Preventing or Delaying Diabetes

Believe it or not, but you can prevent or delay the onset of diabetes Type 2. According to the National Diabetes Prevention Program, it has been shown that people at high risk can prevent or delay the onset of diabetes by losing 5 to 7 percent of their body weight. These are a few ideas to help you get started, some I use at work to prevent myself from eating junk food.

1. Drink a glass of water before each meal, and sip water all day. It will cut your appetite and keep you hydrated.

2. Walk, walk, walk. One of the bad parts of pharmacy is that I tend to stand in one spot all day. So, whenever I can, I stretch, and maybe talk a quick walk around the store.

3. I like to nosh all day, so snack smart. I eat peanuts, pretzels, cheese etc. Find something you like and stay away from the junk food.

4. Here's a good rule, that I never follow: Don't eat after 7pm. OK, I can't go to bed without my ice cream.

5. Find a workout buddy. Someone who will go for a walk with you, even if's it your dog.

Do you have any ideas that have worked really well for you. E-mail me and I'll share them.

Your Body Will Tell You

Do any of these symptons describe you?

Always tired or sleepy?
More irritable and moody than usual
Blurred vision
Frequent urination
Unexplained weight loss
Always thirsty or hungry
Tingling or numbness in your legs, feets or fingers
Dry mouth
Cuts or sores that take a long time to heal
Family history of diabetes.

These warning signs are usually missed by people, because they are not so out of the ordinary. What they don't know, is that these are symptoms related to diabetes.

So if you answered, Yes to many of these questions, be brave and go to the doctor. Early detection is vital, I can't emphasize this enought. I've seen too many people go blind, lose limbs and end up on kidney dialysis. Don't be in denial, it is way too important.

A diagnosis of diabetes is not the end of the world. You can empower yourself to make the lifestyle changes you need to make. It may not be curable, but it can kill you slowly if you live in denial and not take care of yourself.

Your neighborhood pharmacist, is part of your team. He can help you choose a glucometer and supplies that suit you best. I've often pricked my own finger to show people how to use the machine. Have a pharmacist that will take the time to explain this simple everyday testing and your medication. He or she can also be a resource in changing your diet.

Tip of the Day: Don't have insurance for prescription medications. Pharmacies such as Winn-Dixie and Wal-mart charge only 4.00 for 30 to 60 of the most common and widely used medications for diabetes. They also have resourses to get you a free glucometer and help with supplies. Remember, the cost of the glucometer is in the strips you use, so pick out the machine that is most cost effective for you. They are all reliable in taking blood sugar readings. Just ask the pharmacist, they should help you. If they seem to be too busy or uninterested, go to a different pharmacy.

Any questions, just e-mail me.

Lowering your risk of Developing Diabetes

Pre-diabetes is a condition where your blood sugar levels will be higher than normal but not high enough for a diagnosis of diabetes. Although, it is not diabetes, it will cause long-term damage to you body, especially your heart and circulatory system. A high risk adult can follow a low-fat, low-calorie diet, engage in moderate exercise (30 minutes three times a week) and lower the risk of developing diabetes. Diet and exercise are more effective than medication according to the Diabetes Prevention Program.

The ADA (American Diabetes Association) recommends adults over 45 be screened for diabetes every 3 years, and more often if you have risk factors. The power to reverse pre-diabetes is with you and you can do it by getting into regular healthy habits.

TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR DIABETES AND HEALTH

Monitor your blood sugar levels, planned balanced meals, get regular check-ups and work with diabetes professionals. It is a lifestyle change, but one you can make.
Hopefully this blog with help you get started.

Tips:

Love bread, try Sara Lee's Delightful...only 45 calories per slice and 9g of carbs..

Increase your fiber: Add strawberries/dried apricots/apples to your Quaker Oatmeal in the morning, with a dash of cinnamon (known to lower blood glucose) and vanilla...

Are You at Risk for Diabetes?

One-third of people with diabetes are unaware of it. In fact, people can have what is known as pre-diabetes for ten years before they are aware of it. Why you ask? The symptoms are vague and seem like nothing out of the ordinary. That is why Diabetes is called "The silent stalker". By the time people find out they have it the high glucose levels have damaged their eyes, nerves, kidneys and heart. As a pharmacist, there is nothing sadder than to see someone in their 50's, who has ignored their diabetes and now has neuropathy (nerve pain), heart problems, vision problems (even blindness) and kidney failure. Yet these situations are real, and all are preventable. Are you at risk? Ask yourself these questions:

Am I overweight?
Am I between 45 and 65 and get little or no exercise?
Am I a women who had a baby over 9lbs at birth?
Do I have a close family memeber (parent, brother, sister) with diabetes?

If you answered, yes to these questions you are at risk for diabetes, and you need to speak with your pharmacist and primary care doctor.

Tommorrow I'll talk about detecting pre-diabetes....

Tip: Fast, Healthy Breakfast to hold you through the morning...Put Natural Peanut Butter (my favorite brand is Smucker's Natural) on a bran toaster waffle with some jam, instead of butter and syrup. This will cut the sugar and fat and raise the protein and fiber and will ward off hunger through the morning.....

The Corner Drug Store

I'm sure many people remember the day when you could walk into your neighborhood drug store and ask the pharmacist anything. In fact, people would hang out, talk to the druggist (as we were called in those days) and get common sense advise and usually a cup of coffee. Then, the pharmacist knew you by name, and probably your whole family. Today, with the growth of retail pharmacy, and the number of medications available it's sometimes near impossible to speak to the pharmacist for any length of time. If you get your medications from the larger retail chains, the pharmacist is so busy, he or she may only have a few minutes to spare, and there may be someone new everytime you go in. The goal of this blog is to provide common sense advise on common health conditions, what OTC products work best and which ones to avoid and on dealing with pharmacies today. You can even have that cup of coffee while you read. If you have any specific questions, you can e-mail me.