New Focus of this Blog: Diabetes Self-Management Tips

Spring is here and that means warmer weather, spending more time outdoors and change.

As a healthcare journalist and RN, my passion is to help others lead a healthy lifestyle and achieve improved wellness.

Several years ago, while pursuing my Master of Science in Nursing degree, my field work and studies lead me to another nursing specialty…that of a diabetes nurse educator.

Diabetes nurse educators provide strategies and education to people living with diabetes so they can achieve improved blood glucose control. 

With better glucose control, it increases the likelihood of preventing and/or delaying the risk of developing complications from diabetes.

So, I just changed the title of this blog to reflect its new focus on diabetes self-management tips. 

While these tips are evidenced-based and work for many, they are for informational purposes only. ALWAYS consult with your doctor for any questions or concerns about managing your diabetes and any health condition you may have.

Until my next posting, make time for exercise, healthy eating (watch those portion sizes), getting quality sleep and safely enjoy the warmer weather :-)

Goal Setting for Your Health and Life

An inspirational quote for you...

"Do not let what you cannot do, interfere with what you can do" ~ by John Wooden, basketball coach.

This quote is a helpful reminder for all of us about goal setting and following our dreams. Sometimes circumstances dictate we need to switch gears and revise our goals when things change. 

One example...perhaps you have a specific injury and can't engage in the same exercise or team sport you once did. However, there is a good chance you'll find an another exercise, sport or dance routine you CAN do.

If barriers arise that impede your ability for self-care or pursuing personal and/or professional goals, identify them and strategize to work around them. 

Reach out to others such as friends, family, health care or mental health professionals, if you're struggling and need assistance and support. 

Eight tips to prevent West Nile Virus

It’s that time of year again when West Nile Virus starts to rear its ugly head. A person can become infected if they are bitten by a mosquito that is carrying the virus. Symptoms can range from mild to severe and can cause death in some cases. It’s important to recognize West Nile Virus is a preventable disease, how? By preventing mosquito bites with these tips:

Photo by Michael Jakucs; Malibu Canyon.
Image subject to copyright.

1. There is no way for you to know which mosquitoes are carrying the disease, so it’s important to prevent all mosquito bites, especially now that summer is here and most people spend more time enjoying the beautiful outdoors (like the great picture above) with activities such as barbecuing and hiking.
2. Find out if West Nile Virus is in your area (if you live in the United States) by visiting the CDC website and viewing their interactive map showing activity by state. 
3. Stay indoors when mosquitoes are most active, which generally begins at dusk (in the early evening), through the night and continues through the early morning (and sometimes during the day).
4. Wear long sleeve shirts and long pants if you’re going to be outside when mosquitoes are active.
5. Ensure that your window screens are intact, if not, have your screens replaced or repaired. 
6. Avoid having any collections of standing water near your home and in your yard. Change the water daily in items that need water such as bird baths and children’s pools.
7. If you’re spending time outdoors, protect yourself with an EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) approved insect repellent that contains either, DEET, Picaridin, Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus or IR3535.
8. Apply Insect repellents correctly and safely. They should be applied to skin and sprayed on your clothes as per the package and manufacturer’s instructions. Follow the package directions to the letter, as insecticides are a poison and can be dangerous if used inappropriately. 

5 Tips for Staying Slim During the Holidays and After

It’s cold outside and the holidays are here with many temptations to overeat and miss an exercise session (or more) due to all the fun activities and busy schedules we all keep this time of year. Here are five tips on how to stay on track with healthy eating and maintaining your exercise habits.

1. Pay yourself first: No matter what you have scheduled, make sure you get in your work-out. If you usually exercise five days per week, try to maintain that schedule. You keep your energy level high and burn calories at your normal rate.
2. Drink plenty of water before and during parties and dinners. It will help prevent you from overeating. (Add a twist of lemon or lime for a tasty touch).
3. Don’t drink alcohol: Alcohol is loaded with empty calories (meaning it provides absolutely no nutritional benefits) and helps to pack on the pounds really fast for everyone. Remember, don’t drink and drive and don’t let others drink and drive. Call a taxi or have a designated driver who is not drinking alcohol take people home from parties.
4. Eat plenty of fresh fruits, vegetables, lean proteins and whole grains each day to help keep your blood sugar and energy levels stable.  These foods also have a high nutritional value so are good for your health and help to keep you slim. When you need fat or oil, use omega 3 fats on your foods at the table and when cooking such as olive oil and canola oil. These are heart and brain healthy fats.  
5. Remember to use half the sugar and replace shortening or butter with canola oil when baking. This truly helps to reduce the number of calories on some of your favorite recipes and still tastes good. 

Food Additives Can Make You Sick

Food additives can be found in a wide variety of packaged foods, drinks/beverages and prescription and/or over the counter (OTC) medications.

While it’s widely recognized that some people have food allergies or intolerances to nuts, dairy products, wheat glutens and iodine in shellfish; there needs to be an increased awareness about the dangers of chemical food additives and how pervasive they are in our food supply. Reactions can range from a mild intolerance or sensitivity to a full blown life threatening allergic reaction. Some experience  hives (AKA Urticaria), respiratory problems such as Asthma and even Anaphylaxis. Others can experience heart palpitations, anxiety or stomach and/or intestinal upsets when exposed to them.

Food dyes, MSG, Nitrates, Sulfites, Carmine (AKA crushed beetles), Artificial Sweeteners, Artificial and Natural Flavors, are all considered “additives.” While there’s been a great improvement in the food labeling rules developed by the FDA regarding nuts, diary, glutens and soy etc., we have a ways to go. For example, they don’t require warnings for sensitive individuals regarding the dangers of food dyes or any specific identification on a food label regarding the contents of chemicals listed as an “artificial” or “natural” flavors; so, there's know way to know what they are!

Food dyes are even in some medications.  A person who is sensitive to food dye (ie. heart palpitations etc.) and takes a medication in which it’s present, can have an adverse reaction from the drug  due to the dye (in addition to the possibility of having an actual drug allergy).  Sometimes neither the patient nor health care provider recognize the connection to a medication that’s causing them to experience odd, new, or vague symptoms.  

I just reviewed the label of a popular brand of Vitamin E pills and it contained Carmine, I was shocked! Other supplements, vitamins and prescription medications may contain one or more of a combination of reds, blues and yellow food dyes. Another recent check I did of a popular brand of an OTC chewable antacid tablet, contained three different food dyes (artificial colorings). It may help your stomach acid but if you're sensitive to food dye, you may experience symptoms related to that when you take it.

Artificial Sweeteners, found in diet sodas, foods and sugarless gums: People with IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) may react negatively to the artificial sweetener Sorbitol.  It can trigger their symptoms and cause more pain, cramping and gas in some of these individuals.*New research shows that consuming the artificial sweetener Aspartame may increase one’s risk of developing certain blood cancers.

What you can do: 

• If you’re experiencing odd or worrisome symptoms, contact your doctor for a medical diagnosis and guidance. For urgent symptoms call 911 or go to your nearest emergency department. 
• You’ll also want to review what you put in your body each day. Take a look at the foods, drinks, supplements and medications you consume. Become aware of their ingredients; you can do this by reading the product label and company website for starters.  
• Play detective and learn to observe how your body reacts to specific foods, drinks, supplements and medications. 
• Opt for organic foods whenever possible to reduce your exposure to pesticides and food additives.