it—just not too much. When you understand the risks, you can take steps to reduce them, but it could be overwhelming if you dwell...
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Taking Good Care Of Your Skin
Living with diabetes means being more susceptible to dry skin. One reason is that high blood glucose causes more frequent urination which leads to dehydration. Given that hyperglycemia affects nerves and capillaries, you may also observe a decrease in sweating. The problem is that dry skin gets injured or cracked more easily, making it more vulnerable to infections that can create serious complications. Besides, if you’re falling prey to neuropathy, you may not notice the problem early enough. Various complications ...
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Neuropathy: A Painful Reality
Neuropathy is one of the complications of diabetes: over time, hyperglycemia ends up damaging nerves—particularly those in the lower extremities. This can then compromise the functioning of organs such as the digestive or renal system, the heart or the genitals. Recognizing the problem and diagnosing it in time The risk factors of neuropathy share much with those of diabetes: High blood glucose High triglyceride levels in the blood Excess weight Smoking Hypertension Your health care...
Read More How and Why to Get a Good Night’s Sleep
When you are getting enough sleep, you may find that you have an easier time controlling your blood sugar. You’ll be more alert during the day, have more energy, less stress, and an overall better mindset for monitoring and managing your diabetes. Consider what happens when you don’t get enough sleep. In addition to other things that may interfere with your sleep like schedule changes or stress, people living with diabetes can have potential complications with sleep. Both high and low blood sugar levels can interrupt your sleep. People living with type 2 diabetes who don’t get a good night’s...
Read More Delicious Valentine’s Day
Picture this: it’s Valentine’s Day and all that chocolate is looking mighty fine. You’d like to enjoy a good dinner without worries—so what do you do? Do not fear, here we come to the rescue. Here are three ideas to celebrate the occasion while keeping your diabetes managed. 1. This year, forget about overcrowded restaurants and prepare a five-star meal in the comfort of your home by drawing inspiration from Ricardo’s excellent recipes for people with diabetes. You’ll have peace of...
Read More How to Talk to Your Doctor
Whether you’ve been living with diabetes for years or you’re newly diagnosed, communicating with your health care team is one of the best things you can do. If you’re nervous about opening up to your doctor or pharmacist, there are some good reasons to conquer these fears. Less communication leads to measurable increases in your stress, anxiety, and possible depression. It also leads, inevitably, to less frequent and less successful diabetes management.1 Since communicating with your health care providers is proven to be good for your health, here are some guidelines for starting the conversation and keeping...
Read More For A Healthy Heart!
Did you know your heart beats about 35 million times a year? It’s quite the hard-working muscle! However, it does need your cooperation to keep working properly. Wondering how you can help? Watch out for high blood pressure. When you have high blood pressure, your heart needs to work even harder, and your blood vessels can suffer from it. Keep in mind that diet plays an important role in managing your blood pressure (for example, consuming too much sodium is a risk factor). Limit your...
Read More Healthy Barbecue Recipe
Do you recognize the fragrance that’s filling the air in your neighbourhood? That’s right, the barbecue season has begun! You put on your apron, ready to impress everyone with your grill mastery… when suddenly, the question arises. Is this cooking method compatible with diabetes management? Good news: it’s absolutely possible to cook healthy meals on the barbecue. The important...
Read More Preparing for pregnancy—good reasons to start today
Let's think into the future. Imagine sitting in a rocking chair playing with ten brand-new, tiny toes. That's the image you can remember every time you check your blood glucose, visit your doctor or say no to a glass of wine. And it's absolutely worth it. Not ready for parenthood yet? Here's what you can do now. There are several things you can do to prepare for pregnancy well before you're ready to conceive. Read about it—just not too much. When you understand the risks, you can take steps to reduce them, but it could be overwhelming if you dwell...
Read More Taking Good Care Of Your Skin
Living with diabetes means being more susceptible to dry skin. One reason is that high blood glucose causes more frequent urination which leads to dehydration. Given that hyperglycemia affects nerves and capillaries, you may also observe a decrease in sweating. The problem is that dry skin gets injured or cracked more easily, making it more vulnerable to infections that can create serious complications. Besides, if you’re falling prey to neuropathy, you may not notice the problem early enough. Various complications ...
Read More