AF&A Blog

There are so many topics to address when it comes to talking about diabetes. Living with diabetes, provides daily challenges and many changes to the routines you have developed over the years. Early diagnosis of type 2 diabetes is often first managed with changes to diet and exercise. Hopefully the word ‘diet’ doesn’t elicit images of tasteless cardboard like food (we will dispel this idea in the future). ‘Exercise’ shouldn’t conjure images of hours on the treadmill, repetitive weight lifting, or being covered in sweat. Small changes to your daily activities can add some of the exercise you need to best manage your diabetes. Here are a few ideas from your friends at AFAS:

· Raking leaves: While you should take caution if you have any kind of lung or heart condition, raking the leaves in your yard can really get your blood flowing. The action of raking includes muscles in your back, arms, chest, and legs. By using these muscles, your body can better process the glucose in your blood and more efficiently use the insulin you produce.

· Parking in the back: You may have heard this one a few times before, but instead of parking right up front, opt for one of the many open spaces in the back. This, of course, requires that you have a little extra time. Instead of looping around the parking lot to find a space closer to the entrance of your work or shopping center of choice, grab one of the many empty spaces in the back of the lot and get a little extra walking in everyday. Walking is one of the best and simple exercises you can do to boost your health.

· Take the stairs: If you work on the 20^th floor of the office building, hoofing it up the stairs in your business attire probably won’t do. Now taking it to the 18^th floor and walking a couple flights of stairs will provide some added activity without sweat beading up on your forehead.

Remember that living a healthy lifestyle, no matter how long or severe your diabetes is, can only help you better manage your blood sugars. This November be aware of your diabetes or help a friend or family member to be aware of theirs. There is a wealth of information from the American Diabetes Association^®, family doctor, podiatrist, dietitian and other health care providers to help you best manage this challenging disease.

Until next time, watch your blood sugars and keep those feet happy and healthy Austin!

In honor of diabetes awareness, this month’s blogs will focus on different topics concerning the disease. We have discussed some aspects of living with diabetes in past blogs. It is a challenging disease to manage, but one that should not limit your aspirations. With a growing incidence of diabetes in a growing population, not even athletes, a physically fit population, are immune to acquiring this problem. There are actually a number of athletes who have reached the professional level while living with diabetes. The NFL boasts three such athletes in Jay Leeuwenburg, Mike Echols, and Mike Sinclair.

Both Leeuwenburg and Echols have type one diabetes. This type of diabetes is also known a juvenile diabetes as it is frequently discovered when you are young. Before the advent of the portable glucometer, a blood glucose measuring device any diabetic is quite familiar with, the ability to manage this disease was quite difficult. Medicine today offers many tools to monitor blood sugars and treatments to stop damage caused by changes in blood sugar from occurring. While a different beast than adult onset, or type two diabetes, the diligence of management is of equal importance in juvenile diabetes. The players we mentioned have to keep very close tabs on their blood sugars, using diet and insulin to keep the proper levels.

Players like Mike Sinclair, DE Philadelphia Eagles, face the same disease that affect tens of millions of Americans. Type two diabetes is often associated with obesity and poor diet and increases in prevalence with age. When diagnosed early, changes to diet and exercise can often be enough to keep this disease a bay. In the case of Mike, who is getting plenty of exercise, swapping the double bacon, half pound burger for a turkey sandwich helped him get his blood glucose in check. Regular checkups with your primary doctor as well as your podiatrist can help you detect changes early. By discovering glucose changes early, changes to diet can have a greater effect on managing this disease. Lifelong medication may be needed to manage if your diabetes goes undetected for months or years.

Don’t let diabetes interfere with your life. Educate yourself about your disease, visit your primary doctor, consult Dr. Thomajan and learn the things you can do you keep your diabetes in check. Doing so early will help you continue doing the activities you like to do.

Until next time, keep those feet happy and healthy Austin!

While many of you have done most of your Christmas present shopping, the procrastinators among us may still be waiting for those last minute deals. It is during this busy time of year that we may overlook the things important to our health while we hustle and bustle about. All of the additional tasks around the holiday mean we are on our feet a little more than usual and it is important to give them the proper rest and care. If someone on your gift list is living with diabetes, here are a few easy gift ideas that will go a long way in helping them manage their condition:

ADA membership – The American Diabetes Association website is full of helpful information about living with diabetes. The association works with research in prevention or management in order to provide credible information and help deliver services to people living with this disease. A yearly membership provides the individual with a monthly copy of the organizations magazine and links them to a network of thousands of individuals living with the same issues they face every day. As there are many facets and challenges to living with diabetes, this gift can go a long way.

Slippers – Neuropathy, or loss of feeling sensation, often becomes a problem for diabetics. While the lack of pain may sound better than the alternative, the inability to feel injuries can cause many more health issues. Slippers are something every diabetic should wear around the house to avoid these problems. A comfortable, solid slipper will help protect the feet and prevent trauma.

These are just a couple quick and easy ideas that will help your loved one though out the year. Remember to take care of those feet and have a happy holiday season!