#IDriveMyHealth: Olivia’s Story

Nearly three in four NASCAR^® fans are impacted by diabetes, which affects approximately 30 million people nationwide. The Drive to Stop Diabetes^SM campaign, presented by Lilly Diabetes in collaboration with American Diabetes Association^®, strives to empower Americans with diabetes to live well. The face of the campaign, NASCAR XFINITY Series driver Ryan Reed, has type 1 diabetes and is an inspiration for all people with the disease.

This is the first in an “I Drive My Health” blog series that will feature personal stories from racing fans living well with diabetes.

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My name is Olivia Jenkins. I’m 21 years old and I’m from Warren, Michigan. I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes 13 years ago on Jan. 28, 2003, when I was 8 years old.

I went to the doctor complaining of an earache, and my mom mentioned that I was constantly drinking water and going to the bathroom. Fortunately, my doctor knew the signs of diabetes and tested my blood glucose—and the result came back with a level close to 600. I spent three nights at the hospital getting started on insulin injections and learning about anything and everything diabetes related.

I started dancing at 3 years old and I didn’t let my diagnosis stop me from doing what I loved. I continued dancing until I finished middle school. When I got to high school, I joined the tennis team and played varsity all four years. Even though I had my ups and downs controlling my diabetes during some of the matches, some of my biggest accomplishments occurred while playing tennis. My doubles partner and I were the No. 1 doubles team in our league two years in a row—and we had an undefeated season our senior year.

Since finishing high school and starting college as a photography and graphic design major, I will admit, I haven’t quite been as active as I once was. Between classes, working, homework and the cold winters in Michigan, when I finally get free time, I just want to relax and not do anything. I know I should be more active and eat healthier, so this summer I hope to start making a change (since I won’t have as much going on). When I keep active and eat better, there is an improvement in my glucose readings, my A1C and my overall well-being.

Diabetes is a crazy, up-and-down journey. Managing type 1 diabetes is not easy. Every single thing that I do, every single thing that I eat and drink . . . everything affects my blood glucose. In addition to eating healthy and staying active, I also have to take insulin injections—no fewer than four times a day.

I credit part of my successes to my role models with diabetes, such as Ryan Reed. I became a fan of Ryan and the Drive to Stop Diabetes campaign as soon as I heard about it in 2013. Having someone with diabetes in the spotlight motivates me to never give up. If people like him can live their dreams doing what they love while living with diabetes, you can too.

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Are you a NASCAR fan impacted by diabetes? Share your healthy lifestyle tips with us on social media, using #IDriveMyHealth.

To learn more about the Drive to Stop Diabetes campaign and find out how to get involved, visit http://ift.tt/1Orwomd.

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Transcript: Twitter Chat For Better Sleep Month (Part 2)

Twitter Chat Transcript Click Here To View Part 1 Of This Transcript powerofsleep Signs of sleep apnea include: Irritability, Sexual dysfunction, Morning headaches, Excessive Daytime Sleepiness #DiabetesINFL hsilvia75 @CorreyHope @CoffeyTalk @NikRph It helps me fall asleep, just so tired when I wake up #BetterSleepMonth #DiabetesINFL mck3lly @dentistmel @DiabetesINFL @primetimeparent YESSS. #Diabetesinfl #BetterSleepMonth diabetesinfl Q7. What are some of the major health issues caused by lack of sleep? #BetterSleepMonth #Diabetesinfl kymnasium @DiabetesINFL a6 take naps when you can to make up for lack of sleep. #BetterSleepMonth #DiabetesINFL 1loco #BetterSleepMonth #DiabetesINFL https://t.co/vtFyrhKloo ranadurham @Hsilvia75 @amypcampbell @DiabetesINFL right on #BetterSleepMonth #diabetesinfl amypcampbell @DiabetesINFL: New study – eating fatty foods can cause drowsiness during the day and interfere with sleep at night. #diabetesINFL momandsports @DiabetesINFL Q7 high blood pressure #BetterSleepMonth #Diabetesinfl mck3lly @PowerofSleep I tell my kids this! @primetimeparent #Diabetesinfl #BetterSleepMonth 1loco @DiabetesINFL A7: Diabetes, obesity, sleep apnea #BetterSleepMonth #DiabetesINFL cheryl888888 @DiabetesINFL @primetimeparent A6 take power naps. #diabetesinfl #BetterSleepMonth mulysa32 Thank u! #BetterSleepMonth #DiabetesINFL #DiabetesChat https://t.co/RMQPjSGayI hsilvia75 @CoffeyTalk It’s so hard to get to bed at those times #BetterSleepMonth #DiabetesINFL powerofsleep Studies have linked shiftwork to increased risk of diabetes. #DiabetesINFL shadow62310 @DiabetesINFL A7. heart issues , anxiety , blood sugar spikes, and so [...]

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Transcript: Twitter Chat For Better Sleep Month (Part 1)

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Could Infant Colds, Other Infections Raise Type 1 Diabetes Risk?

Title: Could Infant Colds, Other Infections Raise Type 1 Diabetes Risk?
Category: Health News
Created: 5/3/2016 12:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 5/4/2016 12:00:00 AM

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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

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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

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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

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