Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects how your body handles sugar, or glucose. Type 1 diabetes often presents in childhood as a result of the pancreas producing no or little insulin. Type 2 diabetes presents when your body becomes resistant...
For people living with diabetes mellitus, loss of blood sugar control can sometimes deteriorate into a life-threatening medical crisis. A profoundly low or high blood sugar can trigger a diabetic emergency with potentially life-threatening...
Insulin is produced in the beta cells of the pancreas and removes glucose from the bloodstream. Problems with insulin leads to diabetes, a disease in which there is an abnormally high level of glucose in the blood. It is caused by insufficient...
Diabetes is a blood sugar disorder that occurs when the body ceases to adequately produce or utilize insulin, a hormone that metabolizes glucose (sugar) into usable energy. The resultant condition can lead to grave complications, including kidney...
Uninsured and under-insured diabetics often are not able to pay for their diabetic supplies. Carolyn Robertson from the Gonda Diabetes Center at UCLA expresses her concern that diabetics will "skip a test in order to cut down the costs of strips,"...
When food is consumed, the body breaks it down into glucose, which is a source of energy for the body. Insulin is a hormone made in the pancreas that moves glucose from the bloodstream into the cells, where it is utilized. Diabetes is a disorder...
Using diabetic testing supplies is a fairly easy process once you are familiar with the necessary supplies. You will need a lancing device and corresponding lancets. The lancing devices pricks your finger with the lancet inserted into its tip to...
Used diabetic testing supplies in the trash may cause problems for landfills and the people who work there. Contaminated sharps can spread germs, injure others and spread deadly diseases. Disposing of sharps while traveling is dangerous for those...
Men and women have different nutritional needs. Following a balanced diet and eating a variety of foods usually provides the essential vitamins you need, but once in awhile you may fall short and require a dietary supplement. If you think you need...
Diabetics quickly learn that monitoring their blood glucose is more than just a convenience---it can literally save their lives. Fortunately, the makers of glucose monitors have made it easier and less expensive to check your glucose throughout...
Managing diabetes is always hard for a child, but the challenge increases when the child is away from home. At home, he has a supply of insulin in the fridge, test trips in the cupboard and may have several different lancet pens left over from the...
As a diabetic, you need to be in constant control of your blood glucose. Any drastic spike or fall in blood glucose can result in hyperglycemia or hypoglycemia. Either of these situations can be dangerous or even life-threatening. Keeping a kit...
Diabetes is one of the most common serious illnesses in the United States, with the National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse reporting that approximately 8 percent of the population had diabetes in 2007. Standard treatment includes lifestyle...
Regular testing of blood glucose levels is essential for diabetic patients, as it allows them to determine how well their diabetes is being controlled by their medications and lifestyle changes. There are a variety of manufacturers that make...
Medicare developed its diabetic shoe program with the intention of saving money by preventing foot ulcers and, ultimately, foot amputations. Foot ulcers are common afflictions, but can have devastating consequences in people in more advanced...
Medicare will pay 80 percent of the cost of diabetes supplies once approved, but it only pays for specific supplies. Supplemental insurance can cover the other 20 percent. The 20 percent co-pay also is subject to any deductible required by...
For people who are covered by Medicare Part B and have diabetes, coverage is available for diabetic (or therapeutic) shoes and shoe inserts when specific conditions are met. People who have diabetes and are covered by Medicare Part B need to be...
Marion County, Florida, offers a variety of health care options for uninsured individuals and families. Resources include discounted health care services, low-cost health insurance options and free services for qualifying individuals. Statewide...
The Accu-Chek Advantage blood glucose meter provides a simple, quick way of checking your blood glucose with just a single drop of blood. To ensure accurate readings, you should always code your meter and run a control test when opening a new...
Diabetes is a disease in which the body cannot use insulin to convert sugar into energy. Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of the disease, affecting nearly 26 million Americans. Although Type 2 diabetes is a common disorder, your treatment...
Nearly 24 million Americans have diabetes, notes the National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse. It is a chronic condition that can have serious health complications. Your body takes the carbohydrates you eat and transforms them into glucose in...
A syringe consists of a plunger that fits snugly within a tube. The end of the tube has a hole that's fitted with a hypodermic needle. A syringe is a common method of delivering insulin to diabetics, who must frequently inject themselves every...
In order for people with type II diabetes to accurately gauge how much glucose (sugar) is in their bodies, they must test regularly. This procedure involves lancing a finger with a small needle to produce a pinprick of blood. The blood then is...
Obesity is a medical condition in which excess body fat accumulates. Approximately a third of American adults are currently obese, and it is the leading cause of preventable deaths in the world, according to MedlinePlus. It's a problem that, as it...
Diabetes is a chronic illness that requires daily self-management. Proper monitoring of blood glucose levels, good nutrition and stress management are all important to health maintenance. Physical activity is another crucial component of self-care...
GMO insulin is also known as synthetic insulin, or human insulin. It is produced with genetically modified bacteria, instead of the traditional method that produces what is known as pork insulin. In this method, sometimes called natural insulin,...
A stroke is an interruption of blood supply to a certain area of the brain. Diabetes is a condition in which blood sugar levels are uncontrolled, which can damage small blood vessels, often those in the brain. Thus, uncontrolled diabetes is a risk...
The microvascular complications of diabetes are caused by a reduction in blood supply to organs. As diabetes progresses, the blood vessels in the body are weakened by the persistent elevation of blood glucose. The weakened vessels accumulate small...
Buy granola at the store to keep on hand at home or work, or a make a batch at home with oats and some of your favorite healthy ingredients, such as nuts, seeds or raisins. Eat granola as part of a filling snack or breakfast with some fruit and...
Smoking can cause blood clots, which over time can induce a stroke. Learn some tips for preventing and treating strokes in this medical video.
Hypoglycemia is the medical term for a low blood sugar level. Diet can help control hypoglycemia. Learn more about nutrition for hypoglycemia in this health video.
