Life with Diabetes

,

New Resources in Mental Health & Diabetes - Diabetes Distress & Beyond

,
IMG_5414.jpg

Many of us are getting in gear for the holidays, starting with Thanksgiving next week! There is so much festivity and so much to be thankful for this time of the year, but for many people, this is also a very difficult season. Maybe it’s due to the extra responsibilities that translate to more stress. Or maybe old stories or family dynamics make the holiday season a more intense time of the year. With our emotional and brain health in mind, and because I happily stumbled across some new resources focused on mental health and diabetes, I present this information to you:

Dr. Mark Heyman’s Podcast:
The Diabetes Psychologist

"Join Dr. Mark Heyman, a clinical psychologist and a leading expert in T1D and mental health, as he talks candidly about the emotional side of T1D. You’ll hear honest conversations about how T1D impacts mental health, and you’ll get actionable strategies to help you face the emotional challenges of T1D head-on, and live a full life, without letting diabetes get in the way."

From DiabetesMine:
When and How to Take Antidepressants with Type 1 Diabetes

"DiabetesMine explores the contradictory information out there about using antidepressant drugs with type 1 diabetes…take a closer look at when, why, and how taking an antidepressant as a person with T1D could be a safe and beneficial approach to improving your mental health."

Also from DiabetesMine:
Managing Type 1 Diabetes Postpartum: Self-Care After Baby Arrives

"The pressure of diabetes management postpartum certainly comes with less emotional woe and guilt than while your child was actually growing inside you, but the work it requires still persists, of course. The transition from pregnancy diabetes management to postpartum diabetes management can be overwhelming.”

And a final quote with a great visual:

“It’s as if you’re walking through tall weeds, it’s over your head and you have no idea where you’re going. You have no idea what’s forward or what’s back — you can’t see clearly. Taking an antidepressant is like having a step stool that helps you see over the top of the weeds.”

- Dr. Mark Heyman

shutterstock_377746408.jpg
,

Living, Learning, and Giving with Diabetes

,
shutterstock_362584421.jpg

When Christina started working at Healthy Living almost five years ago, she had already been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. It runs in her family. Since then, Christina has grown into a leader in HLMS’s customer care team. Her personal experiences with diabetes have informed her compassionate, understanding, and knowledgeable approach to customer service. And coming to know more about available diabetes management technology through working at Healthy Living has improved Christina’s own life with diabetes.

During our recent conversation, Christina explained to me that being diagnosed with Type 2 required a complete lifestyle change for her, including finding employment where stress levels were lower. Technology, specifically the Libre, has made a tremendous impact on her health. She can more easily see the connection between what she eats and her blood sugars, and Christina can make decisions in real time for medication therapies. This also increases her motivation to help others, because she knows what they are dealing with on a day-to-day basis.

Christina is currently a Team Leader for one of our insulin pump and CGM teams. Her group mainly works with referrals from Metro Detroit (and some out of state) , especially Ann Arbor, Farmington Hills, and Children’s Hospital. Referrals may come from CGM and insulin pump manufacturers or directly from doctor’s offices. Patients can also call us to find out more about starting the process. Christina’s team handles everything from start to finish, working with the doctor’s office and insurance, then coordinating shipment to the patient. Christina has noticed that as technology is advancing, availability to patients is also advancing as insurance companies are recognizing more and more the benefits of CGM and insulin pumps.

In our interview, Christina talked about the importance of making each patient feel like he or she is the only patient. And as Healthy Living grows, she believes that we need to continue to ensure that our team collaborates well together. Although the transition to working from home wasn’t difficult, Christina explained that communication is the biggest challenge, and our two best responses are our virtual touch-base meetings to keep everyone engaged and Slack. Slack an online team communication platform that Healthy Living has been using for years and has become even more important now as we work together, yet apart.

Christina really gave me more insight into Healthy Living and how other employees feel about being a part of our culture. She believes that what most sets us apart is that:

  • We’re dedicated to taking care of customers first.

  • We make it easier to live with and manage diabetes.

  • Patients are more than just a number.

She finished by saying that everyone from the top down makes sure that patients are taken care of collectively. For example, when COVID-19 and the quarantine first started in early 2020, there was so much uncertainty about what supplies would be available in future months. Healthy Living proactively brought in an additional three months of supplies in advance to ensure that our patients would be covered.

Thank you, Christina, for your openness. We appreciated receiving a glimpse into your own experiences with Type 2 diabetes and your commitment to Healthy Living patients.

,

Safe at School

,
sydney-rae-_5TGspSCIdw-unsplash.jpg

The fall transition back to school has begun. For some families, school has started (in one form or another). Other families begin next week, and some kids’ summers will extend through Labor Day. Whether your family and district have chosen in-person learning, virtual learning, home schooling, or a hybrid option, safety is of the highest priority. The ADA (American Diabetes Association) has compiled recommendations for staying as safe as possible, especially in the in-school setting. Here are some highlights from their resource, Safe at School During COVID-19: Recommendations on Returning to School for Children with Diabetes.

How can my child and I limit the spread of COVID-19 at school?

  • Wash hands or use hand sanitizer frequently.

  • Wear a mask when outside of your home.

  • Practice physical distancing.

  • Cough and sneeze into a tissue or your elbow.

  • Avoid touching your face.

  • Avoid being around people who are sick.

  • Follow local and state regulations.

My child is very worried about returning to school. What should I say or do?

  • Keep in mind that every child responds to stress in different ways.

  • Understand the facts so you can provide your child with accurate, age-appropriate information.

  • Limit your child’s exposure to the news and social media.

  • Stress that the pandemic is temporary, and adults are working to keep them safe.

  • It can help to keep a schedule that mimics the school day. A schedule can help children and adults feel that the situation is more predictable.

  • Be an example! Model ways to minimize risk for COVID-19 exposure such as washing your hands, practicing physical distancing and wearing a face mask.

  • Elevated levels of stress can impact blood glucose levels and these tips can help ease your child’s stress.

On behalf of Healthy Living, good luck as a new school year begins! Take care, and let us know how we can help!

,

The Wonder of Diabetes Service Dogs

,
diabetic alert dog.jpg

My pup, Augie, is sitting at my feet right now, full of sweetness. Many people can relate to the experience of their dog being a steadfast and loyal friend. That is why it's so encouraging to learn more about diabetes service dogs and the difference they make in the lives of some very lucky souls. These dogs, also known as diabetic alert dogs, are carefully trained to help monitor their owners' diabetes. This is based on a dog's awe-striking sense of smell. They are trained to identify the fruity-smelling ketones a person’s body produces when they are experiencing a hyperglycemic episode when blood sugar is too high, or the unique scent a person gives off during a hypoglycemic episode when blood sugar is too low. These chemical shifts are normally undetected by the human nose.

Although a diabetes service dog doesn't replace checking blood sugar levels, the committed dog becomes an additional safeguard to watch for these more extreme situations, especially if the owner has a hard time identifying them. There are various ways that the dog can alert their human of low or high blood sugar. These skills require rigorous training from professional service dog trainers. These communications could include jumping on the owner, holding a particular toy, touching the owner with its nose, or sitting and staring at the owner.

In addition to staying alert for blood sugar extremes, diabetic alert dogs can provide an incredible amount of love, companionship, and emotional support to their owners, resulting in an improved sense of security and balance each day.

,

Sun, Sun, Sun, Water.

,
jacek-dylag-Vve7XkiUq_Y-unsplash.jpg

We're in the swing of summer, heading into a very hot weekend! Gardening, swimming, boating, walking, hiking, biking, camping, moving...just enjoying good times outside. Dehydration can affect anyone, especially when the sun is out (and bright) and the temperatures are high. For people with diabetes and for those living with other health conditions, staying hydrated is a top priority this time of year.

Our bodies depend on water. Adequate water intake is crucial for a variety of daily functions, including:

  • carrying nutrients and oxygen to cells

  • flushing bacteria from the bladder

  • aiding in the digestion of meals

  • preventing constipation

  • normalizing blood pressure

  • maintaining a stable heartbeat

  • cushioning the joints

  • protecting organs and tissues from a variety of potential damage

  • regulating body temperature

  • maintaining electrolyte/sodium levels

What are your strategies for staying hydrated this summer?
Consider these tips:

Drink plenty of fluids

  • Focus on water or caffeine-free beverages

  • Avoid alcohol

Keep cool when exercising

  • Choose the gym for your workout when it's hot outside

  • Exercise in the early morning to avoid daytime heat

Be on the lookout for heat exhaustion

  • Watch for the signs - dizziness, profuse sweating, muscle cramps, fainting, headaches, nausea

  • Move to a cooler place

Check your blood glucose levels regularly

  • Heat can cause your blood glucose levels to fluctuate, so remember to monitor them frequently in the sun and heat

  • Brings water and snacks with you

  • Keep your insulin cool

Enjoy the summer!!!

Subscribe to our blog here!

,

You and Mental Health - You Are Worth It

,
jack-anstey-HtUBBdNDxpQ-unsplash.jpg

We all have different, winding journeys when it comes to mental health and the challenges before us. May is Mental Health Awareness Month, so this is a good time to talk about it! For some people, it's mostly about maintaining balance in daily life amidst their personal life struggles. Not easy. For others, it comes down to very serious brain health issues and the need to get the support and treatment to live with bipolar, clinical depression, anxiety, or other psychiatric conditions. For all of us, our definition of mental health and the work we need to do to thrive in our lives is constantly changing. We evolve; there is always something new to learn from what is presented before us.

So, with all that being said, where are you on your mental health journey, navigating your life? If you are hurting, I very much encourage you to reach out, talk, and keep asking questions, keep seeking the help you need until you find it. You are worth it. From the bottom of my heart - no matter how hard it may seem, please keep up hope, take care of yourself, and ask for the help you need.

Please subscribe to our blog here.

,

Increasing Patient Safety Through Proactive Customer Care

,
ben-white-lVCHfXn3VME-unsplash.jpg

Diabetes supply companies have different goals and priorities, and ours is providing the best possible customer care to members, providers, partners, and manufacturers. We want our patients to always have the supplies they need, when they need them - whether they are CGM supplies, insulin pump supplies, or testing supplies. Often, if patients don’t have the supplies they need to maintain the therapy prescribed by their physician, they go back to decades-old therapies such as needles and finger sticks. These can be less effective alternatives to their prescribed insulin pump or CGM (continuous glucose monitoring) therapy.

We stand steady, highly responsive to customers' needs as they arise. We also proactively reach out to our customers to keep up their flow of supplies. Our team supports patients as they maintain continuity with their prescribed therapies for safer, more consistent diabetes treatment.

,

Healthline's Best Diabetes Blogs in 2019

,
Screen Shot 2019-10-11 at 1.32.01 PM.png

Looking for fresh input and information on diabetes? Definitely take a look at Healthline's Best Diabetes Blogs of 2019! While managing diabetes can be challenging, connecting with people who are navigating the same condition can make all the difference. In selecting this year’s best diabetes blogs, Healthline looked for those that stood out for their informative, inspiring, and empowering content. Twenty-five blogs are listed with descriptions to help guide you on your journey. Find out more here.

,

Our Pets Help with Diabetes Management and Stress Relief

,

These days, we are loving the opportunity to bring our dogs into the Healthy Living office during the workday. It has been amazing being able to have our best buddies along to work for both productivity and peace of mind.

Beyond Type 1 just posted a really cool article about how pets can help with T1D management - beyond the role of diabetic alert dogs. These are some of the key benefits the article cited:

  • Our pets can help reduce our stress. - "When stress hormone levels spike, blood glucose levels have been known to rise significantly. The decreased stress and anxiety that interaction with animals can provide can positively affect blood glucose levels as a result!"

  • Our pets can help prevent loneliness. - " One major cause of stress, anxiety and depression is the feeling of loneliness. Having a beloved animal that provides consistent, unconditional love is a great way to battle these feelings and avoid those blood sugar-spiking hormones that come along with it."

  • Our pets encourage us to exercise. - "People who own pets (and dogs in particular) on average get more day-to-day exercise than people who do not have an animal to walk and care for. Exercise is a natural way to speed up insulin absorption and lower BG levels."

  • Our pets help motivate self-care. - "The added responsibility that comes with pet ownership can make you more aware of the importance of your own health. Your furry friend depends on you! Out of that love, you may love yourself more."

The quotes above are directly from the Beyond Type 1 article "Can Pets Help in T1D Management?" Settle in and take some time with a fluffy friend to help prevent and relieve stress and burnout from diabetes (or any other cause!).

,

Eliminating Painful Fingerpricks

,

In November, Dexcom set up a "coffee and bagels" food truck in L.A. and Seattle but asked for a painful payment - a fingerprick. The video documenting this experiment, embedded on nomorefingerpricks.com, is a great resource for people thinking about CGM (continuous glucose monitoring)...and for anyone trying to wrap their head around the fact that countless people with diabetes prick their finger 3,000 times each year. (Try to imagine!)

Many people with Type 1 aren’t even aware that CGM is an option. The stats from a Dexcom and Beyond Type 1 nationwide survey show:

  • 34% of people with T1D know nothing or little about CGM

  • 80% of people with T1D still prick their fingers more than 3 times a day

  • 96% of CGM users would recommend CGM

Some of the most appealing benefits of CGM include:

  • Alerts and alarms to proactively warn of dangerous highs and lows

  • Continuous glucose readings sent automatically

  • No fingerpricks for calibration or treatment decisions*
    *From Dexcom - If your glucose alerts and readings from the G6 do not match symptoms or expectations, use a blood glucose meter to make diabetes treatment decisions.

We have also learned from our customer community and partners that many people no longer perform fingersticks at all due to the accuracy of the Dexcom G6 system. Most commercial insurances and Medicare cover CGM. Ask Healthy Living to help you get started!

,

Finding Experienced Mental Health Care for People with Diabetes

,

Diabetes management is very challenging, and it's completely normal for people to feel exhausted or stressed in the process. If you find that you are feeling worn out, frustrated, or anxious over an extended period of time, there are health care professionals who are trained and experienced to help people with diabetes distress. The American Diabetes Association (ADA) has partnered with the American Psychological Association (APA) to make it simpler for people with diabetes to get high-quality, relevant, mental health care by creating a Mental Health Provider Referral Directory.

Providers in the directory:

  • Are currently licensed as mental health providers

  • Are professional members of the ADA

  • Have demonstrated competence treating the mental health needs of people with diabetes

The providers listed in the directory must have either completed the ADA-APA's continuing ed program in diabetes mental health or have two or more years of experience working with people who have diabetes. Many of the doctors also offer telemedicine services - a method of receiving care from remote locations using technology. Access the provider list here.

,

How Will You Approach Our Favorite Food-Focused Holiday?

,

Thanksgiving is right around the corner! Full of family traditions, Thanksgiving often involves a large, thoughtfully prepared meal. Now is a good time to create some intention about how to approach this food-focused holiday. The ADA has a Holiday Meal Planning page that could be an excellent resource for preparations. The key points are:

  • Think About the Timing of Your Meal

  • Be Physically Active

  • Try Healthier Versions of Your Favorite Holiday Foods

  • Nibble

  • Be Selective

  • Eat Smaller Portions

  • Eat Your Vegetables

My action plan involves being physically active ("The best way to compensate for eating a little more than usual is to be active. Start a new tradition that involves moving around away from the food."*) and nibbling ("Have foods to nibble on while you are cooking or waiting to eat. Make sure the foods you choose won't sabotage blood glucose levels before the meal."*) Be thoughtful and prepared so you can enjoy a special day with as little stress as possible.

*Both quotes from the ADA page: http://www.diabetes.org/food-and-fitness/food/planning-meals/holiday-meal-planning/planning-ahead.html

,

Diabetes and Emergency Planning in Michigan and Beyond

,
michigan snowstorm.jpg

Our hearts, thoughts, and prayers go out to the individuals and families in North Carolina and South Carolina whom have been touched by Hurricane Florence and the flooding that has followed. Although Michigan is not affected by natural disasters like hurricanes, we have plenty of other reasons to take pause and invest some time in emergency planning. Probably our greatest weather threats in this area are snowstorms, thunderstorms, tornadoes, and associated power outages.

For people living with different health challenges and conditions, there are unique precautions to be taken and plans to be made. For those living with diabetes, it is especially important to maintain a reasonable stock of supplies to last through an emergency. Additional supplies can be purchased through our retail online supply store or by calling us at 866.779.8512 (you can always discuss this with an agent when calling for an order or refill through Healthy Living).

Take a look at the CDC Preparedness page for people with diabetes. Four main topics that you may find helpful include:

  1. Information regarding insulin storage and switching between products in an emergency

  2. Diabetes disaster preparedness

  3. Be prepared: staying safe and healthy in winter weather

  4. Prepare for diabetes care in heat and emergencies

Beyond Type 1 recently published resources for those affected by Hurricane Florence – including contacts for disaster assistance, reminders for how to best stay safe and healthy, and also how to help. Some of their guidelines are applicable to us in Michigan:

Type 1 diabetes reminders for natural disasters

  • Identify yourself as someone who has diabetes

  • Stay hydrated

  • Keep emergency supplies with you to treat hypoglycemia

  • Secure insulin – If you can get to a pharmacy, it’s the best way to access your medicines or get emergency supplies.

Hopefully the winter weather ahead treats us kindly, but it’s worthwhile to be prepared for whatever might come!

,

The Link Between Diabetes & Heart Disease

,

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!

,

Koala with Diabetes Benefits from the New Dexcom G6 CGM System

,
image003.jpg

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.

,

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

,

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!

,

What We're Reading: Fitbit Going All In on Diabetes, Roping in Insurers

,
many fitbits.jpg

Have you checked out Diabetes Mine? This blog helps me keep current on happenings in the diabetes world, especially around new technology for people living with diabetes. This particular article is worth checking out: Fitbit Going All In on Diabetes, Roping in Insurers. It walks us through the many investments that Fitbit is making, as well as the partnerships the company is forming, to build a stronger foundation of support for the diabetes community.

According to the Diabetes Mine blog, Fitbit has been:

The article includes more details on each of these bullets, explaining that another interesting step that Fitbit has taken is their investment in Sano Intelligence, a company that is developing "minimally invasive" CGM technology. All of this is great news for people with diabetes, and those who support and serve them. We are excited to see how all of this will unfold!

We love to help!

, ,

Let’s Celebrate Diabetes Awareness Month 2017!

, ,

It’s November, and this month the T1 & T2 diabetes communities join together to raise awareness about diabetes, the challenges that come with living with this condition, and the overall impact that diabetes has on millions of Americans.

Diabetes Self-Management offers Ten Ways to Observe National Diabetes Month. Check out this awesome article for more details about their list that follows...

10 Ways to Observe National Diabetes Month

  1. Commit to a new healthy habit for one month
  2. Seek out a diabetes-related event or activity in your area
  3. Seek out special Diabetes Month sales or other offers
  4. Observe World Diabetes Day on November 14
  5. Learn something new about diabetes
  6. Get more from your monitoring
  7. Start a conversation
  8. Knock something off your diabetes to-do list
  9. Seek out support
  10. Reach out to someone else with diabetes or pre-diabetes
,

Getting Ready for Back-to-School with a 504 Plan

,
(Flickr, woodleywonderworks)

(Flickr, woodleywonderworks)

Nothing can beat the freedom of summer. I am sad to say that back-to-school time is coming back around the bend. There are many resources that can help you and your kids get ready to head back to the classroom with diabetes.

One aspect of planning that is especially important for children with diabetes is the 504 Plan. According to Beyond Type 1, “A 504 Plan ensures that no student with any sort of disability is discriminated against, and is given the same education as every other student, all the while being provided a safe space to manage their condition as needed during school.”

To learn more and work on developing a 504 Plan for your child, here are some awesome resources:

Enjoy August and savor the rest of your summer!

, ,

MIT Researchers Developing Color-Changing Tattoo Inks that Could Help Track Health

, ,
Flickr, Rebecca Brown

Flickr, Rebecca Brown

In the project called DermalAbyss, the “body surface is rendered an interactive display.” In collaboration, MIT and Harvard Medical School researchers are creating tattoo ink that has biosensors to respond to changes in the body, such as blood sugar, pH, and sodium levels. The ink color shifts in response to changes in interstitial fluid.

This work could be of special interest to people with diabetes. The sensor ink changes from blue to brown as blood sugar rises, and researchers hope that one day users will be able to monitor their glucose levels and need of insulin through their own tattoo color changes.

DermalAbyss “blends advances in biotechnology with traditional methods in tattoo artistry” and is currently in the proof-of-concept change. The next challenge for the researchers will be to test the biosensor liquid in animals for adverse reactions and possible allergies. And of course the biggest goal is to make the tattoo indicators as accurate as possible, as reliable as a blood glucose test.

Sources for article information and more images can be found at: