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Keep Your Skin Healthy With These Nutrients | ADS

diabetes effects skin

Complications related to diabetes can affect all sorts of organs in the human body, including the eyes, kidneys, and heart. But did you know that this disease could also affect your biggest organ of all – that is, your skin? If you don’t take diabetes management seriously, you could fall victim to all sorts of skin-related complications.

Fortunately, there are many ways to enjoy having glowing skin, whether you have diabetes or not. One step that can help improve your skin health is eating right. Check out the ADS guide to building a diet that takes both diabetes and skincare into account, along with all the other skin health tips you need.

How Can Diabetes Affect Your Skin Health?

There’s a good chance that you’re already aware of the most infamous diabetes complications – a category that includes heart disease, blindness, nerve damage, and many other conditions. What you may not know is that skin-related diabetes complications are just as common. In fact, these complications can serve as the first warning sign of diabetes or prediabetes, so paying close attention to your skin health is vital.

Like other diabetes complications, skin problems linked to diabetes usually result from uncontrolled blood sugar levels. If you’ve already been diagnosed with diabetes but have started noticing skin problems, it may indicate that you need to make changes to your diabetes treatment regimen. Contact your physician to discuss.

Some diabetes complications related to the skin include:

  • Itchy patches on the skin, usually brown, yellow, or reddish in color
  • Hard, thick skin, especially on the backs of hands and fingers
  • A dark band of skin that feels like velvet

Skin infections

  • Open wounds or sores, particularly on the feet
  • The sudden appearance of reddish-yellow bumps that look like pimples itchy-skin-sign-of-diabetes
  • Unusually itchy, dry skin
  • A large number of skin tags, most common areas for growth include on the eyelids, neck, armpit and groin.

The Four Best Nutrients for Healthy Skin

When you’re working to manage diabetes, it’s crucial to make sure you’re eating a nutritious diet. That also applies to skin health – and many of the foods that help fight diabetes also contribute to glowing skin! By eating foods rich in these four nutrients, you’ll reap the benefits of improved skin health and enhanced diabetes control.

Vitamins

Foods high in vitamins C, E, A, K, and B complex are just what you need to keep your skin healthy! The vitamins and antioxidants found in colorful fruits and veggies do a fantastic job of preventing dry skin, protecting against free radical damage, and making wrinkles less visible.

Vegetables like carrots, sweet potatoes, beans (including red, black, and pinto beans), peppers, artichokes, kale, tomatoes, broccoli, and spinach are chock-full of vitamins. The same is true for all sorts of fruits, including plums, grapes, berries, and kiwi. Just be sure to include these foods while counting carbs!

Essential Fatty Acids

Weight loss can be highly beneficial when you’re controlling diabetes. But while cutting down on fat is often a good idea, you shouldn’t eliminate fat from your diet – especially since some fats are healthier than others. Reasonable portions of essential fatty acids can help your skin maintain its vital oil barrier.

The best strategy is to focus on foods with unsaturated fats like Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids. Omega 3 fatty acids can be found in cold-water fish (like sardines, mackerel, and salmon), walnuts, flaxseed, and olive oil. Meanwhile, you’ll get Omega 6 fatty acids from various cooking oils, poultry, nuts, seeds, and grains.

Minerals

Selenium. Studies show that selenium may help lower your risk of skin cancer, along with improving your skin’s elasticity. But this isn’t the only mineral that can boost your skin health, either. Some excellent dietary sources of selenium are the whole grains found in cereals and brown rice, eggs, seafood, and garlic.

Copper promotes elastin development. Whole grains can also help you get extra copper, and the same is true for eating nuts and seeds, avocados, green leafy vegetables, beans, and shellfish.

Zinc. Zinc is a well known mineral for healthy skin. Zinc is necessary for collagen formation and plays an important role in wound healing. Zinc is found in meat, poultry, nuts, beans, dairy foods and whole grains.

Water

You may not usually think of water as a nutrient, but it fits the definition of this category – and staying hydrated is essential to good skin health. Getting at least half a gallon (or eight to ten glasses) of water a day can help your skin look young and stay moist.

Drinking water isn’t the only way you can get this indispensable nutrient. You can also drink beverages like green or black tea, along with eating the right portion sizes of water-packed foods like peaches, celery, and (of course) watermelon.

Even More Diabetes Skin Care Tips

Putting some thought into improving your diet is a fantastic way to start working on skincare if you have diabetes. That said, it isn’t the only way to keep your skin as healthy as possible. You should also:

  • Regularly check your body for sores, cuts and scratches – especially on your feet and legs.

    taking-care-of-skin-with-diabetes

  • Exercise most days of the week to help control your diabetes.
  • Talk to your healthcare team or doctor about the links between diabetes and skin problems.
  • Cover your skin when going outside to lower your risk of injury.
  • Use sunscreen while out, even on cloudy days.
  • Moisturize your skin when it’s dry, and take short showers that aren’t too hot or cold.
  • Use a humidifier during the winter if you live in a cold climate.
  • Create a “first aid kit” for your skin with gauze pads, antibacterial ointment, hypoallergenic tape, and cleansing wipes.

Avoid anxiety by ordering the diabetes supplies you need from ADS! We’re the nation’s most trusted supplier of insulin, diabetes testing supplies, glucose meters, and more.

For a consultation on how to keep your skin healthy while living with diabetes please contact our Certified Diabetes Educator for more details.

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How Fiber Can Enhance a Diabetes Diet | ADS

healthy fiber for diabetes

Just about everyone who has diabetes has heard about the dangers associated with carbohydrates – and for a good reason. When you don’t closely monitor your carb intake, it can seriously affect your blood glucose level. In turn, that could eventually make you more likely to experience severe complications of diabetes down the line.

But not all carbs have the same effects on your body. When consumed in reasonable portions, some carbohydrates play a vital role in maintaining your health. Fiber is a crucial carb for people with diabetes since it can actively make it easier to manage this condition. For much more information on fiber and diabetes, read on.

The Basics of Fiber

It’s easy to assume that all carbohydrates are basically the same thing. Still, there’s more to know about this nutrient category than this implies. First, it’s necessary to understand that there are three basic types of carbs – sugar, starches, and fiber. Unlike sugars and most starches, the body doesn’t digest dietary fiber. Still, this carb comes with many benefits, including improvements to your digestive health.

Because of this, it might be surprising to learn that most people don’t get enough fiber each day. In fact, most adults in the United States only get half their daily recommended fiber intake. Do you suspect you might fall into this category? In that case, it’s time to talk to your healthcare team about adding more fiber to your diabetes diet.

high-fiber-carbs Know These Types of Fiber

There are two basic subgroups of fiber, both of which come with unique benefits. Soluble fiber can dissolve in water, creating a gel-like material in the process. This type of fiber is most closely associated with reduced blood glucose and cholesterol. You can find soluble fiber in legumes, certain fruits (including apples and citrus fruits), carrots, barley, oats, and psyllium.

On the other hand, insoluble fiber does not dissolve in liquid. You need this form of fiber to help waste travel smoothly through your digestive system. Many foods include insoluble fiber, such as beans, nuts, some vegetables, wheat bran, and whole-wheat flour.

Fighting Diabetes with Fiber

Though fiber is a crucial part of anyone’s diet, people with diabetes should put extra emphasis on eating enough fiber daily. That’s because fiber can assist in handling diabetes in several ways. Fiber can help you:

  • Control your blood sugar. While other carbohydrates can cause blood sugar to spike, that’s not the case for fiber – after all, your body doesn’t absorb it. Fiber can slow the rate at which you absorb other carbohydrates, making it easier to stay in range.
  • Feel full throughout the day. Weight management plays an essential role in handling diabetes. Since fiber goes through the stomach slowly, it can help you stay full for longer, making it easier to avoid overeating.
  • Keep your heart healthy. Some of the worst complications of diabetes are related to heart disease. Fiber can cut down on the amount of cholesterol and fats you absorb, which can lower your cholesterol and triglyceride levels.

Adding More Fiber to Your Diabetes Diet

Chances are, you’ve heard the phrase “an apple a day keeps the doctor away.” But to get the fiber you need, you’d have to add five more apples to your everyday diet. Six apples contain about 30 grams of fiber, and the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2020-2025 encourage adults to get 22 to 34 grams of fiber daily.

Obviously, you don’t need to eat half a dozen apples each day to reach your fiber requirements. Instead, keep these tips in mind:

Focus on Whole Grains Fiber & Diabetes Health

When shopping for bread, rice, pasta, and other grains, look for products that list whole grains as the first or second ingredient. Two slices of whole-wheat bread and a cup of cooked brown rice both contain four grams of fiber. (A word of warning: if an item is advertised as “multigrain” or “100-percent wheat,” it probably isn’t whole-grain.)

Get The Day Started Right

Not all cereals are good sources of whole grains, and even some whole-grain cereals are full of unneeded sugars. Instead, try cereals like Fiber One (which has 14 grams of fiber per half-cup) and Raisin Bran (which has 7.5 grams of fiber per cup). Otherwise, consider eating oatmeal with berries and nuts or avocado toast with chickpeas.

Load Up on Legumes

Beans aren’t just a fantastic source of fiber – they also come with a ton of nutritious plant-based protein. Add a quarter-cup of kidney beans to a green salad for three grams of fiber, or eat a cup of canned minestrone soup for five grams of this nutrient. Other legumes, like peas and lentils, are also great for adding fiber to your diet.

Eat Fruits and Vegetables

A good diabetes diet should include lots of produce, and the fiber found in many fruits and veggies is a big reason for that. You’ll get five grams of fiber in a cup of cooked carrots and four grams in a cup of strawberries. fruit-for-diabetes-health

Consider Chia Seeds

Chia seeds and flaxseed make it easy to add fiber to almost anything. A tablespoon of flaxseed contains three grams of fiber, while an identically-sized serving of chia seeds comes with five grams. Just mix them into smoothies, soups, cereals, and other dishes for a quick dose of fiber!

Take It Slow

If your current diet doesn’t include much fiber, getting more of this nutrient is wise. However, you should make a point of introducing fiber gradually and drinking lots of water while you do! You could run into digestive issues like gas, bloating, diarrhea, and constipation if you don’t.

Enhance Your Diabetes Management With Fiber – And ADS

With our advice, you’ll be ready to add fiber to your diabetes diet the smart way and reap the health benefits associated with this nutrient. While you’re making improvements to your diabetes management strategy, why not take a moment to think about how you’re getting diabetes supplies? If you could use a reliable supplier of insulin, glucose meters, and any other diabetes-related products, you can’t go wrong ordering from ADS.

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Eating Right for Diabetes | Modified Meal Plans

Eating Right for Diabetes

Eating a healthy diet is a massive part of any effective diabetes management strategy. If you have diabetes, your research into dietary health may have led you to the idea that eating more small meals over the course of the day is healthier than the “standard” three large meals.

That sounds logical enough on the surface – after all, many people with diabetes need to eat snacks to keep their blood sugar in check. However, the truth is more complicated than this may suggest. In this article, you’ll find a complete explanation of scheduling your diabetes diet, along with the foods you should make sure to include as part of your everyday meals.

what-to-eat-for-diabetes-health What the Research Says About Meal Scheduling

It’s “common knowledge” that eating a larger number of smaller meals can help you lose weight, but that doesn’t mean it’s true. A University of Ottawa study determined that dividing calories between six meals instead of three doesn’t have any notable impact on weight loss. Instead, it seems like this can make people more likely to overeat.

Another study, published by the New England Journal of Medicine, focused on the relationship between meal frequency and type 2 diabetes. This study found that eating three meals a day is the best option for blood glucose management. When you consider both studies, it’s clear that making significant changes to your dietary schedule probably isn’t the best idea.

Healthy Snacks Can Still Help

While it’s best to stick to the three main meals when managing diabetes, that doesn’t mean you should only eat at these times. Quite a few people with diabetes have found that small snacks help keep their blood sugar in range throughout the day. When you put some thought into your snacking plan, snacks can even lower your likelihood of overeating during meals.

The key to successful snacking is to avoid overindulging in carbohydrates. Your exact needs may vary, but for most people, the ideal diabetes snack contains no more than 15 grams of carbs. That way, you’ll get a quick energy boost without putting yourself at risk of binge-eating.

Putting Your Diabetes Diet Together

Now that you know when to eat, the follow-up question is obvious: what foods should your diabetes diet include, and what foods should it omit? The easiest way to start planning a diabetes diet is to look at foods in terms of the categories they fall into:

Focus on Fruits and Veggies

Though they count as a source of carbs, fresh fruits and raw/cooked vegetables contain lots of fiber and nutrients that can help keep your diabetes in check. Just be sure to include them while counting carbs, and look for options that are high in fiber.

Get the Protein You Need

Most protein sources are fine for people with diabetes, but lean protein understand-which-food-are best-for-diabetes s (including meat, fish, poultry, tofu, and dairy) are ideal. Meanwhile, plant-based protein sources contain nutrients and fiber, so add some of these proteins to your diet.

Make Sure to Eat Nutritious Complex Carbs

Instead of avoiding carbohydrates entirely, your best option is to focus on eating controlled portions of carbs that are high in nutritious value. These are often found in whole-grain foods like brown rice and oatmeal.

Steer Clear of These Foods

When you’re planning a diabetes diet, knowing what to avoid is just as important as knowing what you should eat. Unhealthy fats, oils, and sweets are at the top of the list when it comes to foods you shouldn’t normally bother with, but processed grains aren’t far behind. And while produce is usually a great option, salty canned vegetables, fruit juice, fast food and other products in this vein can cause more trouble than you might expect.

Some Good Snack Ideas from the American Diabetes Association

(Include about 15-20 grams of carbohydrates)

  • ⅓ cup of hummus and 1 cup raw fresh cut vegetables
  • 1 small apple and 1 slice reduced fat cheese
  • 3 cups light popcorn
  • ½ turkey sandwich made with 1 slice whole wheat bread and 2 slices of lean turkey
  • ¼ cup of low fat cottage cheese and ½ cup light canned fruit or fresh fruit

ADS Can Help You Manage Diabetes

The process of planning a diabetes diet can be overwhelming, but you don’t need to follow fad diets or make massive changes to your meal schedule to stay healthy. Instead, eat three balanced meals a day, along with small, healthy snacks when you need them. Finally, don’t make any significant changes to your diet without talking to your healthcare team first! You can also contact Halle Elbling, ADS’s Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist with any questions.

Creating a healthy diet is an essential part of diabetes management, but it isn’t enough to control diabetes on its own. You’ll also need reliable access to high-quality diabetes supplies like insulin, glucose meters, and testing supplies. Advanced Diabetes Supply is a leading national supplier of all diabetes testing supplies – take a look at everything we can send to you today!

 

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How Frequently Should You Test Blood Glucose Levels? | ADS

using a glucometer

If you’ve recently been diagnosed with diabetes, it’s essential to start building your diabetes management strategy right away. Along with a diabetes diet and regular exercise, blood glucose tests are a crucial element of any attempt to keep diabetes symptoms under control.

Still, there are some things you’ll need to know before your first blood sugar test. Here, you’ll learn when you should check your blood sugar and much more about blood glucose testing.

test-blood-sugar-before-meals

The Importance of Blood Sugar Tests

When you’re trying to manage diabetes, every decision matters – countless factors can play a role in your ability to live with this disease. These include everything from what you eat, to how much physical activity you get, to whether or not you smoke. Because so many things can have positive or negative effects on your diabetes management, having some way to keep track of everything is crucial.

Blood sugar numbers are the most effective way to see how lifestyle changes have impacted your diabetes. By testing your blood sugar levels, you can get regular updates on the effectiveness of your approach to diabetes management. You’ll also be able to make changes if something isn’t working, lowering your likelihood of running into serious complications later on.

Blood Sugar Testing 101

There are two blood sugar testing methods you need to know about:

  • Blood sugar self-tests, and
  • The Hemoglobin A1C test.

For now, we’ll focus on the first method. When testing your blood sugar, you’ll need to use a blood glucose meter. These devices can quickly measure the amount of sugar contained in a single drop of your blood, making them valuable tools for people with diabetes.

That said, no two blood glucose meters work identically. You’ll need to read the instructions that come with your meter to make sure you’re using it correctly – if you get confused, your healthcare team will be able to help. Some meters can also automatically store blood sugar test results; if yours doesn’t, it’s important to write down your results manually so you can share them with your healthcare team later on.

When to Test Your Blood Sugar

Generally speaking, people with diabetes can benefit from checking their blood sugar regularly. But based on things like the medications you use to control diabetes and the type of diabetes you have, your ideal testing schedule could look very different from someone else’s.
If you have type 1 diabetes, there’s a good chance that you’ll need to test your blood sugar more often than people with other types of diabetes. The same holds true for people who have type 2 diabetes but need to take insulin to manage this condition. On the other hand, people who have type 2 diabetes but don’t need insulin may be testing their blood sugar much less often. Still, it’s important to note that people in this category should still have access to a glucose meter.

Many people with diabetes find that some good times to test their glucose levels are: T1d-juvenile-testing-blood-glucose

  • Immediately after waking up
  • Right before a meal
  • Two hours after the start of eating a meal
  • Just before bed

To make sure your blood sugar testing schedule is as close as possible to your individual needs, make sure to work with your healthcare team when setting it up.

Don’t Be Afraid to Change Your Testing Schedule

While it’s healthy to have a schedule for testing your blood sugar levels, flexibility is essential, too. There are some situations where checking these levels more or less often than usual may be wise.

When you’re dealing with unusual circumstances, keeping an extra-close eye on your glucose levels can go a long way. Remember this when:

  • You’ve come down with any sort of illness
  • Your blood glucose levels are out of range more often than normal
  • You plan on getting an abnormally high amount of exercise

Meanwhile, you might not need to test your blood sugar as often as you have been if you’ve successfully managed your diabetes for a long time. Your doctor will inform you if and when this is the case – don’t cut down on testing without their OK.

Know Your Target Blood Glucose Levels

No matter how diligent you are when testing your blood sugar and recording your results, it won’t help if you don’t know what you’re aiming for. To give you a head start, many people with diabetes strive for these goals:

  • Before a meal: 80-130
  • Two hours after eating: Under 180

These numbers are just meant to give you a sense of what common target numbers look like. Ask your healthcare team what your target readings are!

How to Respond to High or Low Readings

If your readings are significantly higher than your target level, you’re dealing with something called “hyperglycemia” – put simply, high blood sugar. If you don’t take care of this condition, it can eventually cause severe damage. Hyperglycemia can be treated by drinking a glass of water and if you feel alright, taking a walk. Also, you might have to make changes to what you ate in your meals. If exercise and changes in your diet do not work, your doctor may change the amount of your medication or insulin or possibly the timing of when you take it. However, let your healthcare team know if this happens to you three or more times within two weeks.

It’s not a good idea to keep your blood sugar as low as possible, either – that’s called “hypoglycemia,” and it poses significant dangers of its own. If your blood sugar levels are under 70, respond by consuming fast-acting carbs, like glucose tablets, fruit juice, or (non-diet) soda. Also, contact your physician of frequent daily occurrences of hypoglycemia.

What Sets the Hemoglobin A1C Test Apart?

It may be confusing for people who are good at keeping up on their daily blood sugar tests to learn that you need to get another blood glucose test multiple times each year. However, getting Hemoglobin A1C tests is a necessary part of your approach to diabetes management. What does this test measure? The CDC explains that when sugar enters your bloodstream, it attaches to hemoglobin, a protein in your red blood cells. Everyone has some sugar attached to their hemoglobin, but individuals with higher blood sugar levels have more. The A1C test measures the percentage of your red blood cells that have sugar-coated hemoglobin.

Unlike self-monitoring tests, the A1C test is designed to help you and your healthcare team keep track of your average blood glucose levels over the last 3 months. This test can also help determine the medications you need and the ideal dosage of these medications.

Additionally, the results of A1C tests are different from the results of “normal” glucose tests. Your healthcare team will find an A1C goal number that fits your situation; for many people with diabetes, the goal is a result under 7 percent. You’ll need to get an A1C test at least twice a year, with additional tests necessary if your results are above your goal or your treatment methods change.

Find Glucose Testing Supplies You Can Trust

A successful blood glucose testing plan starts with knowledge of how often you should check your blood sugar. But to do so, you’ll have to get reliable equipment and supplies.

ADS can provide everything you need to test your blood glucose levels. Choose us for blood glucose meters, testing supplies, and much more. It’s easy to get started – just visit our online shop to see what we have available!

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Asparagus Is Good for Diabetes: Find Out Why | ADS

Asparagus-Diabetes-Health

It’s a good idea for people with diabetes to eat lots of vegetables, and one of the best veggies for diabetes is asparagus! Learn why asparagus is a diabetes superfood and how you can add it to your diabetes diet.

Did your parents constantly tell you to “eat your veggies” when you were younger? You might not have enjoyed hearing this as a child, especially if you were a picky eater – but there’s a good reason why it’s such a classic piece of advice. Increased vegetable intake can improve just about anyone’s health, and that’s especially true for people living with diabetes. Veggies are a nutritious source of carbohydrates, and they often come packed with valuable fiber, nutrients, and vitamins.

There’s no denying that asparagus is one of the healthiest vegetables out there, whether you have diabetes or not. And if you are living with diabetes or are trying to reduce your diabetes risk, there’s reason to believe this delicious vegetable can help! Read on to find out what makes asparagus so amazing.

asparagus-lowers-blood-sugar

Asparagus May Help Fight Diabetes

According to a study published in the British Journal of Nutrition, adding asparagus to your diet might help you keep diabetes symptoms under control. This study, performed at Pakistan’s Karachi University, looked at rats with diabetes. Half of the rat population received asparagus extract for a month, while the other half received glibenclamide, a drug used to treat type 2 diabetes. The result: Small amounts of the asparagus extract appeared to help with blood sugar control. More significant amounts had the same effect – and the benefit of increased insulin production.

Better yet, this study supports previous research done on the topic of asparagus and diabetes. Another study, which appeared in the British Medical Journal in 2006, found that asparagus consumption was linked to an 81-percent increase in the body’s ability to use glucose.

Even More Asparagus Health Benefits

On its own, the link between asparagus and improved diabetes control would be enough of a reason to put this vegetable on your plate. But the health perks of asparagus don’t stop there! When you make a point of eating asparagus regularly, you’ll also get:

  • High levels of folate. One 5.3-ounce serving of asparagus delivers 60 percent of your recommended daily allowance of folacin. The vitamin folate is important for making red blood cells and for cell division.
  • Low in calories and with countless nutrients. Asparagus boasts fiber, thiamin, vitamins A, B6, and K – just to name a few.
  • Good source of antioxidants. Asparagus is rich in Vitamins C and E, and the antioxidants called flavonoids and polyphenols.
  • Antioxidants have been shown to prevent the accumulation of free radicals and may reduce chronic disease.
  • Can improve digestive health. Asparagus is high in insoluble fiber which adds bulk to stool and supports regular bowel movements. It also contains small amounts of soluble fiber, which dissolves in water and forms a gel like substance in the digestive tract.
  • Lots of minerals. While asparagus is known for its iron and copper content, you’ll also get a bit of potassium, calcium, phosphorus, and manganese from this vegetable. Since it can help lower blood pressure, potassium is vital for treating diabetes.

Asparagus Nutritional Values

Are you looking for the nutritional values for asparagus? Here they are:

Serving size 1 cup
Calories 27
Protein 3 grams
Carbohydrates 5 grams
Fat 0 grams
Cholesterol 0 milligrams
Sodium 3 milligrams
Potassium 271 milligrams
Dietary Fiber 3 grams
Protein 6 percent DV
Vitamin A 20 percent DV
Vitamin C 12 percent DV
Iron 16 percent DV
Vitamin B6 5 percent DV

Adding Asparagus to Your Diabetes Diet is Easy

If you’re like many people, eating more vegetables is easier said than done – especially if you have bad memories of eating asparagus as a kid. Still, if you take the time to prepare it right, asparagus can be as delicious as it is nutritious.

Give one of these ideas a try: asparagus-is-healthy-for-diabetes

  • Add asparagus spears to soups, omelets, casseroles, and pasta.
  • Serve steamed asparagus with some parmesan and olive oil drizzled on top.
  • For extra protein and a unique flavor, eat asparagus along with pistachios or other nuts.
  • Make a healthy, delicious appetizer by grilling asparagus stalks with onions and macadamia nut oil.
  • Try stir-frying asparagus, along with sesame seeds, pepper, ginger, and garlic for added flavor.

Control Diabetes with Asparagus – And ADS

Whether asparagus is already one of your favorite vegetables or you haven’t eaten it in years, it’s always a bright idea to use this veggie the next time you cook dinner. When you do, you’ll be able to appreciate how it’s helping you manage your diabetes!

Along with eating a healthy diet, a crucial part of diabetes management is ensuring you have the diabetes supplies you need. Whether you use insulin, glucose meters, continuous glucose monitors, or other supplies, you can count on ADS to ship them to you as quickly and reliably as possible!

 

4 Types of Diabetes: Which Are You? | ADS

Which type of diabetes do you have

Chances are, you’ve heard people talk about “diabetes” as if it’s a diagnosis where “everyone” living with diabetes shares the same symptoms, traits, and complications. In casual conversation, that’s understandable since each type of diabetes is related to problems with blood glucose. However, if you’re living with diabetes, you might need more information to work with – even talking about diabetes as a disease with two “types” is an oversimplification.

Are you wondering where you can learn more about the different types of diabetes? You’re in luck: in this article, the pros at ADS will help you learn more about all four types of diabetes and their defining factors.

The 4 Types of Diabetes

Type 1 Diabetes

Though it isn’t the most common form of diabetes these days, type 1 diabetes is still a condition you should be familiar with. Type 1 diabetes (previously called insulin-dependent or juvenile diabetes) is usually diagnosed in children, teens, and young adults, however it can develop at any age. Type 1 diabetes is less common than type 2—approximately 5-10% of people with diabetes have type 1.

In America, nearly 1.6 million people have type 1 diabetes including about 187,000 children and adolescents as of 2018 per the American Diabetes Association.

People with type 1 diabetes begin experiencing symptoms due to problems with insulin production in the pancreas. When the pancreas can’t make insulin in sufficient quantities (or at all), glucose cannot enter cells like it usually would. That results in glucose buildup in the bloodstream causing high blood sugar which is damaging to the body and causes many of the symptoms and complications of diabetes.

T1d-juvenile-testing-blood-glucose

We’re still not sure what triggers type 1 diabetes, but we know it is thought to be caused by an autoimmune reaction that destroys the cells in the pancreas that make insulin, called beta cells.

This autoimmune reaction can cause a person’s immune system to treat healthy body parts as a threat and attack them.

If you think you might have type 1 diabetes, look out for common symptoms such as unusually frequent urination, unexplained mood swings, increased thirst or hunger, and blurred vision. Untreated type 1 diabetes can lead to many complications like vision problems, and high blood pressure, which increases the risk for heart attack, stroke, and poor circulation.

Unlike type 2 diabetes, there is no known way to prevent type 1 diabetes. The most effective treatment method for this disease is regular insulin injections and depending on your situation, you may use a standard needle or an insulin pump for these injections. Type 1 diabetes is also managed by following your doctor’s recommendations for living a healthy lifestyle, managing your blood sugar, getting regular health checkups, and seeking diabetes self-management education and support.

Type 2 Diabetes

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that more than 34 million Americans have diabetes (about 1 in 10), and approximately 90-95% of them have type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes most often develops in people over age 45, but more and more children, teens, and young adults are also developing it. Like type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes involves excessive blood sugar levels. However, the cause of this situation differs between the two “main” diabetes types. Many people with type 2 diabetes can produce enough insulin for their bodies. Despite this, they can run into problems with insulin resistance – that is, their cells cannot use insulin as effectively as they should. Eventually, the pancreas can’t meet this increased need for insulin, and blood glucose levels increase as a result.

diabetes-type-2-continuous-glucose-monitor

There are several factors known to play a role in the development of type 2 diabetes. Some risk factors include being overweight, an inactive lifestyle, a family history of diabetes, age, and ethnicity. Though many of these factors are out of one’s control, a person can lower their diabetes risk by addressing others.

Many symptoms associated with type 2 diabetes are similar to those seen in type 1 diabetes. In some (but not all) cases, these symptoms don’t develop as quickly in type 2 diabetes as they do in type 1. Meanwhile, some potential complications of type 2 diabetes are sleep apnea, nerve and organ damage, skin problems, and dementia.

Unlike type 1 diabetes, people can decrease their likelihood of type 2 diabetes by making healthy lifestyle choices. These include getting increased levels of physical activity, eating a balanced diet, making an effort to lose weight, and not staying inactive for extended periods. Treatment of type 2 diabetes focuses on taking similar steps and administering medication if and when needed. Plus, you’ll need to check your blood sugar regularly. Ask your doctor how often you should check it and what your target blood sugar levels should be.

Gestational Diabetes

The term “gestational diabetes” refers to diabetes initially diagnosed during pregnancy.  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention explain that every year, 2% to 10% of pregnancies in the United States are affected by gestational diabetes. Since it poses unique health challenges to expecting mothers and their children, you’ll want to have some understanding of gestational diabetes.

The precise cause of gestational diabetes is currently a mystery. What is known about the cause of gestational diabetes is that a hormone made by the placenta prevents the body from using insulin effectively. Glucose builds up in the blood instead of being absorbed by the cells. Unlike type 1 diabetes, gestational diabetes is not caused by a lack of insulin, but by other hormones produced during pregnancy that can make insulin less effective, a condition referred to as insulin resistance. Gestational diabetic symptoms usually disappear following delivery.

Unlike other types of diabetes, most women dealing with gestational diabetes don’t have noticeable symptoms, though increased thirst levels and urination are among the symptoms that can appear. With this in mind, it’s imperative to keep an eye out for risk factors like having gestational diabetes or prediabetes in the past, having given birth to a baby weighing over nine pounds before, and extra weight (pre-pregnancy).

Since gestational diabetes is so closely related to pregnancy, it stands to reason that its complications can affect both mothers and children. Expecting mothers may find themselves dealing with high blood pressure (including preeclampsia), an increased likelihood of a C-section, and more significant risks of gestational diabetes and getting type 2 diabetes in the future. Meanwhile, their children may have an early birth, heavy birthweight, low blood sugar, breathing problems, or a heightened risk of type 2 diabetes down the line.

Your doctor will test for gestational diabetes when you become pregnant. If you get diagnosed with this condition, you’ll have to monitor your blood sugar and make lifestyle changes, which can include eating a healthy diet and getting moderate exercise regularly. Along with this, you may need insulin therapy.

Prediabetes

Technically, prediabetes isn’t a distinct type of diabetes. Instead, it’s a condition where a person has elevated blood sugar levels that aren’t quite high enough to qualify as type 2 diabetes. Prediabetes is far from uncommon since over one in three Americans is believed to have it. However, it doesn’t always have distinct symptoms, so over 84 percent of people with prediabetes don’t know they have this condition.

Prediabetes can be diagnosed with a blood sugar test. If you have this condition, it doesn’t mean a type 2 diabetes diagnosis is inevitable later on. Instead, you can significantly lower your type 2 diabetes risk by losing weight, increasing your physical activity level for example getting at least 150 minutes a week of brisk walking or a similar activity. That’s just 30 minutes a day, five days a week, and making some healthy changes to your diet.

Let Us Help You Fight Diabetes

ADS can make living with diabetes more manageable – no matter what diabetes type you have. We serve customers across the country, and we can work with your medical team to make getting the supplies you need a breeze. Choose us for insulin pumps, CGM systems, and any other diabetes-related products!

 

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Keep an Eye Out for Diabetic Ketoacidosis | ADS

Keep an Eye Out for Diabetic Ketoacidosis

Most people with diabetes are familiar with at least some of the disease’s complications, like nerve damage, vision problems, and cardiovascular disease. But have you ever heard of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)? This diabetes complication which can be prevented can do more harm than you might think and, if left untreated, it can even be deadly.

Tragically, DKA appears to be on the rise in recent years. Between 2009 and 2014, hospitalizations related to the condition increased by 54.9% in the United States. With that in mind, it’s essential to know what this diabetes complication is, how to lower your risk of dealing with it, and what to do if you notice DKA symptoms. The CDC report states that “DKA is more common among persons with type 1 diabetes, but it also occurs among persons with type 2 diabetes”. Read on for the ADS guide to diabetic ketoacidosis.

What Causes Diabetic Ketoacidosis?

Diabetic ketoacidosis has close links to low insulin and high blood sugar. Typically, cells rely on insulin to access blood glucose, which they use as a source of fuel. But when a person’s diabetes isn’t under control, that can be challenging or even impossible. When they need an alternative fuel source, cells can break body fat down into acidic ketones. That can lead to a person’s blood becoming acidic, as well – and it should come as no surprise to learn that this can have serious consequences.

Many factors can play a role in DKA, such as insufficient insulin doses, clogged insulin pumps, illness or infection, physical or emotional stress, and the use of drugs (including nicotine and alcohol). People under the age of 19 have an increased risk of DKA, too.

DKA is often thought of as a type 1 diabetes complication, and it can even be the first sign of this illness. People with type 2 diabetes aren’t immune to this complication, either – especially if they’re sick, missed one or more doses of medication, or have had trouble controlling their blood sugar for a while. However, diabetic ketoacidosis is not nearly as common in type 2 diabetes and is often less severe.

Know the Symptoms of DKA

While people with diabetes can’t afford to ignore the possibility of diabetic ketoacidosis, look out for these symptoms: extremely-fatigued-woman-from-diabetic-ketoacidosis

  • Abdominal pain
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Dryness of the skin or mouth
  • Speedy breathing
  • Fruit-scented breath
  • Confusion
  • Fatigue or weakness
  • Heightened levels of blood sugar or ketones in the urine

 

Along with these signs, DKA can cause “traditional” diabetes symptoms like extreme thirst and frequent urination.

How You Can Prevent Diabetic Ketoacidosis

If you have type 1 diabetes and are worried about your risk of DKA, the good news is that lowering your risk isn’t too tricky. The best place to start is making an extra effort to keep your diabetes in check.

Whether or not you’re trying to reduce your risk of diabetic ketoacidosis, check your blood glucose level three or four times daily at a minimum. That way, you can see if this level is within your target range and respond if it should be higher or lower. Along with this, try to eat a healthy diet and get the exercise you need. woman-exercising-for-diabetes-health

Have you noticed possible symptoms of DKA, or are you feeling sick or stressed? If so, testing your urine for ketones might help. You can buy ketone testing kits over the counter – follow the instructions included with your kit to measure your ketone level. If it’s high or moderate, look for emergency assistance or talk to your healthcare team. On the other hand, you can deal with low ketone levels by upping your insulin dose.

 

 

All About Treating DKA

DKA is a medical emergency, so it’s crucial to get treatment for this condition. That usually means going to the hospital, where you might receive fluid replacement, insulin, or electrolyte replacement.

Surprisingly, some of the most common complications of diabetic ketoacidosis are linked to the same steps used to treat this condition. That doesn’t mean you should avoid treatment, as these complications are far less risky than leaving DKA unchecked. Still, it’s wise to be aware of potential issues like:

  • Cerebral edema

    • AKA “swelling of the brain.” This can be triggered by a rapid change in your blood sugar level, which getting insulin in response to DKA symptoms might cause. It’s most commonly observed in children.

  • Hypokalemia/low potassium levels

    • Treatments for DKA can cut down on your amount of potassium – and that can lead to issues with the heart, muscles, and nerves, among other problems. You may receive potassium and other electrolytes as part of your treatment to prevent this.

  • Hypoglycemia/low blood sugar

    • While insulin may cause cerebral edema, a rapidly-falling blood sugar level can be an issue in and of itself.

Let Us Help You Control Your Blood Sugar

Diabetic ketoacidosis can be scary, but it doesn’t have to be a death sentence if you look out for its symptoms and get proper treatment ASAP. Better yet, now that you know a bit more about DKA, you can take simple steps to cut down on your risk of experiencing this condition.

Since monitoring your blood glucose level is vital for reducing your likelihood of DKA, it pays to choose a diabetes supply company you can trust. ADS can keep you well-stocked with glucose meters, diabetes testing supplies, and everything else you need to monitor your blood sugar closely!

Just Diagnosed with Diabetes? Here’s What You Need to Know | ADS

Diabetic Advice

Have you just been diagnosed with diabetes? If so, it’s understandable if you’re confused, overwhelmed, or even in shock. But you’re not alone – about 1.5 million people are diagnosed with some form of this disease each year.

The good news about diabetes management is that a few simple steps can go a long way. In this article, we’ll give you the rundown on what to do when you’ve just been diagnosed with this disease.

Know More About Your Diabetes

First of all, it’s essential to understand that “diabetes” isn’t a single disease. Instead, there are four types of diabetes, and they are each treated differently. As a result, the first step in your diabetes management journey should be learning more about the variety of diabetes you have.

Type 1 Diabetes

If you have type 1 diabetes, your diabetes symptoms are tied to issues with your body’s ability to make insulin. The human pancreas is ordinarily responsible for producing insulin, which helps glucose in your bloodstream enter the cells that use it as a fuel source. When the pancreas can’t do its job, and no insulin is produced glucose builds up in your blood instead.

Some of the most common type 1 diabetes symptoms include blurry vision, frequent urination, excess thirst/hunger, and unusual mood swings. Potential complications of this disease include heart disease, neuropathy, and difficulties with pregnancy. understanding-4-types-of-diabetes

To treat type 1 diabetes, you’ll need to use insulin every day – this medication can be delivered with an insulin pump or a regular needle. Along with that, you should use a glucose meter to check your blood sugar levels throughout the day. Or a Continuous Glucose Monitoring system or CGM can be a great option too.

Type 2 Diabetes

Unlike people with type 1 diabetes, many people who have type 2 diabetes can produce the insulin they need. Despite this, their bodies have trouble using insulin effectively, a condition known as “insulin resistance.” The pancreas produces more insulin than before in response until it can no longer keep up.

Most type 2 diabetes symptoms are similar to those seen in type 1 diabetes, but they can sometimes develop more slowly. Some complications people with type 2 diabetes should be aware of are dementia, skin problems, organ and nerve damage, and sleep apnea. exercise-can-improve-health

Although some people who have type 2 diabetes have to use insulin and medications to treat this disease effectively, that is not the case for everyone who has this disease. You may be able to keep your type 2 diabetes under control by getting physical activity, following a balanced diet, and making other healthy lifestyle changes.

Gestational Diabetes

Gestational diabetes is unique because it only affects pregnant women and usually goes away after they give birth. This type of diabetes seems to have links to hormonal changes during pregnancy, which can affect blood sugar levels in the human body.

Shortly after you become pregnant, your doctor will test you for gestational diabetes. That’s due in large part to the fact that this condition often does not come with noticeable symptoms. Still, diagnosing and treating gestational diabetes is crucial, as its complications can affect both you and your baby. understanding-gestational-diabetes

Treatment of gestational diabetes involves monitoring blood sugar, getting moderate amounts of physical activity, and eating a balanced diet. You may also need insulin therapy to keep your blood sugar under control during pregnancy.

Prediabetes

Strictly speaking, prediabetes isn’t a form of diabetes, but it’s so closely related to this disease that it bears mentioning here. If you have prediabetes, your blood sugar levels are above average but have not reached the point where you could be diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.

If you’ve been diagnosed with prediabetes, you still have a chance to avoid a type 2 diabetes diagnosis later on in life. Focus on losing weight, getting more physical activity, and making some dietary changes to lower your type 2 diabetes risk.

Manage Diabetes with Lifestyle Changes

The exact nature of your diabetes treatment strategy will differ based on the type of diabetes you have. However, some things – namely, dietary changes and exercise – will always help you keep your blood glucose levels in check.

Physical Activity

Getting active can improve anyone’s health, but it’s imperative if you have diabetes or prediabetes. Regular exercise can help lower your blood sugar, increase your “good” (HDL) cholesterol, cut down on your “bad” (LDL) cholesterol, relieve stress, and reduce your blood pressure.

When creating an exercise regimen, it’s essential to make sure you know what you’re doing first. That might mean taking an exercise stress test to ensure you’re not getting more physical activity than you can handle. You’ll also need to learn how exercise can affect your blood sugar and have fast-acting carbs on hand if your blood glucose levels get too low.

Once you’ve taken these precautions, it’s a good idea to focus on getting 20-45 minutes of exercise on most days of the week. Start slow and gradually increase the intensity of your workouts from there.

Dietary Changes

A healthy diabetes diet doesn’t need to look like the keto diet or another fad diet. Instead, most people with diabetes should eat a balanced diet with reasonable portions of foods chosen with their diagnosis in mind.

You’ll want to work with a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist along with your healthcare team when building your diabetes diet, but these tips can help you get started:

  • While produce contains carbohydrates, it’s also full of valuable vitamins, nutrients and fiber. With that in mind, feel free to eat the recommended servings of fruits and veggies.
  • For proteins, stick to lean cuts of meat and get at least some protein from plant-based sources. asparagus-is-healthy-for-diabetes
  • Although you don’t need to avoid carbs, your best bet is to eat small portions of whole-grain foods like oatmeal and brown rice.
  • Try to avoid eating processed grains, fast food, sweets, oils, and saturated fats.
  • Do not skip meals.

Find a Community of People with Diabetes

So far, we’ve focused on your physical health – but managing your mental health is necessary, too. Like any chronic disease, dealing with a diabetes diagnosis can be overwhelming. But knowledge is power, and reading books or online articles (including the articles featured on this very blog) can help.

Since diabetes is such a common diagnosis these days, it shouldn’t be too hard for you to find a community of people facing the same challenges you are. Ask your healthcare team if there are any diabetes support groups in your area, or look for private groups for people with diabetes on Facebook, like those listed below.

Facebook Pages for Diabetes Community

Facebook Groups for Diabetes Community

Get Your Diabetes Supplies From ADS

If you’ve just recently gotten a diabetes diagnosis, there’s a good chance you’re still figuring out what supplies you need to keep this disease in check. But you also need to make sure you’re getting these products from a reliable source.

At ADS, we focus on providing reliable diabetes supplies to customers across the country. We can help you get whatever supplies you need, including insulin, insulin pumps, diabetes testing supplies, CGM’s and glucose meters. Find out more about the products ADS can deliver by visiting our online store today!

We hope this helps those newly diagnosed with diabetes feel a sense of control. Remember that Advanced Diabetes Supply offers a wealth of helpful information, products, and help, including on-staff Certified Diabetes Educators. Join our Facebook page to stay connected and to learn more!

Exercise A Key Treatment For Type 2 Diabetes

Exercise A Key Treatment For Type 2 Diabetes

Regular exercise is at the heart of any healthy lifestyle, and that goes double for people with diabetes. If you have type 2 diabetes, exercise could help to decrease your insulin resistance while improving your glucose control. Physical activity can also burn fat, and the resulting weight loss could make diabetes management considerably easier – even if you lose just five to ten pounds.

Considering all this, it’s clear that building and following a vigorous exercise regimen is crucial for avoiding and managing type 2 diabetes. Not sure where to get started? This article will explain the benefits of exercise, how to get more physical activity, and how to stick with your new exercise routine.

The Numerous Health Benefits of Exercise

It’s difficult to overstate just how much regular exercise can improve your health. Whether you have type 2 diabetes or prediabetes, exercise can go a long way towards helping you keep your blood glucose levels under control and avoid other type 2 diabetes symptoms – and that’s just scratching the surface.

Exercise can make your life better by:

  • Strengthening your heart, lungs, and muscles
  • Lowering “bad” LDL cholesterol while raising “good” HDL cholesterol
  • Improving your circulation
  • Reducing your blood pressure
  • Boosting your bone density
  • Helping you sleep
  • Relieving everyday stress exercise-can-improve-health

Don’t Get Started Without a Workout Plan

Because of these and other benefits of exercise, it may be tempting to jump into a new workout routine right away. While this level of motivation is commendable, doing so may not be the best idea if you have diabetes. Exercise can affect your blood glucose levels, so you’ll want to work with your healthcare team to build an exercise plan first.

Take An Exercise Stress Test

While creating your exercise plan, you may need to go through an exercise stress test. With this test, your healthcare team will be able to determine how physical activity affects your heart.

For most exercise stress tests, patients work out on a treadmill, starting at a slow walking pace before the intensity of this exercise increases. At the same time, these patients are connected to an electrocardiogram machine. This way, healthcare professionals can observe their heart rate and determine what level of exercise they can get without health risks.

All sorts of people can benefit from exercise stress tests, including people who have had type 2 diabetes for more than a decade, people with neuropathy or heart disease, and people over the age of 35. Do you fit any of these categories or have concerns about your ability to exercise? If so, ask your healthcare team about the possibility of doing a stress test.

Keep an Eye on Blood Glucose Levels

While the effects of exercise on your glucose levels can be a powerful motivator, this isn’t the only reason you should closely monitor these levels before, during, and after a workout. In some cases, exercise can lower your blood glucose level too much.

It’s essential for people taking insulin or other medications as part of their diabetes management efforts to consider this. Once you’ve gotten into a steady exercise routine, you may need to decrease your doses of these medications to avoid hypoglycemia. And when exercise is combined with a healthy diet and other lifestyle changes, some people with type 2 diabetes might be able to eliminate their need for diabetes medications.

Along with adjusting medication dosage, you can prevent or treat dangerously low blood sugar with carbohydrates. If you take diabetes medications, it’s a good idea to bring a fast-acting source of carbs with you when you work out. Glucose tablets, fruit juice, hard candies, and fresh fruit all fit the bill.

Diabetes Workout Schedules 101


If you weren’t getting much – or any – physical activity before receiving your diabetes diagnosis, you won’t be able to jump into a grueling workout routine right away. Instead, the best way to start exercising is by getting a comfortable amount of activity. Then, you can gradually increase the length, frequency, and intensity level of your workouts. Eventually, you’ll want to get 20-45 minutes of exercise, not including five to ten minutes to warm up before your workout and an equal amount of time to cool down after you finish. The goal is to get at least 150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity physical activity.

Exercise for diabetes management doesn’t need to push you to your absolute limit. While you’ll want to increase your pulse and breathing rate, you should still be able to carry on a conversation while exercising. You can also use a pulse monitor to see how your heart rate compares to your target heart rate for added precision.

How often you exercise matters, too. If your goal is staying healthy and controlling your blood sugar, you should exercise at least three or four days a week. On the other hand, when you’re aiming to lose weight, it’s a good idea to increase this to at least five times a week.

 

How to Stick With It

Even if you’re able to create a perfect exercise routine, it won’t help you in the long term if you only follow it for a few weeks or months. But even if you’re optimistic about your lifestyle changes when you first get started, it can be challenging to stay motivated as time goes on.

Fortunately, there are a few ways to make it easier to stick to your workout plan:

  • Use rewards to your advantage. After every week or month you’ve followed your exercise routine, give yourself a treat to celebrate your success. (It’s best to use non-food rewards for this purpose, especially when you’re managing diabetes.)
  • Sign up for a gym. Doing so will let you use all sorts of exercise equipment and join the classes many gyms provide.
  • Give exercise videos a try. Like any type of video, these are easier to find than ever, thanks to the Internet. You might be able to find workout DVDs at your local library, too.
  • Use a pedometer to keep track of how much you are walking daily. Slowly work up to at least 10,00 steps a day.
  • Don’t do it alone. The sense of community provided by exercise groups can be a surprisingly strong motivator. Or you can set up a “buddy system” with a fitness-minded friend!
  • Monitor your progress. The easier it is to see how exercise is helping you, the easier it will be to keep exercising. A workout diary is a wonderful way to keep tabs on your exercise journey.

Other Ways to Get Physical Activity

It’s no secret that workout routines can be beneficial. Still, there are many different ways to increase your level of physical activity – some of which don’t involve setting foot in a gym. Over time, small steps like these can really add up:

  • Turn TV time into workout time. Do stretches while watching your show of choice, and do sit-ups or leg lifts during commercials. Also, doing chores around the house burns calories.
  • Spend time with your family. An after-dinner walk is ideal for improving your health while building valuable memories.
  • Go out and walk your dog. Dogs need exercise too!
  • Don’t take the elevator – climb the stairs instead.
  • Park further away than you usually would in a parking lot. That way, you’ll get a short walk in.
  • When you have to run errands, travel on bike or foot if you can.

Focus on Health With ADS

It can feel challenging to think about physical fitness when dealing with stress, even though exercise is a great way to reduce anxiety. Of course, people can’t control some sources of stress. Because of this, it’s imperative to deal with the problems you can fix.

If you’ve ever been concerned about running out of diabetes supplies, finding a more reliable company for these products is a good idea. ADS specializes in diabetes-related supplies, and we offer refill reminders and speedy shipping to ensure you’ll always have access to what you need. Take a look at the products ADS sells today!

Beware of Diabetes and High Blood Pressure

diabetes hypertension

A majority of people with diabetes will have to deal with high blood pressure – and this condition can make the complications of diabetes worse. Discover the connections between hypertension and diabetes and find out how you can control high blood pressure.

Read more

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