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Being Engaged: Good for Diabetics

Staying physically engaged is good for everyone in today’s world, especially for people with diabetes. Activity makes insulin in the body work harder and faster, which means you may need less insulin or diabetes pills to control your Diabetes. Moderate activity lowers the risk of heart disease, high blood pressure and may reduce the risk for Colon Cancer (Cancer in Colon, Rectum or Appendix). It can also control and improve your blood fat levels, reduce your body fat and help you lose weight.

Staying active also keeps your joints, muscles and bones healthy and strong. It helps in increasing your energy; reduce depression, anxiety, and stress; and affects your mood as well. In short, being active helps you have a longer, happier and a healthier life.

So all you require is to get up on your feet and move around which makes you use energy two to three times more than when you are seated.

Activities you can start up with

· Get up to change TV channels instead of using a remote control
· Iron your clothes while watching TV
· Walk around your house during TV commercials
· Wash dishes, load the dishwasher, or load the clothes in Washing Machine or dryer during commercials
· Mop the kitchen floor
· Vacuum the living room
· Sweep your sidewalk
· Wash and polish your car
· Use a rake instead of a leaf blower
· Use a push lawn mower instead of an electric one
· Plant and maintain a garden
· Walk your pet
· Push your baby in a stroller
· Play actively with children
· Volunteer to work for a school or hospital or do some social work which includes any physical activity
· Walk to the subway or bus stop
· Take the stairs instead of the elevator or escalator
· Stand or walk around while you’re on the phone
· Walk during your break, while the oven is preheating, or while waiting for your turn at some place
· Run errands that require walking, such as grocery shopping
· Park your car farther away from your destination
· Take a walk with someone you want to talk with

Consult your doctor before increasing your level of physical activity. If you have not been active lately, start with just 5 to 10 minutes of an activity and work up to longer or harder activity sessions.

INSULIN PUMPS

Insulin Pumps- An electronic device for controlling Diabetes mellitus

An insulin pump is a battery powered, computerized device which delivers insulin subcutaneously as programmed, to people who have it installed on their body (generally Diabetics).


Various parts of the Insulin Pump

• The pump is about the size of a pager.
• Inside it, is a vial of insulin with a gear driven plunger.
• There is a 21to 43 inches long, thin tube attached to the pump.
• The other end of the tube has a needle or the catheter.

Utilities of the Insulin Pump

• The Insulin Pump controls and gets your blood glucose (blood sugar) level closer to normal, working better than insulin injections.
• The wide variations in blood sugar levels can be avoided as this device smoothes out blood glucose swings.
• Human body needs less insulin at night and more at dawn, and only Insulin Pumps can take care of night time lows and morning highs. One can adjust the insulin rate according to the body needs with these pumps.

Usage of Insulin Pumps

• The needle on the catheter is inserted under the skin, usually in the abdomen or thigh.
• Insulin is delivered via the tube, catheter/ needles into the body.

Programming the Insulin Pump

• The pump can be programmed as per how much insulin is required by a person and at what times.
• It also can be programmed to give tiny amounts of insulin continuously throughout the day and night (Basal), just the way a normal pancreas does and deliver extra insulin just before the meal (Bolus).

For how long does one wear the Insulin Pump?

• The insulin pump is to be worn pretty much all the time. It can be kept inside or outside the clothes.
• It should be removed before showers and swimming to avoid damage to the machine.
• Having the pump off, for more than one hour, may result in need for an injection of insulin.
• One can carry on with all his/ her regular works with pump.
• As a precaution it is mandatory to check the patient’s Blood Sugar level every day.

Precautions

Ketoacidosis

Although the pump works regularly, there is a rare chance of, the pump getting blocked and hinder the passage and delivery of insulin into the body. This may cause Ketoacidosis- a dangerous build up of ketones in blood. That is the reason why patients on pump are advised to check blood sugar daily.


Infection

• Sometimes the skin, where the needle or the catheter enters the body may become infected. To lessen the chances of infection, the area where the needle is to be inserted should be cleaned thoroughly.
• Also the site where the needle enters the body should be changed every 48 hours.

Skin allergy

Some people may develop allergic reaction around the catheter. In such cases, non- allergenic tape or Teflon catheters can be tried.

TRAVEL GUIDELINES FOR DIABETES

Ø Pack sufficient medical supplies for entire trip. Carry them with you.
Ø Bring two glucose monitors with strips, lancets and extra batteries. Pack them into two separate bag.
Ø Carry simple carbohydrate sources such as glucose tablets, gel, candy or juice packs to treat hypoglycemia.
Ø Wear medical identification bracelet, necklace. Also have a letter from your health care provider verifying your need for the medical supplies to treat diabetes adequately.
Ø Pack portable food sources such as snack mix, peanut butter crackers, granola bars, or fruit for nourishment when meals are missed or delayed.
Ø Keep a travelers emergency kit with medication for nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and fever, include bandages, antibiotic ointment, sterile gauze and adhesive tape.
Ø Pack all prescriptions medications in their original labeled vials.
Ø In advance, know what medical coverage is available to you as you travel. Have appropriate phone numbers and insurance cards with you.
Ø If using pump : carry not only sufficient pump supplies for the entire trip but also backup intermediate/ long acting insulin and syringes in case of pump malfunction.