t2d

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Diabetes Myths Debunked from Beyond Type 2

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Have you heard about Beyond Type 2? We are big fans. This site is chock full of resources and guides for living with and understanding Type 2 diabetes. I want to point out the Diabetes Myths Debunked article. It covers a lot of territory and is definitely worth a read.

From Beyond Type 2... 11 Myths About Diabetes

Check out the entire article to find out the truth about these topics.

  1. Diabetes isn't that serious.

  2. You get Type 2 diabetes after you have been scared.

  3. Being overweight causes diabetes; thin people don't have diabetes.

  4. I can never eat sweets or my favorite foods again and have to follow a strict, bland diet.

  5. Diabetes doesn't run in my family, so I'm good to go.

  6. It's okay to stop taking my medication once my blood sugar is under control.

  7. Type 2 diabetes is a death sentence.

  8. Going on insulin means you "failed" at diabetes management.

  9. Type 2 diabetes can be cured.

  10. Insulin causes blindness.

  11. Eating too much sugar causes Type 2 diabetes.

Don't forget to check out the Beyond Type 2 website!

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Awesome Beyond Type 2 Website Launches

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Check out the new Beyond Type 2 website , the sister site to Beyond Type 1 , a well-established favorite of ours. It is a beautiful site with excellent resources on a disease that will benefit from a fresh voice for information and support. I love the Recently Diagnosed? Learn the Lingo page to get started.

In the words of the Beyond Type 2 founders:

"Launched in 2019, Beyond Type 2 is a program of the nonprofit organization Beyond Type 1. Beyond Type 2 is a place for everyone impacted by Type 2 diabetes to share their stories, get connected to the community, and find resources on topics from daily management to mental health...Beyond Type 2 hopes to radically change what it means to live with Type 2 diabetes. We aim to unite the global community and empower everyone living with Type 2 to live beyond it. With the right resources, programs, and power of our combined voices, we can redefine what it means to be a person living with diabetes – of any type."

You won't regret taking some time with this website. Explore Beyond Type 2 at beyondtype2.org.

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Let's Celebrate Diabetes Awareness Month!

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Diabetes Awareness Month 2018 starts today, and World Diabetes Day is celebrated globally on November 14 to raise awareness about both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes! Here are some ideas about how to get involved from some of our favorite advocacy organizations!

Together, let’s celebrate Diabetes Awareness Month and the many strong individuals and families who live resiliently with diabetes every day!

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In the News: Apple Patent Hints at Non-Invasive Glucose Monitoring Tech for Apple Watch

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News has been circulating that Apple has been developing a non-invasive sensor to continuously measure blood glucose levels since last year. In fact, this tracker has been said to become the “holy grail” in diabetes.

In August, a patent was published that potentially offers clues into Apple’s rumored non-invasive monitoring solution. Apple submitted a patent application in 2015 for “Reference switch architectures for noncontact sensing of substances,” a method by which an electronic device can be calibrated to measure the concentration of a particular substance in a given sample. This is an optical system that enables determination of the concentration of a target substance by applying light with known properties to a sample. Although the patent documentation does not specifically explain what substances this proposed system might be used for, it resonates with rumors that Apple is working on a non-invasive glucose monitoring solution for use in their Apple Watch. Learn more about the science behind Apple’s patent application at appleinsider.

Healthy Living provides leading continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) systems that monitor blood glucose levels in real time for Blue Cross Blue Shield, Health Alliance Plan of Michigan (HAP), Priority Health and Priority Health Advantage, and Medicare members. CGM helps people living with type 1 or type 2 diabetes make more informed treatment decisions that lead to better glycemic control. To learn more, call 866.779.8512 (option 2) to speak with a member of our Insulin Pump & CGM Therapy Team!

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The Link Between Diabetes & Heart Disease

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There is a substantial connection between diabetes and heart disease. In fact, the American Heart Association reports that if you have diabetes, your risk of developing heart disease is more than double that of the general population. To better understand how cardiovascular disease and diabetes interface in the human body, check out the video, Break It Down: Diabetes & Heart Disease and the associated healthline article. This video, featuring Dr. Priyanka Wali, explains the link between these two diseases and emphasizes that lifestyle changes can have a huge impact on improving health outcomes.

The main diabetes-related health characteristics that can increase the likelihood of cardiovascular disease include high blood pressure, high blood sugar, poorly managed levels of blood fats like cholesterol and triglycerides, obesity, and living a sedentary lifestyle. Dr. Wali recommends being attentive and proactive and making these seven changes to reduce the chances of developing cardiovascular disease:

  1. Quit smoking
  2. Get moving
  3. Reduce stress and get enough sleep
  4. Lose weight
  5. Know your numbers
  6. Optimize cholesterol levels
  7. Take medications as prescribed

Check out the healthline page, Get to the Heart of Type 2 Diabetes, for more related articles. Let’s keep reading, keep learning, and keep moving!

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Koala with Diabetes Benefits from the New Dexcom G6 CGM System

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I absolutely love this news that we found about Quincy. He is a male koala living at the San Diego Zoo, who has been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. Thanks to CGM technology, his life has dramatically changed for the better.

This article explains that, “Diabetes has rarely been documented in koalas, and animal care experts do not know what may have triggered this condition in Quincy.” As part of his treatment plan, the vets at the San Diego Zoo have teamed up with Dexcom to better manage Quincy’s blood sugar levels through the application of a continuous glucose monitoring system. Quincy is using the new Dexcom G6 CGM system.

Koalas normally sleep during the day and are mainly solitary animals. This system markedly increases Quincy’s quality of life because he can avoid pricks to his ears to check his blood sugar and can be disturbed less often overall. Instead, the sensor and transmitter placed on Quincy send his blood glucose levels in real time to a smart device monitored by his caretakers. Check out a video of Quincy and his vets in action. 

We hope that Quincy's story helps promote a greater awareness of CGM therapy! If you are living with type 1 or type 2 diabetes and have commercial or Medicare insurance, you may qualify to begin CGM therapy. Reach out to our team at 866.779.8512 to learn more and start the enrollment process now.

FDA Approves Dexcom G6 CGM

Dexcom's new G6 Continuous Glucose Monitoring System

Dexcom's new G6 Continuous Glucose Monitoring System

Yet another great piece of news in the area of Continous Glucose Monitoring technology advancement: Dexcom received FDA approval for their next generation, G6 CGM product.

For a more detailed analysis of the Dexcom G6 CGM, visit the recent blog posts from Diatribe, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, and Beyond Type 1

The G6 solution is an exciting development for the diabetes community as it promises a ten day wear on the sensor, acetaminophen blocking, no finger stick calibrations,  potential integrations with the Tandem insulin pump, OminPod's tubeless pump and more.

A launch date has yet to be determined but Healthy Living Medical Supply will be ready to provide this new platform to our patients once it does become available.

Interested in learning more about CGM and the possible therapeutic benefits? Read this article from the Healthy Living blog on the benefits of CGM. 

We're here to help!

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2018 ADA Standards of Care Bring New Recommendations for Cardiovascular Disease & Diabetes

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The American Diabetes Association has released new 2018 Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes. These comprehensive recommendations include the latest advances in evidence-based care, with a new focus on advanced management for people with cardiovascular disease and diabetes. The Standards of Care outline the ADA’s latest recommendations “for the diagnosis and treatment of children and adults with type 1, type 2, or gestational diabetes, strategies to improve the prevention or delay of type 2 diabetes, and therapeutic approaches that reduce complications and positively affect health outcomes.”

Important changes and updates in the 2018 edition include these topics and more:

  • Cardiovascular disease and diabetes
  • Screening youth for type 2 diabetes
  • Health technology and diabetes management
  • A1C test considerations
  • Diabetes management in specific groups

Read the ADA’s press release for more details!

We love to help!

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OmniPod and Abbott FreeStyle Libre Approved for Coverage by Medicare

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The Abbott Freestyle Libre flash glucose monitoring system.

The Abbott Freestyle Libre flash glucose monitoring system.

Great news was announced earlier this month to start the New Year off strong for the diabetes community! Medicare is allowing coverage of the Omnipod tubeless insulin pump and the new FreeStyle Libre flash glucose monitoring system. And as Diabetes Mine notes, "since CMS typically sets the stage for what private insurers will cover, this is a big win for PWDs (people with diabetes) of all ages!"

We love to help!