Category: Diabetes Management

Hyperglycemia vs. Hypoglycemia

Hyperglycemia vs. Hypoglycemia

April 04, 2022

Hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) can be a sign of diabetes onset, and it usually continues to occur on and off after you start treatment. On the other hand, hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) occurs as the result of diabetes treatment, particularly related to insulin. It is important to know the symptoms for early treatment.

hyperglycemia vs. hypoglycemia symptoms

Hyperglycemia (High Blood Glucose)

Hyperglycemia is when the body can’t use insulin properly or has too little insulin. This causes blood glucose to go above target range or higher than 160 mg/dL. It is important to know the symptoms and treatment options.

Treating Hyperglycemia

  • Be sure to drink plenty of water. It is recommended that you drink at least 8 glasses per day.

  • Ask yourself what may have caused high blood glucose/low blood glucose, and take action to correct it.

  • Try to determine if there is a pattern by checking your blood glucose.

hyperglycemia vs. hypoglycemia symptoms

hyperglycemia vs. hypoglycemia

Hypoclycemia (Low Blood Glucose)

Hypoglycemia is when your blood glucose level is less than 70 mg/dL or your blood glucose level goes below your individual target range.

Treating Hypoglycemia

With Hypoglycemia, consider the 15-15 rule: Eat 15 grams of glucose or simple carbohydrates, then wait 15 minutes and recheck glucose levels. If the level is still low, repeat.

  • Commonly used carbohydrates include glucose tablets, gel tubes, hard candies, 1 tablespoon of sugar, honey, jelly, or 4 ounces of fruit juice/regular soda.

Always consult with your doctor or diabetes educator to review your testing results if you are not sure what to do.

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Diabetes Complications You Should Know

Diabetes Complications You Should Know

March 14, 2022

Diabetes can affect your entire body, and over many years, it can lead to complications. High blood glucose levels can damage your eyes, the nerves in your feet and legs, and your blood vessels. Keeping your blood glucose as close to normal as possible can lower your risk for complications. Getting regular check-ups help find complications early.

Eyes

The retina is in the back of your eye and works like film in an old camera. It allows light to form a picture that is then sent to your brain. Your retina has many tiny, fragile blood vessels, and high blood glucose causes the blood vessel walls to weaken, making it harder to see. Because damage to your eyes is not always noticeable, it is recommended that people with diabetes have their eyes dilated and checked once a year. Finding the damage early can lower chances of losing your vision.

Feet/Legs

High blood glucose levels can cause damage to your nerves. This tends to happen most often in the feet or the legs, because these nerves are the longest in the body and the farthest from your spine. Because diabetes affects blood flow, sores or infections can take longer to heal. It’s always better to prevent problems than treating them.

Heart

Diabetes can damage blood vessels that flow to your heart and brain. People with diabetes are twice as likely to die of heart disease as people without diabetes. The good news is that you can lower your risk by meeting the following targets:

  • Blood pressure less than 140/80 mmHG

  • Total cholesterol of 200 mg/dL or less

  • Having body mass index (BMI) of 30 or less

  • Getting 30 minutes of exercise, 3-5 times per week

  • Not smoking

Can Diabetes Complications be Prevented?

Although you need to be aware of diabetes complications, there is good news. Most complications are linked with high blood glucose levels over time, so you can lower your risk by keeping blood glucose levels as close to normal. Being aware of the symptoms can help you get the treatment you need in time and avoid serious complications. The more you know, the more you can do to have a longer, healthier future. Wearing a continuous glucose monitor can help. Learn More About Continuous Glucose Monitors.

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Introducing the InPen Smart Insulin Pen

Introducing the InPen Smart Insulin Pen

May 04, 2021

If you like the simplicity of multiple daily injection (MDI) therapy, but want the intelligence of an insulin pump, look no further than the InPen smart insulin pen system.

Finally, you can have sophisticated diabetes technology that’s easy to use – and affordable!

inpen smart insulin pen, inpen from medtronic

The InPen from Medtronic is the first and only FDA-cleared smart insulin pen system that helps you take the right dose, at the right time. By tracking your diabetes data to a smart app via Bluetooth, the InPen system provides personalized recommendations that fundamentally change how you manage MDI. You can dose with the InPen and let the InPen app do the tracking and monitor your active insulin throughout the day.

As InPen user Allison said, “InPen is a game-changer for anyone on multiple daily injections. With help from InPen, I feel more in control of my diabetes because I am confident that I am administering the right doses. I can’t imagine MDI without InPen in my toolbox and highly recommend this to anyone.”

Approved for ages 7 and up, the InPen is compatible with the following short-acting insulins: Fiasp, Humalog, and Novolog cartridges (separate prescription required). You can also log your long-acting insulin doses in the InPen app and set up dose reminders to take your long-acting insulin.

How to get the InPen smart insulin pen

Available through GEM Edwards Pharmacy, most commercial insurance plans cover the InPen, and you may also qualify for other assistance, bringing the cost down to as little as $35 per prescribed pen. After we receive your application, our Diabetes Care team will review your coverage, determine the best way for you to receive InPen, and work with your doctor to get the prescription so we can ship InPen directly to your home!

 

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Click to view full InPen safety information

Indications for Use
InPen requires a prescription. It is a home-use reusable pen injector for single-patient use by people with diabetes under the supervision of an adult caregiver or by a patient age 7 and older for the self-injection of a desired dose of insulin. The pen injector is compatible with Lilly Humalog® U-100 3.0 mL cartridges, Novo Nordisk Novolog® U-100 3.0 mL cartridges, and Novo Nordisk Fiasp® U-100 3.0 mL cartridges and single-use detachable and disposable pen needles (not included). The pen injector allows the user to dial the desired dose from 0.5 to 30 units in one-half (1/2) unit increments.
The InPen dose calculator, a component of the InPen app, is indicated for the management of diabetes by people with diabetes under the supervision of an adult caregiver, or by a patient age 7 and older for calculating an insulin dose or carbohydrate intake based on user-entered data.
For an insulin dose based on the amount of carbohydrates, a healthcare professional must provide patient-specific target blood glucose, insulin-to-carbohydrate ratio, and insulin sensitivity parameters to be programmed into the software prior to use.
For an insulin dose based on fixed/variable meal sizes, a healthcare professional must provide patient-specific fixed doses/meal sizes to be programmed into the software prior to use.

Contraindications
The InPen system is not intended for anyone unable or unwilling to:
• Test blood glucose (BG) levels as recommended by a healthcare provider
• Maintain sufficient diabetes self-care skills
• Visit a healthcare provider regularly

InPen is not recommended for the blind or visually impaired without the assistance of a sighted individual trained to use it. Always carry a spare insulin delivery device in case your InPen is lost or damaged.

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What You Should Know About Diabetes Medications

What You Should Know About Diabetes Medications

November 12, 2020

You may need medication to control your blood glucose levels. It is important to take medications described by your physician and report any problems immediately. Please note, although you are taking medication, you still need to eat healthily, exercise regularly, and check your blood glucose levels each day.

Eyes

The retina is in the back of your eye and works like film in an old camera. It allows light to form a picture that is then sent to your brain. Your retina has many tiny, fragile blood vessels, and high blood glucose causes the blood vessel walls to weaken, making it harder to see. Because damage to your eyes is not always noticeable, it is recommended that people with diabetes have their eyes dilated and checked once a year. Finding the damage early can lower chances of losing your vision.

Heart

Diabetes can damage blood vessels that flow to your heart and brain. People with diabetes are twice as likely to die of heart disease as people without diabetes. The good news is that you can lower your risk by meeting the following targets:

  • Blood pressure less than 140/80 mmHG

  • Total cholesterol of 200 mg/dL or less

  • Having body mass index (BMI) of 30 or less

  • Getting 30 minutes of exercise, 3-5 times per week

  • Not smoking

You should speak with your physician before skipping or stopping your medication. Each diabetes pill works differently, so do not share your medication with others.

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Know Your ABCs for Better Diabetes Management

Know Your ABCs for Better Diabetes Management

September 01, 2020

Diabetes cannot be cured, but it can be controlled. By keeping your blood glucose close to normal levels, you can reduce your risk and/or avoid any potential life-threatening complication associated with diabetes.

The key is to know and understand your diabetes ABCs.

Eyes

The retina is in the back of your eye and works like film in an old camera. It allows light to form a picture that is then sent to your brain. Your retina has many tiny, fragile blood vessels, and high blood glucose causes the blood vessel walls to weaken, making it harder to see. Because damage to your eyes is not always noticeable, it is recommended that people with diabetes have their eyes dilated and checked once a year. Finding the damage early can lower chances of losing your vision.

B is for Blood Pressure

Blood pressure is the force of blood flow in your blood vessels. High blood pressure can make your heart work too hard and increase your risk of heart disease, stroke, eye problems, and kidney disease.

Your blood pressure goal should be below 140/90 unless your doctor helps you set a different goal.

C is for Cholesterol

Cholesterol is a waxy substance found in your body’s cells. HDL (good) cholesterol can help to protect your health. LDL (bad) cholesterol can clog your blood vessels and lead to heart disease.

Ask your health care team what your cholesterol numbers should be.

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Type 2 Diabetes Myths: Ten Things You Should Know

Type 2 Diabetes Myths: Ten Things You Should Know

August 01, 2020

There are a number of myths about diabetes that are commonly reported as facts.

Sometimes it’s tricky to separate fact from fiction. We’re here to help set the record straight.

Diabetes Skips A Generation

Not everyone who gets diabetes inherits it; you may have no relatives with diabetes or several. Diabetes doesn’t skip a generation, nor are you more likely to get it from your mother or father. Your genetics and your lifestyle contribute to your risk for diabetes.

Do Not Eat Carrots

Like all vegetables, carrots are carbohydrates. Carbohydrates are part of a healthy diet and give you the energy, vitamins, and minerals your body needs to function. All carbohydrates affect your blood sugar the same way, whether you are eating carbohydrates in bread, pasta, sugar, or vegetables. Three cups of uncooked and 1.5 cup of cooked carrots will raise your blood sugar the same as 1 slice of bread.

I Only Have Borderline Diabetes

There really is no such thing as borderline diabetes. You either have diabetes, pre-diabetes, or no diabetes. A fasting blood sugar greater than 126 mg/dL on more than one occasionis considered diabetes. A fasting blood sugar of 110-125 mg/dL on more than one occasion is considered pre-diabetes. Having prediabetes puts you at a heightened risk for developing Type 2 diabetes.

You Can’t Prevent Getting Diabetes

We have learned recently that you can prevent diabetes at any age. In fact, losing a modest amount of weight (5-10% of your total weight), being moderately active (walking or doing other forms of exercise for 150 minutes per week) can delay or prevent the onset of Type 2 diabetes.

Do Not Use Herbal or Natural Remedies for Diabetes

The most natural of remedies is eating a healthy diet and exercising. Medically proven information shows that both meal planning and physical activity help lower your blood sugar levels. Combining your prescribed medicines with a meal plan and physical activity is the best way to lower your levels. It is true that some herbal or other products can work against diabetes medications, raising your blood sugar. Ask your pharmacist or doctor if any of your medicines or health problems could be affected by herbal or natural remedies.

Insulin Causes Complications, Such as Amputations, Impotence, or Death

Some people who take insulin develop complications from diabetes, but the complications aren’t caused by insulin. Keeping your blood sugar near the normal range by taking a pill or using insulin, helps you live a long, healthy life. Many people believe that once you start taking insulin, you can never stop. While this used to be true, insulin on the market today is better than the past.

You Can’t Stop Taking Insulin

Some people with Type 2 diabetes are able to stop taking insulin if they lose weight, start exercising, or their physical and/or emotional stress becomes better.

Soak Your Feet in Vinegar Every Day

Many years ago, people with diabetes were told to soak their feet every day in vinegar. We know now that soaking with vinegar and other products can make your skin dry, causing cracks in the skin where bacteria can enter.

My Blood Sugar is Less than 250 – I am Fine!

Isn’t that “normal” for me? Not really. Your usual blood sugar isn’t the same as normal blood sugar. Just because your blood sugar is usually high or you don’t notice any symptoms, doesn’t’ necessarily mean your body isn’t affected by those levels.

My Children Won’t Get Diabetes Until They Are Adults

Unfortunately, more young people are diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. It is caused by a combination of being overweight, getting less exercise, and family genetics. You can help your children and grandchildren prevent diabetes by encouraging them to maintain a health weight and stay physically active.

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