Mar
16, 2009
Selling Good Health – Control Your Diabetes
Sometimes I feel that I am a sales person. Although I was trained to educate my patients to control their diabetes, I find myself using every possible tactic to sell them good health.
Mar
16, 2009
Modify Your Foods
“I can’t. I won’t. I shouldn’t. I want to.”
I often wonder what to say to my patients who have a legitimate story about why they won’t, can’t or shouldn’t follow health advice. One example was a man who was a holocaust survivor. When I was recommending to him to curtail his portions, he looked at me […]
Mar
16, 2009
The “Do I, Don’t I Have Diabetes” Saga Continues
"My doctor has told me I have pre-diabetes for the past 25 years. My A1c is 6.6% and I've been on Metformin twice a day". OK?, I think to myself. An abnormally high 3-month blood sugar average (A1c) plus she's on 2 doses of medication - but still the "D" word won't be admitted, only the "PD" word.
Mar
4, 2009
Do You Know Anyone at Risk for Diabetes?
Today marks the 21st Annual American Diabetes Alert Day. The statistics are staggering: 8% of our population has diabetes. Approximately 90-95% of those with diabetes have Type 2 and 5-10% have Type 1. However, due to the prevalence of obesity among children, 45% of the youngsters with diabetes have Type 2 (previously known as “adult diabetes”). […]
Feb
25, 2009
Deliciously Heart Smart Ideas
It’s time to love your heart with great tasting food! A healthy diet is always important for a healthy heart. However, for those at a greater risk for heart disease, like people with diabetes, the stakes are even higher. Fortunately, one of the most significant ways to reduce your risk for heart […]
Feb
18, 2009
Sinful Sugar
“America’s Diet: Too Sweet by the Spoonful” was this week’s New York Times Personal Health article by Jane Brody. The bottom line of the article says that we are over-eating sugar and high fructose corn syrup in many, many, of our foods and it is leading to obesity and heart disease.
Believe it or not, studies are finding […]
Feb
18, 2009
Pre-Diabetes: To Be Or Not To Be?
New day, new patient. Fasting glucose is 124 mg/dL. Triglycerides are 560, HDLs 28. Patient is 50 pounds overweight. Does she or doesn't she? Is it or isn't it? The difference between having NO diabetes, pre-diabetes and diabetes can be so minor, a fine-line.
Feb
18, 2009
My New Song – “It’s Not Too Late”
I can’t decide if my left brain is stronger than my right brain? Yes, I’m a diabetes educator who wants to save everybody from the disease and from themselves. At the same time, I realize that we’re all only human and knowing what we need to do and actually doing what we need to do may […]
Feb
18, 2009
Very High Blood Glucose Levels
Yesterday I had a “young” patient – a mere 46 years (my age!) who was just diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. His doctor called me to make sure I’d be able to see him this week and sent me his blood work. His glucose was 638 mg/dL!! The man stated that he felt extremely weak and […]
Feb
18, 2009
Everybody’s Ready
Today is the beginning of 2009 and my patients are ready with a new and improved attitude. The chocolate and cakes are eaten and now is the time to get serious! I laugh as I say this since all year we just have to be MODERATE! It’s never time to OMIT or QUIT; rather we need […]