| Welcome
to our April Access Digest newsletter. This month,
we focus on Neuropathy... what is it and how to
eliminate the complications associated with it.
As with most complications of diabetes, managing
your glucose level is the key to minimizing the
affects of neuropathy. In this issue, we take a
closer look at neuropathy, prevention and treatment. |
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In
This Issue |
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Diabetics
with Neuropathy account for more than 60% of Non-Traumatic
lower limb amputations in the U.S. Amputation rates
of people with diabetes are 2-3 times higher than
men and women without the disease. Neuropathy is
a common complication associated with diabetes.
It typically occurs when your blood glucose is too
high for a long period of time.
Studies have shown that controlling your blood glucose
level can prevent the complications associated with
neuropathy. Home blood sugar testing is essential
to maintaining your optimum glucose level. The goal
should be to keep your blood glucose between 70
- 120 mg/dl before meals and to under 140 mg/dl
2 hours after meals. By maintaining tight control,
you can prevent many of the complications of neuropathy.
You
can live a healthy life with diabetes by following
the three essential programs: glucose testing,
proper diet, and exercise. It's also interesting
to note, people without diabetes should maintain
a very similar diet and exercise lifestyle. The
diabetic diet is nothing more than a regiment
of eating the right amounts of healthy foods and
sufficient exercise.
This month we take a look eating more frequently
throughout the day. Using smoothies as a great
in-between meal snack. They can be great tasting,
nutritious, and very filling. It's the perfect
snack when you get that hungry feeling for something
cold and filling.
Last
month we received several questions from our readers.
We have posted some of the more common questions
for everyone to read. If you have questions or
comments, please email them by clicking on the
link in that section of the newsletter and send
them to us.
We hope you enjoy this issue of the newsletter
and thank you for choosing Access Diabetic Supply
as your choice for diabetic supplies.
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Neuropathy
- What is it? |
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Neuropathy is caused when your blood glucose is
too high for a long period of time. There are
different types of neuropathy, those that affect
the nerves used for sensation or feeling and the
nerves involved in muscle movement. High blood
glucose damages the nerves that allow you to feel
such sensations as pain. Neuropathy causes problems
with circulation in the lower limbs of the body,
which in time, may lead to numbness or possibly
the limbs may lack feeling completely. This is
more common in your lower limbs such as your foot.
Impact
of non-treatment
Neuropathy
can lead to disability, amputation, and decreased
quality of life. It is the number one cause of
non-traumatic lower-limb amputations in the U.S.
Many people with diabetes have some form of circulation
problem in their feet.
The
good news is that many of these complications
can be avoided with proper glucose control, diet,
exercise, and foot care.
Read
more
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Neuropathy
- Prevention |
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Studies
have shown that you can prevent Neuropathy with
tight glucose control. It is also recommended that
you follow these foot care guidelines:
Examine your legs and feet on a daily basis.
Moisturize legs and feet daily, avoiding your
toes.
Manicured nails
Wear properly fitting footwear.
Limiting exposure to heat and direct sun.
Neuropathy, as with many other complications from
diabetes can be prevented with tight glucose control,
diet, and exercise. It takes a great deal of determination
but the rewards are well worth it.
More
info |
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Healthy Living: Monthly Recipe |
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| One
of the keys to eating healthy is to eat smaller
meals more often. People with diabetes should never
miss a meal as this can cause hypoglycemia (when
you blood sugar level drops to low). As summer approaches
it's nice to have a cool refreshing drink in the
middle of the afternoon - try smoothies. They can
be nutritious, refreshing, filling, and very good
for you. |
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month, our feature recipe is a Mixed-Fruit Smoothie.
Some refer to smoothies as rocket fuel because it's
packed with natural ingredients that provide a burst
in your energy level. Experiment with different
types of fruit, juices, and yogurt. Smoothies are
easy, fast, and very filling. |
Mixed-Fruit
Smoothie
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| Smoothies
are great on a warm summer afternoon. They taste
great, are low in calories, 1mg cholesterol, low
in carbs, high in fiber, and high in protein. Mix
one up in the afternoon, it will quench your thirst,
fulfill that hunger, and give you a boost of energy.
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Mixed-Fruit
Smoothie -
Source: Better
Homes and Gardens
Ingredients
2
bananas, chilled
2/3
cup strawberries or mango slices toes.
1 12-ounce can grape juice or mango,
apricot, strawberry, or other fruit
nectar, chilled
1 8-ounce carton fat-free yogurt
1 tablespoon honey (optional)
2 tablespoons ground pistachio nuts(optional)
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Directions
In a blender combine bananas, strawberries or
mango slices, grape juice or fruit nectar, yogurt,
and, if desired, honey. Cover and blend until
smooth. Pour into six tall, chilled glasses. If
desired, sprinkle with ground pistachio nuts.
Makes 6 smoothies.
Note:
For two-tone smoothies, make mango smoothies and
strawberry smoothies. Transfer to separate pitchers
or glass measuring cups. Taking a pitcher or cup
in each hand, slowly pour both smoothies at the
same time into opposite sides of the glass. |
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Nutritional
Information - Mixed-Fruit Smoothie |
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| Amount
Per Serving (serving size 2 cups) |
Calories
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152 |
| Calories
from fat |
2g |
| Total
Fat |
2g
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| Saturated
fat |
0g |
| Cholesterol |
1mg |
| Sodium
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50mg |
| Total
Carbohydrates |
47g |
| Dietary
Fiber |
3g
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| Protein
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6g |
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Questions
& Answers - Ask the Experts |
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Each
month our staff will provide answers to questions
about our service and take your feedback. If you
have urgent questions about your order or your
meter, we encourage you to call our customer care
department at 1-800-276-5712. We will do our best
to provide answers to all your questions, and
we encourage you to also consult your physician.
Below
are a few of the common questions our customer
care department answered from our last newsletter.
We hope you find them helpful.
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Q:
Can vacuum therapy improve my erectyle
condition?
A:
Yes, it can. Regular use of a vacuum
device may help open penile arteries
and possibly restore them to their natural
elasticity. This may allow these penile
arteries to carry a more normal bloood
flow into the penis resulting in natural
rigid erections in conjunction with
prescription medications.
Q: Do
I have to have diabetes to have my impotence
device covered by Medicare?
A:
No, you do not need to have diabetes.
You need only to be diagnosed by your
doctor for erectyle dysfunction. If
you or a loved one are suffering remember
to discuss this with your doctor and
we will be glad to discuss this with
you further.
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Access
Diabetic Supply |
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