The A1c test is a common blood test used to diagnose diabetes. An A1c of 5.7 to 6.4% is considered prediabetes, and changes to lifestyle and diet can help prevent prediabetes from developing into the disease. Researchers suggest free A1c tests at all check-ups and at drugstores with an advertising campaign would help identify more […]
Low carb diets are often recommended for people with diabetes, but an examination of carbohydrate intake including more than 432,000 people from over 20 countries suggests not only that a moderate-carb diet is best for most people, but that not all low-carbohydrate diets are created equal. Replacing carbs with animal-based proteins and fats like meat […]
SGLT-2 inhibitor drugs (brand names include Invokana and Jardience) have many benefits, but have been associated with diabetes ketoacidosis (DKA), a serious kidney problem, in people with type 2. If you are taking an SGLT-2 inhibitor, it’s important to know the signs of DKA and how to protect yourself. Read more
A young woman with type 1 diabetes shared her experience of receiving special diabetes care during her pregnancy. While the care she received was excellent and helped her and her baby stay healthy throughout the pregnancy, a breakdown in communication after her baby was born early nearly led to disaster. Read more
Low levels of vitamin D are often found in patients with prediabetes and diabetes. Vitamin D supplementation can potentially lower blood glucose levels and insulin resistance, and can be beneficial in the prevention of type 2 diabetes. Read more
A study that involved seniors reducing their normal activity levels for just two weeks led to elevated blood sugar levels and sped the onset of type 2 diabetes. Some patients did not fully recover even after resuming normal activity. The study highlights the importance of exercise for older people. Read more
A new study found that Asian Indians had an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes after living in the United States for more than 20 years. The risk is linked to their adopting a sedentary American lifestyle and unhealthy diet habits, which lead to increases in blood glucose levels and poor cholesterol. Read more
The ketogenic diet, which is high in fat and low in carbohydrates, is very popular. But new research has raised the possibility that this type of diet may be linked to an increased risk of type 2 diabetes. The study was done in mice, so more research is needed, but experts say the research suggests […]
“Diabetes distress” refers to the emotional burden, stress, and worry people with diabetes experience about their condition. Although it’s often overlooked by doctors, it can contribute greatly to the burden of managing the chronic disease. The prevalence of type 2 diabetes is high in minorities, and diabetes distress is thought to also be frequently experienced […]
I’s not unusual to gain weight from using insulin and from treating bouts of low blood sugar. A diabetes exercise expert shares her tips on how to avoid weight gain from insulin use and from treating diabetic lows. Read more
Some studies have suggested that migraines and diabetes may be linked, but the idea remains controversial. A new study found that people with diabetes seemed to be at no greater risk of migraines than people without diabetes. Read more
Transplants of the pancreas have been an option to diabetes for many years, but were seldom used due to their high failure rate. Today, advancements in treating rejection and a better understanding of the procedure have led to more frequent use of the procedure for people suffering from severe cases of diabetes. While still a […]
A recent study found that nearly half of the participants with type 2 diabetes who followed a weight loss program went into remission by study’s end. Now, the researchers think they may know why: the weight loss caused improvement in the functioning of pancreatic beta cells that produce, store, and release insulin. Read more
Many people think of type 1 as a childhood disease, while thinking type 2 only develops in adulthood. A diabetes specialist discusses why that’s wrong, sharing her own experiences of diagnosing type 1 in elderly adults, and type 2 in toddlers. She points out that distinguishing type 1 from type 2 is often more complicated […]
Why is it good for kids with diabetes to attend a special summer camp? A student pharmacist shares her experiences working at a camp and watching kids with type 1 learn from each other and develop new skills for managing their condition, while still having fun and enjoying camp life. Read more
Omnipod® is about half the width of a credit card, and adheres to the skin. It does not require any tubing and connects wirelessly to a handheld device. It can be worn in water for up to an hour, which is helpful for people with active lifestyles. Insulet, makers of the Omnipod system, will have a […]
Diabetes or impaired glucose tolerance is found in 50 to 80 percent of patients with pancreatic cancer, researcher Donghui Li notes: “Diabetes is both a cause and consequence of cancer.” The relationship is perhaps unsurprising, given that the pancreas is the organ that controls blood glucose. But which comes first — diabetes or cancer? Read more
A new test using just a saliva sample could replace blood tests to assess and monitor diabetes. According to a new study, analysis of proteins in saliva can identify high blood sugar and related problems in children and adolescents with uncontrolled type 1 diabetes, before the appearance of clinical symptoms. By identifying diabetes early, complications […]
Moderate drinking can be part of your lifestyle with diabetes, but making sure it doesn’t derail your diabetes management is essential. Drinking alcohol impairs judgment and can make you less likely to stick to a balanced diet, medication, and disease monitoring. And when people with diabetes drink heavily, they are less likely to consistently check […]
Side effects of diabetes drugs like nausea and vomiting make them difficult to tolerate for many people, and may even cause some to stop taking their medications or take them at reduced levels. New research has found that modifying a key ingredient in GLP-1 type diabetes drugs produces a compound that was effective for hyperglycemia […]