Category: Diabetes

Diabetic eye disease refers to a number of diseases that may occur if you’ve been diagnosed with diabetes. When you think of diabetes, eye problems are likely not the first thing that comes to mind. However, serious damage can be caused to the blood vessels in the eye when blood sugar levels in the body rise above normal. Some of the common eye diseases include diabetic retinopathy, diabetic macular edema, glaucoma, and cataracts. Though anyone can develop some of these eye diseases, diabetes increases the chances of developing these issues. 

Here are a few tips for dealing with diabetic eye disease:

1. Manage your blood sugar levels

It’s important that your blood sugar levels aren’t too high or low. One way to manage this is to focus on how your diet can affect you in the long run. For example, carbohydrates are broken down into simple sugars when they enter the bloodstream. This causes your blood sugar levels to rise and signals the pancreas to release insulin. As a result, the cells in your body absorb the sugar, which ultimately causes blood sugar levels to drop.

Another simple health tip to keep your blood sugar levels in check is to make sure you stay hydrated. We recommend keeping a water bottle on you throughout the day! Taking preventative measures to avoid a blood sugar spike will reduce your chances of diabetic eye disease down the road.

Eating appropriate foods to manage glucose levels is essential, but it doesn’t have to be daunting! Ease the stress of having to research and plan meals by following a meal plan. You can find meal-planning tips and recipes here.

2. Be active

Another great way to help control blood sugar levels is to get moving. Exercise and light activity can increase the sensitivity of cells to insulin, and also cause muscle cells to absorb sugar from the blood. For some people, exercising is easier said than done, so don’t be afraid to go at your own pace. Start with a slow 10-minute walk a few times a week and build from there. Any form of movement will have a similar positive effect on blood sugar levels. 

If you’re not used to maintaining an active lifestyle and need help making it a regular part of your daily routine, ask a friend or family member to join you and hold you accountable. Find something you enjoy doing and are likely to keep up with. Whether it be a daily stretching routine or practicing fundamental workouts 3 or 4 times a week, make sure it’s not something you dread. Our body is made to move and be active, so when you feel unmotivated, remind yourself of the immeasurable benefits. Exercising will help maintain blood sugar levels, which will in turn help prevent vision problems in the future!

3. Get yearly eye exams

While yearly eye exams are important for all individuals, they are crucial to those who live with diabetes. It is essential to stay on top of vision care if you’ve been diagnosed with this disease. Eye problems left untreated or undiagnosed can lead to vision damage and even blindness. Some symptoms to be aware of are blurry vision, difficulty reading, “floating” spots, or seeing objects in the distance. If any of these symptoms arise, don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment with your eye doctor as it can prevent the issue from getting worse.

Even if you haven’t noticed the effects of your diabetes on vision, yearly eye exams are a great way to track your eye history and keep an eye on any changes that may arise. Your yearly eye exam is a great way for your doctor to check for small changes. Your vision can change very frequently, and people with diabetes are more likely to experience changes at an even greater rate, making updated prescriptions that much more important. Eyeglasses are a wonderful option if you begin feeling the effects of diabetic eye disease as they can help you see more clearly until you get your blood sugar levels under control.

A diagnosis of diabetes comes with a slew of new worries and responsibilities in caring for your health. Vision care is often put on the back burner, but it’s important to practice preventative care options to protect your eyes now and in the future. Implement a few of these tips into your daily routine to help prevent diabetic eye disease from developing.

The post Diabetic Eye Disease: How to Manage It appeared first on Mighty Well Journal.

Getting a new diagnosis can bring on complicated emotions. You may be relieved to finally get answers, scared of the future, and overwhelmed by the amount of information out there. If you’ve just been diagnosed with diabetes, the good news is that plenty of research and resources are available to guide your journey! To get started, here are some tips we’ve gathered from chatting with our diabetic Friends in the Fight.

1. Find support in the diabetics community

Living with any chronic illness can feel isolating. The best treatment for isolation is community! Find people who understand what you’re going through, and help educate those already close to you who may not understand.

Support groups can be a great place to start. It’s nice to have an outlet to vent your frustrations or worries, knowing that other people have all been there. It can also be a great sounding board for questions that only someone with your experience can answer. My first question in a support group was how to find bras that didn’t hurt, given my spinal pain. Doctors were baffled by this question, but my fellow patients immediately had a flood of answers. Even if you don’t post in a group, you can read other people’s questions and learn from the sidelines.

Each of the organizations listed in our diabetes resource guide offers a community with local chapters for you to meet people in your area if you find that an in-person community would be helpful. Mighty Well also offers our Friends in the Fight group that you are more than welcome to join. It is for all people affected by chronic illness, not just those specifically diagnosed with diabetes.

Depending on your age, diabetes camps can be the best way to build a community of people who get it without having to focus on your illness. You simply have fun together, build friendships, and experience all that summer camps offer with people going through similar experiences. You can find a camp near you here.

For building support with your existing friends and family, understand that it may take time, patience, and work to get people where you need them. Our healthy loved ones have to go through their own process of grief, helplessness, and acceptance and need to witness our struggles before they can fully build empathy for what we go through. It is so worth it when you do reach that point. Check out celebrating the heart of your relationships, our guide to difficult conversations, and maintaining healthy relationships despite chronic illness for tips to get you there faster.

2. Food tips specifically for diabetics

Finding joy in food can feel near-impossible when everything you eat is a math equation with dire consequences. Having some go-to carb-free foods available will give your brain a break. Note: the organizations listed in this resource guide also have ample recipes available (yes, they are awesome, all-encompassing sources of information and healing).

3. Diabetes tech tips

The technology available now for managing diabetes is amazing. Remember that there’s no best way to do this – you can choose what works best for you. Even if you enjoy all the benefits of high-tech pumps and apps, that doesn’t mean you can’t take a break. One Friend in the Fight tells us she loves her pump but chooses to take “pump vacations” every now and then to unplug and just use pens for a bit. You do you, whatever style feels right!

As an aside, sometimes the skin at your pump site can get irritated from adhesives. You may try Flonase spray on the area to help soothe allergies and irritation.

4. Staying organized with diabetic supplies

It can be exhausting keeping track of treatments, blood sugar, and all the other complicated factors that come with being diagnosed with diabetes. Find ways to reduce your brain’s load. Use your phone for alarms and diabetes apps. Use organizers to keep all of your gear in order and easily accessible. 

Check out Mighty Well’s diabetes backpack and organizer here!

5. Take one step at a time

The most important thing to remember when it all gets overwhelming is that you can do this, and you will. Take it one step at a time, look to role models who’ve been doing it longer than you, and just do your best — whatever that looks like each day!

Oh, and remember that you’re not alone. In fact, you’re far from it. ?

The post Diagnosed With Diabetes… Now What? appeared first on Mighty Well Journal.

Diabetes and its myriad impacts on daily life are complicated to navigate. Thankfully, there are ample resources available to help guide you through life with diabetes. So wherever you are on your journey – newly diagnosed and overwhelmed, an old-timer looking for fresh tips, or just someone trying to learn to better support a diagnosed Friend in the Fight – we’ve put together this diabetes resource guide to get you started.

Understanding the types of diabetes diagnoses

One crucial aspect of diabetes is that it can be different for each person. For starters, different types of diabetes involve different causes, risk factors, treatments, and complications. Even within each type, the presentation of symptoms and impact on quality of life can vary widely. 

For a comprehensive guide to the many different types of diabetes (yes, there are more than just 2), check out this guide from Beyond Type 1.

1. American Diabetes Association

The American Diabetes Association has a wealth of resources on each type, from treatment and recipes to building a strong community. They are also leaders in diabetes research and advocacy.

2. The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF)

The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) fights for Type 1 patients through research, political advocacy, and patient support. Their resource center is thorough, well organized, and engaging, and helps to provide community through support groups, as well as online and in-person events.

3. Beyond Type 1

Despite the name, Beyond Type 1 offers support for patients with all types of diabetes. The website is easy to access and although it seeks to engage a younger audience, it contains a vast depth of information and resources for all ages. They even have a “Sex, Drugs, and Rock and Roll” section dedicated to topics typically avoided or taboo yet so necessary to actually living a full life with diabetes.

Note: JDRF and Beyond Type 1 teamed up to create Jesse Was Here, a beautiful resource for family members grieving someone lost to diabetes.

4. At-home resources to avoid diabetes complications

Health complications caused by diabetes can be serious, so it’s important to be in frequent contact with your doctor and care team about how to avoid these issues. For at-home resources, here are a few helpful tips from the CDC, Mayo Clinic, and American Diabetes Association.

5. Resource to help fight stigma when diagnosed with diabetes

The unfortunate reality is that diabetes diagnoses are often met with stigma. This thorough resource from DiaTribe (another fantastic organization to check out!) helps break down this stigma, where it comes from, why it is harmful, and how to combat it when you see it.

Other resources:

• Find a diabetes camp near you
• Top 10 Tips for People Diagnosed With Type 1
• Top 10 Tips for People Diagnosed With Type 2 
• American Diabetes Association’s resources for newly diagnosed

We hope that this diabetes resource guide will provide helpful resources no matter where you are in your journey!

The post 5 Diabetes Resources That Will Empower You appeared first on Mighty Well Journal.

Chronic illness can come with shame and stigmas that keep many of our stories in the dark. It takes courage to come out to the world with a diagnosis. That’s why we love it when celebrities choose to use their platform to open up chronic illness conversations!

Type 2 diabetes is no stranger to stigma, due to fat shaming and misinformation. Yet Halle Berry has proudly and gracefully shared her story with this common disease. She has shown that having diabetes is not something to be ashamed of — it hasn’t stopped her from having a successful career in modeling and acting! As many of our Friends have experienced, having a chronic condition helped her become the incredible woman she is:

“Diabetes turned out to be a gift… It gave me strength and toughness because I had to face reality, no matter how uncomfortable or painful it was.”

Halle Berry (Business Telegraph)

Do you have a chronic illness hero? Someone who has been loud and proud about their experience? We’d love to hear it in our Friends in the Fight facebook group!

The post Halle Berry Opens Up About Type 2 Diabetes appeared first on Mighty Well Journal.

Isabelle Edwards is known across the internet as the Diabetes Diva, and if you ever have the privilege of meeting her, you will quickly understand why. Isabelle lives with type 2 diabetes, and her enthusiasm for life, her kindness, and her glamour are what you remember after spending time with her. She is a fierce advocate for those living with type 2 diabetes and is committed to raising awareness about the disease and life as a patient.

Isabelle found her voice after naturally overcoming obesity, a severe heart attack, gastroparesis distress, and the installation of a stomach pacer. In 2012, her journey continued as blood clots ravaged her right leg; she escaped two leg amputations resulting in being legally disabled. It’s no secret that Isabelle has faced serious health setbacks, but they have not brought her down.

Check out a few highlights from our exclusive interview with Isabelle below:

Can you tell us about a time you were challenged by your illness?

Throughout my journey with type 2 diabetes, I have had a number of different surgeries and have gone through periods when my mobility has been seriously limited. When I look back on my illness experience, I think the biggest challenge for me is not being able to work. I just don’t feel useful like I used to.

I’m 51 years old now. Most of my friends are at the heights of their careers, and sometimes I worry that they cannot see or understand how many ways I am limited by my illness. Diabetes can be invisible to others. I don’t always look sick. So sometimes people think I’m exaggerating about my symptoms, or that I’m seeking attention, or that I don’t want to work. I’ve really struggled with that. 

What about a time when you overcame a challenge?

After I was diagnosed, I had some serious issues with my legs. I had doctors tell me I would never walk again, never work again, and never drive again. I wasn’t going to accept that. So through my stubbornness and my pride, I found alternative and unconventional ways to maintain the independence I craved. At one point, I had to teach myself how to walk again. I may not walk “normal,” but every day, I find the strength to push myself. I try to be the best version of myself every day, and my illness has taught me how to do that. I’ve learned so much about myself through this journey.

What role have medical devices played in your life as a patient?

They have saved my life. I have a stomach pacer and a heart defibrillator. I’m like a bionic woman!

I have gastroparesis and diabetes, so my stomach and brain don’t communicate properly. When I first got really sick with gastroparesis, my stomach wasn’t emptying my food. Getting diagnosed was a real challenge because I didn’t have a standard case, so it made it very hard for doctors to find the right remedy. When they ultimately realized a stomach pacer would be the best option, my insurance company wouldn’t cover it. I had to fight for coverage while my organs were shutting down. It was hard, but I won that battle. That experience is ultimately what led me to become an advocate for other patients.

How have issues with medical device securement impacted your life as a patient? 

As someone who lives with multiple medical devices and has gone through many, many surgeries, I know how important it is to have your lines and devices secured. As we make our way through life, experiences that can be standard for others can be so much more stressful for those of us who rely on medical devices – especially if we don’t “look sick.” Think about traveling, for instance; when medical devices are not secure, something as simple as a pat down or additional screening at the airport can be seriously dangerous.

Products like Mastisol®, which allows patients to keep their devices secure for long periods of time, need to be easily accessible to patients. It should be a patient’s right to be informed of options and have freedom of product choice. I believe patients should have a choice in every service or product they need to put in and on their bodies. If a product like Detachol® will minimize the risk of injury-related adhesive removal, you should be able to choose that as part of your bundled healthcare needs. In today’s society, patients should be involved in the process of choosing the products that are best for them.

What is one thing you wish people understood about life as a patient? 

Not all disabilities are visible. Disability and illness are not always something you can see. Being kind and gentle, regardless of their appearance, goes a long way. You don’t know what they have been through to get to where they are today.

Do you want to follow Isabelle’s journey online? Connect with the Diabetes Diva on Instagram to learn more about how she turns her sickness into strength.

For more information about superior device securement with Mastisol® and safe dressing removal with Detachol® please contact your sales consultant or Eloquest Healthcare®, Inc., call 1‐877‐433‐7626 or visit Eloquest Healthcare using this link.

This piece was created for Eloquest Healthcare^® in partnership with Mighty Well®. 

The post Meet Isabelle Edwards: Type 2 Diabetes & Gastroparesis Warrior appeared first on Mighty Well Journal.

More than 29 million people live with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes in the United States. Managing diabetes can feel like a full-time job, and many of our Friends in the Fight are taking time every day to care for their bodies and turn sickness into strength while living with this chronic condition. If you are searching for a gift that shows you care, check out this diabetes gift guide for a list of the best gifts for diabetes patients!

1. Self Care Case

The Self Care Case was developed with diabetes patients in mind. Its sleek design will empower your loved one to organize and carry their diabetes supplies in style. Its hard shell protects against sharps and has a reinforced elastic grid specifically designed to hold diabetes supplies like insulin, a diabetes test kit, and an emergency snack to maintain blood sugar.

“This held EVERYTHING plus a week’s worth of my medication. I am a diabetic (type 2) and a breast cancer survivor. I take a multitude of pills, plus need to carry my diabetic test kit and an inhaler. Add to that alcohol, lances, bandages, and an emergency snack in case of low blood sugar and you got a lot of stuff that I should carry around but just don’t!” – Review from a patient living with diabetes

2. A medical ID bracelet

Medical ID bracelets come in handy in times of crisis. They share important information about a person’s condition and emergency contact – and are especially helpful if the person can’t communicate in a moment of need. Many diabetics already have a medical ID bracelet, but it’s always nice to have different jewelry options that also share this important information. Check out the Queen Elizabeth Medical ID bracelet from Lauren’s Hope Medical ID Jewelry!

3. A cookbook or cooking class

It is hard enough to prepare healthy food at home, but it can be especially challenging for people living with diabetes. A cookbook full of safe recipes, or a cooking class specifically focused on safe food for people with diabetes can help create a healthier and more positive relationship with food. You could even consider cooking a meal specifically for your loved one! One small gesture can make a world of difference.

4. Fitbit

At least 42 factors influence blood sugar, and data is an underused resource for managing and monitoring health with diabetes. Fitbit and Apple Watch are both releasing apps to help track blood sugar live, allowing your loved ones to live a full life without having to stop and check their blood sugar multiple times a day. Read more about how tracking data with a Fitbit can help improve quality of life here.

5. Donate to a diabetes organization

At Mighty Well, we’re committed to supporting the nonprofits and foundations that share our mission to help patients access the support, relationships, and resources they need to thrive while living with a severe or chronic illness. Donating to a diabetes organization like the American Diabetes Association in the name of your loved one can be a kind way to impact their life and the lives of the millions who live with this disease every day.

The post Diabetes Gift Guide: The Best Gifts for Diabetes Patients appeared first on Mighty Well Journal.

Photo by Erika Young

Every month, we feature Friends in the Fight from our Mighty Well community who have stories on how they turned their sickness into strength. We hope that by reading their stories, you will be inspired to keep going and keep fighting despite the many challenges.

This month, we bring you Erika Young: a 30-year-old young professional with Type 1 Diabetes and a Mighty Well model. Her illness didn’t stop her from pushing the boundaries of her physical limits. She has run marathons worldwide, including a 150-mile trek through Turks and Caicos.

Here are a few highlights from our interview with Erika:

Along with pushing myself to new physical limits, I also wanted to challenge myself in other ways and become the best version of myself because the reality is, any day could be my last.

Can you tell us a bit about yourself?

My name is Erika – I’m a 30-year-old young professional living and working in Boston. I have a great rescue pup named Hunter, who is my buddy in crime. We often go on runs, hikes, and swims together, and he is also my emotional support animal.

As a former collegiate athlete, I am still very much active today, and I like to run, bike, and swim. I am also involved within the community, as I volunteer for three non-profits. When I am not running around or volunteering, you can find me taking pictures, traveling, or enjoying good food.

I am a Type 1 Diabetic, and I was diagnosed on Christmas Eve, 2014, at the age of 26. One minute I am eating Chinese food with my family, and the next, I am in the ER with a blood sugar of 700 (normal blood sugar is 8-120).

Do you think your experience with illness has given you strength? How?

Living a normal life was a thing of the past, so the only thing I could do was embrace my diagnosis and live life to the fullest.

My diagnosis has definitely made me stronger as a person, and I am constantly pushing myself. I refuse to let my disease define me or hold me back from accomplishing anything.

Most Type 1 Diabetics are diagnosed as children, which is why the disease is also referred to as Juvenile Diabetes, and they grow with Type 1. It becomes the only thing they know. Their parents and loved ones also have to learn about the disease because they are the people who manage it, administer shots, test blood sugars, change pump sites, calibrate CGMs, etc.

I was living on my own during the time of my diagnosis, and the only person I had to look after me was myself. My parents and siblings are very hands-off and know little about Type 1. I had to hold myself accountable, and l became fiercely independent.

Living a normal life was a thing of the past, so the only thing I could do was embrace my diagnosis and live life to the fullest. Since my diagnosis, I have run two 1/2 marathons, a full marathon, road in several 50-mile bike races, competed in triathlons, and road 180+ miles for cancer research.

I was also sponsored by the diabetes company One Drop and embarked on a 150-mile trek through Turks and Caicos with two other Type 1 diabetics to raise awareness about the disease. Next summer, I am competing in Ironman 70.3 and will run another marathon.

Would I have accomplished as much if I was never diagnosed with Type 1? Probably not.

Along with pushing myself to new physical limits, I also wanted to challenge myself in other ways and become the best version of myself because the reality is any day (any low blood sugar) could be my last.

What was it like to model for Mighty Well?

I love everything that Mighty Well stands for: turning sickness into strength!

It was such a great experience to be involved with like-minded individuals who live life everyday despite their illnesses and struggles. Emily was so great to work with. She is truly dedicated and passionate about Mighty Well, and that is something I recognized immediately upon meeting her. You can’t ignore her infectious positive energy, and I love everything about Emily and what Mighty Well stands for turning sickness into strength!

Is there anything else you want the Mighty Well® Community to know about you and your work?

Everyone has bad days, illnesses or not. But it’s what you make of those bad days that defines you. I suffered a bad string of high blood sugars during my marathon training and had to spend a night in the hospital, but I was determined to not let it deter me from my goal.

I ran 16 miles the next day to prove to myself that I could do this whole marathon thing and I was not going to let high blood sugar/ diabetes stop me. I feel like if you remain positive and continue to push yourself, you can accomplish anything.

The post Be inspired: Life as an Athlete, Runner & Type-1 Diabetic appeared first on Mighty Well Journal.

My name is Emily Pierri. I am 17 years old, and I have been chronically ill for 8 years. My diagnoses are Type One Diabetes, Endometriosis, ARD (Adhesion Related Disorder), POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome), Gastroparesis and MCAS (Mast Cell Activation Syndrome).

One of the hardest things about living with multiple chronic illnesses is the constant internal battle to stay strong despite all of your suffering. I like to always reflect on the ways my illnesses have made me stronger a person despite all the challenges I have faced.

Read her blog below: 

1. I HAVE BECOME AN ADVOCATE, NOT JUST FOR MYSELF, BUT ALSO FOR OTHER CHRONIC ILLNESS FIGHTERS

It’s important to be my own advocate when it comes to fighting multiple illnesses because these illnesses are “invisible.”  Over the years, I have learned how to properly advocate for myself in front of doctors and stand up for the treatment I deserve. Through this journey, I have also developed a passion for advocating for other chronic illness sufferers out there, because no one deserves to feel alone.

2. SUFFERING HAS MADE ME APPRECIATE ALL OF THE LITTLE THINGS IN LIFE

My illnesses have made me appreciate little things as simple as going out to the grocery store or the mall on a good day. When you are sick and in pain, it’s not easy to get out of the house often, so when you do, it makes you appreciate it that much more!

3. GAINING KNOWLEDGE OF MY ILLNESSES

Over the past couple years, I have been to so many doctors and have gathered tremendous information about my illnesses. I have also joined online support groups to see what other patients in my situation are doing and to see if there are any options out there that I haven’t heard about yet. My growing knowledge on my illnesses has helped me immensely and has given me new treatment opportunities I would never have known existed if I weren’t fighting to find more information. Knowledge is key to finding the best treatment options for you! I have learned to be more open about sharing my journey with the world.

4. I’VE LEARNED TO BE MORE OPEN ABOUT REVEALING MY JOURNEY TO THE WORLD

When I first got really sick, I never talked about it, nor shared it on my social media. As I got worse, I began to realize how important it is to spread awareness and share my journey with others, so I started an Instagram account (@chronically_emily), which now has over 5k+ followers. On my profile, I share the good, the bad, and the ugly of my life with chronic illnesses.

From my perspective, I want to help as many people as possible. It has also been therapeutic for me, as I’ve also been able to meet some pretty wonderful people, who are illness fighters, just like me. I also have a YouTube channel where I share my day-to-day life in vlogs, which consists of sit-down videos talking about my different illnesses (educating people on what they are and spreading awareness).

5. AMBITION LEADS TO SUCCESS!

Back in October 2016, I had a procedure, which landed me in the ER the following night due to complications. That next day I was scheduled to take my driving test, so I spent the night in the ER from 2-6am, got home, went to practice parallel parking one last time, and drove to take my test…and I PASSED! It took all of my strength to do this, but I had wanted my driver’s license for so long and worked way too hard to give up this opportunity.

I think it is so very important, especially when you are chronically ill, to have goals and ambitions in life despite all of the challenges you face with your health.

Got more questions about PICC Line?  Join us in our Friends in the Fight Group to connect with our community. 

The post My Illness Has Made Me Stronger appeared first on Mighty Well Journal.

My disorder has taught me not to take anything for granted, to be strong, and most importantly, that even though I won’t get any taller, I still have lots of room to grow. 

The post Living With Turner Syndrome appeared first on Mighty Well Journal.