Diabetes: How to Give Glucagon

People with diabetes sometimes get very low blood sugar. If they are unconscious, they need glucagon right away. Glucagon is a hormone that raises blood sugar quickly. It can be given as a shot or as a powder that's sprayed into the nose. If someone close to you has diabetes, you may need to give them the glucagon shot...

Diabetes: How to Prepare for a Colonoscopy

Before the test, you will need to stop eating solid foods. You also will follow instructions on how to clean out your colon. This will help your doctor to be able to see inside your colon during the test. Before you schedule When you make your appointment for the colonoscopy, mention that you have diabetes. Ask for any...

Diabetes: Living With an Insulin Pump

Some people with diabetes use an insulin pump instead of daily shots to manage their disease. The pumps give them more freedom to eat, sleep, and exercise when they want. A pump can be an important tool in preventing problems like very low blood sugar. But using an insulin pump takes some getting used to. Depending on...

Diabetes: Lower Your Risk for Heart Attack and Stroke

For some people, diabetes can cause problems that increase the risk of a heart attack or stroke. Many things can lead to a heart attack or stroke. These include high blood sugar, insulin resistance, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure. Lifestyle and genetics may also play a part. But here's the good news: The...

Diabetes: Making Medical Decisions as Your Health Changes

For many people, diabetes leads to serious health problems. These life-changing conditions bring with them new medical decisions and plans. Medical decisions are very personal. Different people handle them in different ways. "In the past year, I've learned I have kidney disease from my diabetes. Wow. My wife and I...

Diabetes: Protecting Your Feet

Because you have diabetes, you need to be especially careful to protect your feet from injury. These tips can help. Wear shoes all the time. If you don't want to wear shoes indoors, wear slippers with hard soles and good support. Keep your shoes next to your bed. Slip them on your feet as soon as you get out of bed...

Diabetes: sample plate format

Use these pictures to help you visualize your next balanced meal. Sample lunch or dinner plate Follow these guidelines for lunch and dinner : Half the plate is non-starchy vegetables. This is about the size of your closed fist, although you can go back for seconds on these foods. Examples are broccoli, green beans...

Diabetes: Should I Get an Insulin Pump?

Guides you through decision to get an insulin pump to manage type 1 or type 2 diabetes. Discusses who makes a good candidate for an insulin pump. Covers benefits and risks. Includes an interactive tool to help you make your decision.

Diabetes: Staying Motivated

Having diabetes can be hard to accept. It's normal to feel sad or angry. You may even feel grief. It's normal to feel frustrated or overwhelmed with all there is to do. Some days you may feel like it's just too much work. There will be times when you just don't feel like testing and tracking your blood sugar. There are...

Diabetes: Steps for Foot-Washing

Taking good care of your feet is an important part of the daily routine when you have diabetes. Post this list of steps for proper foot-washing and foot care in your bathroom. Use warm (not hot) water. Check the water temperature with your wrists, not your feet. Wash all areas of your feet. Pay special attention to the...

Diabetes: Taking Care of Your Feet

When you have diabetes, your feet need extra care and attention. Diabetes can damage the nerve endings and blood vessels in your feet, making you less likely to notice when your feet are injured. Diabetes also limits your body's ability to fight infection and get blood to areas that need it. If you get a minor foot...

Diabetes: Taking Care of Your Teeth and Gums

When you have diabetes, managing blood sugar levels and taking good care of your teeth and gums are both important. When blood sugar levels are high, there's a greater risk for: Gum (periodontal) disease. Tooth decay. Fungal infections in the mouth, like thrush. Dry mouth, or xerostomia (say "zee-ruh-STO-mee-uh"). The...

Diabetes: Tests to Watch for Complications

These are the tests you may need and how often you should have them. The tests may vary depending on whether you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes. A1c blood test. This test shows the average level of blood sugar over the past 2 to 3 months. It helps your doctor see whether blood sugar levels have been staying within your...

Diabetes: Tracking My Feelings

Use this form to think about any negative feelings you have about diabetes. My feeling is (for example, resentment):_____________________ I have this feeling because I think (for example, I resent the fact that I have diabetes and should eat less of some foods that I like): _______________________________________...

Diabetes: Travel Tips

Travel can make it hard to keep your blood sugar within your target range because of changes in time zones, meal schedules, and types of foods available. It's important to take extra medicines and supplies. Bring treatments for high and low blood sugar, such as quick-sugar foods and a glucagon kit. And try to eat and...

Diabetic Atypical Neuropathies

Atypical neuropathies are types of nerve damage caused by diabetes. One type affects just one nerve. This is called mononeuropathy. It often affects a nerve in the wrist or foot. It can also affect a nerve that controls the eye muscles. Another type affects many nerves. This is called polyradiculoneuropathy. It often...

Diabetic Autonomic Neuropathy

Diabetic autonomic neuropathy is damage to the autonomic nerves caused by diabetes. These nerves control things like your heartbeat, blood pressure, sweating, digestion, urination, and sexual function. Heart and circulatory system problems Diabetic autonomic neuropathy may damage the nerves in the heart and circulatory...

Pages