Category Archives: diabetes advocacy

Changing diabetes management in older and elderly people

The results of the DCCT and the UKPDS studies changed lives. They also changed health care practice. Since 1993 we have been carb counting and using basal-bolus insulin dosing (type 1 diabetes). We’ve been starting insulin earlier and/or using a combination … Continue reading

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Individualizing care is the opposite of adherence

Both the American Diabetes Association (ADA) and the United Kingdom’s National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) have recently placed greater emphasis on individualizing care. The ADA uses “patient-centered care” in their standards, and NICE supports having individuals involved in … Continue reading

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Diabetes and Surgical Site Infections

Hopefully if you or someone you love has diabetes you already know that high blood glucose leads to infection. High blood glucose also contributes to slower healing wounds. If someone with diabetes has surgery, their risk for infection at the … Continue reading

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The Adolescent-to-Adult Transition in Diabetes Care

There is something referred to as “the adolescent transition,” which is actually the transition to adulthood. “Emerging adulthood” is sometimes defined as ages 18-30. (Being an adult is mandatory; acting like one is optional.) The point is that as a … Continue reading

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Common Diabetes Questions

If you’ve read any of my blogs you know I’m passionate about the language (words) we use in diabetes care. I’ve mostly been focused on ways health care professionals can speak in order to empower people with diabetes, but it’s … Continue reading

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Stop Doing What Isn’t Working

Some things are pretty simple and straightforward, yet we still don’t pay attention. If something isn’t working, stop doing it. It may not seem that simple, but if we really look at every angle and use a little creative energy, … Continue reading

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Diabetes management is all about choices

It’s unlikely you have no choice. More likely: There’s no easy choice. When we say we have no choice, we feel trapped and we are powerless. That’s no way to do our work every day. – Seth Godin This is so … Continue reading

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Diabetes No-Shame Day

Today is Diabetes Alert Day. Everyone knows someone with diabetes, but millions of people who have diabetes don’t know they have it. So the person you know with diabetes may not even know! Unfortunately many people who are at risk … Continue reading

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Understanding vs. Memorizing

It is more important to understand something than to do it by rote – or memorize it. Especially in diabetes management. If you find yourself doing something “just because” or “because they told me to,” ask about it. Find out … Continue reading

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A1C frequency and glucose stability

This article says that people with type 2 diabetes may be having their A1C checked too often. They say that people whose blood glucose level is stable only need to get their A1C checked once or twice a year, yet many are … Continue reading

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