Catalog

Glucose Log

Diabetes Brochure

Pumps and Glucose Meters

Insulin pumps were created in the 1970's replacing regular needle injections for many diabetics. Most models these days are small and barely noticeable, which was not the case in the beginning. The first pump was nicknamed "big blue brick" because of its size, here is one of the first insulin pumps.

Glucose meters:  used to check a diabetics blood glucose levels, and after knowing the glucose level its easier to figure out the amount of insulin to take or not take any if its too low. 

Visits to the doctor

Yearly visits to the doctor can show if a diabetic is managing their diabetes in the right way.Tests are taken to make sure a diabetic is healthy including:

• Hemoglobin A1c:  Hemoglobin is the part of red blood cells that carries oxygen to all parts of our body
• 5-7%-typical
• Anything higher than 8% means changes need to be made 
• 25%- Poor Management

 Endocrinologists recommend testing every 3 months.

Watching what you eat

Food is a big part of a diabetic's life, counting carbohydrates and watching portion size is a big part of staying healthy. There are some principles to eating healthy and managing blood glucose levels, they include:

• Give thought to the types of food being chosen to eat
• Eat slowly 
• Look at amounts of food being eaten

Carbohydrate counting is valuable for people with type 1 to balance food with insulin intake. Also make sure to not eat lots of food high in fats and sugars because they are just short term mood enhancers that don't actually nourish the body.

Maintaining glucose levels

Normal Blood Glucose Levels:  maintained by eating healthy and exercising regularly, and very necessary to maintain a normal lifestyle.When glucose levels alter it can be very dangerous to your health.

• Normal blood glucose level is between 70 and 150 mg
• High blood glucose is when it rises above 150 mg (Hyperglycemia)
• Low blood glucose is when it drops below 70 mg (Hypoglycemia)
• Blood glucose levels are generally lower in the mornings and rise after meals  

It is very important to check glucose levels several times a day, learn as much as you can about how to control and maintain normal levels, and follow a specific diet and workout regimen.