When to see a doctor
Nobody wants to call the doctor for every little thing—but we know that treatments for diabetes-related health problems are more effective if you start early. So when should you see your doctor? Here are a few guidelines:1 Pain, numbness, weakness or tingling — especially in the hands, fe...
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What is LADA or type 1.5 diabetes?
If you're active in online diabetes forums and social media, you've probably come across prominent community members with a third type of diabetes. It's known as type 1.5 diabetes or LADA (which stands for "latent autoimmune diabetes in adults"). Similar to type 1, LADA is an autoimmune response—...
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How to save money on blood glucose test strips
Have you ever felt like you had to choose between diabetes supplies and other expenses? It's a scary proposition, as we know that not being able to test your blood sugar can increase the risk of low blood sugar and affect your ability to manage diabetes properly.1 The high cost of diabetes Did...
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Type 2 Diabetes
By far the most common type of diabetes, type 2 diabetes affects more than 27 million Americans—many of whom don't even know they have it yet. Type 2 diabetes used to be called "adult onset" diabetes, but now we know that it can affect children, too.1 When you have type 2 diabetes, your body doesn't produce enough of the hormone insulin, or doesn't use it properly.2 In a healthy body, food is turned into a type of sugar called glucose, which is carried through the blood to provide energy to your cells. However, the cells require insulin in order to draw that glucose from the blood. Without...
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Type 1 Diabetes
Previously known as "juvenile diabetes," because it primarily affects children, we now know that type 1 diabetes can affect people at any age. In type 1 diabetes, a person's pancreas stops producing insulin, a hormone necessary for the body to get energy from food. That energy, in the form of glu...
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What is diabetes?
Simply put, diabetes is a condition that occurs when your blood glucose, or blood sugar, is too high. But how does that happen, and what does it mean? How your body creates and uses blood sugar1 When you eat, your body converts food into glucose, a type of sugar that your body uses for ener...
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6 tips for college students with diabetes (and parents, too!)
No matter how mature, how ready, how many times they've been to camp, college is often the first time a teenager is truly on their own. And even for the most self-sufficient, this can come with a few surprises. What can you do to make things as simple as possible? Here are a few ideas. Have...
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Medicare coverage for diabetes
What does Medicare Part B cover for people with diabetes? Medicare Part B will cover much of your diabetes care, including doctors' services, lab tests, preventive care and supplies. If you have diabetes, it also covers your testing supplies, whether you use insulin or not.1 This includes: Blood glucose monitors Blood glucose test strips and control solutions Lancing devices and lancets Insulin pumps, if you meet certain requirements In addition, you may be covered for: Meeting with a registered dietitian Working with a Certified Diabetes Educator Therapeu...
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How to explain diabetes to your children
If you're a parent who has been recently diagnosed with diabetes, you're probably wondering how your diagnosis will also affect your children. Even though you may want to spare them from any upsetting news, they need to know. Here's how to start and continue this important conversation. Start wit...
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How to save money on blood glucose test strips
Have you ever felt like you had to choose between diabetes supplies and other expenses? It's a scary proposition, as we know that not being able to test your blood sugar can increase the risk of low blood sugar and affect your ability to manage diabetes properly.1 The high cost of diabetes Did...
Read More
Type 2 Diabetes
By far the most common type of diabetes, type 2 diabetes affects more than 27 million Americans—many of whom don't even know they have it yet. Type 2 diabetes used to be called "adult onset" diabetes, but now we know that it can affect children, too.1 When you have type 2 diabetes, your body does...
Read More
Type 1 Diabetes
Previously known as "juvenile diabetes," because it primarily affects children, we now know that type 1 diabetes can affect people at any age. In type 1 diabetes, a person's pancreas stops producing insulin, a hormone necessary for the body to get energy from food. That energy, in the form of glucose, stays in the blood unless insulin is taken via injections or an insulin pump. By regularly checking blood sugar and calibrating food and insulin carefully, a person with type 1 diabetes can keep blood glucose levels in a safe range and help head off long-term health problems that can result fr...
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What is diabetes?
Simply put, diabetes is a condition that occurs when your blood glucose, or blood sugar, is too high. But how does that happen, and what does it mean? How your body creates and uses blood sugar1 When you eat, your body converts food into glucose, a type of sugar that your body uses for ener...
Read More
Diabetes and insulin pumps
If you're tired of daily insulin injections, an insulin pump may be a good fit for you. Even though some people worry that they don't want to be "attached" to something all of the time, many people find that the pump provides greater freedom than multiple injections each day.1 What's more, using...
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6 tips for college students with diabetes (and parents, too!)
No matter how mature, how ready, how many times they've been to camp, college is often the first time a teenager is truly on their own. And even for the most self-sufficient, this can come with a few surprises. What can you do to make things as simple as possible? Here are a few ideas. Have...
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Travel with diabetes
Whether you're trying on a new hemisphere or just enjoying a weekend away, we have a few quick reminders that can help you get there ready to enjoy the destination. Use diabetes as an excuse to overpack. Traveling for a week? That equals six pairs of shoes and two weeks of diabetes supplies. Take double the testing supplies, medications, low blood sugar treatments, pump accessories and other medical items you think you'll need. And if you use a pump, pack as if you expect for it to quit working on the first day. If you're flying, keep everything in your carry on so you don't have to...
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