Diabetes

Recently Answered

• QAre schools required to accommodate the needs of children with diabetes?

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  A Intermountain Registered Dietitians , Nutrition & Dietetics, answered on behalf of Intermountain Healthcare

  School districts and staff must provide an individualized plan to accommodate a student's special healthcare needs. Two federal laws apply to children with diabetes:

  • The Education for All Handicapped Act of 1975 entitles all physically, developmentally, emotionally, and other health-impaired children to free, appropriate public education. Any school that receives federal funding or facility considered open to the public must reasonably accommodate the special needs of children with diabetes.

  • Section 504 is a civil rights law that makes it illegal for any agency or organization that receives federal funds to discriminate in any way against qualified people with disabilities. Staff at most schools are aware of their obligation to support your daily diabetes care -- including helping with monitoring and medication. Still, they'll rely on you and your family to communicate your needs, teach how to meet them, and provide the tools to do so.
• QWhat do I need to know about caring for someone with diabetes?

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  A HealthyWomen answered

  Being a caregiver for a person with diabetes is no small task. In addition to guiding your family member or friend toward healthy lifestyle habits, you will need to help him or her measure blood sugar regularly, keep track of blood pressure and cholesterol levels and administer insulin.

  But don't let the list overwhelm you. For instance, it may be a good idea to keep a calendar tracking your loved one's blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol measurements, as well as the times of insulin injections. Once routines are established, you may find that diabetes management is easier than expected. With a little bit of education, a regular schedule and a positive outlook, you and the person you are caring for can keep diabetes under control.

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• QIs it safe to take supplements if I have diabetes?

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  A Janis Jibrin, MS, RD , Nutrition & Dietetics, answered on behalf of The Best Life

  

  Supplements can cause real damage if they are taken improperly; some can have adverse effects with long-term or high-dosage use; and many can react with your diabetes medications. At best, they can be a royal waste of money. If you do decide to use supplements, we cannot emphasize strongly enough how important it is to always run your plan by your health care practitioner.

  

  Find out more about this book:

  The Best Life Guide to Managing Diabetes and Pre-Diabetes
  Buy book

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• QHow do my blood glucose testing results relate to my A1C results?

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  A Dr. Jeanne Morrison, PhD , Family Medicine, answered on behalf of Sigma Nursing

  Your A1C results give an average of your blood glucose level over a 2-3 month period. Depending on how often you check your blood glucose throughout the day, you may be able to estimate what your A1C when you are tested.
• QHow common is diabetes?

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  A St. David’s HealthCare answered

  According to the World Health Organization, an estimated 422 million adults have diabetes. That's 8.5 percent of the world population. The number of adults with diabetes has quadrupled since 1980 and has caused a drain on healthcare systems.

  This content originally appeared on http://www.livehealthyaustin.com/.

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• QWhat is a healthy blood sugar level?

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  A American Diabetes Association answered

  For people without diabetes, blood glucose levels rarely go over 120 mg/dl, even after eating a meal.

  People with diabetes need to take action to lower their blood glucose either by injecting insulin or compensating with food or insulin at the next mealtime. You may hear that keeping your blood glucose below 130 mg/dl is the magic number. In fact, your target range may be a little higher or lower depending on several factors such as your age, capabilities, and life situation.

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• QIs there an alternative treatment for diabetes?

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  A Dr. Athena Philis-Tsimikas, MD , Endocrinology Diabetes & Metabolism, answered on behalf of Scripps Health

  

  There's plenty of anecdotal evidence that homeopathic, natural remedies may be help treat diabetes. But are they really effective? In this WisePatient video, endocrinologist Athena Philis-Tsimikas, MD, of Scripps Health, discusses the evidence.

  

  Find out more about this DVD:

  Are There Any Traditional Homeopathic Remedies That Are Effective to Treat Diabetes?
  Buy DVD

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• QIs diabetes contagious?

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  A American Diabetes Association answered

  Although we don't know exactly why some people develop diabetes, we know diabetes is not contagious. It can't be caught like a cold or flu. There seems to be some genetic link in diabetes, particularly type 2 diabetes. Lifestyle factors also play a part.

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• QCan obesity increase the risk of diabetes?

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  A American Diabetes Association answered

  Obesity is a risk factor of type 2 diabetes as well as any of the following:

  • People with prediabetes (impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and/or impaired fasting glucose (IFG))
  • People over age 45
  • People with a family history of diabetes
  • People who do not exercise regularly
  • People with low HDL cholesterol or high triglycerides, high blood pressure
  • Certain racial and ethnic groups (e.g., Non-Hispanic Blacks, Hispanic/Latino Americans, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, and American Indians and Alaska Natives)
  • Women who had gestational diabetes, or who have had a baby weighing 9 pounds or more at birth

  Find out if you are at risk for prediabetes or diabetes at www.diabetes.org/risktest

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• QHow can I keep my blood sugar levels stable?

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  A American Diabetes Association answered

  You can make changes, a few at a time, to slowly lower your blood glucose levels if you have diabetes. Here are some things you may want to change:

  • how much food you eat
  • the kinds of food you eat
  • your activity level
  • how much insulin or medication you take

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