Diabetes Care

Just why should someone consider using an Ascensia Breeze diabetes care system? In this article we will look at why a person suffering from diabetes should consider using this monitoring system compared to some of the others which are available on the market today.

Unlike many of the other monitoring systems available today this particular model does not require the user to manually recalibrate the machine each time a new test strip is placed within it. Instead the machine automatically does the recalibration by setting the right code once a test strip is inserted into it. So because of this there is less chance for the user to cause errors through them typing in the wrong code and plus it means that they have less steps to do in order to get a sample analyzed.

It now only takes 5 seconds for a person to be provided with an accurate test result in relation to their blood glucose levels. Plus they have a very good memory which helps to provide a person with a way of better managing their diabetes. This particular model can actually hold 100 test results for the person who is using it.

Also the Ascensia Breeze only requires the person using it to provide a small sample of their blood in order for the analysis to take place. Plus because it comes with the disc system (which contains 10 test strips) no longer do they need to worry about handling each strip individually when carrying out the test. Because of this the Arthritis Foundation in America has commended this particular blood glucose monitoring system as being one of the best that people who suffer from arthritis and diabetes can use. The reasons why they are commending this particular system relates to the Autodisc system that it uses. This particular testing system uses electrochemical biotechnology which incorporates capillary gap technology and so can actually draw automatically on to the test sensor the blood that is required in order for the test to be carried out. Continue Reading

Diabetes is categorized into two kinds: Type I and Type II. Type I diabetes is very similar to an autoimmune disease. The body’s immune system begins to attack its own pancreas, leaving the patient in need of regular insulin injections. This type of diabetes usually begins at a young age and accounts for about 5 to 10% of all cases of the disease. Type II diabetes is much more prevalent. More than 15 million Americans have this type of diabetes in some stage. There are many names for Type II diabetes, among them simple sugar diabetes, even though sugar is sometimes not the main cause or problem. It is a common misconception that people with Type II diabetes should just stay away from sugar to remain healthy, but that is not the way the disease works.

Type I diabetes is a disorder that is generally unavoidable. Some people just develop it. Type II diabetes can be caused by the patient. A poor diet, not enough exercise, and a predisposition toward developing a bad reaction to high sugar intake can cause an onset of Type II diabetes. Once it develops, it can still be regulated with the proper diet and the right amount of exercise, but if it is just ignored, it will become very dangerous. Diabetes can lead to other serious problems, like kidney disease or outright renal failure, eye diseases leading to blindness, and nerve damage to the lower limbs. Approximately 50% of all amputations of lower limbs done in the United States annually are because of diabetes.

The way for a victim of diabetes to become healthy again is to watch their diet and get plenty of exercise. Type I diabetes cannot be cured, but Type II can be mitigated by weight loss and keeping your weight, cholesterol, and AC1 regulated. In time, you might not even need medications anymore.

That’s jumping ahead, however. The first thing to do is to learn about the disease so you know what you’re facing, before you learn how to overcome it. Continue Reading

Diabetes stress management is key because people who handle stress well don’t let diabetes care overwhelm them. Type 2 diabetes is a chronic disease, and we must deal with its consequences every day.

Stress is not a bad thing in itself. Avoiding it would be like avoiding exercise. We need to use our stress “muscles” to stay strong. But the physical and emotional stress of type 2 diabetic care can be overwhelming.

Medical Care, Medical Costs and Stress

On top of all the other stressors in your life you must watch your blood glucose every day and worry about low blood sugar reactions. You may hate using needles and pricking your finger for blood tests. Diabetes stress management includes facing needle phobia.

Enough people hate going to the doctor that there is a name for the reaction. It’s called “white coat hypertension,” because their blood pressure rises from the stress of going to a doctor’s office. Dealing with doctors is a reality for type 2 diabetic care, and not accepting that can add to your stress load.

Financial pressure is a huge stressor for most people, and medical costs only add to the burden. There are ways you can ease that cost, but it is still another thing you must learn to deal with. Medications, tests, doctor visits – it can pile up.

The Diabetes Cure and Stress

Even working toward a good goal like getting off of diabetes medications adds another level of stress if you’re not careful. Trying to eat right, lose weight and get exercise isn’t always easy. The guilt over not getting it right can pull you down sometimes.

None of us do everything right every day, but if you expect that you will, that’s another source of stress. Getting to a perfect weight and becoming medication free is a goal some of us won’t get to in our lifetime, and that is all right. Diabetes stress management is helped by being realistic. Continue Reading