10 Muscle Moves to Help Tame Diabetes

Why Do Strength Training?
If you have diabetes, you know the importance of controlling your blood sugar. But did you know that strength training can play a starring role? Simple moves done regularly can prompt your muscles to absorb more sugar. You'll also burn more calories around the clock when you take up strength training. Your mood, cholesterol levels, and blood pressure may improve, too.

Facts About Insulin Pump Therapy

An insulin pump is a computerized device that delivers insulin into the body. Your doctor or nurse works with a pump educator to program the settings that tell the pump how to provide the insulin according to your specific needs. This way, the person with diabetes can control how much insulin is released and when.

The computerized pump relieves the person with diabetes of having to administer the insulin by injection. However, he or she does have to get used to having the pump connected to the body by tubing. And the person with diabetes must still also check blood glucoses, count carbohydrates, make adjustments, and monitor the pump.

How does an insulin pump work?
An insulin pump looks a lot like a beeper. It has buttons to push and a small screen that displays information. Inside the pump is a small container, or reservoir, of fast-acting insulin. This reservoir is connected to tubing that is in turn connected to a very small plastic tube, or cannula, that is inserted under the person's skin. The person with diabetes is trained to use an infusion set to insert the cannula under the skin by means of a thin needle that is removed after insertion. The cannula is then held in place by tape. Insulin flows from the pump, through the tubing, into the cannula, and then into you! The cannula is usually inserted on the abdomen and is replaced every two to three days. There is one nsulin pump that works without tubing, and some people prefer that set-up.

The types of insulin doses that can be delivered by a pump
    Basal insulin. The pump is programmed to automatically release a little bit of insulin every hour to help keep blood glucose levels within the target range between meals. This replaces the need for a long-acting insulin like Lantus® or Levemir®. The ability to release small amounts of insulin at precise intervals can help improve blood glucose control with less risk of low blood glucoses. The basal rate is set, but you can make adjustments; that is, you can adjust the basal rate so that you get more insulin at the times of day when your blood glucose levels may run higher and less insulin when you are exercising.

    Bolus insulin. The pump also provides additional insulin whenever you eat. You tell the pump how many carbohydrate grams you are eating and what your blood glucose level is, and it calculates the amount. You then push a button and the insulin is delivered. Bolus doses are based on carbs and blood glucose levels.

Insulin pumps can help you become more flexible about the times and sizes of your meals and can help you reduce the frequency of low blood glucose levels related to exercise. If you would like to know more, Google "insulin pumps" and read the information from each pump manufacturer. You can also talk to your diabetes doctor or diabetes educator.

How To Manage Diabeties

If you have diabetes then you know how important it is to try to keep it under control as best as you possibly can. There are many ways you can manage diabetes, and many things that you can do on your own. If you are on any kind of medication, you should be taking it every time you need to. Even if you are on a fixed income, there are many pharmaceutical companies that can supply you with medication at no cost to you, and the forms are pretty simple and straight forward.

If you are planning a trip, make sure that you plan ahead, and order more medication if needed. Be sure to bring along some kind of insulin pen, that doesn't need to be refrigerated, and travels well. Make sure that you have enough test strips, and make sure that the batteries for your monitoring equipment are fully charged, but bring extras from home in case you are on an extended stay.

Just because you have this disease, doesn't mean you can't eat at restaurants, but you have to be smart about your food choices. Read the ingredients closely, and try to stick with low calorie choices. You can have as many vegetables as you like, but should you choose to order a salad, make sure that you order the dressing on the side, then you can just dip the salad into it instead.

Enjoy your meal slowly, and try to take home any leftovers. You can also avoid over eating by ordering half meals if possible. Make sure that you monitor you levels, thirty minutes before eating, and an hour after meals. Also be careful that you are eating when you are supposed to, because if you aren't eating properly, this could lead to further problems later on.


Get regular exercise;  a good cardiovascular work out can be in simple forms, such as walking or riding a bike. It is important that you get at least thirty minutes of exercise a day, whether at a gym, or at home. You need to maintain your weight and eat a healthy diet to prevent heart disease. Read the food labels when buying at grocery stores, check the calorie contents, what the portion sizes are, and stick to these to the letter.

There are many other valuable resources to help you manage your diabetes. You can find many helpful tips and information on the internet, as well as from your doctor. Make sure that you talk with your doctor before you change your diet or exercise routines, and keep in touch with him about your blood sugar levels, as well as your A1c hemoglobin number. This is important in case they need to up your medication dosage, or adjust it in other areas.

You don't have to let diabetes control your life, as long as you are doing what you need to do. Be informed about your diabetes, educate yourself, and those around you who may try to tempt you with things you know are bad for you. One last thing, people with this disease tend to have foot problems due to poor circulation, so you need to check your feet often, like with a mirror, after your bath or shower.