Time To Step It Up, America!

As CEO of the American Diabetes Association, I see research and statistics every day that reinforce the importance of staying active to reduce risk factors surrounding diabetes. One fact that stands out in particular is that sitting for long periods of time increases the risk of serious, potentially life-threatening health problems such as obesity, type 2 diabetes and heart disease.

To counteract these negative effects, the Association recommends that everyone get up and move at least once every 90 minutes. Why every 90 minutes, you ask? Well, this recommendation is based on research published by Marc Hamilton, PhD, Texas Obesity Research Center, Houston, in Diabetes Care, one of the Association’s peer-reviewed scientific journals. In his study, Dr. Hamilton first described the idea that light physical activity spread throughout the whole day could be more effective at improving the metabolism of fat, cholesterol and blood sugar than intense exercise for a couple of hours. It’s an important finding—and one we need to call attention to.

That’s why I’m very excited to spread the word with our second annual National Get Fit Don’t Sit Day^SM, which is taking place tomorrow, Wednesday, May 4.

National Get Fit Don’t Sit Day serves as a jumping-off point for all Americans to lead more active lives at work and beyond—beginning with that important commitment to get moving at least once every 90 minutes. On this Wellness Day, the Association will be encouraging healthier lifestyles by helping our own employees to stay active on the job.

On Wednesday, our Home Office staff will be wearing our best athletic clothes, participating in office yoga and working out at a pop-up gym. I’m even leading a staff walk to a nearby nature preserve! We encourage all companies and organizations to join us in whatever way is best for their own culture, from hosting exercise classes at the office, to having a steps challenge, to holding walking or standing meetings—anything that helps promote movement throughout the work day.

I’m also thrilled to be hosting our first-ever CEO Fitness Challenge, in which 7 health and fitness industry leaders from across the country are joining me to  compete for the most steps on National Get Fit Don’t Sit Day.

The CEO Fitness Challenge will not only keep us active, but also set a great example for our organizations and the rest of America. I personally look forward to going head-to-head with executive leaders from Sun Life Financial, Lilly Diabetes, Sanofi, Merck, Moda Health, the Portland Trailblazers and Garmin as we work to get up and get moving at least once every 90 minutes. Our progress throughout the day will be shown at http://ift.tt/1Uwljqh, so check it out. And feel free to keep us accountable by following along!

At the Association, we truly believe that healthy employees are happy employees, and we’re excited to walk the walk on this National Get Fit Don’t Sit Day. I’m looking forward to proving that working in a traditionally sedentary environment doesn’t mean that we have to succumb to the negative effects of sitting—all it takes is a commitment to staying moving.

Are you joining us on National Get Fit Don’t Sit Day? Leave me a comment, or better yet, share what you’re doing to stay active with us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Now #GetFitDontSit!

Kevin L. Hagan
Chief Executive Officer
American Diabetes Association

Source Diabetes Stops Here http://ift.tt/1SLp9Hs

Diabetic Ketoacidosis Symptoms

Title: Diabetic Ketoacidosis Symptoms
Category: Doctor's & Expert's views on Symptoms
Created: 1/8/2008 12:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 4/28/2016 12:00:00 AM

Source MedicineNet Diabetes General http://ift.tt/1SH3zHN

Type 2 Diabetes May Damage Hearing, Study Finds

Title: Type 2 Diabetes May Damage Hearing, Study Finds
Category: Health News
Created: 4/27/2016 12:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 4/28/2016 12:00:00 AM

Source MedicineNet Diabetes General http://ift.tt/1retQCo

Diabetes Distress: Causes, Research and Tips to Manage

May is Mental Health Awareness Month and an important time to increase public awareness about causes of mental stress.

We feel stress from many different places. Sometimes it is an event, such as a family member passing away, but more often it is just from daily stressors such as money, work and so on. And the symptoms of stress can affect not only your mind, but also your physical health.

If you live with diabetes, it can be added source of stress—and in turn, stress can make diabetes more difficult to manage. The ongoing and endless list of things you need to think about can feel overwhelming: constantly checking your blood glucose, knowing exactly what you are eating, remembering to inject insulin or take your medications—not to mention the unexpected swings in your blood glucose levels at the most inopportune times.

Stress can affect your blood glucose levels in two ways:

1. While under stress, you may not take good care of yourself. You may drink more alcohol or exercise less. You may also forget, or not have time, to check their glucose levels or plan healthy meals.
2. Stress hormones may also alter your blood glucose levels to run high.

This understandable sense of burden or defeat that may affects your life with diabetes even has a name: diabetes distress.

Diabetes distress is real and different from depression. It can even cause conflict with your loved ones and impact your relationships with your diabetes health care team. If a family member, a friend or your doctor constantly asks how you are feeling, it can cause frustration and lead to tension between you.

Researchers have developed a Diabetes Distress Scale (DDS) to measure the distress that arises from the emotional and social effects of living with diabetes, day-to-day diabetes management and more. Click here to read the full study.

There are many ways to avoid and fight stress. Here are our top tips:

• Get Active – Start moving and set your mind concentrated on something else. Physical activity includes anything that gets you moving, such as walking, dancing or working in the yard. Regular physical activity is important for everyone, but it is especially important for people with diabetes. Being active can also improve mood and stress levels.
• Build a Support Network – Whether you find a support group online or find one locally in your area, speaking with others living with diabetes or going through similar situations can be helpful.  To contact your local Association office for questions about support groups, please click here.
• Set SMART Goals – Develop a vision for healthy living, wellness and personal growth, and set specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and timely (SMART) goals. Examples could be making your own healthy lunch three days a week or taking a 30-minute walk every day.
• Cope with Your Thoughts – When you notice a bad thought, think of something that makes you happy or proud instead. Try to memorize a poem, prayer or quote, or leave a sticky note on your mirror with the quote. It may also help to call a trusted friend who is a good listener. Three members of our Diabetes Forecast Reader Panel share their experiences with diabetes distress and how they coped.

If you need help with any stress-related issues, including diabetes distress, ask a member of your diabetes care team for assistance. Sometimes stress can be so severe that you feel too overwhelmed and it interrupts your daily functioning. This is when counseling or therapy may be of help. You may learn new ways of coping, develop a new perspective or find new ways of changing your behavior.

Please remember that you are not alone. If you’d like to speak with someone about additional resources, please call 1-800-DIABETES (800-342-2383).

Source Diabetes Stops Here http://ift.tt/1pP7neg

Diabetic Ketoacidosis Symptoms

Title: Diabetic Ketoacidosis Symptoms
Category: Doctor's & Expert's views on Symptoms
Created: 1/8/2008 12:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 4/28/2016 12:00:00 AM

Source MedicineNet Diabetes General http://ift.tt/1NEHYPV

Type 2 Diabetes May Damage Hearing, Study Finds

Title: Type 2 Diabetes May Damage Hearing, Study Finds
Category: Health News
Created: 4/27/2016 12:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 4/28/2016 12:00:00 AM

Source MedicineNet Diabetes General http://ift.tt/1r0tS0P

Live. Work. Play: Kelly’s Diabetes Story

Working for the American Diabetes Association^® means making a difference for millions of people and working toward a future free of diabetes and all its burdens.

We all have a story to share. Some of us live with type 1 or type 2 diabetes, gestational diabetes or prediabetes. Others have loved ones with the disease or have lost someone to the fight.

The following are personal stories from the Association’s staff about why we are so committed to the mission to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes.

---

The Toughest Job I’ve Ever Loved

Kelly Rawlings
Vice President of Content & Creative Solutions
Home Office (Alexandria, Va.)

Describing life with diabetes as a “24/7 job” is a common theme in the diabetes community. What with juggling healthy eating, exercise, medication, doctor visits, health insurance costs, etc.—diabetes care sometimes seems to take as much time and concentration as what one does for a living.

Wait—I live with diabetes and it is what I do for a living!

A few years ago, when I had the career opportunity to move from editing magazines about home remodeling and do-it-yourself projects to working on a magazine about diabetes, I was excited. And anxious.

On one finger-pricked hand, providing information and having conversations with readers and experts about this complex, consuming disease is a fascinating and meaningful endeavor.

On the other hand, time spent on diabetes at work would be dotted with requisite boluses, health care appointments and the inevitable glucose tablets. Would it all be too much?

Fast forward: Living with diabetes and working in diabetes is awesome. The people involved in the diabetes community make all the difference. My disease is “our” disease—we’re in this together.

There are so many people devoted to diabetes who also live with it—and that adds a richness and an underlying passion to what we do. And there are so many people working and volunteering in diabetes who don’t have it—but care very much about helping those of us burdened by it and at risk for developing it.

In my work at the Association, I’m surrounded by the people in research labs, clinics and communities who make diabetes science and care their job. I get to see the volunteers who give so much of their time—joining in our active fundraising events, serving at Diabetes Camp, providing support, participating in clinical trials, advocating about diabetes. And I get to see the donors who provide the funding that fuels innovation and excellence.

We share the vision of the American Diabetes Association: a life free of diabetes and all its burdens.

Yes, living with diabetes is work. Working in diabetes is rewarding. And even more rewarding is diving into all the ways to volunteer. For example, I Step Out, write my elected representatives, serve as the public member on the National Certification Board for Diabetes Educators and spend time on Twitter participating in the diabetes online community.

Too much diabetes? Not for me, personally. But in the world? Yes. Which is why I do what I do—and am so grateful that so many others are in this fight with me.

P.S. To my nephew, Zach: awesome job on your most recent A1C.

---

To learn more about nationwide employment opportunities and life at the Association, please visit diabetes.org/careers.

Source Diabetes Stops Here http://ift.tt/1TdKSaN