Type 1 Diabetes

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disorder typically diagnosed in children, teens and young adults, but it can develop at any age. Learn about the signs and symptoms of this condition and get expert guidance on blood sugar monitoring, medication, meal planning and more.

Kidney Fund Contest Opens to Young Artists

Updated December 18, 2014

The American Kidney Fund is looking for artwork made by kids and teens who have kidney disease to include in its 2009 calendar. In addition to having their art published, 13 winners of this national contest will receive an all-expenses-paid weekend trip to Washington, DC, for themselves and a parent or guardian. Read More “Kidney Fund Contest Opens to Young Artists”

What We’re Reading: Raise Your Voice!

Updated December 18, 2014

Next Monday, April 14, will be Raise Your Voice Day, a day dedicated to increasing awareness about Type 1 diabetes through blogging, volunteering, fundraising, and other efforts. Read More “What We’re Reading: Raise Your Voice!”

Caffeine: Friend or Foe? (Part 2)

Updated March 18, 2015

How many of you are nursing a cup of coffee or tea or guzzling a can of diet cola as you read this? (I admit, I just polished off a glass of Diet Coke myself!) This week, we’ll take a closer look at how caffeine may affect diabetes. Read More “Caffeine: Friend or Foe? (Part 2)”

There’s More Than One Way to Answer a Prayer

Updated December 18, 2014

There’s a joke—or, perhaps, more of a story—that tells of a person who believed with all his heart that a higher being would rescue him from impending disaster.

The man, as the story goes, sat on his front porch as a flood warning was issued. His neighbor, who was evacuating, offered to give him a ride.

"No," the man said. "I have faith. The Being will save me from the flood."

P2P Diabetes

Updated December 18, 2014

A little over a week ago, I received an e-mail from my endocrinologist. It was a short missive in which he told me that he’d recently seen, as a patient, a man in his 30’s who’d just been diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. What my endocrinologist wanted to know—and what he assured me was completely my decision (and he emphasized that there was no pressure to do so)—was if I wanted to talk to this gentleman about Type 1, since just one year earlier I, too, had been diagnosed.

It took me no time at all to reply that Yes, indeed, I would be happy to help this guy out.

Looking Back

Updated December 18, 2014

Sunday(ish) marks the unofficial one-year anniversary of my diabetes diagnosis. “(Ish)" because I haven’t done any detailed review of my journal to find the precise date when the doctor told me that diabetes was what it was. "Unofficial" because a few weeks prior to—let’s just say March 23, 2007—the doctor’s visits and blood tests had commenced but I hadn’t yet heard anything conclusive about why I felt the way I’d been feeling. Read More “Looking Back”

Choosing and Using an Insulin Pump Infusion Set

Updated April 17, 2013

When a person uses an insulin pump to control his diabetes, one of the decisions he has to make is what model of infusion set to use. Pumps are often an excellent choice for people who use insulin and seek tight control of their diabetes but need some… Read More “Choosing and Using an Insulin Pump Infusion Set”

FreeStyle Navigator CGMS Approved

Updated December 18, 2014

A new continuous glucose monitoring system (CGMS), the Freestyle Navigator manufactured by Abbott Diabetes Care, has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for people with diabetes who are 18 and older. Read More “FreeStyle Navigator CGMS Approved”

Taking It Off in Bed

Updated December 18, 2014

Oh my. What’s this week’s blog entry about? A titillating tale of diabetes and sex? Sorry, folks. Check out the first word in this next sentence for the big letdown. Orthodontics… Read More “Taking It Off in Bed”

Continuous Glucose Monitoring and Me

Updated December 18, 2014

About a month ago, I told you that I was thinking about continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) and that I’d take you along on my exploration of these little devices and share my experience. Then, last week, I said that on Monday I’d start wearing one for a week.

Monday came. I was prepped and fitted with a CGM. And then I lived with it…

…for only two days.