Disposal of medical waste

You should use an approved container for your used lancets (aka "sharps") with a bio-hazard sticker clearly displayed on the container. Be sure to take it to a facility where it can be incinerated and the lancets can be sterilized and re-sharpened for re-use.

Why are they called lancets?

They are called lancets because they are shaped more like a knife blade that lances you rather than a pin point that pokes you. Here are some microscopic photos of a lancet tip:

Checking glucose level with a used lancet on an unwashed skin area

I have been to 2 different diabetes education courses to learn about my disease. Both courses were accredited by the ADA. Both taught me that each and every time I check my glucose level, I must first wash the area that is going to be checked. Then I have to get the meter ready. Then I sterilize the lancet area with an alcohol pad. Then I switch out the old lancet and put in a new one. Then I can finally check

How many times have I checked with a used lancet on an unwashed skin surface? Countless numbers of times out of sheer laziness.

If any other diabetics that read this do the same, please comment about it below. Thank you.

Meter Comparison

Check out the link below to find the best glucometer for you!

http://www.diabeteswellbeing.com/blood-glucose-meters/

http://www.comparediabetictestingsupplies.com/

How to test your blood sugar by Wikihow

How to Test Your Blood Sugar

You have been diagnosed with diabetes and you do not know how to take your blood glucose levels, or you want to test your blood glucose for another reason, use the following steps.

Steps

1. 1
   Become familiar with the directions that came with the meter and lancing device. Different meters can vary wildly in how they operate: some now have a continuous "cassette" of test strips, and some have advanced functions such as pattern recognition. Most blood glucose meters will be similar to that shown in this article, however.
2. 
   2
   Take a test strip out and place it in the glucose meter. You should find that the meter switches on automatically and prompts you to add a drop of blood.
3. 
   3
   Look at the screen to check that the number displayed is the same as the code on the packet of strips. This step may not apply to some meters which are automatically coded.
4. 
   4
   Take lancets out and place one in your lancing device with the dial set to the depth of your choice.

   • Pull off the top of the lancet device and put the lancet into the device.
   • Push the lancet into the device until you hear a click, or can feel that it is pushed down all the way into place.
   • Most lancets will have a small cap over them, hiding the needle: be sure to remove this before placing the lancing device cap back on.
5. 
   5
   Wash hands with soap and warm water. Never use hand wipes or hand sanitizer, as these can affect the result.
6. 
   6
   Dry hands well and gently rub the finger you have chosen to prick. It is a good idea to rotate which finger you use for tests, as overusing a finger can cause it to become sore and more difficult to get blood out of.
7. 7
   Angle your hand toward the floor to get the blood flowing in the direction of your fingertip.
8. 8
   Prick the side of your finger (pricking the side doesn't hurt as much as the tip). Pull back the end, freely-moving section of the lancing device and press the opposite end to your finger. Press the button that releases the lancet.

   • Different lancing devices may operate differently to this: read the manual.
9. 
   9
   Gently squeeze the finger to release a drop of your blood. Don't squeeze too hard.
10. 10
    Apply the blood to the end of the test strip. There will be a countdown and then your glucose level will show on the screen.
11. 
    11
    Dispose of your lancet and test strip carefully in biohazard container or sharps bin. Using a new lancet each time reduces the pain involved in pricking your finger.
12. 
    12
    Record your blood glucose result in your glucose diary. Keeping a diary can help you to spot patterns, and discuss your results with your healthcare team.

A good example of a healthy diabetic eating plan

BREAKFAST:
2 large eggs over easy 6 g carb
1 slice of whole wheat bread, toasted, dry 13 g carb
Coffee, black 0 g carb
Total 19g carb.

LUNCH:
Salad with low calorie dressing 5 g carb
1 cup vegetable soup 12g carb
Unsweetened iced tea 0g carb
Total 17g carb

DINNER:
Broiled skinless chicken 0g carb
1 cup broccolli 5g carb
1 half cup mashed potatoes with no gravy 6g carb
1 cup amond milk 8g carb
Total 19g carb

Total grams of carbohydrates for day: 55

Now I know the ADA guidelines say 45 grams a day. But with exercise and good monitoring, you can still live a healthy lifestyle even if you go over a little.

Which foods are bad for a diabetic to eat?

Some Diabetics both type 1 and 2, can eat which ever foods they want. All diabetics have to practice portion control. Some diabetics are very sensative to high carb/high sugar/high calorie foods such as:

WHITE FOODS*:Whole grain or wheat products along with brown rice is always best for a diabetic lifestyle.
White breads
White flour
White tortillas
White pasta
White rice
White granulated or powered sugar
Whole fat milk
Whole dairy products

VEGETABLES: Leafy, green vegetables grown above the ground are always best for a diabetic lifestyle.
Corn
Potatoes (including all variations such as french fries)
Carrots
Onions
Radishes
Canned vegetables with added sodium or preservatives.
Vegetables with butter or hi calorie sauce

FRUIT: Fresh whole organic fruits are always best for a diabetic lifestyle.
Canned fruit with added sugar/corn syrup/preservatives
Fruit rolls or variations thereof
Jams and Jellies
Fruit drinks

MEATS AND POULTRY: Red lean beef and skinless poultry is best for a diabetic lifestyle.
Fried foods especially fried chicken skin
Higher fat cuts of meat such as ribs, bacon, chorizo, chitlins, ground beef
Beans prepared with bacon grease or lard.

JUNK FOOD
Sugar
Corn syrup
Candy
All chips and variations thereof
High calorie dressings and syrups
Whipped cream and non dairy topping
Frostings and candy toppings
All non diet sugar filled sodas.
All sweetened drinks
All energy drinks
Fast food burgers fries tacos,shakes and desserts etc.
Sweetened condiments including sweet pickles
Sugary coffees from your favorite barrista
Sugary ice creams or popsicles.

What is DKA? by The American Diabetes Association

DKA (Ketoacidosis) & Ketones

Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a serious condition that can lead to diabetic coma (passing out for a long time) or even death.
When your cells don't get the glucose they need for energy, your body begins to burn fat for energy, which produces ketones. Ketones are chemicals that the body creates when it breaks down fat to use for energy. The body does this when it doesn’t have enough insulin to use glucose, the body’s normal source of energy. When ketones build up in the blood, they make it more acidic. They are a warning sign that your diabetes is out of control or that you are getting sick.
High levels of ketones can poison the body. When levels get too high, you can develop DKA. DKA may happen to anyone with diabetes, though it is rare in people with type 2.
Treatment for DKA usually takes place in the hospital. But you can help prevent it by learning the warning signs and checking your urine and blood regularly.

What are the Warning Signs of DKA?

DKA usually develops slowly. But when vomiting occurs, this life-threatening condition can develop in a few hours. Early symptoms include the following:

• Thirst or a very dry mouth
• Frequent urination
• High blood glucose (blood sugar) levels
• High levels of ketones in the urine

Then, other symptoms appear:

• Constantly feeling tired
• Dry or flushed skin
• Nausea, vomiting, or abdominal pain
  (Vomiting can be caused by many illnesses, not just ketoacidosis. If vomiting continues for more than 2 hours, contact your health care provider.)
• Difficulty breathing
• Fruity odor on breath
• A hard time paying attention, or confusion

Ketoacidosis (DKA) is dangerous and serious. If you have any of the above symptoms, contact your health care provider IMMEDIATELY, or go to the nearest emergency room of your local hospital.

T-2 Diabetes from Dlife website

Type 2 Diabetes

People with type 2 diabetes are still able to produce insulin at diagnosis. However, the insulin they produce is unable to perform its primary job — helping the body's cells use glucose for energy. Type 2 diabetes accounts for 90 to 95 percent of all diabetes cases in America. These diagnosed cases were once limited to adults, but the number of children diagnosed with type 2 is increasing as sedentary lifestyles and obesity continue to rise.

About Type 2 Diabetes Type 2 diabetes, also known as adult-onset diabetes or non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM), affects over 221 million people worldwide. Find out more.	Type 2 Causes The causes of type 2 diabetes are not completely understood, but you need to be aware of these risk factors. Get the facts here.
Type 2 Symptoms Learn the signs and symptoms of type 2 diabetes, and when you should be screened.	Type 2 Diagnosis All about the blood tests and criteria for the diagnosis of type 2 diabetes.
Type 2 Treatment Getting type 2 under control requires healthy eating, exercise, and in some cases, medication. Find out more about your treatment options.	Diabetic Complications An estimated three out of five Americans with diabetes have one or more complications associated with diabetes.
Insulin Resistance One in three Americans are insulin resistant and at risk for developing type 2 diabetes. Know your risk.

Sixth Annual Diabetes Blog Week

Monday, May 4, 2015 by Karen Graffeo

Sixth Annual Diabetes Blog Week

Can you believe it’s time for Diabetes Blog Week number SIX!  I remember that first yearwhen I wasn’t even sure anyone would be interested in participating.  I was so thrilled that so many bloggers were game, and then wanted to do it again.  During the second year  DBlog Week grew, and it continued to grow over the third year and fourth year and fifth year.  And now here we are at six!  I'm so grateful for all of the enthusiasm and support Diabetes Blog Week has received year after year from the D.O.C.  I’m thrilled to do this each year and thankful for all the help I’ve received to make Diabetes Blog Week happen again and again.  So, are you ready?  Here we go!

How many times a day should a diabetic test his BSL?

How often should blood sugar levels be tested?

Monitoring blood sugar levels is needed to avoid hyperglycemic reactions and diabetic health complications. The number of times you need to check your blood sugar each day depends on the cause of your hyperglycemia (such as diabetes) and also your overall health. Your doctor can evaluate your needs and lifestyle to help you determine how often you should test your blood sugar levels. Many people with diabetes test themselves just a couple of times per day.

Controlling the dawn phenonemon by David Mendoza

Controlling the Dawn Phenomenon December 9th, 2007 · 372 Comments

Print This Post

One of our most stubborn challenges is to control the dawn phenomenon. That’s when our fasting blood glucose readings in the morning are higher than when we went to bed.

The dawn phenomenon is a normal physiological process where certain hormones in our body work to raise blood glucose levels before we wake up, as we wrote in The New Glucose Revolution: What Makes My Blood Glucose Go Up…And Down? Professor Jennie Brand-Miller of the University of Sydney, Kaye Foster-Powell, and I co-authored that book (Marlowe & Co., first edition 2003, second American edition 2006).

These so-called counter-regulatory hormones, including glucagon, epinephrine, growth hormone, and cortisol, work against the action of insulin. They stimulate glucose release from the liver and inhibit glucose utilization throughout the body. The result is an increase in blood glucose levels, ensuring a supply of fuel in anticipation of the wakening body’s needs.
If you take insulin injections, it could be that the effect of insulin you took is waning. Your blood glucose will rise if you didn’t take enough to keep your insulin level up through the night.

The dawn phenomenon varies from person to person and can even vary from time to time in each of us. That much was clear when our book came out.

But how to control it was a different story. A couple of years ago here I wrote about several efforts for “Taming the Dawn Phenomenon.” People have tried everything from eating a green apple at bedtime to high-maize grain to uncooked cornstarch.
None of these remedies that I have been able to try ever worked for me. I always thought that the most promising remedy was one that a correspondent named Renee suggested – vinegar capsules.

“I am still using vinegar tablets (usually  each night and have used vinegar when tabs are not handy,” Renee just tells me. “I have never added food to that, however. I still do have success in reducing the morning reading as proven by the times when I do not use the vinegar tabs and the reading in the a.m. is usually 20 points higher. I am doing well overall with an A1C of 5.6 for some time now. I have been on Byetta for a year now and have lost 35 pounds.”

This makes sense, because several studies in the professional literature clearly show that vinegar can reduce our blood glucose levels.

One of these studies, by Dr. Carol Johnston and two associates in the department of nutrition at Arizona State University in Mesa, Arizona, is particularly intriguing. They reported that “Vinegar Improves Insulin Sensitivity to a High-Carbohydrate Meal in Subjects With Insulin Resistance or Type 2 Diabetes” in a 2004 issue of the professional journal Diabetes Care.

Now, Dr. Johnston and an associate have zeroed in on using vinegar to control the dawn phenomenon. Their study, “Vinegar Ingestion at Bedtime Moderates Waking Glucose Concentrations in Adults With Well-Controlled Type 2 Diabetes, appears in the November 2007 issue of Diabetes Care.

They tracked four men and seven women who have type 2 diabetes and were not taking insulin. These people kept 24-hour diet records for three days and measured their fasting blood glucose at 7 a.m. for three consecutive days. They took either 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar or water at bedtime with 1 ounce of cheese (8 grams of protein, 1 gram of carbohydrate, and 1.5 grams of fat).

The result was that when they took the vinegar, they cut their fasting blood glucose by about 5 mg/dl (0.26 mmol/l). That was twice as much as what the placebo group did.

And when Dr. Johnston and her associate took a closer look at the data, they found that the vinegar treatment was particularly effective for those people who had a typical fasting blood glucose level of more than 130 mg/dl (7.2 mmol/l). Vinegar helped this group reduce their fasting blood glucose by 6 percent compared with a reduction of 0.7 percent in those people who had a typical fasting blood glucose of less than 130 mg/dl (7.2 mmol/l).

It might not have been just the vinegar that was at work, the authors concluded. Cheese might have a synergestic effect with it. Nobody knows yet, and taking it with the vinegar could be a good idea, especially since it makes the vinegar more palatable.

But “this is the first report describing a hypoglycemic effect of vinegar apart from mealtime,” they concluded. It is a big step forward in our continuing attempts to control the dawn phenomenon.

UPDATE January 9, 2008: Another strategy to control the dawn phenomenon may be to drink a little alcohol with dinner. A study reported in the December 2007 issue of Diabetes Care that the fasting plasma glucose of volunteers who drank 13 grams of wine in the three-month trial dropped 32.5 mg/dl compared with those in the control group.

This article is based on an earlier version of my article published byHealthCentral.

Might have to go onto insulin

Wow, this disease is so frustrating! Now even metformin is not working. I am getting older and I am scared it may develop into type 1. I just lost a friend to pancriatic cancer last summer. I made an appointment to talk to my d-team about other options. But time is running out. This is a silent killer. And it's scary.