Nowadays, we have the power of social media to glamorize our insulin pumps and help connect a ton of type 1 diabetics (T1Ds) all over the world! However, I am still a huge fan of real-life diabetic support groups. I know, I know, I know, it sounds cheesy – and I thought so too at […]
After experiencing a scary + rare type 1 diabetes episode with her son while waiting for an NYC subway, Jen recounts their family's nightmare.
‘Tis cozy book reading season! Make yourself some warm golden milk, cozy up on the couch, and grab one of these books with diabetic characters in them!
Embrace a low-fat vegan lifestyle to invigorate your cardiometabolic health, especially if you’re navigating the nuances of Type 1 Diabetes (T1D). A comprehensive investigation highlights the…
Dude, pricking your finger is a pain, literally. I've gathered some simple tricks from experts in diabetes care to help you not feel like a voodoo doll. 1. Prick the Sides of Your Fingers I was taught this trick by the nurses in the ICU. The pads of your fingers have the most nerve endings in order to have a better sense of touch, thus causing more pain. The sides of your fingers have less nerve endings and work just as well for glucose readings. 2. Switch Fingers Regularly Diabetics tend to have their favorite fingers for poking, but this never lets them heal! Testing on the same few fingers increases the risk for soreness and infection. Over time, calluses and scar tissue can form, which may make it more difficult and painful to obtain a blood sample. God gave us 10 fingers, so lets use all of them! 3. Use Soap And Water - Not Alcohol I was taught from the beginning to never use alcohol swabs before testing because they could give an inaccurate reading, but they can also cause more pain. According to certified diabetes educator, Hector Verastigui, "We don’t recommend wiping the skin with alcohol because [it] is an astringent, which tightens the skin and makes obtaining a blood sample more difficult." 4. Find Your Ideal Gauge Size Just like syringe needles, lancets come with different size gauges. The higher the gauge, the finer the lancet needle will be, which will cause less pain. Most lancing devices are a 28, but others, like Winston (my OneTouch Ultra2) uses a 33. 5. Use A New Lancet Each Time Most people hate having to change the lancet every time - I get it. However, lancets have a special coating on them to help minimize pain which is only good for ONE use. A lancet is a very fine, sharp needle, but with each use it becomes more dull. It can also grow bacteria after using and increase your chance of infection. From personal experience, I can't get enough blood for my test strip after using an old lancet, which causes me to prick my finger a 2nd time. (No, bueno). 6. Warm Up Your Finger Tips Since we already need to have clean hands, I suggest just using warm water and knock out 2 steps at once. Warm water will help get the blood to flow to your fingers and cause less pain when using your lancet. If you don't have access to warm water, try sitting on your hands or rubbing them together. 7. Adjust Your Lancet Depth Number My lancet range is 1-7 (seven giving the deepest puncture). I generally use 4. Luckily, modern glucometers only require a small drop of blood for testing, so having your lancet set to a lower puncture setting (2-4) may work for you. You may notice some fingers have tougher skin or calluses which may need a higher depth number. 8. Consider An Alternative Site Some glucometers allow for different sites for testing (palm, forearm) that can give our fingers a mini vacation. 9. Don't Squeeze Blood From Finger Tips I'm definitely guilty of this one. I frequently squeeze in order to get a decent drop of blood for my test strips. I hate seeing the dreaded "Error 5" message pop up on Winston. However, this can bruise or cause soreness around the puncture site. Try hanging your hand below the waist for 5 seconds to get the blood to flow towards your finger. You can also gentle squeeze the base of your finger (near your hand) and move towards the middle of your finger. 10. Experiment With time you'll figure out your "sweet spots" or favorite fingers to use (but don't favor them too much)! Create a hand map or a memorable "Poke Pattern" so you don't reuse the same fingers over and over. Work with a diabetes educator to figure out site alternatives that work best for you during regular checks (not during hypoglycemia checks). Try out a few different glucometers to find one that works best for you! I highly recommend a Winston for you (OneTouch Ultra2)! If you are still experiencing lots of pain, you could try an alcohol swab with benzocaine (like these)! to help numb the area and reduce pain. Sources: Type2diabetes.com, health.com, everwell.com, everydayhealth.com
What factors matter most? Where do I focus effort? How do I use “ripple effects” and “IFTTT” (If This, Then That) thinking? How do I avoid getting frustrated?
There are many potential side effects of taking insulin, but with careful diabetes management and proper injection technique, they are mostly prevetable.
A college sophomore from a prominent diabetes family has published a new book on type 1 diabetes empowerment.
Hurricane Florence has been making its way across the Atlantic, slowly building strength. Being without power for multiple days could mean a life or death situation without the proper preparation. …
There is an ongoing debate or conversation I see often in the D World To test during the night or not to test? Upon diagnosis – New T1D go through what is called a “honeymoon periodR…
Dblog Week Day 6 - Diabetes Art This year Diabetes Art moves up from the Wildcard choices as we all channel our creativity with art in the broadest sense. Do some “traditional” art like drawing, painting, collage or any other craft you enjoy. Or look to the literary arts and perhaps write a d-poem or share and discuss a favorite quote. Groove to some musical arts by sharing a song that inspires you diabetes-wise, reworking some song lyrics with a d-twist, or even writing your own song. Don’t forget dramatic arts too, perhaps you can create a diabetes reality show or play. These are just a starting point today – there are no right or wrong ways to get creative! Let me start off by saying I am not artistic. In the slightest. This subject made me feel itchy. But it's good to get out of your comfort zone once in awhile. This one goes out to everyone who has asked me if Elise's diabetes is "under control now that she has a pump". Or tells me it "much be so much better now that we have a device to handle all the diabetes stuff". I call it "The Pump Speaketh True"
This listing is for a Type 1 Diabetes Happy Diaversary Cake Candle SVG, PNG Transparent Background, Clip Art, Instant Download, T1D Digital File. This motivational download is inspired by all the warriors (like my son) fighting the lows and the highs daily. Please contact me if you have questions or need a resize. I am happy to resize the image for you upon request and within reason. Please note that this is an INSTANT DIGITAL DOWNLOAD only. You will not receive a physical product. Print as many needed, For personal use only! Contact me if you would like to order a custom order. I will be more than happy to help you create the wall art you like. Thank you for visiting, please check out my store for other unique designs ____________________________________________________________ WHAT YOU WILL GET: ❤A .PNG file ❤A .PNG Transparent background file ❤A .SVG file. HOW IT WORKS: After purchasing, you will be redirected to the Etsy download page. You may save the file to your computer to print on-demand. For help with the download process, please visit Etsy’s DOWNLOAD HELP page. You can copy and paste this link: https://help.etsy.com/hc/en-us/articles/115013328108-Downloading-a-Digital-Item?segment=shopping HOW TO DOWNLOAD: After purchasing, you will be redirected to the Etsy download page. You may save the file to your computer to print on-demand. For help with the download process, please visit Etsy’s DOWNLOAD HELP page. You can copy and paste this link: https://help.etsy.com/hc/en-us/articles/115013328108-Downloading-a-Digital-Item?segment=shopping. "To access your digital files from your account: Sign in to Etsy.com and go to Your account. Go to Purchases and reviews. Next to the order, select Download Files." PLEASE NOTE: Colors depending on your monitor and settings. Print quality may vary depending on printing method, device, ink, or paper. NO REFUNDS/EXCHANGES: I don't accept returns, exchanges, or cancellations. However, please contact me if you have any problems with your order or files. Contact me if you would like to order a custom size for the listing. I will be more than happy to provide another size if requested. Thank you for visiting, please check out my store for other unique designs.
A week ago, I asked those of you who wear one to tell me what you wish someone had told you about how insulin pumping affects you emotion...
Telling My Story Is Deeply Emotional For Me…
Do you know the importance of the year 2021 in connection with diabetes? Any guess? The year 2021 marks the 100th anniversary of the discovery of insulin.
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It's hard to live with diabetes. But harder to not be inspired by those who live with it easily. Read these 50 inspirational diabetes quotes.
Clinicians can be pretty vague about how often you need to check your blood sugar. It depends on your status and your goals.
