Dear CDE,

I have been going through menopause for about a year now and my blood sugar control has suffered.  I want to know: Can menopause cause fluctuations in my blood sugars? and can you tell me what should I expect during menopause as a woman with diabetes?

Thank you!

Dear CDE,

With the holiday season soon approaching, do you have any tips or suggestions on how to mantain my good diet?  I know that pretty soon work parties, family gatherings and other social events full of sweets and high fat goodies will be around.  It's tempting to forget about my diabetes and splurge at these types of events.  What would you advise I do so that I can enjoy these functions without being overly concerned about what I'm eating?

Thank you! 

Dear CDE,

I've been sick for the past couple of days and my blood sugars are wrecking havoc!  I'm trying the best that I can but I don't feel well due to the illness and feel even worse because my blood sugars are out of control.  Do you have any suggestions for what I need to do to manage my diabetes while being sick?

Thanks!

Dear Reader,

It’s that time of year again…the cold and flu season. We have discussed this one time before but it deserves reiteration. The basic sick days guidelines for people with diabetes include
1) Always take your diabetes medication. Illness can make blood sugars
 go up  
2) Monitor blood glucose more frequently (every 2-4 hours) especially if your blood sugars are higher than usual
3) Take your temperature every 4 hours
4) Eat or drink carbohydrates
5) If you have type1 diabetes check for ketones if the blood sugar is >240 mg/dl. You can buy “ketostix” at the drugstore which are dipsticks you test your urine with for ketones

Dear CDE,

My endocrinologist keeps telling me that I need to get eye exams on a yearly basis.  Every time I see my endo my A1c is fine and all of my labs come back normal.  I don't feel like seeing another doctor when it doesn't seem necessary.  Why is it important to get an annual eye exam and what will happen during the exam?

The American Diabetes Association and the American Optometric Association recommends dilated eye exams for diabetes patients at least once a year but only 47% in 1998 got exams.  The goal is to increase to 75% in 2010.  The best cure for diabetes related complications is prevention.

Hi fellow diabetes sisters,

This past weekend, I had a very frightening experience that I would like to share with you in hopes of making everyone more aware. As a person with Type 1 diabetes, I have certainly had my share of low blood sugar. Technically, low blood sugar is defined as any number less than 70 mg/dl. Hypoglycemia is the result of excess insulin in the blood which causes the sugar level to drop. Symptoms can vary from person to person as well as in severity but most commonly people feel shaky, sweaty, rapid heart rate, and anxiety, irritability. We all are usually aware of our symptoms and treat with the appropriate 15 grams of carbohydrate and within 10- 15 minutes, we feel better and the hypoglycemia goes away. If the symptoms are ignored, or no treatment is given, blood sugar could continue to fall, which can result in behavior change, confusion, stupor, and unconsciousness. Usually when a person’s blood sugar drops, the body releases the hormones glucagon and epinephrine. Glucagon spurs the liver to release stored glucose and epinephrine signals the liver to produce more glucose. These hormones are also responsible for the warning signs of hypoglycemia.