Diabetes Tips
Diabetes Tips
What To Do when Diabetes Distress is Debilitating
(Kampus Production/Pexels) A diagnosis of diabetes is a completely life-altering experience. Your mind is constantly buzzing with thoughts of needles, prescriptions, doctor's appointments, ketones, Dexcom G6 adhesive tape, nutrition labels, worries about the future, basic arithmetic, deductibles, juice boxes, and wondering if you'll ever sleep through the night again. No matter how you manage, there's no way to avoid a lot of work. Preparing a syringe or insulin pen each time you eat can be taxing. Even if you are on a pump, removing the old site, preparing a new one, ensuring the cannula inserted properly, and adhering an Omnipod adhesive overlay can be hard. Testing your blood sugar by finger pricks can leave your hands feeling like pin cushions. Using a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) can alleviate some of the struggles of a manual glucometer, but technology is imperfect, and site changes can be tricky. To maintain good control of your blood sugars, you have to put forth a lot of work and effort. You have to constantly be aware of your sugar to prevent it from going too high or too low. Adjusting carb ratios, insulin sensitivity factors, correction factors, and basal rates takes a lot of work and stress. Even once you have those correct, they can change again with growth, hormones, or illness. You don't even get a break from it when you sleep. Sometimes you can do all the right things, and things will still go wrong. If you are doing all of these things for yourself, or if you are a caregiver of a child with diabetes, it is easy to see that diabetes distress is a real concern. What is Diabetes Distress? Diabetes distress is when the mental load of diabetes is so enervating that you lose your ambition to keep yourself or your child healthy. You might feel angry and unmotivated to manage everything. You may feel lonely and isolated. You might even start making unhealthy choices or avoiding checking your blood sugar as often as your healthcare team recommends. Combating Diabetes Distress as a Caregiver If you are a caregiver of a young child with diabetes, the idea of letting them out of your sight for even a few minutes can seem impossible. Allowing others to help is a great way to relieve some of the pressure on you. Some ideas of people who could help with your child so you can take a break: Your spouse or co-parent. If your child has another parent in the picture, make sure both of you understand and take responsibility for managing your child's diabetes. If no one else pans out, you can at least give each other breaks from constantly watching your child's blood sugar. A trusted family member or reliable friend. Find out if you have any family or friends willing to learn the basics to watch your child for a couple of hours. Teach them the essentials. If you're concerned, plan your departing times for right after your child has eaten or been bolused for food. Stay close and keep your phone on. If things go well, you can increase the time as both parties feel comfortable. A babysitter with diabetes experience. Perhaps a neighborhood teen has had Type 1 diabetes for several years. They might be a good fit to watch your Type 1 child since they will be familiar with what to do in emergency situations. A fellow Type 1 parent. No one will understand your situation as well as another Type 1 parent. It's a win-win situation because you can trade babysitting with the other Type 1 family, and your child will be able to play with a friend at the same time. There are a few ways you can meet others in your same situation. You can find and connect with local Type 1 communities on social media. You can meet other Type 1 families at diabetes awareness events or walks. Your school nurse may even be able to introduce you to other parents of Type 1 kids in the area. Combating Diabetes Distress in Yourself If you have Type 1 diabetes yourself and are experiencing burnout, it can be more difficult to take a break since avoiding your diabetes management can have dangerous consequences quickly. Here are some alternative ways you can deal with diabetes distress. Ask for help. See if someone will handle the mental load of diabetes for you for the day. Allow someone else to do your calculations, measurements, and even injections if they're willing. A significant other, a parent, a friend, or a sibling may be willing to take this burden off you for a period of time. Loosen your expectations. You don't want to go into DKA, but there is typically some wiggle room in your target range that would allow you to relax a little while still avoiding ketones and the ER. Let go of your expectation to be perfect, and give yourself some grace and some slack. Talk to your doctor. Let your endocrinologist know you are having a difficult time. They will have resources for you to help encourage you and lighten your load. Vent. Call someone up and let them know what's on your mind. Let others know you're struggling. Diabetes is a lot for you to carry alone. Sometimes just vocalizing your worries or stresses helps them not seem as intimidating. Asking for help can be hard, but so is managing diabetes. Take the time to ensure your mental health and physical health are both given the care they need.
Can I Reverse Type 2 Diabetes?
(William Choquette/Pexels) One of the most common questions asked by people with a new diagnosis of type 2 diabetes is, “Can I cure it?” Unfortunately, there is no cure for type 2 diabetes. Just as with type 1 diabetes, it is a condition that will have to be managed throughout your life. Fortunately, that does not necessarily mean you will be symptomatic for the rest of your life. With certain lifestyle changes, some people may be able to manage their condition without medication. What is type 2 diabetes? Type 2 diabetes (sometimes called adult diabetes) is an endocrine disorder characterized by an inability to process glucose, the sugar that fuels cells. There are two problems that cause this inability: The pancreas does not produce enough insulin, a hormone that allows cells to use glucose. The cells themselves do not respond appropriately to insulin (a condition sometimes called insulin resistance). These disease processes are partly linked to genetics and partly linked to a variety of lifestyle factors that increase the risk of developing diabetes. How do I avoid taking medication? For many patients, medication is a necessity to control abnormally high blood glucose levels. The most important aspect of managing diabetes is maintaining a healthy blood sugar, as uncontrolled blood sugars cause the secondary complications of diabetes. If medication helps keep you healthy, take it! Beyond medication, lifestyle changes can help patients manage their blood sugar and control the progression of their diabetes. The two most important factors to manage blood sugar without pharmaceutical help are diet and exercise. While many influencers and snakeoil salespeople are ready to convince you that only a specific exercise program or diet can “cure” diabetes, the truth is much simpler. Your diabetes can be managed by living a healthy lifestyle. Though your symptoms may improve, a healthy lifestyle may not completely cure or take away all of your symptoms. Diet A diet to manage your blood sugar is much like what you might imagine a healthy diet would look like: eating mostly vegetables, fruits, and whole grains with sources of healthy fats and lean meat. Highly restrictive or fad diets such as Keto, Carnivore, or vegan diets are not necessary for managing your blood sugar and many physicians discourage them. The simplest change you can make is to avoid sugary drinks, such as soda, juice, or highly sweetened teas. Avoiding processed sugary snacks can also help. Instead of a snack cake, substitute fruit for dessert. Beyond avoiding sugary snacks, you can focus on adding in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains to your diet. Approximately half of your plate should be filled with fruits and vegetables. The remainder of your plate should be filled with whole grains such as brown rice, whole grain bread, etc., and a protein like lean meat or fish. These food choices, which are high in fiber, micronutrients, protein, and unsaturated fats will keep you satisfied longer as your body digests them more slowly. Exercise Despite countless ads online for programs with names like Booty Blasterz and 72 Hours to Shredded Abs, there is no single exercise program that will guarantee better health or even a more aesthetic body. As far as managing your blood glucose level, the best activity you can do to improve your blood sugar is the one that you can get yourself to do frequently. If you like long walks, do that. If weightlifting or team sports are more your speed, then find a gym or intramural league you can participate in. The only guideline is to aim for approximately 150 minutes of moderate intensity activity each week. This kind of activity should get your heartrate up, but it doesn’t have to be a grueling session that leaves you drenched. Do I have to lose weight? While some individuals find that weight loss improves their symptoms of diabetes, it is not a silver bullet. Weight loss is not inherently tied to improved health outcomes, nor should anyone feel pressured to lose weight to gain access to healthcare. However, minor weight loss of approximately 2-5% may improve your A1c, your 3-month average blood glucose level. If you feel motivated to drop some pounds, consult with your doctor to find a way to lose weight that is healthy, sustainable, and achievable. What if I do all that and still need medication? Fortunately, that’s what medication is for. Diabetes treatment can seem overwhelming, but with physicians and modern medicine, diabetes can be controlled extremely effectively. There is no reason to be afraid of medication, especially as you learn the best way to use it to control your blood sugar. Your doctors and nurses can educate you on the medications that may be the best fit for you and your body, their side effects, and how you should take them. Can a CGM help? Because patients with type 2 diabetes are at decreased risk for hypoglycemia and DKA, they are not prescribed a CGM (continuous glucose monitor) as often as patients with type 1. However, many patients choose to use a CGM to track their blood sugar. If you think having continuous monitoring would benefit you, medical devices can help you measure your blood sugar anytime you need it. Skin Grip’s adhesive patches will keep the Freestyle Libre, Dexcom G6, Medtronic Guardian or other devices firmly attached to your skin, which helps you keep your A1c under control, no matter where you are. Infographic The good news is that it is possible to reverse the effects of type 2 diabetes, which affects millions of individuals all over the world. It is possible to reduce blood sugar levels, enhance insulin sensitivity, and recover control of one's health by making the necessary adjustments to one's lifestyle, such as adopting a healthier diet and engaging in regular physical activity, for example. Video
Skin Care and Diabetes: Things You Need to Know
(Kate/Unsplash) While your blood sugar gets all the hype, diabetes is a multifaceted disease that affects your entire body. As your skin is the largest body organ, it’s no surprise that it is heavily affected by diabetes. When you have diabetes, skin care isn’t just an aesthetic concern for K-pop stars and Instagram influencers, it’s an important part of maintaining your health. Skin Grip is here to break down some of the things you need to know to keep your skin healthy and intact. Prevention is key. Diabetes is one of many medical conditions that puts you at higher risk for skin infections, poor wound healing, and other integumentary issues. The best way to avoid long-term skin issues is by managing your diabetes and keeping your blood glucose levels under control. The better control you have over your diabetes, the less likely you will be to develop complications that affect your skin. Additionally, protecting your skin can help prevent wounds or infections. Simple measures like avoiding walking around barefoot can prevent cuts and puncture wounds that may have difficulty healing. Using products like Skin Tac wipes or Skin Grip’s adhesive patches and tape for diabetic sensors can be another way to protect your skin. Our adhesives are hypoallergenic so they won’t irritate your skin. And the combination of Skin Tac to prepare skin for adhesives and our ultra-strong Skin Gip patches will keep your devices in place so you don’t have to keep re-fastening and making multiple punctures. Screen your skin often. Developing a skincare routine can help you identify problems early on when they are easiest to treat. This is especially true for skin problems that occur on the periphery of the body, such as the feet and toes. Many people with diabetes have decreased sensation in these areas and may fail to notice pain, inflammation, or irritation. Because of this, it’s important to develop a skincare routine that includes checking the body for wounds, infections, or inflammation. Identifying small wounds allows you to keep them clean and prevent infections from occurring. Identifying signs of infection, irritation, or other dermatological issues should be a sign to get medical treatment immediately. People with diabetes, especially when they have chronically high blood sugars, often have a decreased ability to fight infection. Even small infections like athlete’s foot, yeast infections, and others should be treated as early as possible. Some skin issues are specific to diabetes, but may be hard to distinguish from other more serious conditions. Screening your skin and working with medical professionals to identify unusual findings can help you find relief from uncomfortable conditions. Keep an eye out for skin discolorations, raised bumps, hardening of the skin, or the development of sores or blisters. Some of these conditions may be signs of chronically high blood glucose levels and some may develop into more serious conditions, like gangrene. Get treatment when you need it. If your regular screenings turn up something unusual, don’t hesitate to get help from your healthcare providers. While conditions that affect private areas, such as the groin or perineal area can be embarrassing to discuss, it’s important to treat them as early as possible. The longer you wait, the longer you have to live with discomfort. Putting off medical care can also put you at risk for greater complications. Injuries to your skin can quickly become infected, leading to months long difficulties with healing, infection, and complicated wound care. In worst-case scenarios, small injuries and poorly managed diabetes can result in gangrene limbs and amputation as a last-resort measure. Don’t fall into traps by giving in to denial. Proactive care can keep you healthy throughout a lifetime of diabetes. Use a CGM to treat the underlying condition. Using a CGM is one of the best ways to avoid the most disastrous complications of diabetes. The most significant complications are often caused by the damage high blood glucose levels cause to small blood vessels. This damage can adversely impact everywhere you may find small blood vessels in the body, i.e., kidneys, eyes, limbs, and skin. Skin Grip can help you keep your CGM on your skin, right where it belongs. Research supports CGM use as a way to keep blood glucose levels in their ideal range. Continuous blood glucose readings allow users to monitor their blood sugar throughout the day and watch it change in real time as they eat, administer insulin, exercise, and more. Instant readings help users stay on top of their blood glucose before it gets too high or too low, keeping them safer day-to-day and over the long term. Skin Grip supports these measures by making hypoallergenic adhesive patches and tape that pair with diabetic devices. Users with CGMs like the Guardian 3, Freestyle Libre, or Dexcom G6 can try our overpatches. Keep your skin happy and healthy with Skin Grip. Infographic Take control of your diabetes and stay vigilant - having this health issue puts you at an increased risk for a host of skin conditions, slower healing times, and other issues. The better care you take in managing the symptoms will become apparent through how healthy your outer layers are. With careful monitoring of blood glucose levels, you can drastically reduce any skin issues you experience by taking the right steps. Video
Diabetes Snake Oil: Avoiding the Scams
(Tara Winstead/Pexels) Diabetes is a lifelong condition that has the power to transform your entire life. Because of its gravity, there is a large motivation to deny a diagnosis and seek out unorthodox, alternative, and sometimes risky remedies to “cure” the condition. While diabetes is completely manageable, don’t fall for the scams that put your health at risk. Skin Grip is here to show you how we escape the scams and keep our diabetes in control. Anyone offering a “cure” is suspicious. There is no cure for diabetes, especially type 1 diabetes. While the condition can be managed, once it has developed, there is no current treatment that will magically regrow a person’s pancreas. Scammers who offer patches, potions, or diets that will “cure” your diabetes are putting your health at risk, especially if they encourage you to quit taking your medication or using insulin. Avoid a trip to the ER and stick with the treatment plan you develop with your healthcare providers. Some diabetics, especially those with type 2 diabetes, may be able to control their blood glucose levels with diet and exercise. While this is a great goal for anyone willing to make lifestyle modifications, it is unfortunately not a “cure” as much as a treatment option. People with diagnosed diabetes will still need to follow up with their healthcare providers regularly to ensure the A1c remains at a healthy level. Products that do too much probably don’t do anything. Snake oil sellers love to promise the world and deliver nothing. You might see products that guarantee you will lose weight, cure diabetes, boost your energy, and reinvigorate your sex drive. These products are almost certainly nonsense. At most, they may give you an upset stomach. While gas station pills might seem like a viable option, especially when compared to the cost of insulin or other prescription drugs, these alternative remedies are not effective. For best control of your diabetes, consult with doctors and nurses who specialize in diabetes treatment. If you dislike certain aspects of treatment, take those concerns with you to appointments and discuss alternative treatments with your healthcare providers. You are your best advocate at the doctor’s office and most doctor’s love to answer questions and concerns from their patients. Not only does it show that you care about your health, it gives them better information about what works and what doesn’t work in your treatment. “Scientific breakthroughs” that you haven’t heard of might not be real. Scammers know that people trust science and doctors and they aren’t afraid to use that trust against us. Some ads or product websites may claim that their product is made with a secret scientific breakthrough that the rest of the medical world hasn’t discovered yet. They may even have a “doctor” who vouches for its safety and effectiveness. Be sure to research these products or doctors before paying for what might be a scam. Is the science well-reported in newspapers and scientific journals? Is the doctor vouching for the product’s success a real medical doctor? Or are they a doctor of chiropractic, philosophy, or some other unrelated field. If you are unsure, you can always take your research and concerns to your endocrinologist. Ask your doctor if the product you’re considering is effective or if their other patients have tried it. Some diets, herbal remedies, or other therapies may be completely supported by your doctor, especially if they help you feel better and don’t interfere with your blood glucose management. Your doctor may steer you away from other “remedies” that are unsafe and put your health at risk. Keeping honest dialogue open with nurses and doctors can help you make the best healthcare decisions for you and your family. Get as much information as possible. Skin Grip believes that the best way to gain power and control over your health is by getting as much information as you can. Knowledge is power, especially when considering how your body works. If we know that diabetes is an endocrine problem that affects our pancreas, we know that any remedy that doesn’t affect those systems in our body likely won’t be effective. Miracle berries from the steppes of Timbuktu might taste great, but will they cure the lack of insulin producing cells in our pancreas? If a salesperson says yes, ask them how. When the information isn’t forthcoming, that’s your cue to run. At Skin Grip, we make our products as transparent as possible. That’s why we offer FAQs, free samples, and a running blog of educational topics for people with diabetes. We want to empower the entire diabetes community to manage their blood sugars without any fear. Our tape and adhesive patches for the Dexcom G series, Freestyle Libre, the Guardian, and other diabetic sensors are a great way to keep your CGM where it belongs and your information as up-to-date as possible.
Diabetes Emergency Preparedness Tips
(Towfiqu barbhuiya/Unsplash) Depending on when you were diagnosed, diabetes may be your new normal or something you've had since childhood. A diabetes diagnosis opens up a whole new world of words and tools: What’s an insulin syringes? Why do I need an insulin pump? How about blood sugar meters? Adhesive tape for my Dexcom G6? What about ketone test strips? It may seem overwhelming but know that you are not alone, and there are several resources to help you live fully and fearlessly on your diabetes journey. An excellent way to feel connected to the diabetes community is to listen to podcasts and join social media groups to hear others' stories and experiences. According to the ADA (American Diabetes Association), 1.4 million people are diagnosed with diabetes in the US annually. Around 37.3 million Americans, or 11.3% of the population, had diabetes in 2019, and about 1.9 million Americans have type 1 diabetes, approximately 244,000 of those being youth. Although diabetes is common in our society, there's still a lack of education surrounding it. An essential first step to dealing with your diabetes is to be your own advocate, be as educated as possible, and prepare for potential emergencies. It's also necessary to take action every day to prevent diabetes emergencies. The three best ways to prevent a serious incident related to your diabetes are: Create a Diabetes Care Kit Perform frequent blood checks Make a meal and snack schedule and stick to it React fast to any signs of low blood sugar Being diligent is vital, but sometimes emergencies still happen. What exactly is a diabetic emergency? Blood Sugar Starting to Drop too Low Low blood sugar, or hypoglycemia, can be severe. Signs that you may be reaching the danger zone leading to low blood sugar include: Hunger Confusion Shakiness Weakness/fatigue If you or your child have diabetes and are experiencing these symptoms, do not ignore them. It's critical to catch low blood sugar immediately and deal with it appropriately. Always make sure you have emergency fast-acting sugar nearby to raise your blood sugar in a bind. Emergency snacks include juice, candy, or glucose tablets. Blood Sugar Way Too Low If one doesn't deal with mild low blood sugar, it goes into emergency mode quickly. This can lead to non-responsiveness, unconsciousness, seizures, or severe confusion. If your child may need glucagon, ensure you're prepared to administer it. Blood Sugar Too High If you have diabetes, you'll have high blood pressure from time to time, and that's normal. But extremely high blood sugar with ketones is dangerous and needs immediate action. Symptoms of dangerously high blood sugar include: Shallow, rapid breathing Fruity-smelling breath Vomiting If you have a diabetic child, it's essential to educate them and help to prepare them for emergencies that may happen at school. It's so hard to let our kids go to school and trust they'll be OK, but it's our job to set them up for success in the event of high or low blood sugar. Make sure to create a personal care plan to give to your child's teacher, along with emergency kits that have: Tools that check blood sugar Snacks to raise blood sugar quickly (candy, juice, glucose tablets, carbs) Emergency contact information Copies of current prescriptions, including eye care information Current dosage information and regular times they take medications Their basal rates, insulin-to-carbohydrate ratio, insulin sensitivity factor, blood sugar target, and correction factors for insulin pumps. Doctor's contact info A copy of their photo ID and health insurance card The make, model, and the serial number of their insulin pump or continuous glucose monitor. If you want to go the extra mile, also include these items in your child's kit: Insulin pen, pen needles, insulin (in case pump fails) Spare batteries in case the meter needs a replacement Glucagon (if you allow a trained individual to administer it to your child) Ketone urine strips or ketone meter to measure ketones in the blood Make sure your child's diabetic care plan indicates what it contains. We'd like to believe an emergency or disaster will never happen, but unfortunately, it is entirely out of our hands. If you have diabetes and go to work every day, it's essential to have an emergency diabetes kit at work. Give a crash course to those you work closely with in case you need assistance during an emergency. Preparing properly for you or your child in an emergency will give you peace of mind in case something happens. It's all about prevention, preparedness, and peace of mind. Infographic Living with diabetes is tough and challenging, especially for those who were recently diagnosed with the condition. It is important to know and be prepared at all times. Seek resources and a community that can help you with your journey. For emergencies, have everything ready and look out for symptoms to properly administer a solution. Learn about this and more in this infographic. Video
Swimming with Type 1 Diabetes: How to Keep Your T1D Child Safe This Summer
It’s not all fun and games when it comes to lounging at the beach, diving in swimming pools, and relaxing in a hot tub when your child has type 1 diabetes. There are important factors to consider when your family wants to spend the day splashing around in the water. Keep reading for what your family needs to know to have a safe summer with type 1 diabetes.
The Best Advice for How to Live Healthily with Type 1 Diabetes
(wal_172619 / pixabay) According to the CDC, nearly 50% of Americans wanted to live a healthier lifestyle last year. We are certain that includes at least a few people with Type 1 diabetes. While healthy living is difficult under the best circumstances, Type 1 diabetes can make it harder. We have the same struggles with diet and exercise as everyone else, except we have to worry about our blood sugar at the same time. Skin Grip focuses on empowering the Type 1 community with our ultra-strong adhesive tape for Dexcom G6 and other continuous glucose monitoring devices (CGMs). As such, we’re intimately familiar with the challenges of staying in shape with T1diabetes, and we are coming in with the best tips from our team. Lower Your Expectations This sounds like we’re encouraging a negative outlook but bear with us. Every January, we see countless individuals start the year with the best intentions. They set goals, they start going to the gym, they tell themselves they are going to hit the gym for two hours every day, cut out all foods except chicken and broccoli, and they will lose 5 lbs every week until they hit their goal weight. These people are in for a world of disappointment when (shockingly) they don’t reach their goals. Rather than setting unattainable goals, start small. Not only is it much easier, but you are also much more likely to stick with it. A small goal that you keep for the entire year is going to be much more effective in the long term than trying and failing to hit a large goal every few months. For example, rather than doing two hours of hard exercise daily, try walking for 30 minutes instead. Walking may not get you rock-solid abs in 6 weeks, but you won’t get injured and forced to abandon the gym either. Adding in a small amount of activity first and focusing on consistency will reap larger rewards and longer lasting success than trying to run your first ultra-marathon in a month. Give Yourself Flexibility You didn’t gain all of your unhealthy habits in a week and you won’t shed them in a week either. While hyper focused management strategies like weighing yourself daily may sound tempting, the fluctuations you see from day to day have little to do with activity or diet. Gaining or losing a pound or two every day is normal, as hydration, bowel contents, and the clothes you wear can all affect your weight on the scale. The truth is that most small changes we see from one day to another are insignificant. Similarly, our habits from day to day aren’t as important as our overall lifestyle. Give yourself flexibility to splurge here and there. That flexibility will make healthy living much easier and the cost is virtually nothing. Occasional days off from training are beneficial as they help us avoid getting discouraged, which in turn keeps us on track with our goals in the long term. Just make sure you don’t take too many days off. A good rule of thumb is to spend 80% of your time on track to meet your goals and allow 20% of your time to splurge as you see fit. Keep a Sane Diet The diet industry is famous for villainizing certain foods, but carbs, fats, and protein are all necessary nutrients for a healthy, balanced diet. Additionally, a healthy diet doesn’t mean we can never have a highly processed, artificially dyed, hyper-sweet treat now and again. The key is learning to moderate our treats and to eat a balanced diet on a daily basis. Balanced meals, which include protein, fat, carbs, and fiber, will keep you full longer, which prevents unnecessary snacking. Additionally, food is your fuel source for exercise, so excessive deficits in calories will prevent you from getting activity in and keep you from making gains. If you want to live a healthy, active lifestyle, you have to eat like an active person! That means lots of fruits and vegetables, high quality protein, healthy fats, and yes, even carbs. The only difference for people with T1 diabetes is we have to make sure our insulin matches our diet. Keep Your Blood Sugar Under Control All of the above is great advice for anyone trying to stay fit, but people with diabetes have unique challenges when it comes to our health. One of the biggest obstacles comes from uncontrolled blood sugars. A common problem comes from when our blood sugars drop. After the drop, we get hungry and overcorrect with carbs, which means we need to correct again with insulin, which can lead to lower blood sugars, and the cycle repeats again. This mismanagement isn’t just a hassle, it can cause serious problems when our blood sugar is too high or too low. Staying diligent about carb counting, insulin dosages, and staying on top of our blood sugar will prevent some of this cycling that makes staying active and healthy difficult. If you are aiming to keep a specific calorie count, it isn’t a bad idea to keep some of your daily calories in reserve for when you need to boost your blood sugar. For example, if you want to eat 2,000 calories each day, try to eat 1850 and keep 150 calories in reserve for blood sugar snacks. If your blood sugar consistently trends too low, consider adjusting your insulin dosage to keep your blood sugars from dipping too often. Using your CGM will not only help you keep up to date with your blood glucose level minute-to-minute, but modern smartphone apps will allow you to see trends in your glucose levels over time. Using diabetic sensors to properly manage your blood sugar is great for making the measuring tape around your waist shrink. The best thing you can do to make getting fit easy and painless is to go slowly and carefully. Make small, daily changes to get rid of unhealthy habits, keep your body fueled with lean, nutrient-rich foods, and get more active. These will add up, and you’ll love seeing that fit, energized person staring back at you in the mirror.
I Need Help Taking Care of My Skin. What Do I Do?
(vargazs / pixabay) The skincare industry has grown to exceed 100 billion dollars in recent years. Whereas older generations used a washcloth and harsh soap, young people today invest in 12-step regimens with cleansers, toners, moisturizers, serums, and everything in between. If you’re a person with diabetes who’s ever been in a healthcare setting, you’ve likely been told to take care of your skin. What does that mean? What makes skincare different for a person with diabetes? The truth is not very much, but there are a few things to watch out for. Why Skincare? People with diabetes hear about the importance of skincare and checking our skin constantly. What’s the big deal? In short, people with diabetes have a higher chance of not noticing a break in their skin. This results from a condition called neuropathy. Chronic high blood sugar damages the nerve cells in your body. As these nerve cells die, a person loses feeling in that part of their body. Most frequently, fingers, toes, and other extremities are the first places to lose sensation. This is why people with severe diabetes are frequently told to never walk barefoot, even inside the house. Small cuts or abrasions can go unnoticed and untreated for weeks if we aren’t careful about maintaining our skin. Should I do anything special? As far as special soaps and lotions go? Nope. You can use or ignore any products that anyone else can. The most important thing you should do is pay attention to your skin. Checking your skin regularly should be a part of your routine. After a bath or shower, you can examine your legs, feet, arms, and back for any signs of wounds or skin breakdown. People with high-risk jobs like construction should check more frequently. You can keep your skin healthy by keeping it clean and using a gentle moisturizer. When applying moisturizer, avoid spaces like the groin, between the toes, or armpits, as these spots are generally moist on their own and can easily harbor harmful bacteria. What should I look for? Open cuts, scratches, or punctures. Blood is a sure sign. You should also look for less obvious wounds, like blisters. Are you going for a long hike or planning a marathon? Plan on foot care to prevent blistering before it starts and treat it as soon as you notice it. You should also look for any signs of infection on your skin. A skin infection can look red or swollen and feel warm to the touch. You may notice bumps that are red, yellow, or white, almost like acne. Unusual colors or bruising should be brought to the attention of your doctor. Any cuts or wounds you notice should be treated immediately by cleaning them and covering them with a bandage. When should I see a doctor? Generally, as soon as possible. Minor cuts or bruises don’t need to be treated in a hospital, but if a wound does not heal, your doctor should be notified. Additionally, any skin problems that don’t respond to home treatment should be dealt with as soon as possible. The longer you wait, the worse complications can become. Your doctor may prescribe antibiotic ointments, drugs, or routines to help your skin condition, and you should follow your doctor’s prescription. Don’t I have to puncture my skin regularly as a diabetic? That’s correct. Glucometers will require you to puncture your skin on a regular basis. Because people with diabetes are susceptible to infection from skin punctures, you should be sure to use good hand hygiene and clean the test site before it is punctured. Rotating your test site between fingers will also help prevent scarring and other complications. For people with continuous glucose monitors, you should rotate the site you stick it. While we all have our favorite spots, using the same site over and over can lead to scarring, which leads to inaccurate readings, as well as skin irritation from removing the adhesive monitor over and over. Products like Skin Tac can help prevent this irritation, as can fully cleansing the area after removing your medical device. Some individuals with sensitive skin may struggle to keep the site of their CGM free from irritation. The factory adhesives or tape they use may be causing skin irritation or even contact dermatitis. Skin Grip’s adhesive patches are hypoallergenic and designed with sensitive skin in mind. We have created tape for diabetic sensors as well as adhesive patches for Freestyle Libre, Dexcom G6, and Omnipod, and other popular brands. Hypoallergenic adhesives can prevent the irritation that’s common in people with sensitive skin. They are waterproof, comfortable, and help your device stay on for its full lifespan. Anything else? For people with diabetes, prevention is the best thing you can do to protect your skin. Managing your diabetes and keeping your blood sugars low can help prevent many complications like ulcers, impaired healing, or loss of sensation. Because of this, it’s important to check your blood sugar regularly, administer drugs or insulin as needed, and maintain the lifestyle recommended. Our skin reflects our health, so staying active and eating a healthy diet will help it stay strong and glowing. Keep kicking ass, and your skin will show it! Video
How Finding the Right Adhesive Can Change How You Manage Diabetes
(peter-facebook / pixabay) Diabetes is a complicated medical condition that usually requires lifelong management. This includes medication, a careful diet, regular visits with a doctor, and frequent measuring of blood glucose levels. The cost and complexity of this array of interventions are often overwhelming, especially for the newly diagnosed and their loved ones. We think that people with diabetes shouldn’t have to worry about the little things, so we’ve done our best to create adhesives and tape that will keep your mind free to play and adventure, not worry about your medical device. People with CGMs (that’s Continuous Glucose Monitor, for the uninitiated) know how frustrating adhesives can be. Most CGM devices, like the Freestyle Libre or Dexcom G6, are applied directly to the skin and held to the body with a sticky adhesive on the device or on a patch that covers the device. Unfortunately, the lifespan of the adhesive doesn’t always match the intended lifespan of the device. While some CGMs are intended to stay on the skin for up to 14 days, sweat, showers, and everyday living cause the adhesive to come loose and the sensor to fall out. Then your expensive sensor that was meant to last two weeks doesn’t make it past one! Skin Grip’s adhesive patches and tape solve the frustration and help you get the most out of your medical devices. Skin Grip’s patches will keep your wallet happy by securing your medical device for the full usage life of your sensor. The waterproof adhesive means that the patch won’t peel off in the shower, on a boat, or in the middle of a workout. Using a patch that fully covers your device will keep it from snagging on clothes, doors, or anything else. Knowing that your device will last as long as it is supposed to is peace of mind that makes Skin Grip totally worth it. For some device users, the problem isn’t making the adhesive last; it’s the adhesive itself. While true allergies to medical adhesives are rare, many people suffer from a sensitivity to adhesives that results in rashes or skin irritation called contact dermatitis. People who suffer from adhesive sensitivity are in a bind. On the one hand, they need their medical device to manage their condition. On the other hand, managing their condition means their skin will break out in hives. What would you choose? Skin Grip eliminates the double bind afflicting our sensitive-skinned friends. Our patches are completely hypoallergenic. The material of the patch itself is a mix of cotton and spandex, and the adhesive is medical quality, latex-free, hypoallergenic acrylic. That makes the patch safe for people with allergies. If your skin is particularly sensitive and you’re not sure if Skin Grip is right for you, give it a try with our free samples. For the cost of shipping, you can experience the comfort of a secure medical device without the hassle of skin irritation. CGMs and medical devices should help you get up and get out of the house, not slow you down! Our variety of adhesive patches for Medtronic, Dexcom, Omnipod, and Freestyle devices mean that anyone can make managing their diabetes a little easier. Our new medical tape roll will let you use our comfortable skin adhesive on devices, bandages, or even around the house. It’s perfect for a first aid kit. With Skin Grip, you have the comfort and flexibility to manage anything.
What to Do When your CGM Bothers Your Skin
(ivabalk / pixabay) Sometimes the adhesives used in CGMs or insulin pumps can irritate the skin. Not only is the irritation annoying, but it can damage body tissue or result in infection if left untreated. Ignoring mild irritation can lead to hypersensitivity and severe rashes. A little irritation is normal when using these devices. The insertion of needles and pulling away upper layers of skin during removal means that tissue damage is part of the game. As a result, some people may find that the area where they wear their device becomes irritated over time. You can prevent unnecessary wear and tear on your skin by applying the adhesive when your skin is clean, cool, and dry. A good application will help your device peel off more readily when the time is right. You can also use skin barrier wipes to keep the adhesive from bonding directly to your skin. Using good hygiene during application will also help prevent infection. Inserting a needle into the skin that hasn’t been cleaned is just begging for infection. Pay attention to keeping your hands and body clean when inserting your CGM. Wash or sanitize your hands before handling your CGM and wipe down your arm with an alcohol wipe. While scars might make the wearer seem tough, they also interfere with glucose measurements or insulin absorption. Preventing unnecessary scarring is a priority. Many manufacturers recommend using a new spot each time you replace your CGM. Choose a spot 2-3 inches away from the insertion point of your last CGM. Read and follow the application instructions for your personal device. Rotating across various sites will help prevent scars from forming, which keeps your CGM operating perfectly and your skin feeling silky smooth. Some types of irritation are cause for concern. Users may simply be allergic to the adhesive their CGM uses, while others may develop an allergy-like response. Hypersensitivity is a type of skin reaction that develops over time and resembles an allergy. Once a sensitivity to an adhesive is developed, irritation and dermatitis will occur quickly when the skin is exposed to the irritating substance. A person may go months or years without their CGM bothering them, then get a rash where the adhesive touches their skin. The only way to avoid irritating the skin in these cases is to avoid the chemical irritants in the adhesive completely. Some people may choose to put away their CGM and return to finger-prick blood glucose meters. Because no adhesive is used in the test and bandages aren’t necessary for a small finger stick, this can be a workable solution. For most, it is important to have constant monitoring of their blood sugar, and a CGM is necessary. Finding a hypoallergenic adhesive is the best solution for solving skin irritation caused by allergy or hypersensitivity. Because different manufacturers use different adhesives with varying irritants, contacting a doctor about a patch test can save time and money in the long run. The doctor will test your skin to determine which ingredients are irritating your skin and help you find products that are compatible with your body. When we created Skin Grip, one of our goals was to make a patch that worked for people with different contact allergies and skin sensitivities. We use latex-free, hypoallergenic acrylic material to create adhesive patches and medical tape that are safe to use and designed to fit Dexcom, Freestyle Libre, Omnipod, Guardian, and Medtronic sensors. Not sure if Skin Grip will work? Grab a free sample here. We’ll let you try it out to make sure it doesn’t irritate your skin like other brands can. Skin care isn’t just for your face, it’s for your whole body. Taking care of the skin beneath your CGM will be a reward over time, as it maintains the integrity of your CGM’s results over the years to come. Skin Grip is here to help you along the way. Video
