diabetes

Learning About Diabetes Can Save Your Life

Here are the simple facts about diabetes: your body either isn’t getting enough insulin or does not effectively use the insulin that it does produce. Insulin is the hormone that converts sugar, starches and other foods into the energy you need for daily life. Think of it this way; if your body is an engine, then diabetes is what is clogging up your fuel lines. Although there isn’t a cure yet, there are treatments and affective measures you can take to life a healthy and normal life.

Do you know enough about diabetes to determine if you have the disease? Too often diabetes goes undetected because the symptoms are considered harmless. The common warning signs include frequent urination, excessive thirst and hunger, unusual weight loss, increased fatigue, irritability and blurry vision. Taken alone those symptoms aren’t unique but add them together and the warning signs are clear. A doctor can determine your diabetic status by administering a Fasting Plasma Glucose test (FPG) or a Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT). Type 1 diabetes refers to people whose bodies can’t produce insulin while Type 2 denotes people whose bodies can’t properly use insulin. There is also the state of pre-diabetes which actually affects close to 57 million Americans. If gone unchecked pre-diabetes can turn into Type 1 or 2. If you think you are at risk, see your doctor.

Although the exact cause of diabetes remains a mystery there are two important risk factors to be aware of: family history and weight. Genetics plays a key role in determining if you are susceptible to diabetes. The same can be said for those who are overweight. Knowing if you are in the high risk category will provide guidance towards the steps you can take to avoid becoming diabetic.

One of the myths about diabetes is that if you are diagnosed you can no longer have sweets or chocolate. The truth is that taken within the confines of a healthy meal plan and exercise program, there is no reason why diabetes can’t feed their “sweet tooth.” Another falsehood about diabetes is that because you are diabetic you have to strictly eat diabetic foods. The truth is, like the rest of us, a diabetic’s diet should consist of meals low in salt and sugar and high in whole grain foods, fruits and vegetables.

Educating yourself about diabetes can help you and your family to enjoy healthy and long lasting lives.

Tags: about diabetes, diabetes

Discount Diabetic Testing Supplies

My brother was recently diagnosed with diabetes. The news initially sent the family into shock, which is understandable. We didn’t really know what to expect, and were very worried about the health implications as well as the idea of having to make drastic lifestyle changes. Fortunately, my brother has an excellent doctor who took the time to explain things thoroughly and answer our questions. Now, two months after that first diagnosis, I’m amazed at how far my brother has come in terms of managing the disease. In fact, his biggest problem has been finding affordable diabetic testing supplies — something that I can actually help with.

He bought his first round of diabetic testing supplies from a local store that a friend (and fellow sufferer) recommended. But the prices were staggering, and his co-pay was pretty high thanks to a not so great health plan. I offered to help find a good retailer that sells discount diabetic testing supplies, so after getting an idea of the types of products my brother needs and how much he’s currently paying, I set out on my search.

I know that there are lots of online medical supply stores, so I figured that would be my best bet as far as finding low-cost diabetic testing supplies. Obviously these types of retailers have lower overhead costs than traditional stores, so they’re in turn able to offer unbeatable prices. In these tough times, everyone’s budget is already very tight, and the added burden of having to pay for regular replacement of diabetic testing supplies makes things even worse. Every penny counts these days.

Anyway, it didn’t take long to uncover several web stores that sell a wide range of cheap diabetic testing supplies. I’m talking about glucose test strips, blood glucose meters, syringes, and more. Plus, I found lots of great accessories, including educational materials about the disease and even cookbooks that contain healthy recipes designed specifically for those dealing with diabetes.

All of these products were on sale for anywhere from 10 to 40 percent less than what my brother was originally paying at the other store, which will add up to a significant amount of money when you consider how often he’ll need to purchase these items! Plus, some of the online retailers I checked had great shipping deals (with a few offering free shipping on orders over a certain dollar amount), so even when that extra cost is factored into the equation, we’d still be coming out ahead this way.

Dealing with diabetes is stressful enough without having to worry about how much of an impact the disease is making on your bank account. If you find yourself in a similar situation, I recommend buying your diabetic testing supplies online to save money. You’ll get the same trusted brands that you’ve always used, but at much lower prices.

Tags: diabetic testing supplies, diabetes