Upside Down Numbers

Posted on December 20, 2013 by janekdickinson

Yesterday I was checking my blood glucose and found it amusing that I have been looking at my numbers upside down for over a year.

When I wIMG_1050as forced to switch meters (insurance coverage), I just couldn’t bring myself to use a different case (or “kit,” as I call it). I liked the way my supplies fit so perfectly in my kit, which doubles as my wallet.

So I put my new meter and strips in my old case and carried on. But in order for the strip to come out on top, where I can easily access it to put blood in, I have to keep the meter upside down. If I put it in right side up, the strip crashes into the strip bottle and I refuse to take the meter out every time I check (that would take two extra seconds, after all).

There are two ways to look at this situation: 1) I’m stuck in a rut and not willing to change (except that which affects me financially) or 2) I am making adjustments and sticking with what works for me, while being flexible enough to use something different. I choose #2. Plus I figure reading upside down numbers, keeping them straight in my head, and making diabetes management decisions based on them keeps my brain working. Even better than cross-word puzzles!

So until I find a case that I like better, I’m sticking with upside down numbers.

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Multi-tasking

Posted on December 18, 2013 by janekdickinson

Here we are in the middle of December, the holiday season, and the end of a semester (for education-related people). The peak of multi-tasking season! I am on hold with my mail-order pharmacy, reading and writing emails and recently finished submitting grades for two courses. Early this morning I was stretching, talking on the phone and hanging decorations on the Christmas tree.

How, one might ask, can we find peace when multi-tasking? I don’t know! More and more people are saying that multi-tasking leads to getting nothing done. Or at least getting nothing done well. They say we are better off focusing on one thing at a time and doing a good job.

There’s something about diabetes – the thinking person’s disease (quote stolen from a diabetes camp t-shirt) – that requires multi-tasking. Oh yea, the fact that we think about it 24/7! But when we get in the groove (and it is possible to get in a groove) there are moments of peace, when we can get other things done. And enjoy ourselves. So my goal for this crazy, busy season is to find peaceful moments and enjoy myself.

By the way, I have found that music helps. But does listening to music and doing a project count as multi-tasking? Oh well.

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Eye Disease and Diabetes

Posted on December 16, 2013 by janekdickinson

Retina2We all have our fears related to diabetes, and my biggest one is eye disease (retinopathy). All my diabetes life I’ve heard scary statistics about eye disease and diabetes. Many times I have heard the message that some form of eye disease is basically unavoidable with diabetes. Sorry to be cranky, but I disagree with that attitude. I prefer the one where we say that there are things we can do to lower our risk for eye disease.

I just read this report about the rate of diabetes-related eye disease rising dramatically over the next ten years. This is based on the prediction that many, many more people will have diabetes ten years from now. But there is one teeny, tiny line in there that says based on more effective approaches to managing diabetes, the amount of eye disease won’t increase at the same rate as diabetes itself. So that, my friends, is good news.

 

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Do you exercise?

Posted on December 13, 2013 by janekdickinson

Question_mark_(black_on_white)I just read an article that says research has now shown that people “who were asked about their exercise habits, lost more weight and lowered blood sugar levels more than those in the groups who weren’t asked.”

We (diabetes health professionals) have been having a lot of conversations about the word “exercise” vs. “activity” and how turned off people can be about “exercise.” We are constantly trying to figure out the best way to discuss being more active with people who have and are at risk for diabetes.

Yet maybe the answer is to just ask! Wow. How simple and straight-forward is that? We just need to ask in a way that does not imply judgment. Where blood glucose readings are just numbers, the answer to the exercise question is just a word. Perhaps by being asked the question (and then asking it of ourselves) we can find the motivation to start exercising if we aren’t already. Or make other changes. Or just keep doing what we’re doing. Whichever way you slice it, it feels good to answer YES!

So here it is, folks: Do you exercise?

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Butterflies and Blood Sugars

Posted on December 11, 2013 by janekdickinson

220px-Monarch_In_MayI had no idea what to write about today, when I looked up and saw a butterfly (it’s the photo on this month’s calendar page). Butterflies represent many different things to many different people and cultures.

I started thinking about renewal and second chances. Butterflies start out as caterpillars, which aren’t all that beautiful (although, some people think they are pretty cute). After they emerge from the cocoon, butterflies are pretty stunning. They get to start over, so to speak.

So in terms of diabetes, and with a new year approaching, it’s time to think about ways we can refresh or renew. Can we make a stronger effort with blood glucose monitoring or exercise? Can we make different food choices? Maybe we’ve already made some great changes and we simply need to keep them up!

Maybe there are other areas in our lives where we need a fresh start. And if anything is stressing us out (or calling for change), that can certainly affect our lifestyle habits, which affects our diabetes.

So let’s be butterflies in 2014.

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Message to the Gift-Givers

Posted on December 9, 2013 by janekdickinson

veggieplatter1This post is inspired by a comment from Kathy. I used to work on a hospital unit, and I remember lots of food being given as gifts to the nurses and other health professionals. The nurses station and break room frequently had platters of goodies from well-meaning patients and family members.

It’s hard to resist partaking of these treats when we’re working hard, don’t have time to stop for a real meal, or just feel tempted! In honor of all the amazing people who recognize health (and other) professionals by bringing gifts during the holidays or any time of the year, here is a list of ideas for somewhat healthier edible gifts:

  • nuts
  • dark chocolate (in reasonably-sized servings)
  • fresh fruit (Harry & David has amazing pears – no joke)
  • veggie platter with a healthy dip
  • fresh guacamole with crunchy vegetables for dipping
  • a huge salad with tons of veggies and a healthy dressing

I realize that some may be thinking, “but it’s the holidays, can’t we just splurge?” Yes, that’s definitely possible. But in some workplaces these food gifts are pretty much continuous and the calories can add up. While healthy “treats” may sound boring or unappetizing, I am willing to bet they’ll get eaten. I haven’t done any official research, but my observation is that when I bring a healthy appetizer or salad to a party…it gets eaten. People really do appreciate the effort – thank you!!

 

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Risk for Diabetes

Posted on December 6, 2013 by janekdickinson

HealthFairI have worked at many diabetes screening events where people have avoided me. I’m thinking, especially, of the table set up in the grocery store, where people walk in, see my table, avoid eye contact, and walk the other way.

Then again, a few weeks ago I heard some diabetes statistics and was pleasantly surprised that of the total number of people with diabetes, the percent of those who aren’t aware of it has gone from about 33% to about 27%. That means more people are aware.

But what about risk for diabetes? Are people aware of that? The other day I read this article, which says that many people who are at risk for diabetes don’t know it. Either they aren’t being told, or they aren’t listening (which is certainly not the same as not caring). Regardless, it’s important to know our risks and what we can do about them. Among other risk factors, people who carry extra weight and people who do not participate in physical activity are at risk for diabetes. Getting active and losing weight can help lower that risk.

Just like we don’t enjoy looking at our bank account when we know there’s not much in there, it’s no fun to find out about health risks. But knowledge is power and by knowing we can learn about changes that can improve our long-term health. And small changes count, so we don’t have to be intimidated. Information could save a life.

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No substitute for moderation

Posted on December 4, 2013 by janekdickinson

I know firsthand how easy it is to make excuses for eating more when I’m exercising. I walk three days a week and take an intensive exercise class three days a week. For the first year after joining the class, I definitely had a mindset of “I can eat that; I exercise more now.” But it didn’t pay off.

At two health-related appointments last spring I discovered that my weight was up, and I doubt it was from muscle. Yes, I’ve gotten a little toned and yes I’m a little stronger, but no, not enough to make that much of a difference in my weight. I decided to make some changes to my eating habits.

I just read an article about weight gain over the holidays. (Lots of great tidbits in the article!) We are now in the holiday season, and having just finished Thanksgiving (and almost all the leftovers), I can relate! I am still exercising, but there is a lot of food around, and it’s easy to let those portions creep back up and less healthy choices creep back in.

My approach is to still use moderation: if I decide to have a piece of pie, I have a “sliver,” and if I choose to have some of the carbohydrate foods that I have been staying away from, I just have a little bit. I don’t get worked up about it. I have also figured out some ways to eat vegetables in place of carbs – for instance with appetizers. Instead of crackers or chips, I eat veggies.

There is no doubt in my mind that exercise is key to long-term health and just feeling good in general. If nothing else, continuing to exercise through the holiday season is worth the effort.

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Preconception Counseling for Teens with Diabetes

Posted on December 2, 2013 by janekdickinson

When we think about keeping teens with diabetes safe, we may think about preventing low blood glucose or making sure they have supplies with them at all times. We want to be sure they are taking insulin when they need it and checking blood glucose levels. Have they changed their pump infusion set? Do they have unexpired ketone strips and glucagon kit readily available?

But how often do we think about preconception counseling? What if they’re not even sexually active? Denise Charron-Prochownik has been studying teens with diabetes and preconception counseling for a while. She and her colleagues conducted a study with over one hundred teens who have diabetes. Results showed that with a self-administered preconception counseling program, girls with diabetes are more knowledgeable and more willing to discuss reproductive health with health care professionals.

The researchers gave the following quote: “READY-Girls appeared to have long-term sustaining effects on preconception counseling knowledge, beliefs, and intentions to initiate discussion with health care providers that could improve reproductive health behaviors and outcomes.”

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Mindful Eating

Posted on November 27, 2013 by janekdickinson

thanksgiving1You may be hearing the word “mindful” lately. There is research going on around becoming more aware (mindful) and the impact of doing so on our stress levels and our eating habits. Sounds good to me, especially since stress and eating can lead to higher blood glucose levels, which can lead to serious health problems.

An article about mindful eating caught my eye because it said this practice is more about how we eat than what we eat. My platform these days is all about the importance of attitude. I think our attitude is more important than the food we put in our mouths. If we are eating salad and really angry about it, how does that help our health? Seems to me that being angry about food just creates more stress, which can lead to high blood glucose and things like heart disease.

Here is an excerpt from the article:

Mindful eating is simply listening to your body and being in tune with hunger, fullness, satiety and the other cues it gives you. This involves a few tactics: 

  • Eating away from distractions such as television, the computer or the car  
  • Being aware of your hunger and fullness cues, and using them to decide when to begin and end your meals, instead of following a schedule, set amount to eat or diet plan  
  • Choosing food that is pleasing and nourishing, and using your senses to pick and enjoy 
  • Slowing down the pace of your eating, taking breaks between bites, chewing slowly and assessing your fullness along the way  
  • Becoming aware of the reasons you eat—boredom, sadness or anything that isn’t mindful  
  • Meditating on, or practicing, experiencing food with all your senses and listening to your body 

And here’s an article about mindful eating and weight loss. There’s even a Center for Mindful Eating in New Hampshire (and probably other places too). How awesome!

From personal experience I know that mindful eating works. Just like everything else in life, it’s a matter of putting it into practice and sticking with it. Tomorrow I’m going to use some mindfulness techniques during the carb fest that is Thanksgiving dinner. We’ll see how it goes! Happy Thanksgiving!

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