Diabetes care

Important steps to diabetes self management

Blood glucose monitors and diabetes test strips are essential to maintain good health for a person diagnosed with diabetes.

This is nothing to play around with, either. Experts tell me that if you or your child have diabetes and are are not using a blood glucose monitor to keep track of the highs and lows, then you are putting too much strain on the islets in the pancreas, as well as risking other long-term health problems.

Paying attention to, and taking care of, your diabetes condition is necessary to avoid other health-related problelms later in life.

The monitors provide valuable information about the foods you eat and the exercise you do and will help you keep your diabetes under control. You will gain valuable information about how certain foods or activities affect your blood glucose levels. It also will help your health care team design appropriate therapies for effective medical management.

P.S. If you would like additional information on diabetes testing supplies, my friends at the Diabetes Care Club (www.diabetescareclub.com) may be able to assist.

This blog is associated with Simplex MD (simplexmd.com) and the Diabetes Care Club (diabetescareclub.com), sponsored by Simplex Healthcare.

Important Notice: Information provided is for general background purposes and is not intended as a substitute for medical diagnosis or treatment by a trained professional. You should always consult your physician about any health care questions you may have, especially before trying a new medication, diet, fitness program, or approach to health care issues.

Many EMS Departments use Ascensia Contour meter

Tuesday, March 2, 2010 by Leigh Anne Ellis

Did you know that many Emergency Services Departments around the country use the Ascensia Contour Meter in their diabetes emergency treatment protocols? Paramedics carry the glucometer and test strips in their gear, and they are trained and tested on their use.

That's the same meter that tens of thousands of Diabetes Care Club members use every day.

This blog is associated with Simplex MD (simplexmd.com) and the Diabetes Care Club (diabetescareclub.com), sponsored by Simplex Healthcare.

Diabetic recipes for spring: Chilled fresh asparagus

Tuesday, March 2, 2010 by Leigh Anne Ellis

Chilled asparagus with mustard herb vinaigrette

The Culinary Institute of America

Managing diabetes just got easier. Learn how to control your diabetes and celebrate summer by preparing delicious, fresh vegetables like this asparagus. As diabetic recipes go, freshness, flavor and simple preparation are received with particular pleasure.

CIA Recipes: Chilled Asparagus with Mustard Herb Vinaigrette

Ingredients

2 lb asparagus

Mustard Herb Vinaigrette

2 tbsp white wine or cider vinegar

2 tsp Dijon mustard

1 tsp chopped flat leaf parsley

1/2 tsp chopped tarragon leaves

Salt and pepper as needed

Dash of onion powder

Dash of garlic powder

1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil

Directions

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil.

2. Trim the asparagus to remove the white, fibrous ends. Cut the asparagus into 2-inch pieces on the diagonal.

3. Add the asparagus to the boiling water and cook until the spears are bright green and just tender, 4-5 minutes. (If necessary, cook the asparagus in batches.) Drain the asparagus in a colander and rinse with cold water until the asparagus is chilled. The asparagus is ready to dress and serve now, or it can be held in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 6 hours.

4. To make the vinaigrette, whisk together the vinegar, mustard, parsley, tarragon, salt, pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder until blended. Add the oil to the vinegar mixture in a thin stream, whisking constantly. Season with additional salt and pepper, if needed.

5. Toss the chilled asparagus with the vinaigrette or pass it separately on the side. Serve immediately on a chilled platter or plates.

Makes 8 servings

Recipe from The Culinary Institute of America. Management of diabetes never tasted better!

This blog is associated with Simplex MD (simplexmd.com) and the Diabetes Care Club (diabetescareclub.com), sponsored by Simplex Healthcare.

Diabetic Recipes: Experiment with a versatile shepherd's pie

Monday, March 1, 2010 by Leigh Anne Ellis

Like your shepherd's pie authentic ... or are you open to trying variations that suit your specific palate? Here's a great recipe from the American Diabetes Association and, as with most diabetic recipes, you can swap out spices and ingredients.

Variations could include using all ground beef or adding some sausage to the meat mix. You could brown the meat with cloves of garlic to taste; you might add worchestire sauce, more tomato paste or a dash of cayenne pepper. Some cooks use fewer potatoes or leave out the cheese or add a can of mushrooms or toss in left-over green beans. You can't make a mistake!

Ingredients

    * 4 potatoes, peeled and cubed
    * 1/2 cup skim milk, heated
    * 1 tablespoon olive oil
    * 1/2 pound lean ground turkey
    * 1/4 pound lean ground beef
    * 1 onion, chopped
    * 2 carrots, sliced
    * 1 cup low fat, low sodium beef broth
    * 1 tablespoon cornstarch
    * 2 tablespoons water
    * 2 tablespoons tomato paste
    * 1 cup frozen green peas, thawed
    * salt and pepper to taste
    * 1/4 cup shredded Cheddar cheese

Directions

   1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
   2. Place potatoes in a pot, cover with water, and bring to a boil. Boil for 20 minutes, or until tender. Drain off water, then mash potatoes with hot milk and olive oil until fluffy. Set aside.
   3. In a nonstick skillet, brown the turkey and ground beef. Add onion and saute for 5 minutes. Add carrot and saute an additional 5 minutes.
   4. Drain off any excess fat. Add beef broth to meat mixture and bring to a boil.
   5. In a small bowl whisk together cornstarch and water. Add cornstarch mixture and tomato paste to meat mixture. Simmer until thickened, stirring frequently. Add peas, salt, and pepper. Stir well, then spoon mixture into a 2 quart casserole dish. Top with potatoes, then sprinkle with cheese.
   6. Bake in preheated oven for 35 minutes or until potatoes are browned.

Makes 6 servings. Per serving: Calories: 314 | Total Fat: 11.4g | Cholesterol: 49mg

This blog is associated with Simplex MD (simplexmd.com) and the Diabetes Care Club (diabetescareclub.com), sponsored by Simplex Healthcare

Diabetic Recipes: 84-calorie banana muffins

Tuesday, February 23, 2010 by Leigh Anne Ellis

Safeway.com posted this muffin recipe that rates 4.5 stars from readers. These muffins have no sugar and no fat, but are moist and tasty. Instead of regular applesauce, you might try mango-peach to give the muffins more flavor. Great recipe for diabetics! You can use all white flour instead the whole wheat flour, too.

Ingredients

    * 1 cup all-purpose flour
    * 1/2 cup whole wheat flour
    * 3/4 cup granular sucrolose sweetener (such as Splenda(R))
    * 1 1/4 teaspoons baking powder
    * 1 teaspoon baking soda
    * 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
    * 2 egg whites
    * 1 cup mashed ripe banana
    * 1/4 cup applesauce

Directions

   1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Grease a 12 cup muffin tin, or line with paper muffin liners.
   2. In a large bowl, stir together the flour, sugar substitute, baking powder, baking soda, and cinnamon. In a separate bowl, mix together the egg whites, mashed banana and applesauce. Add the wet ingredients to the dry, and mix until just blended. Fill prepared muffin cups 3/4 full.
   3. Bake for 15 to 18 minutes in the preheated oven, or until the top springs back when lightly touched. Allow muffins to cool in the pan over a wire rack for a little while before tapping them out of the pan.

www.safeway.com/IFL/Grocery/Recipe-Search

This blog is associated with Simplex MD (simplexmd.com) and the Diabetes Care Club (diabetescareclub.com), sponsored by Simplex Healthcare.

Important Notice: Information provided is for general background purposes and is not intended as a substitute for medical diagnosis or treatment by a trained professional. You should always consult your physician about any health care questions you may have, especially before trying a new medication, diet, fitness program, or approach to health care issues.

Dolphins may be the key in new diabetes research

Friday, February 19, 2010 by Leigh Anne Ellis

Here's info on stunning new research that holds promise for the diabetes community to better-understand the disease ... and even someday find a cure.

2/19/10

From 80 Beats Blog, DiscoverMagazine.com by Andrew Moseman:

Here’s a neat dolphin trick that doesn’t involve jumping through hoops. While dolphins sleep overnight (with half their brains and one eye at a time), they begin to show signs of the kind of insulin resistance that marks type 2 diabetes in humans. But when they wake up and have their breakfast, they switch back to their normal state. A research team led by Stephanie Venn-Watson announced the findings at the American Association for the Advancement of Science meeting in San Diego, and said that dolphins’ apparent ability to switch insulin resistance on and off could lead to better understanding of the disease in humans.

To read the entire blog posting:
blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/2010/02/19/dolphins-use-diabetes-like-state-to-control-blood-sugar/

This blog is associated with Simplex MD (simplexmd.com) and the Diabetes Care Club (diabetescareclub.com), sponsored by Simplex Healthcare.

Important Notice: Information provided is for general background purposes and is not intended as a substitute for medical diagnosis or treatment by a trained professional. You should always consult your physician about any health care questions you may have, especially before trying a new medication, diet, fitness program, or approach to health care issues.

Are you a newly-diagnosed diabetic?

Friday, February 19, 2010 by Leigh Anne Ellis

Getting that diagnosis can be pretty intimidating. When you begin looking for diabetic medical supplies, be assured that Simplex Healthcare is looking out for you. We try to focus the new patient on some of the newer meters (like the Ascensia Contour meter) and some of the newer technologies.

One of the big developments in diabetes testing is no-coding technology. With older meters whenever you received a new supply of test strips, you'd have to punch a code into the meter to properly calibrate it for that batch of test strips. Statistics show that one in six people code their meters wrong or don't code them at all.

Simplex Healthcare believes that getting no-code technology into the hands of our patients through the Diabetes Care Club makes it a better experience.

This blog is associated with Simplex MD (simplexmd.com) and the Diabetes Care Club (diabetescareclub.com), sponsored by Simplex Healthcare.

Important Notice: Information provided is for general background purposes and is not intended as a substitute for medical diagnosis or treatment by a trained professional. You should always consult your physician about any health care questions you may have, especially before trying a new medication, diet, fitness program, or approach to health care issues.

Transitioning to insulin doesn't mean you didn't follow the rules

Friday, February 19, 2010 by Leigh Anne Ellis

There is an old wives' tale out there that says if you have type 2 diabetes and your doctor says you need to start using insulin, it means you’re failing to take care of your diabetes properly.

Fact: According to the American Diabetes Association, for most people, type 2 diabetes is a progressive disease. When first diagnosed, many people with type 2 diabetes can keep their blood glucose at a healthy level with oral medications. But over time, the body gradually produces less and less of its own insulin, and eventually oral medications may not be enough to keep blood glucose levels normal. Using insulin to get blood glucose levels to a healthy level is a good thing, not a bad one.

Once you have a doctor's order for diabetic medical supplies, the Simplex Healthcare team will walk you through the ordering process and, if you qualify, file all necessary paperwork.

This blog is associated with Simplex MD (simplexmd.com) and the Diabetes Care Club (diabetescareclub.com), sponsored by Simplex Healthcare.

Important Notice: Information provided is for general background purposes and is not intended as a substitute for medical diagnosis or treatment by a trained professional. You should always consult your physician about any health care questions you may have, especially before trying a new medication, diet, fitness program, or approach to health care issues.

Keep your blood sugar monitor accurate

Monday, February 8, 2010 by Leigh Anne Ellis

According to MayoClinic.com, when used correctly, you can count on your blood sugar monitor to provide accurate readings. As part of diabetes self management, if you think something's not right, start with the basics:

    * Check the test strips. Throw out damaged or outdated diabetes testing strips.
    * Check the monitor. Make sure the monitor is at room temperature, and the strip guide and the test window are clean. Replace the batteries in the monitor, if needed.
    * Check the code number on the test strips. Some monitors must be coded to each container of test strips. Be sure the code number in the monitor matches the code number on the container of test strips.
    * Check your technique. Wash your hands with soap and water before pricking your finger. Apply a generous drop of blood to the test strip. Don't add more blood to the test strip after the first drop was applied.

If you're still not sure what's wrong, do a quality control test according to the manufacturer's instructions and check the owner's manual for other troubleshooting issues. You can bring the monitor to your next doctor appointment as well.

This blog is associated with Simplex MD (simplexmd.com) and the Diabetes Care Club (diabetescareclub.com), sponsored by Simplex Healthcare.

Important Notice: Information provided is for general background purposes and is not intended as a substitute for medical diagnosis or treatment by a trained professional. You should always consult your physician about any health care questions you may have, especially before trying a new medication, diet, fitness program, or approach to health care issues.

Troubleshooting your blood sugar monitor

Monday, February 8, 2010 by Leigh Anne Ellis

When used correctly, you can count on your blood sugar monitor to provide accurate readings. As part of good diabetes self-management, when you think something's not right, start with the basics:

    * Check the test strips. Throw out damaged or outdated strips.
    * Check the monitor. Make sure the monitor is at room temperature, and the strip guide and the test window are clean. Replace the batteries in the monitor, if needed.
    * Check the code number on the test strips. Some monitors must be coded to each container of test strips. Be sure the code number in the monitor matches the code number on the container of test strips.
    * Check your technique. Wash your hands with soap and water before pricking your finger. Apply a generous drop of blood to the test strip. Don't add more blood to the test strip after the first drop was applied.

If you're still not sure what's wrong with your diabetes testing supplies, do a quality control test according to the manufacturer's instructions and check the owner's manual for other troubleshooting issues. You can bring the monitor to your next doctor appointment as well.

This blog is associated with Simplex MD (simplexmd.com) and the Diabetes Care Club (diabetescareclub.com), sponsored by Simplex Healthcare.

Important Notice: Information provided is for general background purposes and is not intended as a substitute for medical diagnosis or treatment by a trained professional. You should always consult your physician about any health care questions you may have, especially before trying a new medication, diet, fitness program, or approach to health care issues.

Hyperglycemia happens

Monday, February 8, 2010 by Leigh Anne Ellis

Your diabetes treatment plan and your diabetes medical supplies are designed to help you avoid hyperglycemia. But everyone has occasional episodes of high blood sugar. The most common culprits include:

    * Eating too much food or the wrong foods
    * Exercising too little
    * Physical stress, such as an infection or other illness
    * Emotional stress, such as family conflict or workplace challenges
    * Forgetting to take your oral diabetes medication
    * Problems with your insulin, such as not giving yourself enough insulin or using expired insulin

Members of the Diabetes Care Club don't need to worry about running out of diabetic medical supplies or diabetes testing supplies because they automatically receive a new shipment every 90 days.

This blog is associated with Simplex MD (simplexmd.com) and the Diabetes Care Club (diabetescareclub.com), sponsored by Simplex Healthcare.

Important Notice: Information provided is for general background purposes and is not intended as a substitute for medical diagnosis or treatment by a trained professional. You should always consult your physician about any health care questions you may have, especially before trying a new medication, diet, fitness program, or approach to health care issues.

Reading your Ascensia Contour Meter results

Friday, December 18, 2009 by Leigh Anne Ellis

Just a reminder that when using your Ascensia Contour meter, blood glucose values will vary depending on food intake, medication dosages, health, stress or exercise. Consult your healthcare profesional for the target value that is appropriate for you.

According to the manufacturer of the Contour meter, standard medical practice goals for a typical non-pregnant individual with diabetes are:

Before a meal glucose: 90 to 130 mg/dL
2 hours after a meal: less than 180 mg/dL

If your test result is below 50 mg/dL, above 250 mg/dL or you se "LO" or "HI" on the meter display, call your physician or healthcare professional immediately DO NOT change your medication based on Ascensia Contour blood glucose results without the advice of your physicial or healthcare professional.

This blog is associated with Simplex MD (simplexmd.com) and the Diabetes Care Club (diabetescareclub.com), sponsored by Simplex Healthcare.

Important Notice: Information provided is for general background purposes and is not intended as a substitute for medical diagnosis or treatment by a trained professional. You should always consult your physician about any health care questions you may have, especially before trying a new medication, diet, fitness program, or approach to health care issues.

Take maximum advantage of your Ascensia Contour meter

Friday, December 18, 2009 by Leigh Anne Ellis

Are you taking full advantage of the features of your Ascensia Contour meter?

You can transfer results from your meter to a computer where they can be summarized in a report with graphs and tables. What a great way to track your progress.

To make use of this feature, you need Bayer diabetes management software and a Bayer data cable ... the meter has not been tested or certified for use with any other diabetes management software.

For more information, you can call the customer service department at Bayer Diabetes (800-348-8100) or visit the website at www.bayerdiabetes.com/us/contactUs/forms/customer_care.asp.

This blog is associated with Simplex MD (simplexmd.com) and the Diabetes Care Club (diabetescareclub.com), sponsored by Simplex Healthcare.

Important Notice: Information provided is for general background purposes and is not intended as a substitute for medical diagnosis or treatment by a trained professional. You should always consult your physician about any health care questions you may have, especially before trying a new medication, diet, fitness program, or approach to health care issues.

Review: caring for your Ascensia Contour meter

Friday, December 18, 2009 by Leigh Anne Ellis

It's pretty common in sports to talk about the need to "get back to basics" or "review the fundamentals." So it's probably wise to review how to care for your Ascensia Contour meter ... even if you've been using it for a while.

The manufacturer recommends that you:

store the meter in its carrying case whenever possible
wash and dry your hands thoroughly before handling to keep the meter free of oils and other contaminants
handle the meter carefully to avoid damaging the electronics or causing other malfunctions ... did you know that if you allow solution to drip into the test strip port or around the buttons, you could cause a malfunction?
avoid exposing the meter and test strip to excessive conditions ... humidity, heat, cold, dust or dirt
clean the exterior with a moist (not wet) lint-free tissue with a mild detergent or disinfectant solution (such as 1 part bleach mixed with 9 parts water); wipe dry with a lint-free tissue

Done and done.

This blog is associated with Simplex MD (simplexmd.com) and the Diabetes Care Club (diabetescareclub.com), sponsored by Simplex Healthcare.

Important Notice: Information provided is for general background purposes and is not intended as a substitute for medical diagnosis or treatment by a trained professional. You should always consult your physician about any health care questions you may have, especially before trying a new medication, diet, fitness program, or approach to health care issues.

Trust your Ascensia Contour meter

Friday, December 18, 2009 by Leigh Anne Ellis

Your Ascensia Contour meter has been designed to make accuracy automatic. And it is the first and only system that automatically corrects for common variables that affect accuracy.

Unlike the meters that need to be manually coded in order to obtain accurate results, CONTOUR ® and BREEZE ® 2 meters provide No Coding™ technology. This means that these meters automatically set the correct code any time a Bayer test strip is inserted - so there are fewer steps and less chance for inaccurate results.

How great is that!

This blog is associated with Simplex MD (simplexmd.com) and the Diabetes Care Club (diabetescareclub.com), sponsored by Simplex Healthcare.

Important Notice: Information provided is for general background purposes and is not intended as a substitute for medical diagnosis or treatment by a trained professional. You should always consult your physician about any health care questions you may have, especially before trying a new medication, diet, fitness program, or approach to health care issues.

You can trust your Optium blood glucose test strips

Friday, December 18, 2009 by Leigh Anne Ellis

One of the reasons Optium strips are so popular is that they produce such reliable results. Here's why:

   1. Clinical Accuracy: TrueMeasure technology to assure accuracy
   2. Easy: End-fill strips use extremely small blood samples
   3. Alternative site testing: Provides the option to test on the forearm, upper arm or base of the thumb instead of fingertips for less pain.
   4. Fast: 5 second test time

Don't forget, however, that MediSense Optium Blood Glucose Test Strips are intended for use with MediSense Optium Blood Glucose Meters only.

This blog is associated with Simplex MD (simplexmd.com) and the Diabetes Care Club (diabetescareclub.com), sponsored by Simplex Healthcare.

Important Notice: Information provided is for general background purposes and is not intended as a substitute for medical diagnosis or treatment by a trained professional. You should always consult your physician about any health care questions you may have, especially before trying a new medication, diet, fitness program, or approach to health care issues.

Diabetes products are everywhere

Friday, December 18, 2009 by Leigh Anne Ellis

Did you know that you you have more than 50,000 options for obtaining your diabetes products? Diabetic medical supplies are found in drug stores, infomercials and online.

So how do you choose? I recommend the Diabetes Care Club (DCC).

Why? Well, I am in a position to know how passionate DCC is about getting your diabetes products in your hands quickly and efficiently ... with no muss or fuss for you. DCC processes ALL of your paperwork and you never have to pay anything in advance.

DCC doesn't just take your order for diabetic medical supplies, we are your caring resource for information. That's why out of 50,000 options, DCC is in the top three.

This blog is associated with Simplex MD (simplexmd.com) and the Diabetes Care Club (diabetescareclub.com), sponsored by Simplex Healthcare.

Important Notice: Information provided is for general background purposes and is not intended as a substitute for medical diagnosis or treatment by a trained professional. You should always consult your physician about any health care questions you may have, especially before trying a new medication, diet, fitness program, or approach to health care issues.

Optium test strips are a good value

Friday, December 18, 2009 by Leigh Anne Ellis

Did you know that your Optium strips are a really good value because they are:

   1. Minimize test strip waste (and, thereby, costs) because you are likely to have fewer error messages.
   2. Individually foil wrapped to avoid inaccuracies caused by the effects of exposure to air or moisture.
   3. Avoid false starts through patented fill trigger that is designed to prevent tests from starting until enough blood is applied.

This blog is associated with Simplex MD (simplexmd.com) and the Diabetes Care Club (diabetescareclub.com), sponsored by Simplex Healthcare.

Important Notice: Information provided is for general background purposes and is not intended as a substitute for medical diagnosis or treatment by a trained professional. You should always consult your physician about any health care questions you may have, especially before trying a new medication, diet, fitness program, or approach to health care issues.

Blood glucose control through Chamomile tea

Friday, December 18, 2009 by Leigh Anne Ellis

Can you imagine that on your list of diabetes products, Chamomile could be at the top? Chamomile has been used as an herbal tea and as a medicinal cure-all to treat a variety of medical problems including stress, colds and menstrual cramps, and it could be the next glucose control "solution."

Scientists recently proposed that the herbal tea might be beneficial for fighting diabetes, but the theory hasn’t been scientifically tested until recently.

Researchers in Japan and the United Kingdom report that drinking chamomile tea daily with meals may help prevent the complications of diabetes, which include loss of vision, nerve damage, and kidney damage.

The findings could lead to the development of a new chamomile-based treatment for type 2 diabetes, which is at epidemic levels in the United States and spreading worldwide.

The researchers fed chamomile extract to a group of diabetic rats for 21 days and compared the results to a group of control animals on a normal diet.

The chamomile-supplemented animals showed a significant decrease in blood glucose levels compared with the controls, they say. The extract also showed significant inhibition of both ALR2 enzymes and sorbitol, whose elevated levels are associated with increased diabetic complications, the scientists say.

This blog is associated with Simplex MD (simplexmd.com) and the Diabetes Care Club (diabetescareclub.com), sponsored by Simplex Healthcare.

Important Notice: Information provided is for general background purposes and is not intended as a substitute for medical diagnosis or treatment by a trained professional. You should always consult your physician about any health care questions you may have, especially before trying a new medication, diet, fitness program, or approach to health care issues.

Optium Strips may be used for alternative site testing

Friday, December 18, 2009 by Leigh Anne Ellis

Optium Strips for the MediSense Blood Glucose monitor offer the convenience of alternative site testing ... you have the option to test on the upper arm, forearm or base of the thumb instead of the fingertips for less discomfort. The patented fill trigger on the strips is designed to prevent tests from starting until enough blood is applied.

The unique design of the Optium Blood Glucose Test Strips minimizes strip waste and costs due to fewer test error messages.

This blog is associated with Simplex MD (simplexmd.com) and the Diabetes Care Club (diabetescareclub.com), sponsored by Simplex Healthcare.

Important Notice: Information provided is for general background purposes and is not intended as a substitute for medical diagnosis or treatment by a trained professional. You should always consult your physician about any health care questions you may have, especially before trying a new medication, diet, fitness program, or approach to health care issues.

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