Free Diabetic Supplies

Diabetes has become quite common in children and adults.  As a result, there are more and varied treatments including a variety of medications and a great deal of information regarding diet and exercise, which can often help control diabetes with little or no medication.

Diabetes can be quite insidious so it is often present long before a person knows that they have the disease.  There are signs and symptoms that can alert you to the possibility that you might have diabetes and need to check with your doctor. 

Three symptoms are usually classic symptoms of Type 1 diabetes.  The symptoms are frequent urination, increased or excessive thirst and increased appetite.  Sometimes symptoms develop quickly over a period of weeks or months, especially in children and young people.  Another symptom may be weight loss – even if the individual is eating well and eating more than usual.  Excessive fatigue that cannot be overcome can be a symptom, as well.

In Type 2 diabetes, the symptoms can be the same, however, they develop much more slowly and subtly and may not even be noticeable.  This is often a reason that people are not aware that they could be developing or have developed the disease, and do not realize they have diabetes until the disease is more advanced. 

Other issues that can help identify diabetes are dehydration (even though the person is drinking extra liquids), glucose in urine (determined by a urine test), vision changes – especially blurred vision – which can come on gradually (usually with Type 2) or rapidly (usually with Type 1) and should be addressed immediately to avoid permanent damage, and sometimes urea leading to very bad breath, rapid, deep breathing, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain.

If you or your child/teen are experiencing any of these symptoms or a combination of them, it is important to see your doctor.  There are a few tests that doctors can use to determine what the problem is and if it is diabetes, as opposed to another medical issue or simply an imbalance.  The doctor will then determine how to treat your symptoms, which could include diet changes and/or medication or both.

There have been many advances in the diagnosis and treatment of diabetes.  If you are experiencing the symptoms discussed here, it is important for you to talk to your doctor about them so that you can stay healthy and keep your diabetes under control.

There are millions of individuals with chronic health conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure and more.  Their supplies and medication are expensive, and it’s not always easy to find help.  However, there is help available through an organization that was started by a nurse to help support those who struggle with the expense chronic illness.

 Recently, a report on the Today Show by the Association for the Advancement of Retired Persons (AARP) offered some staggering statistics related to Baby Boomers and Healthcare. There are about 78 million Baby Boomers living in the United States.  According to AARP, there are some statistics that are bleak.  Research shows that many Baby Boomers’ are quite worried about their ability to afford their Medical Care in 2009.  In fact, 21% surveyed stated they were “not very or not at all confident” and 23% stated they were “somewhat confident.”  As for being able to pay for prescription drugs in 2009, 17% surveyed stated they were “not very or not at all confident” and 22% stated they were “somewhat confident.”  

Many Boomers stated that they had to cut down on the amount of prescription medicationthey took or they had to skip doses because they could not afford them.  This was especially true of individuals between the age of 45-64. 

For those who have a chronic health condition, such as diabetes, many will require daily medication and other healthcare products including diabetic testing supplies, insulin, syringes, ostomy supplies and incontinence products.  The cost of such supplies varies significantly, from less than a hundred dollars per month to well into the thousands of dollars per month depending upon whether there are other chronic health conditions being treated.  Individuals dealing with these issues need to start looking at lower priced supplies and medication and alternative programs to help offset costs including applying for assistance through the drug companies.

There is also a new service called Baby Boomer Medical, Inc. and www.directbuymedical.com  which was started by a registered nurse who had helped people find affordable ways to get medicine and supplies for many years.   She states that “by focusing on this one healthcare need I am able to keep prices low as I am not constrained by the guidelines of Medicare or other Insurances.  By working with our healthcare product manufacturers we are able to offer multiple affordable healthcare product solutions as well as setting up product sampling for consumer trial before having to buy a product that might not be ideal for our customers’ need.” 

She also recommends that you shop around and” contact your product manufacturer, many of which will have clinical staff you can consult with.  They can help to insure you are using their products effectively and may be able to offer ways for you to optimize the use of their products.  Knowledge is power and asking is free, so seek out resources that are willing to work with you.”

It’s good to know that there is help available through someone -and her company – who truly understands the situation and who cares about the people she serves.

If you have diabetes, you probably have to order your diabetes supplies every month.  There are places to order from online, and many of them can save you time and money because the prices are competitive and the supplies are shipped directly to your door.

There is good news about your diabetic supplies.  Diabetic Care Services, one of the nation’s largest online distributors of diabetes supplies has recently improved and enlarged its website and services, especially in the area of support.  This new and improved website was launched in November and has made it easier for individuals purchasing diabetes supplies to navigate through products and locate the items they need. 

Directors at Diabetic Care Services have said that they are trying to make the process less complicated and more user friendly.  They stated that they are committed to offering more support than most other online suppliers because they share a concern for helping individuals with diabetes cope with this life-changing disease. 

Part of the support that Diabetic Care Services provides is the addition of personal patient care representatives who are trained in the area of diabetes and can help you with ordering and other information.  In addition there are diabetes-trained pharmacists to help you.  There is also a new home page and a wonderfully simplified check-out process.  In your journey between check-in and check-out there is information and assistance regarding medicare and insurance paperwork, including having personal care representatives submit the necessary paperwork for you.

If you are tired of the hassles involved in purchasing your supplies and want to try a different and better way, you might want to try Diabetic Care Services and compare their prices and services to the prices and services you are getting now. 

To contact Diabetic Care Services, call 1-800-633-7167 or find them on the web at www.DiabeticCareServices.com.

Diabetes affects millions of people in the United States alone.  If you or someone you know has diabetes, you know that there are a lot of things that have to be done on a daily basis in order to stay healthy. 

My mother had diabetes for most of her life.  I can remember the shots, measuring food for her diets, sore fingers and more.  Later on in her life, there was dialysis, wheelchairs and all that was necessary to prepare for the session as well as everything that it took for her to go through dialysis itself. 

I have to admit, somehow my mom got everything down to a routine, and I admire the attitude she had.  She had her ups and downs, but she never complained about her diabetes and she managed to maintain a schedule where she made Sunday dinners for all of us, went to the beauty shop every Thursday and went shopping every Tuesday or Wednesday.  In between, she would even play cards with her friends every week or two.  She managed to keep this up for over 35 years.

Even those with diabetes who are able to make the enormous effort to maintain an active lifestyle, still have hurdles, no matter how well they conceal them.  Every once in a while my mom would admit to some of the hurdles below.  Research shows that the top hurdles that people with diabetes report are:
1. People without diabetes giving you advice.  You can overcome this by talking to them during a quiet moment, giving them the facts and telling them how they can truly help you and what you really need.
2. Feeling isolated and alone.  You can deal with this by getting a doctor and other medical practitioners who are willing to listen.  In addition, there are support groups where people do understand because they also have diabetes.  There are also groups/chats over the internet that are specificially for diabetes and can’t get out much
3. Frustration with your doctors.  You can be proactive in finding the right doctor for you and be proactive in partnering with your doctor in creating goals and working together to achieve them.
4. Diabetes supplies and devices.  There is the inconvenience of ordering them and using them.  If you stay organized, work with your health plan and doctors and order in plenty of time, you should have an easier time.
5.  Burnout – feeling like you never get a break.  Unfortunately, there is no cure for diabetes right now, and you have to take care of it constantly.  You can take a vacation from you diabetes by cheating every once in a while – if you have a scoop of ice cream once in a blue moon, it won’t be the end of the world.
6.  Having to carry my BG meter and testing supplies around everywhere I go.  There are new glucose monitors and insulin pumps coming to market as we speak.  Contact a university diabetes center in your area, or do some research on the net to find information about these diabetes tools that will soon make things much easier.  You can also contact www.fda.gov/diabetes to see what is close to being approved.  You can also contact the American Diabetes Association for ideas and guidance on making things easier.

There are definitely some bothersome hurdles to overcome if you have diabetes.  There is constant research every day to try and make things easier.  Remembering what my mother went through and knowing some of the strides that research has made, I don’t know how she did it, except for the fact that she was happy to be alive and hopeful that new remedies would keep coming.  She would have probably been encouraged to have this information.  We hope it is encouraging to you.

The number of individuals who have diabetes is rising every day. It is important to do everything possible to manage the disease if you have it.  Controlling diabetes is a major step toward reversing it.  Depending on how far the disease has progressed, diabetes can often be controlled by diet and other healthy lifestyle ideas.  Many individuals have controlled their diabetes so well that they have managed to keep it under control without medication.

All of these issues are important medical issues that should be discussed with your physician.  Also, there are steps you can take to control your diabetes.  Some of them include finding out as much as you can about diabetes by reading information on the internet or through other sources and talking to your doctor. If you are urinating frequently, very thirsty and tired, discuss these symptoms with your doctor and have your doctor check to see if you possibly have diabetes.  Do this as soon as possible.

If you have diabetes, you can manage it by gettng regular care from your doctor.  If your income is limited and need help with medication, food or other necessities, your doctor should be able to advise and help you with some of those things and connect you with the right organizations to help you with the rest.

In addition to these important steps, it is important that you learn how to control your diabetes by eating right and getting exercise.  Take an active role in controlling your diabetes by keeping track of how you feel every day, keeping track of your blood pressure, testing your blood glucose daily, being active every day by walking, or doing some sort of exercises.  Be sure to eat right – your doctor and the American Diabetes Association and various web sites are helpful in providing recipes that are “diabetes smart.”  If you are on medication, take it every day as directed.

There are many things you can do to manage your diabetes, but the information here addresses the basics that will help you every day.  Managing your diabetes can help you maintain healthier blood pressure and avoid other health problems and complications from the disease, as well as keeping your diabetes from progressing further and faster.

Diabetes has become a disease that is more and more common both in children and adults.  With the advent of more cases of diabetes, there are more and varied treatments of the disease including a variety  of medications and a lot of good suggestions regarding diet and exercise, which can often help control diabetes without medication.

How do you know if you might have diabetes?  There are some specific signs and symptoms to look at that point to the possibility that you might have diabetes and need to check with your doctor. 

There are three main symptoms that are usually classic symptoms of Type 1 diabetes.  They are frequent urination, increased or excessive thirst and increased appetite.  Sometimes symptoms develop very quickly – over a period of weeks or months – especially in children and young people.  Another symptom may be weight loss – even if the individual is eating well and eating more than usual.  Excessive fatigue that is impossible to overcome can be a symptom, as well.

The symptoms of type 2 diabetes can be the same, however, they develop much more slowly and subtly and may not even be noticeable for quite a long time.  This is often a reason that people are not aware that they could be developing or have developed the disease, and do not realize they have diabetes until the disease is more advanced. 

Other symptoms are dehydration (even though the person is drinking extra liquids), glucose in urine (determined by a urine test), vision changes – especially blurred vision – which can come on gradually (usually with Type 2) or rapidly (usually with Type 1) and should be addressed immediately to avoid permanent damage, and sometimes urea leading to very bad breath, rapid, deep breathing, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain.

If you or your child/teen are experiencing any of these symptoms or a combination of them, it is important to see your doctor.  With a few tests the doctor can determine what the problem is and if it is diabetes, or another medical issue or simply an imbalance.  The doctor will determine how to treat your symptoms, which could include diet changes and/or medication or both.

Regardless of the treatment, there have been many improvements in working with and treating diabetes, and with the right treatment, you can live a long, healthy and normal life.

Diabetes has become a health concern which has increased during the past 20 years or more. The number of people keeps rising at an alarming rate.  Doctors and researchers are constantly looking for ways to diagnose diabetes as early as possible so that changes and corrections in diet, addition of medication and other factors can be addressed before the disease progresses too far.

There is good news in this area, due to a new device that may give doctors early warning of eye disease, especially vision problems linked to diabetes. 

The device is able to read the eye and capture images that indicate whether or not there is stress in a person’s metabolism.  In addition, it can determine whether there is  tissue damage even before a person has any symptoms of diabetes.  The device measures flavoprotein autofluorescence (FA) which is considered a reliable indicator of eye trouble.

If the retina can be measured to determine whether or not there is a metabolic dysfunction in its tissues, it could help doctors determine if a person has an abnormal metabolism, leading to the diagnosis of diabetes.  By having this test performed,  individuals with diabetes, pre-diabetes or other changes in metabolism that could be leading to diabetes, would be able to be diagnosed – often very early on.  In addition, this unique and cutting edge test could diagnose diabetes and/or its early warning signs, in individuals whose physicians have not yet been able to find the symptoms and make a diagnosis.  This would allow for lifestyle changes and treatment before the disease progressed enough to do significant damage.

In tests involving diabetics and non-diabetics, the device captured the metabolic dysfunction – including higher levels of FA and metabolic dysfunction – in the individuals with diabetes or pre-diabetes who had not been diagnosed yet.  Also, individuals with retinopathy, a disease of the eye which can cause blindness and is associated with diabetes – had significantly more abnormal metabolic readings than those without retinopathy.

Since this testing is much quicker and less invasive or uncomfortable than traditional testing for diabetes, researchers, optometrists and other eye professionals, as well as physicians who are aware of this new test, are hoping that it will become more widely available soon so that it can provide a means of helping diagnose – and slow – the diabetes epidemic that has been rapidly growing during the pas decade or more, by helping individuals find out faster and start treatment before permanent damage is done.

It is well known that if you speak to people in their own language they are more responsive than if they had to go through a translator.  This being the case, it is also true that community based education is more effective when tailored to the community it is being presented in.

This is especially true when dealing with diabetes education.  The disease affects many individuals from all cultures and walks of life, however, different groups approach diabetes in unique ways. 

Some cultures do not like to talk about illness and have a hard time discussing issues like diet, insulin, injections and other issues in public; however, they are willing to discuss these essential issues at a church group or in a group at someone’s home.

Some cultures have traditionally not been aware of the symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and tools regarding diabetes, and have not been aware that of the 8% of the total population diagnosed with diabetes, they make up about ¼ of that 8%. 

Often, groups do not know where to go to get tested, how to get information and where to receive treatment.  They also believe that their culture does not have a high incidence of diabetes and they do not know what type of treatment is available.

In some cultures it is not appropriate or comfortable for males and females to discuss such personal issues in the same group, so community groups can be set up separately for males and for females. 

The idea behind trying to set up as many groups in as many formats for as many cultures within each community as possible will hopefully find a way to reach as many individuals who may be affected by diabetes and help them learn all they can about the disease itself and how to take care of themselves or a loved one who has or may have diabetes. 

By taking into consideration the community, ethnicity and gender of individuals and groups and developing diabetes education accordingly, there is a strong chance that more people of all backgrounds will become informed and be able to keep themselves healthy by having their symptoms diagnosed and controlling them, as well.

Do You Have Signs and Symptoms of Diabetes?

Diabetes has become more and more common both in children and adults.  As a result, there are more and varied treatments of the disease including a variety  of medications and suggestions regarding diet and exercise, which can often help control diabetes with little or no medication.

There are some specific signs and symptoms to be aware of if you think it is possible that you might have diabetes.  If you have any combination of these symptoms you need to check with your doctor to see if you have diabetes. 

Three main symptoms are usually classic symptoms of Type 1 diabetes, also known as juvenile diabetes.  The symptoms are frequent urination, increased or excessive thirst (resulting in a higher liquid intake) and increased appetite.  Sometimes symptoms develop quickly over a period of weeks or months, especially in children and young people.  Another symptom may be weight loss – even if the individual is eating well and eating more than usual.  Excessive fatigue that cannot be overcome can be a symptom, as well.

In Type 2 diabetes, the symptoms can be the same, however, they develop much more slowly and subtly and may not even be noticeable.  This is often why people are not aware that they could be developing or have developed the disease, and do not realize they have diabetes until the disease is more advanced. 

Other issues that can help identify diabetes are dehydration (even though the person is drinking extra liquids), glucose in urine (determined by a urine test), vision changes – especially blurred vision – which can come on gradually (usually with Type 2) or rapidly (usually with Type 1).  You should deal with the situation immediately to avoid permanent damage, and sometimes urea leading to very bad breath, rapid, deep breathing, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain.

If you or your child/teen is experiencing any of these symptoms or a combination of them, see your doctor.  With a few tests the doctor can determine if the problem is diabetes, as opposed to another medical issue or simply an imbalance.  The doctor will then determine a treatment plan which your symptoms, which could include diet changes and/or medication or both.

With the right treatment, you can feel better now and live a long, healthy and normal life.

Creating and keeping an emergency kit in case of disaster or other type of emergency has become commonplace as there has been more awareness, especially with the media and many of the stores featuring emergency kits and emergency information.  It is suggested that emergency kits contain water, blankets and a few other things in the car and a full emergency kit including canned goods, water, flashlights, battery operated radios and more in the house. 

One thing that is essential with emergency supplies is to have a medical emergency kit available at all times.  We are not talking about a first aid kit.  That goes with all the stuff in the car and in the house in case of a disaster or other kind of emergency, including medical.

The emergency medical kits we are talking about is a container or file that has insurance coverage information including your health insurance company policy number, Medicaid or Medicare policy numbers, a list of your medicine with prescription numbers and dosages, your doctor’s phone number, a copy of your medical history from your doctor (you can usually get a copy for free), and names and contact information for family or friends and your doctor.  On top of all that critical information it is essential that you also put at least a weeks worth of medication in the emergency kit, too.  Just in case, you might want to toss a change of clothes in an overnight bag, as well.

We usually think in terms of other people having the emergencies and we think it probably won’t happen to us.  Even if we have diabetes or high blood pressure, or other conditions which could lead to serious complications, we don’t usually prepare in advance.  Why is that?  For one reason, who wants to think of having an attack of some sort and having to go into the hospital?  None of us.

It is important, and could be life-saving, to have a kit including your paperwork as discussed above.  Often in a rush into the hospital, we are disoriented. Even if we are not in the middle of something as serious as a heart attack, we are, after all, going to the hospital and usually worried, frightened, stressed or all three.

So help yourself and your friends and family in an emergency by preparing all the information – and medication – you might need.  If you haven’t prepared yet, take the time to do it now.  It could save your life.