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Archives for January 2020

exercise for diabetics

Changing You Pre-Diabetes Diagnosis

Diabetes is a disease that strikes fear into every patient that receives a diagnosis and a warning that you’re pre-diabetic is equally frightening. The good news is that there are measures you can take to reduce your risk of developing diabetes and mitigate the effects with some simple lifestyle changes.

A pre-diabetes diagnosis means that the glucose levels in your blood are higher than normal, but not yet high enough for a diagnosis of full-blown diabetes. Elevated blood glucose levels occur when your body doesn’t make enough of the hormone insulin or your body isn’t using insulin effectively. Pre-diabetes has few symptoms and is typically only detected if your physician specifically tests for it.

The most important action you can take if you receive a pre-diabetes diagnosis is to get more exercise. Your body uses glucose to fuel its movement and motion. Exercise aids in utilizing excess glucose levels in the blood, thereby reducing them. The exercise you choose doesn’t have to be grueling hours in a gym. Walking, biking, swimming and similar activities are equally effective. Physicians recommend 30 minutes of moderate exercise five days per week.

It’s also important to eat a healthy diet, curb carbohydrate intake, and work to maintain a healthy weight. As you begin to eat differently and exercise more, your weight will begin to naturally decrease along with your risk. Losing just 7 percent of your body weight will make a significant difference and it will also help in reducing cholesterol levels and blood pressure.

Pre-diabetes and diabetes can be delayed or even prevented in many instances. Eating healthy, maintaining an appropriate weight and exercising regularly are the key ingredients in delaying and controlling the factors that lead to diabetes. It’s also important to note that you may have a predisposition to the disease and if so, you should talk with your physician.

If you would like to find out about earning cash for your unwanted, unused and boxed test strips, complete our online quote form today.

If you have extra, unopened and unused boxes of diabetic test strips – whether you have switched brands, no longer need to test or test less frequently, or have a loved one who has passed away – don’t let them gather dust until they’ve expired and end up in the trash. We’re the best place to sell diabetic test strips online, and if you want to sell your test strips, we’re here to make the process easy and enjoyable!

Visit us at Sell Your Test Strips and get your free quote today!

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Are All Test Strips Created Equal?

At first glance, test strips used to monitor blood glucose levels all appear pretty much the same. Their appearance is similar and they’re used for the same purpose. They’re all created in much the same way, though each manufacturer utilizes its own process in the creation of the strips. However, each manufacturer incorporates small, proprietary differences that ensure it’s only compatible with the company’s brand of meter.

Each test strip is a modern miracle of engineering that enables individuals to monitor their glucose levels and manage their diabetes. The test strip and the meter must work perfectly together to achieve accurate readings, making the meter equally important. There are no universal test strips that will work with every meter.

The National Institute of Health conducted research on the accuracy of 17 commercially available meters/test strips and discovered that some are more accurate when detecting high glucose levels, some were better at identifying low glucose levels, and that discrepancies in accuracy levels existed between all brands tested. Similar results were confirmed by the American Diabetes Association.

The Food and Drug Administration relies solely on data provided by test strip/meter manufacturers for accuracy information. One of the most significant reasons for discrepancies was environmental factors. Exposure to excessive temperatures and humidity disrupts the ability of the test strips to function properly. Expired test strips also demonstrate inaccurate readings.

It’s important to note that there are a wide variety of factors introduced by the tester that will affect at-home accuracy. Prescription and over-the-counter medications other than those prescribed for diabetes can affect readings. Dirt, lotions and other substances on the hands, an insufficient blood sample, and dehydration will all affect the accuracy of the reading

Diabetic test strips/meters do demonstrate small discrepancies, but they’re the first and best line of defense for monitoring glucose levels. Even the most conscientious diabetic must test their glucose levels if they hope to manage their disease. Ultimately, it doesn’t matter what brand of meter and test strip combination anyone uses. The important thing is that they’re used and the test strips haven’t expired.

If you would like to find out about earning cash for your unwanted, unused and boxed test strips, complete our online quote form today.

If you have extra, unopened and unused boxes of diabetic test strips – whether you have switched brands, no longer need to test or test less frequently, or have a loved one who has passed away – don’t let them gather dust until they’ve expired and end up in the trash. We’re the best place to sell diabetic test strips online, and if you want to sell your test strips, we’re here to make the process easy and enjoyable!

Visit us at Sell Your Test Strips and get your free quote today!

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Signs and Symptoms of Type 1 Diabetes in Teens

Type 1 diabetes was once referred to as juvenile diabetes or insulin-dependent diabetes due to its appearance in adolescence and early childhood. The symptoms are often misinterpreted, overlooked or mistaken for something entirely different at first.

The body produces the hormone insulin to utilize sugar in the body to provide energy for motion and movement. Type 1 diabetes occurs when the pancreas doesn’t produce insulin and glucose levels in the blood increase dangerously. Insulin is essential for the human body to live – it moves sugar from the bloodstream and into cells where it can be utilized effectively.

Depending upon the age of the child, teens may be fitted with an insulin pump. They may also need to learn to count carbohydrates, test their blood glucose levels, and give themselves insulin injections. Signs and symptoms of Type 1 diabetes in teens include:

  • Increased thirst and frequent urination
  • Extreme hunger
  • Weight loss
  • Fatigue
  • Irritability and/or behavioral changes
  • Blurred vision
  • Fruity smelling breath
  • Yeast infection

No one knows why the pancreas stops producing insulin, but some individuals may have increased risk factors that include genetics, family history of the disease, and non-Hispanic races. Science has also suggested that some viruses trigger an autoimmune response in the body that destroys the cells in the pancreas that produces insulin.

It’s imperative that children are diagnosed as soon as possible. Diabetes comes with a variety of potential complications that include heart and blood vessel disease, infections and skin conditions, osteoporosis, and elevated cholesterol levels. Teens are also at increased risk for damage to nerves, eyes, and the kidneys.

There’s no way to prevent Type 1 diabetes in children and teens, but parents can help their child avoid complications. A healthy diet, regular exercise, maintaining good control of glucose levels, and regular visits to an eye doctor and family physician are paramount. Type 1 diabetes is frightening to parents and children, but teens can live a long, healthy and active life by learning to control their condition.

If you would like to find out about earning cash for your unwanted, unused and boxed test strips, complete our online quote form today.

If you have extra, unopened and unused boxes of diabetic test strips – whether you have switched brands, no longer need to test or test less frequently, or have a loved one who has passed away – don’t let them gather dust until they’ve expired and end up in the trash. We’re the best place to sell diabetic test strips online, and if you want to sell your test strips, we’re here to make the process easy and enjoyable!

Visit us at Sell Your Test Strips and get your free quote today!

Like us on Facebook

sell diabetic test strips

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Myths About Sugars for Diabetics

More people are being diagnosed with diabetes and with awareness also come a resurgence of myths and misconceptions about sugar in relation to diabetes. It’s been a popular trend to “shame” diabetics about what they eat, their weight, age, and other factors that have absolutely nothing to do with the disease. Some of the more commonly circulated falsehoods include the following.

Sugar Causes Diabetes

False. The body converts all the carbohydrates eaten into glucose the body uses for energy. That includes fruits and grains to dairy products and vegetables. Type 1 diabetes is now seen as an autoimmune disease in which the pancreas doesn’t product insulin. Type 2 diabetes is a metabolic condition in which the body doesn’t process insulin effectively.

Cinnamon Cures Diabetes

False. There is no cure for diabetes. Cinnamon, turmeric, and even fasting are just some of the current crop of home remedies purported to “cure” diabetes. Once a person has diabetes, they can manage and treat it, but they have it for life. It can go into remission, but the underlying disease is still present.

Honey Is Okay Because It’s Natural

False. Sugar is sugar, no matter what form it’s in and the body views it all in the same way. Honey will increase glucose levels the same way as ordinary sugar.

Only Kids and Seniors Have Diabetes

False. Anyone at any age can be diagnosed with diabetes. An equally dangerous misconception associated with this is that anyone over 45 will automatically have diabetes.

Diabetes Isn’t That Bad

False. Diabetes is a life-threatening disease that can damage the nerves, kidneys and eyes. It increases the risk of heart disease, high blood pressure and cholesterol, infections, and can result in situations that require amputations.

Use Discretion

Those with diabetes can enjoy all the foods and beverages that others consume – they just have to do so in moderation and pay attention to portion sizes. Trying to compensate with diabetic medications for eating too many carbs should never be attempted. The key is a balanced diet, exercise, and learning to correctly manage the disease.

If you would like to find out about earning cash for your unwanted, unused and boxed test strips, complete our online quote form today.

If you have extra, unopened and unused boxes of diabetic test strips – whether you have switched brands, no longer need to test or test less frequently, or have a loved one who has passed away – don’t let them gather dust until they’ve expired and end up in the trash. We’re the best place to sell diabetic test strips online, and if you want to sell your test strips, we’re here to make the process easy and enjoyable!

Visit us at Sell Your Test Strips and get your free quote today!

Like us on Facebook

sell diabetic test strips

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