Diabetes Alert Day – Diabetes Alert Day is tomorrow, Tuesday the 27th of March. The goal of this day is to raise awareness of diabetes. As I said in my earlier post, diabetes is serious and you can have it without even knowing. Take this Risk Test to find out if you are at risk for diabetes or use this Alert e-card to remind someone close to you to take the test.

My Mom – I shared with you last week that my mother had a knee replacement and there were some diabetic considerations that go along with surgery. She did great, her incision looks beauteous and there is no sign of infection. I actually caught her vacuuming today, yes 1 week later. Walker was in the corner and she was happy as a pig in, well you know. She is stubborn, apple doesn’t fall too far from the tree.

Delta Burke – My interview with Ms. Delta Burke was exciting. It was my first time conducting such an interview and I think it went well. My voice was nasally and I had a huge Baltimore accent when I listened to the interview on tape, but not much I can do about that.

Byetta- Which leads me to Byetta. That has been very interesting to research. I have spoken to many doctors I work with on a regular basis, as well as some specialists, and we just haven’t seen a whole lot of use in the Mid-Atlantic yet. Many of the docs I talked with had similar comments and concerns about potential abuse of the medicine. Hey, anything that can help you drop 50 lbs in 6 months has a definite potential for misuse!

Tooth Decay – I let my dentist in on the whole tooth decay and diabetes thing. I gently explained that I had no issues finding any research or articles on the topic. By her reaction, you would have thought I had discovered the cure for cancer. Maybe I should look into a new dentist.

Cancer – Is there a link between certain cancers and diabetes? Will research be able to provide a definitive answer? Only time will tell. For now, I suggest us diabetics keep on exercising, eating right and using whatever treatment works best for each one of us.

Alternative Treatment – Will herbals be a mode of treatment among diabetics? How safe are these supplements? I will not personally be swallowing weeds, seeds or grasses of any sort but that is not to say it doesn’t work for everyone. To each his/her own!

Mental Health – I have also had a lot to say about depression, mental and emotional health of diabetics as well as the medications that go along with this subject. I think it is so important for mental health to be a priority. We all need someone, or something to lean on, whether it be a spouse, child, therapist, friend or medication. Happiness is a key factor in physical health as well. Thank heavens I have a big ol’ hubby that supports my big ol’ butt!

I am still open to any suggestions or advice. I like feedback. If you haven’t noticed, I’m a talker. If anyone would like to share a story or experience, related to diabetes of coarse, let me know. I could use some guest bloggers. I look forward to hearing from anyone, anyone at all, I know you are out there! LOL!

Post from: Blisstree

Hot Topics On Diabetes Notes For The Month Of March

My Mom is a type 2 diabetic, diagnosed 2 years ago. She controls her diabetes by diet and exercise and has dropped 50 pounds in the last year and a half. Her original surgery time was for 1 PM. This was concerning.

Try to get the first morning time slot in the operating room. There will be less of a chance for high or low blood sugar reactions while you are waiting for your operation and are unable to eat.

After she contacted her doctors office to ever so gently, hahaha, remind them of being a diabetic, they changed her surgery time to 8 AM. Much better. My next concern was how her blood sugar would be affected both during and immediately following surgery. Surgery is very stressful on the body, which can cause either a quick rise in blood sugar, or a sharp drop if the diabetic is dependent on insulin. Fortunately, my mom has me. A loud mouthed, opinionated nurse for a daughter. Others who are not so lucky, haha, need to take matters into their own hands and be their own patient advocate before surgery. You are not being pushy, just safe!

Talk to your anesthesiologist- This is the doctor who is responsible for monitoring your diabetes while your surgeon is performing the operation. Tell the anesthesiologist about your medical history, including details about your diabetes. Be sure to include your current medication regimen and any diabetes-related complications you have.

Following surgery, one of the biggest complications among diabetics is wound healing and infection. As a nurse, I am always concerned with keeping a post surgical, diabetic patient’s blood sugar between normal limits. Promoting good blood flow and proper dietary habits to allow for optimal incisional healing is also important.

Underlying systemic disease in a patient with a wound can dramatically diminish the probability that the wound will heal in a timely fashion. Diabetes mellitus is a classic example. Wound healing is often delayed because of interruption of the inflammatory and proliferative phases. Infection thus prolongs the inflammatory phase. When erythrocytes are affected by glycosylation (as measured by hemoglobin A1c levels), they become less pliable, leading to microvascular sludging and ischemia. Low tissue oxygen tension impairs cellular proliferation and collagen synthesis as previously described.

Does that sound like blah, blah, blah? In plain English, a diabetics vascular system is compromised due to narrowing of blood vessels. Poor blood flow leads to infection. See, that wasn’t so hard.

My last piece of advice is be willing to make changes. Like mentioned above, surgery is very taxing on a diabetics body. Medications, diet and insulin regimens may have to be adjusted to promote the best healing possible.

After surgery, you may need to adjust your medication or insulin doses based on your blood sugar level. Ask your doctor how you should manage your diabetes so that you can prepare in advance.

Surgery is scary. Diabetes is a disease that you live with everyday. Be loud. Be obnoxious. Be whatever you have to in order to get all the questions you have answered. If you have specific concerns related to your diabetes, ask away. And if the doctor dismisses any of them, find a new doctor!

via The Diabetes Monitor

Clinical Diabetes

eMedicine

eMedicine from WebMD

Post from: Blisstree

Diabetic Considerations Before, During And After Surgery