Maxy's Hideout

Sunday, January 31, 2016

A Diabetes Diagnosis Can Be Scary, But a Diabetes Educator Can Help

By Joan Bardsley, MBA, BSN, RN, CDE
American Association of Diabetes Educators
If you have recently been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, or have been living with it for a while, you know how challenging it can be to manage your disease.

At times, it may seem overwhelming to do all of the things you have to do to take care of yourself.

A diabetes educator can help. As a member of your healthcare team, a diabetes educator – who may also be a nurse, pharmacist, dietitian, or a specialist in another discipline such as physical therapy or social work – will work with you to develop a plan to stay healthy, and give you the tools and ongoing support to make that plan a regular part of your life.

Diabetes may not have a cure, but you can manage it and live well; and diabetes education helps people learn how to manage their disease by focusing on seven self-care behaviors:
Healthy eating
Being active
Monitoring your blood sugar
Taking medication
Problem solving
Healthy coping
Reducing risks
The goal of diabetes education and support is to show you how to practice these behaviors every day, which will help you lower your blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol. Most people with diabetes know self-management is important, and there is overwhelming research to show that those who have had diabetes education have better blood sugar control. Good diabetes educators work with each person to design a specific plan that includes tools and support tailored to that person.

How Do You Get Diabetes Education?
Diabetes education is often prescribed by a primary care provider, who writes a referral. Diabetes education programs, sometimes called diabetes self-management training, are found in a variety of places – hospital outpatient facilities, clinics, doctors’ offices, to name a few – and staffed by diabetes educators. These specialists focus on all aspects of diabetes care, and are also skilled in counseling, education, and communication.

What Do Diabetes Educators Do?
Diabetes educators teach people with diabetes how to manage their diabetes and live their healthiest life. Diabetes educators ask many questions to better understand your goals and challenges, and then, together, they develop a diabetes self-management plan with you that works for you.

For example, diabetes educators can help you understand how certain favorite foods affect your blood sugar, how to fit a prescribed medication into a daily routine, and how to lower the risk of diabetes-related complications. Your plan can include advice on everything from getting through the excesses of holiday dinners and parties to coping with the challenges of managing diabetes while traveling for work or fun.

Diabetes education is not a lecture on what not to do. It’s real-life guidance, coaching, and support proven to help you understand exactly how to best manage your diabetes, and to feel less alone while you’re doing it.

Diabetes education takes place in group or one-on-one settings, and in formal or informal formats.

Does Insurance Pay for Diabetes Educators?
Diabetes education is a recognized part of diabetes care and is covered by Medicare and most health insurance plans when provided by a diabetes educator within an accredited and recognized program. To find an accredited program or a certified diabetes educator near you, check out AADE’s diabetes educator database.

Thursday, January 28, 2016

Babies Are At high Risk From The Mosquito-Borne Zika Virus

El Salvador and Colombia have advised women not to get pregnant over fears of babies infected in the womb. Here's what you need to know about the virus.

The Zika virus is "spreading explosively", the head of the World Health Organization has warned amid fears it may be carried by the common mosquito.

Speaking at a meeting of WHO member states, Director-General Dr Margaret Chan said the level of alarm over the virus has become "extremely high".

The mosquito-borne virus has been linked to a steep increase in the number of babies born with severe birth defects, including abnormally small heads.

"A causal relationship between Zika virus infection and birth malformations and neurological syndromes has not yet been established, but is strongly suspected," the WHO chief said.

"The possible links, only recently suspected, have rapidly changed the risk profile of Zika, from a mild threat to one of alarming proportions," she added.

Dr Chan has called an emergency meeting on 1 February to discuss whether the outbreak, which is taking hold across South and Central America and the Caribbean, qualifies as an international public health emergency.

The WHO warning came as scientists in Brazil said it is possible the virus is carried by the common mosquito.

Up until now it was thought the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which is confined to the tropics, was solely spreading the virus.

Cases have so far been reported in 23 countries and territories, with Brazil among the worst affected.

Between three and four million cases of the virus are expected, infectious disease expert Marcos Espinal warned, although he did not give a time frame.

US health authorities have confirmed 31 reported cases of the Zika virus in the country among people who have travelled to affected areas. A small number of Europeans have also tested positive.

The European health ministers are advising pregnant women to reconsider travel to affected areas while France's health minister has gone a step further and "strongly" urged pregnant women to postpone their trips.

In several of the affected areas, including El Salvador and Colombia, women have been advised not to get pregnant altogether.

There are no known vaccines, specific treatments or rapid diagnostic tests for the virus, something the WHO has highlighted as a particular concern.

With the exception of the risks for unborn babies, Zika is not considered dangerous.

Common symptoms can last up to a week and include fever, rashes, joint pain and conjunctivitis.
Regardless of medical authorities prevaricating on the effects to unborn babies, this virus has terrifying potential and permanent consequences. It is now well established in the United States and it has just been reported that three cases have developed in Canada. They suspect it can also be transmitted sexually. People may be completely unaware they are carrying the infection. That is what makes it the most dangerous. This is now a pandemic of frightening proportions. Ladies, be extremely cautious. The next generation may depend on it.

Food for Thought : See You Later Gator

To all the friends and readers of Food for Thought ... Grand-poppa has to take a leave of absent , not to worry he will be back as soon as possible .

Some important matters that need his personal attention .

To the ones here that know him personally , the family thinks you for being so kind .

Witchy

Wednesday, January 27, 2016

Needle-phobic's pancreas transplant 'world first'

A British woman has become the first person in the world to have a pancreas transplant because of a severe needle phobia, her doctors have said. Sue York - who has had type-1 diabetes since she was seven - would shake uncontrollably and vomit when injecting herself with insulin.
Ms York said the operation had "completely altered my life". Doctors said her life expectancy had now doubled.
Ms York, 55, from Lincoln, England, related that, following the operation, at Manchester Royal Infirmary, she felt "incredible" and full of energy.
"No longer am I struggling to walk up a flight of stairs, getting breathless walking into the wind. No longer is my skin yellow or grey. No longer do I look constantly exhausted," she said.
"I've had to get new glasses because my eyesight has improved and feeling has returned to areas on my feet where I'd begun to lose sensation."

Ms York said her phobia had reached a critical point in 2012, when the DVLA had changed its regulations in relation to diabetic drivers, insisting they checked blood glucose levels - requiring her to prick her skin - before driving and once every two hours behind the wheel.
"It was just too many needles, too many invasions into the flesh," she said.
Ms York had decided to give up driving, she said, but her body had been too weak to walk long distances - leaving her at risk of becoming housebound.

She had tried hypnotherapy and cognitive behavioural therapy in an attempt to cure her phobia, but without success. And injecting herself with insulin would frequently take 20 minutes.
It took more than two years for Ms York to be placed on a waiting list for the transplant, during which time she appeared in front of a panel three times to discuss her eligibility.

She said questions had been raised over her need for the transplant, given that she did not have any kidney complications, and over whether her phobia was a strong enough reason to undergo major surgery. But, she said, a phobia of needles was common among long-term diabetics and her story could give hope to others.
"I don't know who my donor is, but I thank them and their family from the bottom of my heart," she said.

Oprah Tweets About Eating Bread and Losing Weight, Gains $12.5 Million

Oprah Winfrey's loss is also her gain. On Tuesday, the 61-year-old icon tweeted out a video to her 30 million followers proclaiming that she has eaten bread "every single day" on her Weight Watchers diet and has still lost 26 pounds.

Following Oprah's carb confession, Weight Watchers stock went up 20 percent, closing at $13.29 a share. Seeing as she owns 10 percent of the company, Oprah earned $12.5 million dollars, or roughly $3 million an hour.

USA Today points out that if you factor in her 3.5 million Weight Watchers stock option, she made a staggering $19.2 million, or nearly $5 million an hour, after her single tweet.

Oprah joined forces with the diet brand in October and immediately caused their stock to sky rocket. Once news broke of Weight Watchers' partnership with the Queen of Talk, the company's stock went up 53 percent in pre-market trading to $10.36. According to a Securities and Exchange Commission filing obtained by USA Today, Oprah purchased her shares at $6.79 for a total investment of $43.2 million.

"Weight Watchers has given me the tools to begin to make the lasting shift that I and so many of us who are struggling with weight have longed for," she said in a statement at the time. "I believe in the program so much I decided to invest in the company and partner in its evolution."

While Oprah is all about Weight Watchers, other stars -- including Jessica Alba and Allison Williams -- are really into Kayla Itsines' 30-minute workout. ET sat down with the 24-year-old trainer to reveal her secret behind her fitness regimen.

Thanx ET

Tuesday, January 26, 2016

Seven Foods that make you look younger and fresher

By David Zinczenko
Some of the most beautiful people I know are the most insecure about their looks.
Take my friend Giselle (believe me, not her real name!). She’s one of those women always invited to events most of us rarely go to—award shows, boutique openings, glamorous parties. With her long blonde hair and sparkly blue eyes, she could have her pick of men. But she spends most of her time picking on herself.
“I wake up every morning looking older than the day before!” she told me recently. She already does a lot of the right things—doesn’t smoke, avoids too much sun, gets enough sleep, and takes time to relax and let go of her stress. But when I asked about her diet, she was surprised. “I don’t worry about my weight!” she said.
Maybe not, but the right diet can do more than just lead to weight loss. It can turn back the hands of time, as well. If finding eternal youth youthful is on your to-do list, try adding these Eat This, Not That!-recommended foods to your daily diet plan.

STOP THE GREY!

Beauty Food Fix #1: Shiitake Mushrooms

Grey hair is beautiful when it’s age-appropriate, but unfair for folks who start to salt-and-pepper before they’ve finished life’s main course. One cause of early greying: a lack of copper. A study in the journal Biological Trace Elemental Research found premature-graying individuals had significantly lower copper levels than a control group. Your body requires copper to produce pigment for your skin and hair, and shiitake mushrooms are one of the best dietary sources. Just a half cup provides 71 percent of your recommended daily intake of copper—and for only 40 calories! If you're not a fan of mushrooms, then make these 6 nuts part of your diet.

REGAIN YOUR GLOW!

Beauty Food Fix #2: Sweet Potatoes

A study in the Journal Evolution and Human Behaviour showed eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables gives a healthier, and more attractive, golden glow than the sun. Researchers found people who ate more portions of red and orange fruits and vegetables per day had a more sun-kissed complexion than those who didn’t consume as much—the result of disease-fighting compounds called carotenoids that give those plants their colors. And no, you won’t look like an Oompa Loompa. In fact, given the choice between a real suntan and a glow caused by diet, study participants preferred the carotenoid complexion. Few foods are as rich in the beauty stuff than sweet potatoes; just half a medium potato with the skin provides 200 percent of your daily recommended intake. Add more sweet potatoes to your diet with the 10 best recipes for weight loss.

WHITEN YOUR TEETH!

Beauty Food Fix #3: Cheddar Cheese

Good news, politicians: Cheesy smiles may be good for you. One study in the journal General Dentistry of people who didn't brush their teeth for 48 hours (don’t try that at home),found snacking on cheddar cheese raised their mouths' pH to freshly-brushed levels. (Like cavities, discoloration is increased when you have an acidic environment in your mouth.) Plus, compounds in the cheese that adhere to tooth enamel, like a white strip, help to fend off acid. Speaking of morning rituals, don’t miss our science-backed 8 Ways to Lose Weight Before Noon.

ERASE DARK CIRCLES!

Beauty Food Fix #4: Spa Water

Puffy, dark circles under the eyes may indicate you had too much fun the night before, but it can also indicate another more common, less exciting issue: dehydration. Salty foods, alcohol, exercise, hot weather and just plain not drinking enough water can create inflammation, which results in the Rocket Raccoon complexion. Start replenishing your body right away: Cut up some citrus fruits (rind included) and soak them in a pitcher of ice water. Now drink copiously. The citrus not only improves flavor, but the rinds contain a powerful anti-inflammatory compound called de-limonene, which helps the liver flush toxins from the body, according to the World Health Organization. In fact, we found the 14 best detox waters that banish bloat.

GET STRONG, SHINY NAILS!

Beauty Food Fix #5: Lean Beef

Weekly manicures can keep your nails in tip-top shape, but so can Sunday's top round roast dinner. Researches say a diet rich in protein, iron and zinc are the key to long, strong, beautiful nails. And you’ll get a healthy serving of all three nutrients from a small portion of lean red meat. A recent study in the Journal of The European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology that looked at nail growth over the past 70 years found that dietary protein was the difference between spurts and lags in nail growth. It’s perhaps no wonder, considering nails are made from protein—keratin, specifically. Nail it with a small 3-4 ounce portion of top round or sirloin, which are the leanest cuts of red meat, one to two times a week. Find out the 5 best cuts of beef for weight loss.

THICKEN YOUR LOCKS

Beauty Food Fix #6: Almond butter

No, you don’t rub it into your scalp like Rogaine. But almond butter is one food that contains a wide variety of nutrients—including protein, healthy fats, and certain vitamins—that have all been linked to hair health. It’s the vitamin E content in the nuts that researchers say is particularly good for keeping your locks thick and lustrous. One eight-month trial found men who supplemented daily with vitamin E saw an increase in hair growth by as much as 42 percent. Just a tablespoon of almonds provides nearly two thirds of your RDA for fat-soluble vitamin E. Discover the 20 full-fat foods that can help you stay skinny.

REVERSE SUN DAMAGE

Beauty Food Fix #7: Tomatoes

New research has found that the reason melanoma rates are so low in regions like the Mediterranean—where going topless on the beach is all part of the summertime fun—has to do with the Mediterranean diet. Foods high in antioxidants, particularly deeply colored fruits and vegetables, can help fight the oxidizing effect of UV rays. One study in the British Journal of Dermatology found participants who ate five tablespoons of tomato paste (a highly concentrated form of fresh tomatoes) daily showed 33 percent more protection against sunburn than a control group. And tomatoes work double duty to boost beauty: While the carotenoids and antioxidants help the body fight off oxidation that ages skin cells, they also boost pro-collagen—a molecule that gives skin its taught, youthful structure.
Health and beauty always go hand in hand. Like my mom used to say... "You are what you eat."

Saturday, January 23, 2016

Dangers of Diabetes

By Everyday Health Editors
Type 2 diabetes can lead to a range of serious complications, so it’s important to understand what can happen and how to recognize the symptoms.
Right now, you might be experiencing some of the symptoms of type 2 diabetes, which include:

Frequent urination
Unusual thirst
Extreme hunger
Unusual weight loss
Extreme fatigue and irritability
Blurred vision
Cuts/bruises that are slow to heal
Tingling/numbness in the hands and feet
Skin, gum, or bladder infections
As you bring your blood-glucose levels under control, these symptoms will begin to abate. However, like many people with type 2 diabetes, you might not have any symptoms at all — which can sometimes make it harder to grasp the seriousness of your diagnosis.

Whether you have symptoms or not, over time uncontrolled levels of high blood sugar can lead to tissue damage throughout your body, from your eyes to your toes. When you have diabetes, you will be seeing your physician on a regular basis to monitor your progress. And it will become more important than ever to get regular dental and eye exams. That’s because diabetes can lead to a range of complications, which you need to know about and be on the lookout for because they are so serious. Fortunately, controlling your blood-glucose levels can help prevent many of these secondary problems.

Diabetic Complications :
Gum disease and infections
Vision problems, including a risk of cataracts, glaucoma, and eye infections; a condition called diabetic retinopathy can lead to vision loss or blindness
Neuropathy, or nerve damage, that can cause pain or numbness in your hands and feet
Circulatory problems that can eventually lead to amputations (feet, legs)
Heart disease
Kidney problems
High blood pressure
Remember: Taking control of your blood-glucose levels can help prevent many of these secondary problems. Work closely with your care team to maintain a proper diabetes management plan and to watch carefully for troubling symptoms or signs of a developing problem.

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