Posts filed under ‘Health’
Flu Season: Be Prepared
According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), there are three steps you can take to try to protect yourself and others from getting influenza (the flu):
- Get the Flu Vaccine – The CDC recommends a flu vaccine every year (protects against the three most common flu viruses). Individuals who are six months of age and older are able to get a flu vaccine. People at high risk for getting the flu include: young children, pregnant women, people with chronic health problems (asthma, diabetes, heart and lung disease) and people 65 years and older. Health care workers who work with individuals at high risk should get the flu vaccine to prevent spreading the flu to others.
- Take Action to Prevent the Spread of Germs – Cover your cough or sneeze! Cough or sneeze into your sleeve or use a tissue and throw into the trash after you are done. Wash your hands frequently with soap and water (use alcohol-based hand rub if soap and water not available). Try not to touch your eyes, nose and mouth.
- Take Antiviral Drugs as Prescribed by Your Doctor — Antiviral drugs are not antibiotics, but drugs that can make the illness milder and shorten the duration of illness. Antiviral drugs usually work best for treatment when given within 2 days of the individual getting sick.
For more information on what to do if you get the flu, visit the CDC website.
Tips for Driving Safe wtih Diabetes
Driving safely is not just about watching where you are going, it is also about watching where your blood sugar is going. You are at higher risk for a low blood sugar if you take insulin or diabetes medications that lower blood sugar. Low blood sugar can interfere with your judgment to drive, and can be fatal to you and others.
To keep you and others safe on the road, below are tips for safe driving:
Check before you drive
Before you get behind the wheel, check your blood sugar. It should be above 100 mg/dlbefore you drive. If it is below 70 mg/dl treat with 15 gms of fast-acting carbohydrate, and check again in 15 minutes. Consider calling someone if you are by yourself. Do not start your car until you recheck your sugar and treat until you are above 100 mg/dl.
Check regularly
Check your blood sugar every 1-2 hours during your trip and to pull over at the first sign of a low blood sugar. Check every time you make a pit stop.
Plan your trip
Plan your trip carefully. Never miss a meal or snack before you drive.
Think about the length of your drive, and if the carbohydrate amount you ate will be enough to keep your blood sugar in the safe range.
Be Prepared
Keep your meter and a fast acting carbohydrate like glucose tabs, hard candy, juice, or regular soda within reach. And remember to pack snacks.
Wear Medical ID
Make sure to wear a medical bracelet or keep a diabetes identification card in your wallet. If you do suffer from a low blood sugar episode, this will allow for identification by medical personnel.
Beat the Summer Heat: Moving Your Physical Activity Indoors
Summer heat can sometimes be brutal when trying to be physically active. The best route is to try to find ways of being active indoors, like finding a gym or recreational center. But, if cost is an issue, you can try these ideas for activity at home.
Wii Fit. You see your kids doing it, why not join them? This is a good way to get started doing more physical activity indoors.
Workout DVDs. Insanity and P90X are good sources for more intensity. Also, fun ones to try are dance videos like Zumba. For strength and core training try yoga or pilates.
Swimming! This is a great way to burn calories and stay cool. Look at your local community pool or recreational pool for hours of availability.
Household chores. Vacuuming, dusting, and cleaning can also burn calories.
Early Hour Walks. Walking 30 minutes briskly in the morning when it is cooler may be tough to get started, but it will provide you with more energy throughout the day as well as relief and satisfaction that you got your workout done for the day.
We all know working out in the heat is tough, but get CREATIVE! And feel good about putting those shorts and sleeveless shirts on!
DiabetesAmerica Direct Center Numbers
To better serve our patients, DiabetesAmerica would like to ensure that our patients have the direct contact information for their health center. A list of this information, along with center fax numbers, can also be found on the locations page of the DiabetesAmerica website. Our 1-866-MY DIABETES (1-866-693-4223) will still be available after hours for diabetes related emergencies.
Houston Area Centers:
Cy-Fair: 713-840-5100
Humble: 713-840-5270
Katy: 713-840-5150
Medical Center: 713-840-5215
Pasadena: 713-840-5190
Pearland: 713-840-5210
Sugar Land: 713-840-5170
The Woodlands: 713-840-5280
DFW Area Centers:
Arlington: 817-472-8180
Irving/Las Colinas: 972-402-8300
Plano: 469-467-0400
San Antonio Area Centers:
Central San Antonio (Callaghan): 210-525-1206
Stone Oak: 210-491-9655
Taking Care of Your Feet
Of the many complications of diabetes, amputation is often one of the most feared. High blood glucose can lead to poor blood flow to the legs, damage to the nerves and trouble fighting infection. The majority of amputations could be prevented by following these simple foot care tips:
- Check your bare feet every day. Look for cuts, sores, blisters, bruises, redness, and scratches. Be sure to check between your toes. Use a mirror or ask a family member to help you if you cannot see the bottoms of your feet.
- Wash your feet in warm water daily, but do not soak them. Dry your feet gently and thoroughly, making sure to dry well between the toes.
- Avoid temperature extremes. Test bath or shower water temperature with your hands or an elbow before getting in.
- Use lotion on the top and sole of the foot if your skin is dry. Do not put lotion between the toes.
- Cut your toenails straight across.
- Do not try to cut calluses or corns or use over-the-counter corn removers. Do not use wart removers. Do not use adhesive tape on your feet. See a foot doctor (podiatrist) if you have painful calluses, corns or warts on your feet.
- Wear shoes that fit well and allow your toes to move. Break in new shoes slowly, wearing them for no more than ½ day. Feel inside your shoes before putting them on each time to make sure the lining is smooth and there are no objects inside.
- Remember, foot infections are serious. Call your doctor right away if you find a cut, sore, blister, or bruise on your foot that does not begin to heal after one day.
Join the DiabetesAmerica Houston Tour de Cure Team!
Join the DiabetesAmerica Tour de Cure Team!
When: Saturday, September 20, 2014
Where: Katy Mills Mall — Katy, Texas
Length: Many levels for beginners to experts
Click here to register with the DiabetesAmerica Team!
Join DiabetesAmerica Team Awesome!
Come ride with us and take part in a fun, exciting, healthy event the whole family can enjoy. Every rider counts, every dollar raised makes a difference, and everyone is welcome to join our team! To join the DiabetesAmerica team, please click here.
Why Ride?
To Stop Diabetes! On behalf of the 25 million Americans with diabetes and their families and friends, we are counting on you to help our team make a difference! The funds we raise will support the American Diabetes Association’s important research, information and advocacy efforts and its mission: to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes.
We are determined to reach our team goal and look forward to seeing many of you at the ride in September!
Let’s get in gear and ride to Stop Diabetes!
National Walking Day 2014
The American Heart Associaiton has designated the first Wednesday in April as National Walking Day. Remember that your heart is a muscle and in order to keep it strong, it needs regular activity such as walking. If your doctor has approved physical activity for you, it is recommended that you get 30 minutes of exercise, five days a week for basic heart health.
DiabetesAmerica's Blog 