Can Diabetics Drink Alcohol?

If you have diabetes, you’ve probably been advised to watch your consumption of sugary soft drinks, coffees laden with flavored syrups, and sweet teas. All the sugar in those beverages can send your blood sugar skyrocketing. But can diabetics drink alcohol? After all, many alcoholic beverages contain carbohydrates, which your … Read More

Is There a Cure for Diabetes?

Every year in the United States, 1.5 million people are diagnosed with diabetes, and it's the seventh-leading cause of death, according to the American Diabetes Association. Can diabetes be cured? Let's first consider the two main types: Type 1 (or juvenile) diabetesaccounts for 5 percent of all cases. Type 2 … Read More

Diabetic Shock and Diabetic Emergencies: Hypoglycemia vs. Hyperglycemia

Diabetic emergencies and diabetic shock can occur either when your blood glucose level becomes dangerously low (hypoglycemia) or when it becomes dangerously high (hyperglycemia). If you're managing diabetes, it's important to understand the difference—and how to react. Hypoglycemia | Hyperglycemia Here, we dig into both hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia, pinpointing the … Read More

Tread Carefully to Protect Your Diabetic Feet

The nervous system can be thought of like a tree, with the spinal cord as the trunk and the peripheral nerves of the feet as the tiniest branches. And, just as those miniscule limbs are easily broken by the elements, so too can the small nerves in the feet be damaged … Read More

Preventing Type 2 Diabetes: Take Steps to Walk Away from This Challenging Condition

How important is weight loss or weight control for anyone dealing with prediabetes and in preventing type 2 diabetes? Losing 5 to 7 percent of a person’s body weight through diet and exercise reduced his or her progression from prediabetes to type 2 diabetes by 58 percent, according to the … Read More

How to Avoid Diabetes: 4 Steps to Take

Type 1 diabetes is currently not preventable, though research focused on what causes it may one day lead to preventative measures. For type 2 and gestational diabetes, however, many of the treatment options involving lifestyle changes can help delay or even prevent diabetes. Here, we offer four lifestyle tips on … Read More

Why Are Pesticides Bad for You? The Startling Link Between Pesticide Exposure and Diabetes

Recently, the topic of pesticides has come up a lot in conversation. People wonder, are pesticides really that bad? Are they actually something to avoid at all costs, or are the dangers of pesticides hyped up to be more than they really are? We’ve previously reported on the link between … Read More

Dealing with Blood Sugar Levels: The Ins and Outs of Insulin

Insulin is the mainstay of treatment for all type 1 diabetics. Some, but not all, people with type 2 diabetes or gestational diabetes also will require insulin therapy to regulate blood sugar levels. Insulin is a hormone produced by the beta cells found within groups called islets in the pancreas, … Read More

Diabetic Neuropathy: What It Means, How to Treat It

Diabetic neuropathy is a relatively common complication of diabetes. Some 60 to 70 percent of all people with diabetes experience some form of neuropathy in their lifetime. While the reason this happens isn’t fully understood, researchers think that blood glucose affects how nerves transmit signals in the body and also … Read More

Looking for Low-GI Foods? Consider Carb Content, Fiber, and Portion Size

Different foods affect your blood sugar in different ways. Knowing which foods trigger rapid glucose spikes can help you avoid blood-sugar fluctuations and better manage your diabetes. With the glycemic index (GI), you have a tool to help guide your dietary decisions. By opting for low-GI foods, you can minimize … Read More