Since 1906, Dr. Scholl's has been in the business of creating comfort
for feet of men and women. They lead the way in foot wear technology and
their name is the most trusted in the foot care industry. The diabetes
and therapeutic socks look like regular socks used for dress, work or
play, yet the support and comfort they give far exceeds what is offered
by regular socks. Let's review some of the qualities that the Dr.
Scholl's diabetes and circulatory socks have:
They are soft, promote comfort, are
non-irritating and are approved by the American Podiatric Medical
Association.
The sock top is non-binding - they do
not restrict blood flow yet they have enough stretch which will
prevent them from slipping down the leg and settling around the
ankle. Many regular socks restrict blood flow at the end of the day
due to standing and leg swelling. These socks stretch with you.
The soles are cushioned which aids in
super comfort as well as protection for your feet. As we age, we
lose the fat pad located in the soles of our feet, especially in the
ball of the foot. Constant pressure from standing, walking or
pounding our feet will increase the risk of injury and trauma. The
socks provide cushioning without bulk so that they stay in place
with much less risk of developing blisters.
The socks contain anti-microbial
protection which is impregnated into the fabric. This protection
remains even after multiple washings. This reduces foot odor as well
as bacterial growth and can decrease the probability of fungus or
athletes foot, both very common to people with diabetes.
They contain moisture management which
wicks away wetness from the foot and promotes quick sock drying
times. Regular socks promote foot sweating from the fibers and the
material remains wet against the foot and inside of the shoe causing
increased bacteria formation. Always remember to let your shoes dry
out between times worn if still damp inside.
The toe seam is smooth which helps
increase comfort. Many regular socks have large and raised toe seams
which feel bulky inside the shoe and may feel bunched up to someone
with diabetes - very common with neuropathy.
They contain graduated and mild
compression from 10-15mm/hg which makes legs feel less tired and
stressed at the end of the day.
The therapeutic socks contain stronger elastic to create firmer pressure
on the feet, ankles and legs. They too are high quality and good looking
socks with the added benefit of helping with increased edema or leg
swelling. These socks have more pressure starting in the ankle which
gradually releases as it goes up the leg. This assists in blood flow by
forcing the blood thru the veins and increasing the blood to the heart
with less pooling in the feet; this reduces the chance of leg blood
clots and foot swelling. They are great for standing, sitting or
traveling in a confined area for an extended period of time such as in a
car or plane.
Remember to check with your physician if you are having an acute
problem, red streaking in the leg or severe calf pains which may
indicate a DVT or deep vein thrombosis. Never walk in socks alone
indoors or outdoors which can increase your risk of slipping or foot
injury. Also, take the time to measure the ankle and the calf when
purchasing the therapeutic socks for the proper fit. Your feet, ankles
and legs will definitely thank you!
----------------------------------------
Keep the Summer Fun: Tips for Grilling and More
Posted June
20, 2013
We all have the desire to stay happy and healthy
especially during the summer months. Since vacations are
here, we travel, socialize and go outdoors more. Few
things are as appealing as having an event in the
backyard centering around the grill. Let's look at a few
threats that can easily be avoided. Safe summer grilling
can be accomplished with the following tips. Accu Chek Diabetes Supplies Specials
To avoid parasites like E. Coli and Trichinosis, make sure
you are cooking meat all the way through at a high enough
temperature. People with diabetes have an immune system
which may not function as well - especially when blood sugar
readings are elevated. Many people prefer their meat rare,
but that can increase the risk of E. Coli or Trichinosis.
Trichinosis can occur when meat (especially pork, sausage,
pork products or wild animals) are under-cooked. The risk is
higher in rural or farm areas where pigs are raised.
Under-cooked meat contains the small round worm larvae. The
larva matures in the intestine after it is eaten and can
travel to other tissues including the muscles. Mild cases
cause no symptoms, but the more parasites in the body, the
more symptoms appear. Abdominal problems include cramping
and diarrhea. This happens early on after being exposed and
later muscle pain, weakness, swelling and headaches can
appear. If severe discomfort is experienced, seek medical
attention. A blood test can indicate if there is a problem
by measuring white blood cells. The parasites generally die
on their own with no further damage to the organs but
symptoms may need to be treated. Treatment would include
pain relievers, short term use of low steroids to reduce
inflammation (which may temporarily raise your blood sugar)
or anti-parasite medication. To prevent any possible food
preparation problems always start with hand washing for a
minimum of 20 seconds. The best way to prevent either E.
Coli or Trichinosis is to purchase a meat thermometer. The
internal temperature for pork loins, chops, veal, lamb or
beef should be 145°F. Ground pork or ground beef should be
160°F. Ground poultry should be 165°F and poultry parts
should be 170°F. Although these conditions are rare, be
aware!
Grilling is easy, fun, offers delicious flavor and helps the
fat drip off to save calories and added saturated fat. One
concern with grilling is high heat causes AGEs (advanced
glycation end products). Glycation means sugar molecules
attach to protein molecules which results in damage to our
skin and internal organs. The more AGEs in our body the more
possible cellular damage becomes. People with diabetes may
already have elevated AGEs which contribute to inflammation
and cardiac disease. Do not avoid the grill! Try to start
the cooking process by placing meat in the oven, poaching,
steaming or slow cooking prior to placing on the grill. The
hotter and longer the food is on the grill the more AGEs
develop. Using a marinade is an excellent way to reduce AGE
formation; they actually protect or shield the meat.
Consider marinades with lemon or vinegar which contain acid.
Other good choices contain garlic, mustard, wine or olive
oil. Place the marinated meat in the refrigerator until
ready to place on the grill. Remember to trim off visible
fat or skin prior to marinating to avoid later temptation;
the marinade will keep the meat moist. Never eat the charred
meat or fat which contains the most AGEs and never reuse the
marinade that was used with raw meat to help prevent
parasites and bacteria; use different trays or plates after
cooking. Consider cooking in foil with vegetables
surrounding the meat, poultry or fish to keep them moist.
----------------------------------------
Ten Techniques
to Achieve Your Diabetes Management Goals by Roberta Kleinman, RN, M.Ed., CDE
Each person who attends a
physician visit or educational session to learn about diabetes
management comes in with a different set of learning skills, styles, as
well as their ability to accept and make quick changes in behavior. Many
times, we as health care professionals tend to forget this and forge
ahead with tons of information quickly and in a matter of fact way.
the appointment may begin
with the initial news about recent blood work numbers followed by the
professional firing off of multiple lists. Lists of things to change
along with lists of things to do, suddenly all added to your daily life.
Remember, you already had a full life with little time to add anything
else to your over-committed existing day. Included now may be: testing
your blood sugar 2-4 times a day, taking 3 more pills to cover your
blood pressure, monitoring your cholesterol and your blood sugar,
testing your blood pressure, not eating any sugar, exercising & counting
carbohydrates, etc. This is just the beginning of all the new demands
placed upon you. At this point, all you can think about is how
overwhelmed and annoyed you may be and miss much of the information
during the initial interaction. Patients often say "I do not get it,
there are people heavier than me and they do not have diabetes or I do
not know how or why I got this." They are not even coming to terms with
the disease, yet all these demands are being blasted at them at once.
What usually happens is nothing or no change occurs. The best way to
benefit from all this acquired knowledge being thrown at you is to work
out a long term plan - slowly and gradually - between you and the
professional (I can hear you all laughing since you get about 15 minutes
to a visit unless you go to a diabetes management program and you
actually get more face time). Eventually you will be able to think about
the following:
1/Pick 1-2 goals.
Pick the ones that have the biggest impact in the shortest time. This
will lead to more confidence for you and the provider.
2/The goals have to be important to you, the patient,
since you are the one completing them. First pick the ones that matter
to you the most.
3/ Make them accurate, precise, personal and measurable.
Make it self-directed.
4/Build a relationship between you and the professional
so there is some trust involved.
5/Make sure the professional knows how you learn
(verbal/visual). How much do you really understand? Sometimes
professionals get too wordy and do not realize what information you are
missing. Ask and ask again, if there is a question.
6/The end result of the changes should be to achieve a
long, healthy life and feel as good as possible.
7/Give yourself a time frame and limit so you do not go
on too long without any positive changes.
8/Conquer a target. If a target is not met, reevaluate
why not - as a team. Do not go at it alone.
9/Keep checking, keep trying and focus on how change can
make you feel better, stronger or healthier.
10/Remember, these are your goals and you are the one
who has to achieve them, not the provider.
Practical Information on Gout: A Common Diabetes Condition by Roberta Kleinman, RN, M.Ed., CDE
It is possible that you have heard these words as well and may not
really have a good understanding of what they are. Hopefully, we can
clear that up for you.
Gout - This week
alone, four patients were experiencing an acute episode of gout and
several more had included gout or chronic gout as part of their
previous medical history. Gout and diabetes are often seen together
and more than 8 million people in the United States have gout.
Research has shown that insulin resistance can have a role in
developing gout, and that gout can increase insulin resistance (the
insulin is available but not working as it should). A theory is that
in diabetes, poor circulation can lead to the inability to get rid
of excess uric acid and cause gout. New studies show that elevated
uric acid in the blood, above 6 mg/dl, is associated with a 20%
increase in diabetes. No one is sure which condition comes first,
but they know that they are connected.
What is gout? It
is a form of arthritis caused by an increased amount of uric acid in
the blood. Urate is formed when the uric acid level climbs and these
crystals collect in the joints. They can cause excruciating pain,
redness and swelling in the joints which frequently starts during
your sleep. The most intense pain comes in the first 24 hours and an
episode can last up to 10 days. Even light touch can seem extremely
uncomfortable. The most common joint affected is the big toe but
crystals can also collect in the knees, hands, wrists or other
joints. If not treated, permanent joint damage can take place.
Crystals can also appear in the kidneys when diabetes is out of
control and renal function is reduced. The ability of the kidneys to
remove uric acid is lowered and certain types of kidney stones are
formed.
Who gets gout most often?
It is dependent on your family history (like diabetes), seen more
commonly in men between 40-50 and women after menopause. It is also
seen in those who take a daily 81mg of baby aspirin, take thiazide
diuretics, are obese, have high blood pressure, diabetes or elevated
cholesterol. It is higher in those who have more than two drinks of
alcohol per day (for men) or more than one alcoholic beverage daily
(for women). It is seen more frequently in those who live an
unhealthy lifestyle which is lacking in both exercise and smart
eating habits. Similar traits are seen in diabetes as well. Another
risk factor is a high purine diet known as the "diet of the kings" -
including red meat, shellfish, oily fish, and organ meats.
Vegetables including cauliflower, asparagus, mushrooms and beans are
also high in purine.
Treatment -
Checking with your physician is critical so that proper medical
management can be started. Several classes of medication are
available to help with the symptoms.
Prevention -
Trying these suggestions (which are also helpful in diabetes
management) can possibly reduce your episodes of gout. Increase your
daily water intake and reduce the portions of red meat (including
beef, lamb and pork). Substitute whole grains for refined and
processed foods. Add foods with vitamin C like citrus or take a
vitamin C supplement. Choose foods with dark blue and purple colors
including grapes, berries and cherries in moderate amounts. Do not
smoke. Also, include some form of daily exercise. And be sure to
maintain a reasonable weight.
Gout is just one condition that is
often seen in patients with diabetes. I will try to keep you up to
date on some of the other common ones in a diabetes practice. Stay
informed!
Now there's another reason why you should be getting your daily dose of omega-3.
In a study published in the Feb. 28, 2013 issue of the journal Neurology, researchers measured the red blood cell level of omega-3 fatty acids (specifically EPA and DHA) in 1,575 dementia-free people whose average age was 67. About three months later, participants underwent mental-functioning tests and MRI scans that examined brain size and blood supply in the brain. Researchers found that people with the highest blood levels of EPA and DHA were more likely to perform well on tests of mental functioning and to experience less age-related brain shrinkage which is associated with Alzheimer's Disease.
Brain scans also showed signs of less blood supply in the brains of people with the lowest omega-3 levels. This suggests they may play a role in promoting general vascular health in the brain, similar to how they are thought to help heart health. "We feel fatty-acid consumption exerts a benefcial effect on brain aging by promoting vascular health," said the study's lead author, Dr. Zaldy Tan, associate professor at the Easton Center for Alzheimer's Disease Research and the division of geriatrics at the University of California, Los Angeles. "This might include reducing blood pressure and inflammation," he added.[1] [2]
Getting the proper amount of EPA and DHA in your diet is easy with Diachieve Omega-3
Diachieve Omega-3 provides the highest concentration of EPA and DHA, the two omega-3 fatty acids mentioned in the brain study. Many other brands contain only a small amount of EPA and DHA per capsule and you would need to take several capsules just to get the same dose that is in just one capsule of Diachieve Omega-3.
Diachieve Omega-3 is pharmaceutical-grade, which means it undergoes the highest purification process available to remove all contaminants such as mercury and PCB's. Diachieve can provide a great source for meeting your omega-3 requirements. Diachieve is a brand you can trust for the highest potency and purest form of omega-3 available today. Manufactured exclusively for a American Diabetes Wholesale, a company you have come to know.
Diachieve Omega-3 provides the highest
concentration of EPA and DHA, the two omega-3 fatty acids mentioned in
the brain study. Many other brands contain only a small amount of EPA
and DHA per capsule and you would need to take several capsules just to
get the same dose that is in just one capsule of Diachieve Omega-3. ADW - Text - 60%A
Diachieve Omega-3 is pharmaceutical-grade, which means it undergoes the
highest purification process available to remove all contaminants such
as mercury and PCB's. Diachieve can provide a great source for meeting
your omega-3 requirements. Diachieve is a brand you can trust for the
highest potency and purest form of omega-3 available today. Manufactured
exclusively for a American Diabetes Wholesale, a company you have come
to know.
For a limited time, American Diabetes
Wholesale is offering Diachieve glucose tabs at unbeatable prices.
During this promotion, you can purchase the 180-count bottles of either
Orange or Cherry Diachieve Glucose tabs for the same price as the
60-count bottles. This offer of 180 Glucose tabs for the low price of
$5.99 per bottle equates to just 3 cents per tab. And don't forget, the
Diachieve glucose tabs are 5 grams of fast-acting glucose per tab.
If you have diabetes and are on Medicare, your diabetes supplies may be
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Call Liberty and receive a FREE diabetes-friendly cookbook*
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It;s been proven that people are much healthier eating a more alkaline diet.
That means a lot more fruits and veggies along with legumes and certain nuts and
seeds, especially sprouted nuts and seeds which you will learn how to do in this
book.
Gluten Free Low Glycemic Cookbook for Diabetics & Allergy Sufferers
In demand by food sensitive people. This Cookbook is gluten-free, low-glycemic,
allergy-aware with meat, vegetarian and vegan options throughout. There isn't
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Have Fun Making Yummy, Gourmet Tasting, Gluten-Free, Low-Glycemic Meals the
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Fun With GF/LG Food! is an ebook cookbook by Debbie Johnson, former owner and
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This is the first Cook-Book of its kind! Every Recipe is Completely
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on How to be diabetes free, even if you have now. Knowing the real causes of diabetes is the key to winning the battle.
- did you know that one of the first things to look at with pain is
nutrition? Poor diet, inadequate vitamins and minerals can be the underlying
cause of the illnesses that cause pain.
Cold & flu season can be much more dangerous when you have
diabetes.
Certain factors can help you avoid the misery of a cold.
What is a cold? Cold viruses tend to begin in the nose. Usually
what happens is an infected person who is in close proximity to you coughs or
sneezes and allows for air borne virus particles to lodge in your nose. Your
hands and fingers are also a problem since they touch viruses on innate objects
like door knobs, computers, telephones, etc. Without realizing it you then touch
your nose, mouth, eyes or tear ducts (mucosal membranes) and the virus travels
to the nose. Most people will develop a cold once the membranes in the nose are
exposed. Try to stay at least 3 feet from someone who you think or know has a
cold.
Why doesn't everyone exposed to the virus get a cold? The
cold symptoms are not caused by the virus but the symptoms are related to the
person's immune system. Dr. Sheldon Cohen from Carnegie Melon University has
studied who gets colds and who does not for over 30 years. He states that "colds
are cytokine diseases." What happens is cytokines, which are protein molecules,
are produced in response to the virus by your own immune system. Cytokines are
proinflammatory and cause the symptoms from the virus. Dr. Ronald Turner from
University of Virginia Medical School states that some people have a
"genetically programmed" response and some experience a highly effective immune
response showering them with symptoms. The bottom line is sometimes you may have
the response to the virus and other times you may be spared. Many people suffer
up to 4 colds a year so learn some possible prevention tips.
Tips to help you stay safe from colds:
Wash your hands and no hand touching your face - sounds old school,
especially with all these new hand sanitizing products, but basic soap and
water always wins and it is the cheapest. Doing it often is the trick and
yes you can sing Happy Birthday to time yourself when washing. In a pinch
when no sink is around you can use sanitizers, but try not to only rely on
them. Remember - cold and flu viruses enter through the nose, mouth and
eyes.
Sleep time - according to Dr. Cohen, sleep time and sleep efficiency is
needed to keeping colds at bay. Seven to eight hours for an adult seems to be
the correct number, but they need to be hours that you are truly asleep - not
reading, watching T.V. or tossing around in bed. It does work to help the body's
recovery system and repair cycle.
Think sparkling clean (on all shared surfaces) - think about stair rails,
counter tops, door knobs, car doors, cell phones which may sit in the gym, on
the bus, anything that is considered hand to hand spreading. You can use bleach
or the new more natural and gentle cleansers. Rubbing alcohol kills bacteria and
germs on contact.
Hit the gym - studies in the British Journal of Sports Medicine have shown
that doing aerobic exercise for a minimum of 20-30 minutes at least 5 days a
week will boost your cold fighting ability. When you exercise you speed up the
heart rate and oxygen supply by breathing deeply; this helps to fight off
infection by increasing virus fighting cells. Too much intense or strenuous
exercise can actually reduce your immune system and cause inflammation so stay
moderate.
Natural foods and maybe supplements - yes, think fruits and vegetables to get
all the nutrients and cold fighting antioxidants you need. If you know you
really avoid these foods, consider supplements that offer similar properties.
Keep the air fresh - opening windows for a short time even during the winter
can help reduce stagnant air. Circulate fresh air even in the car to reduce
viruses. Walk outside when weather permits
Drink hot beverages like herbal tea and coffee - certain teas including
Echinacea, astragalus, and licorice root can help the immune system and decrease
virus and bacteria growth. The coffee link is anti-microbial as well
Think spices when cooking - garlic, rosemary, oregano, thyme and hot peppers
have great anti-bacterial properties, help to detoxify and taste good.
Hydrate - increasing fluids will help your membranes stay moist and
discourage viruses from lodging in mucous membranes. Plain water will do the
trick and try to avoid caffeine or alcohol. Alcohol will dehydrate you and lower
your immune function. Consider a humidifier if you live in a dry climate.
Avoid crowds when you can - mass transit including buses and trains increase
your chances. Hanging out in concerts, movies, or malls increase your risk of
viruses and the flu. Be reasonable when you can avoid these things, but live
your life.
Think Probiotics - multiple studies have shown that your gut is involved in
most of your overall health. Up to 42% of people decreased their cold risk by
supplementing with probiotics or eating foods like yogurt or kefir.
Reduce your stress or at least your response to stress - things like
unemployment, major conflicts, marital problems or any long term underlying
stress can wear you and your immune system down. You cannot avoid it but you
need to deal with it.
Keep positive - multiple studies have proven that a positive attitude and
upbeat personality even when exposed to viruses and flu did not get sick as
often and when they did get sick it was not as dramatic. There was no scientific
reason but it is worth a try to stay cheerful
