HAPPY FEET!

Good Day my diabetic friends!
Even if your feet are not quite this pretty, you don't want to harm or even loose them by not taking care of them.
I am not posting any images of diabetic  feet, because we ant to stay positive and not scare anybody. Diabetic feet ARE scary though: ulcers, blue spots, open, infected wounds. JUST DO NOT GO THERE! and below are some tips to keep your feet your pride and joy:

WHAT DIABETES CAN DO TO YOUR FEET

Caring for Your Feet With Diabetes

When you have diabetes, taking good care of your feet is very important. Poor foot care can lead to serious problems, including possibly having to remove -- or amputate -- the foot or leg.

As a person with diabetes, you are more vulnerable to foot problems, because the disease can damage your nerves and reduce blood flow to your feet. The American Diabetes Association has estimated that one in five people with diabetes who seek hospital care do so for foot problems. By taking proper care of your feet, most serious problems can be prevented. It's important that your doctor check your feet at least once a year for any problems.

Here are some diabetes foot care tips to follow.

Wash and Dry Your Feet Daily

• Use mild soaps.
• Use warm water.
• Pat your skin dry; do not rub. Thoroughly dry your feet, especially between the toes.
• After washing, use lotion on your feet to prevent cracking. Do not put lotion between your toes.

Examine Your Feet Each Day

• Check the tops and bottoms of your feet. Have someone else look at your feet if you cannot see them.
• Check for dry, cracked skin.
• Look for blisters, cuts, scratches, or other sores.
• Check for redness, increased warmth, or tenderness when touching any area of your feet.
• Check for ingrown toenails, corns, and calluses.
• If you get a blister or sore from your shoes, do not "pop" it. Apply a bandage and wear a different pair of shoes.

Take Care of Your Toenails

• Cut toenails after bathing, when they are soft.
• Cut toenails straight across and smooth with an emery board.
• Avoid cutting into the corners of toes.
• You may want a podiatrist (foot doctor) to cut your toenails.

Be Careful When Exercising

• Walk and exercise in comfortable shoes.
• Do not exercise when you have open sores on your feet.

Protect Your Feet With Shoes and Socks

Footwear Test

Use this simple test to see if your shoes fit correctly:

• Stand on a piece of paper. (Make sure you are standing and not sitting, because your foot changes shape when you stand.)
• Trace the outline of your foot.
• Trace the outline of your shoe.
• Compare the tracings: Is the shoe too narrow? Is your foot crammed into the shoe? The shoe should be at least 1/2 inch longer than your longest toe and as wide as your foot.

GO WELL ON HAPPY FEET WILL TAKE ON A WHOLE NEW MEANING

Best regards from from pre-autumnal South Africa,

Barbara

Info partly compliments to WebMD

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Diabetes and psychology 2

Diabetes and Emotions

In this article

• Common Emotions in Diabetes
• Stress and Diabetes
• Depression and Diabetes
• Diabetes Support

Stress and Diabetes continued...

Talk to Someone

Don't keep everything bottled up inside. Though talking with a family member or close friend may help, there are counselors and clergy specially trained to provide support and insight.

Exercise

The benefits of exercise in reducing stress are well known. Exercise gives you a feeling of well-being and may relieve the symptoms of stress. 

Take Time to relax

Practice deep muscle relaxation, deep abdominal breathing,meditation, guided imagery, or visualization. Ask your health care provider for information and available programs in stress management.

For more detail, see WebMD's article Stress and Diabetes.

Depression and Diabetes

Depression affects about 15% to 30% of people with diabetes. While depression is a problem if left untreated, depression can also have a negative impact on diabetes self-management and blood sugar control and cause other complications. If you are feeling depressed, call your health care provider. There are proven steps you can take to feel better.

Is diabetes making me depressed?

High or low blood sugar can make you feel tired or anxious and affect your sleep. These symptoms may mimic depression. Occasionally hormones may be out of balance and can be corrected.  Talk with your health care provider about your symptoms and blood sugar levels.

Why are people with diabetes vulnerable to depression?

Depression is a complex disease that can result from a multitude of factors, including biology and emotional and environmental influences. It's normal to suffer from sadness every once and a while, but studies have shown that people with diabetes have a greater risk of developing depression than people without diabetes.

For people with diabetes, depression can develop as a result of the lifestyle adjustments they have to make to control their diabetes. Managing diabetes can be stressful and time-consuming and the dietary restrictions can make life seem less enjoyable.

What are the symptoms of depression?

There are some key signs and symptoms of depression, including:

• Sadness
• Anxiety
• Irritability
• Loss of interest in activities once enjoyed
• Withdrawal from social activities
• Inability to concentrate
• Insomnia (difficulty falling and staying asleep)
• Excessive feelings of guilt or worthlessness
• Loss of energy or fatigue
• Changes in appetite
• Observable mental and physical sluggishness
• Thoughts of death or suicide

Diabetes and Emotions

In this article

• Common Emotions in Diabetes
• Stress and Diabetes
• Depression and Diabetes
• Diabetes Support

Depression and Diabetes continued...

If you (or someone you love) show signs of depression for two or more weeks or it seems severe, inform your doctor and seek treatment. It's also important to know that the hormonal changes seen in someone with depression can cause worsening control of blood sugars.

How is depression treated in people with diabetes?

Depression in diabetes can be successfully treated with medication and/or talk therapy. Some people have trouble staying on theirantidepressant medications and discontinue them after several months because of side effects. Be sure to talk to your doctor about side effects, including how they might be affecting your blood sugars. If you are taking antidepressants and want to stop, talk to your doctor about the best way to slowly reduce the dose you are taking. It is important not to suddenly stop taking these prescribed medications.

For more detail, see WebMD's article Diabetes and Depression.

Diabetes Support

When your spouse has diabetes and isn't serious about managing the disease, it can cause the entire family to feel frustrated. It's important to understand some key ways to support a spouse with diabetes -- criticizing the person usually backfires. There are effective ways to create a healthy partnership with your spouse and give much-needed support without nagging.

Coping Strategies

Learning how to cope with the emotions that come with diabetes is a big step in staying healthy. Here are a few ideas:

• Find a doctor who takes your diabetes seriously and who listens to your concerns.
• Talk to friends about how diabetes has affected you.
• Find a support group for people with diabetes.
• Make an appointment with a professional therapist or counselor.
• Learn more about your illness. The more knowledge you have about diabetes, the more in control you will feel and the better you will be able to manage it effectively.

It's a long tedious journey, but the right approach CAN lead you to a happy life!

This was a serious couple of articles, but I hope you got a if not the message,

Sleep tight on it,

Greetings,

Barbara

Diabetes and Psychology

Dear friends

If you have diabetes, it is not only your body who has to deal with the effects, the mind is affected too. Most diabetics cannot explain to themselves why they feel "funny" on some days, and that in spite of the blood sugar level being controlled.
I looked for an article to try and explain this "phenomenon" to myself first, and found one in my infallible source of scientific medical information: WebMed.com
One can subscribe to their news letters and receive advice on almost any medical question one might have:

Diabetes and Emotions

In this article

• Common Emotions in Diabetes
• Stress and Diabetes
• Depression and Diabetes
• Diabetes Support

Being diagnosed with diabetes brings with it a full range of emotions. Most of the emotions you may feel such as anger, sadness, confusion, and distress are normal, and these emotions may lessen with time. Still, emotions, especially strong ones, are important indicators that something might be wrong and changes might need to be made.

There's no doubt that diabetes is mentally, emotionally, and physically challenging. If you've been diagnosed with diabetes, chances are that your doctor recommended some major lifestyle changes. Whereas you may have been used to eating anything you desired, now you have to focus on losing weight, eating a different diet, checking your blood sugar levels regularly, and even taking pills or injected medications. While these changes are necessary to manage your diabetes and to keep you well, they can still be frustrating and feel different. It is normal to have strong emotions while adjusting to a new life with diabetes.

Common Emotions in Diabetes

Denial and Diabetes

After learning that you have a chronic disease such as diabetes, feeling denial is normal. You may feel that "this can't be happening to me" or that "there has been a mistake" or you will "wait for more test results" even though a doctor has confirmed the diagnosis.

Denial is often a way to cope with an overwhelming situation. By temporarily denying your diabetes, you may be able to come to terms with it slowly rather than all at once. It is important to recognize that denial should only be a temporary stage, though. To remain healthy, you should be consistent with testing your blood sugar, taking your medications, if prescribed, seeing your doctor regularly, eating healthily, and getting plenty of physical exercise.

Confusion and Diabetes

As with any disease, managing diabetes can be difficult at times. You may have trouble keeping track of all the medical jargon and understanding exactly what steps your diabetes specialist told you to do. Modern health care systems can make this worse because you may be seeing several different doctors. Each doctor may have a different take on your diabetic regime

Over time, you will get more familiar with the diabetes, the medical terminology, and the questions to ask your doctors at the visits. Still, if you're feeling confused, you may find it helpful to write out a daily lifestyle plan to keep healthy. Your plan can include a schedule of times to take your medications, times to test your blood during the day, times to exercise, some healthy eating strategies, and more. After writing the plan, show this to your doctor to make sure the steps you are taking will keep you well.

Anger and Diabetes

Because diabetes affects many different aspects of your life, anger is a normal response to a diabetes diagnosis.

But feeling angry does not have to be destructive or negative. Instead, you can make your anger work for you. Try channeling your anger to accomplish something positive. You might use your anger to assert your health needs with your doctors. Or you can use your anger to energize yourself to do things that keep you healthy, like exercising more. You can also use the energy from your anger to manage your diabetes more effectively.

Stress and Diabetes

Stress management is especially important if you have diabetes, because stress can significantly affect your ability to control your disease. If you are under emotional stress, you may skip meals, stop exercising, or forget to take your medication. Stress by itself may increase hormones that make diabetes more difficult to control. Any one or all of these behaviors can affect your blood sugar level. By learning to better cope with stress, you can help keep your diabetes under control. Here are some tips:

Keep a Positive Attitude

It is easy to see the bad in life. But thinking about the good can help you through tough times.

Be Kind to Yourself

Don't expect more of yourself than you are able to give.

Accept What You Cannot Change

Try re-framing stressful situations. Ask yourself the following questions:

• "Will this be important two years from now?"
• "Do I have control over this situation?"
• "Can I change my situation?"

The next 2 paragraphs of this article will be on the very next post. See you there.

Dear prediabetic and diabetic friends,

there are amazingly many other items, except from diet and exercise, that are less obvious and we become aware of only by not taking the condition lying down and doing some research.

I am sure you have heard about the so-called "Miracle Magnesium" marketed quite extensively in South Africa at the moment. Other countries promote the same with other brand names. This alleged miracle mineral is advertised for a plethora of ailments and indeed most diseases are caused by a low magnesium level in the body. Lesser known is the positive effect on preventing and lowering glucose levels in the blood.

My first positive body change after only a couple of days of use was the remarkable cessation of a very unpleasant muscle tic in some of my toes. I had actually bought the cooling roll on for a tendon inflammation in my knee (I tend to fall over our slightly lump and very fat Labrador Bruno...) the swelling in the knee and the pain was relieved just as fast. I also bought the magnesium oil, which can be taken internally like a supplement diluted in water, or rubbed or sprayed on the skin for even more effective trans dermal absorption.
 A VERY noticeable and welcome mood change took effect as well from a deep depression to full of beans and from anxiety to a much calmer reaction to life's curve balls
Use on the face for moisturizing and rejuvenation has also been recommended by doctors.

Anyway, I then came across credible claims on the positive effect of magnesium intake to alleviate diabetes. Even that I found to be true, by having decreased blood sugar levels.

To give this post a more scientific background, I cite an article on the benefits of magnesium on diabetes. The article contains many links to other conditions (aging for example) that would benefit from magnesium supplementation. VIVA Magnesium!!

Magnesium and Diabetes

The link between magnesium and diabetes is a function of magnesium’s role in insulin production and digestion. Magnesium is necessary to maintain proper blood sugar levels in the body. It accomplishes this by several means.

First, magnesium plays a major role in activating the enzymes the body uses to digest and assimilate macronutrients. Proper digestion and assimilation is important for uptake of nutrients because the body will continue to experience hunger when it has not absorbed enough nutrients from foods.

Magnesium is required for producing insulin, and for its function and transport.1 This is significant for blood sugar because magnesium is critical to the biochemical reaction that enables insulin to transport glucose into cells for energy production. If the body lacks magnesium, then levels of insulin and glucose rise. Excess glucose can be stored as fat, which contributes to obesity, and excess insulin is a risk factor for diabetes.

There have been significant increases in obesity among the US population, including pre-diabetic conditions in adults and children, and type II diabetes among children and young adults. At least one study links low magnesium levels to insulin resistance in obese children.2Magnesium plays a major role in blood sugar regulation.

Magnesium is required for many functions that contribute to keeping blood sugar within normal range (including the activation of enzymes in the digestive tract and the production and function of 

The link between magnesium and diabetes is a function of magnesium’s role in insulin production and digestion. Magnesium is necessary to maintain proper blood sugar levels in the body. It accomplishes this by several means.

First, magnesium plays a major role in activating the enzymes the body uses to digest and assimilate macronutrients. Proper digestion and assimilation is important for uptake of nutrients because the body will continue to experience hunger when it has not absorbed enough nutrients from foods.

Magnesium, Diabetes and Syndrome X

Dr. Carolyn Dean, author of The Magnesium Miracle, in discussing the magnesium-diabetes connection, describes “syndrome X” (also known as “metabolic syndrome”) as a set of conditions that can be described as the consequences of long-term nutritional deficiency, particularly magnesium deficiency.3 She explains that magnesium deficiency initiates disturbed insulin metabolism that can lead to insulin resistance, and eventually to diabetes, angina, and heart attack.4

Metabolic syndrome is characterized by elevation of glucose levels. Elevated glucose levels contribute to the development of obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular conditions, and the glycation of proteins (causing kidney damage, neuropathy, blindness, and other complications). Insulin resistant cells resist magnesium uptake, thereby exacerbating magnesium deficiency. Greater magnesium deficiency can lead to hypertension and higher cholesterol levels, which are associated with heart disease.5

Dr. Dean suggests that magnesium deficiency may be an independent predictor of diabetes. It is known that diabetics require more magnesium and that they become magnesium deficient more easily than most people.6 Low magnesium levels occur in up to forty percent of diabetic patients.7

Using Magnesium for Diabetes

Magnesium plays a major role in blood sugar regulation.

Magnesium is required for many functions that contribute to keeping blood sugar within normal range (including the activation of enzymes in the digestive tract and the production and function of insulin), and it is important that magnesium levels be kept sufficiently high.

Given the links between diabetes and magnesium deficiency, adequate levels of magnesium are especially recommended for diabetics and those at risk.  Not only does adequate magnesium intake help to regulate and maintain proper blood sugar levels, but also prevent deficiencies associated with elevated glucose levels, obesity, metabolic syndrome, and diabetes.

- See more at: http://www.magnesiumoil.com/magnesium-health/diabetes-blood-sugar#sthash.ttZfOine.dpuf
and: (for link click on red text)

• Aging and the Magnesium-Potassium Relationship
• Magnesium and Calcium in Osteoporosis
• Magnesium and Detoxification
• Magnesium and Diabetes
• Magnesium and Sleep
• Magnesium for Anxiety and Stress Relief
• Magnesium for Bodybuilding and Workout Recovery
• Magnesium in the Body
• Magnesium, Blood Pressure & Heart Health
• Muscle Cramp Relief with Magnesium

- See more at: http://www.magnesiumoil.com/magnesium-health/diabetes-blood-sugar#sthash.xgU8RvX6.dpuf

Please do yourselves a favor and follow up on this specific subject. I can personally vouch for the effectiveness and I don't even make money through affiliation with a supplier! And this is the proof of the stevia sweetened pudding....

Greetings from
Barbara

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Managing diabetes every day, every month of 2015

CHRISTMAS DAY 2014

MORNING TO EVENING ROUTINES OF A HEALTHY DIABETIC LIFESTYLE:

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Good diabetes management depends on following a routine that runs throughout your day — from the time you get up until your head hits the pillow again at night.
 That's because blood sugar levels are in constant flux during the day. They rise after meals and taper off during physical activity. The key to successfully managing type 2 diabetes and its symptoms is to keep your blood sugar levels as stable as possible. That's where a routine comes into play. Here are diabetes management tips to help cover every part of your day:

In the Morning

Check your blood sugar. If you have type 2 diabetes, you should check your blood sugar level every morning before you eat anything, says Marjorie Cypress, CDE, president of health care and education at the American Diabetes Association. This gives you a good baseline idea where you stand and allows you to make adjustments throughout the day.

Eat breakfast. If you skip breakfast, you're already starting your day on the wrong foot. "Many people tend to skip breakfast, and it's one of the most important meals of the day," Cypress says. "You skip breakfast and you get hungrier and hungrier, and that's one of the reasons people tend to overeat later in the day." Eating regular meals will help keep your blood sugar levels steady, but skipping meals and then binging will cause spikes.

Give your feet a once-over. Diabetes can cause your feet to lose feeling because of nerve damage. In extreme cases, a person with diabetes can end up having to have a foot amputated if an unnoticed cut becomes severely infected. Check your feet for any sores or cuts each morning. Also check your shoes before putting them on to make sure there's nothing in your shoe that could cause a sore. You might want to check your feet at bedtime, too.

In the Afternoon

Take a lunch break. Don't eat lunch at your desk — that's a sure way to rush and feel stressed. Instead, sit down somewhere else and eat, then take a short walk afterward. Plan a healthy lunch ahead of time or you might resort to unhealthy fast food. You get a triple-win against diabetes with a lunch break: The regular meal and the exercise help keep your blood sugar level stable, and you can release some pressure from work.

Have healthy snacks on hand. Afternoon snacking is a good way to set yourself up for healthy eating once you're home. "Most people like to snack in the afternoon, and I think that's important because you don't want to get home and start grabbing anything because you're so hungry," Cypress says. By having a sensible snack, you can help keep your blood sugar steady by avoiding a binge later on.

Get a little extra activity. Physical activity is crucial to blood sugar control. When you're active, your cells burn blood sugar through a process that doesn’t rely on insulin. Activity also lets your body use insulin more efficiently. Take the stairs instead of an elevator. Get up from your desk and go talk to co-workers instead of emailing them. Experts recommend getting 30 minutes of physical activity each day, but it doesn't have to be all at once, says Don Kain, a certified diabetes educator with Oregon Health & Science University. Every time you get up and move around, you're adding to your 30-minute total. If you'reworn out from work, he says, try to fit in a short walk in the late afternoon.

In the Evening

Eat a sensible dinner. Don't overeat at dinnertime. Eat a meal that's about the same size as what you ate for breakfast and lunch. The actual amounts of protein, carbohydrates, fruits, and vegetables you should eat will depend on the meal plan that's best for you. As with earlier in the day, maintaining a steady intake of food will make you less vulnerable to blood sugar spikes, especially if you're eating healthy foods.

Work out while you watch TV. Keep moving even as you veg out in front of the tube. Do sit-ups or push-ups during commercials, or march in place. Lift light weights during the show. Even physical activity that’s not aerobic can still aid in your body's ability to use insulin efficiently and maintain stable blood sugar. "Contracting your muscles can helpregulate your blood sugar," Cypress says.

At Bedtime

Check your blood sugar again. Here's where you see how your diabetes management routine pays off. "Checking your blood sugar at bedtime gives you a good idea what happened during the day," Cypress says.

Brush and floss your teeth. Brush in the morning and at night, and floss every night. "People with diabetes are at increased risk for periodontal disease and general dental problems," Kain says.

Apply some lotion. Keep your skin moisturized to prevent peeling, cracking, and developing sores that can be symptoms of diabetes. Apply lotion every night before bed.

A tutorial for making an excellent cream/lotion for face and body at

home you'll find on my blog (http://sunbirdafrica.blogspot.com or on my pinterest board "shea butter".

The very best for diabetic feet too!!

Yummie Yummie Yummie.....

will get rid of too much tummy!