Q. Can
the weather affect a person’s blood sugar control?
A. Yes,
it can. Some people find that they need an insulin increase in the winter and a
decrease in the summer. We don’t know
why this happens, but it may be related to the fact that some blood vessels
dilate in warmer weather, which increases the delivery of glucose in the
body. If your diabetes control seems to
be related to changes in the weather, check your blood more frequently and work
with your health care team to adjust your diabetes care plan to better meet
your changing needs.
Q. I wear an insulin pump and recently
started having an embarrassing problem. Right after I participate in sexual
activity, my blood sugar level shoots up to the 300's. Why does this happen and what can I do about
it?
A. Any form of physical activity, including sex, needs an adequate amount of insulin or your blood sugar level may go high. Your pump infusion set may be moving out of place during your activity. If it is doing this, you won't get the insulin that you need and your blood sugar level will go high. Try moving your infusion set to another area or secure it with special tape. Tape samples should have come with the pump supplies. If it didn’t, you can contact your pump company and order some.
A. Any form of physical activity, including sex, needs an adequate amount of insulin or your blood sugar level may go high. Your pump infusion set may be moving out of place during your activity. If it is doing this, you won't get the insulin that you need and your blood sugar level will go high. Try moving your infusion set to another area or secure it with special tape. Tape samples should have come with the pump supplies. If it didn’t, you can contact your pump company and order some.
Q. School is starting again. Are there any special scholarships for
students with diabetes?
A. The childrenwithdiabetes.com website lists
scholarships and financial aid information on its website. There aren’t a great
number of options, but you may find an opportunity that fits you. Bayer
Healthcare offers an annual college scholarship to incoming freshman who seek a
higher education at an accredited four year university, college, technical or
trade school. Check childrenwithdiabetes.com for additional information.
Q. What is the carbohydrate content of whiskey?
A. Whiskey, vodka, bourbon, gin, scotch and rum
do not contain carbohydrates. But that
doesn’t mean they should be consumed without care. Alcohol can cause a rapid drop in blood sugar
levels. Studies showed that people with diabetes
who ate food with a moderate amount of alcohol were able to limit the effect
the alcohol had on their blood sugar level.
Here are some ways to safely include alcohol in your life:
- Eat
something while consuming alcohol.
The additional food helps blunt the hypoglycemic (low blood sugar)
effect of the alcohol.
- Don’t
imbibe if your blood sugar level is low or you have a history of alcohol
problems.
- Limit
your intake to a safe amount. The American Diabetes Association suggests
that men with diabetes drink no more than 2 alcoholic drinks per day and
women with diabetes consume no more than one drink per day. A serving of alcohol is approximately 12
oz of beer, 5 oz of wine or 1.5 oz of distilled spirits like whiskey and
vodka.
- Wear
medical identification. Symptoms of
low blood sugar often resemble drunkenness. If your blood sugar drops and you have
alcohol on your breath, those around you may assume that you are
intoxicated and won’t get you the medical assistance you require.
- Discuss your use of alcohol with your health care team to see
if it is an appropriate choice.
*This article originally appeared in 2008
**please consult with your healthcare provider before making any changes to your diabetes regimen.
- For more great articles by Janis Roszler, visit the e-version of our magazine at walgreensdiabetes.com
- For more great articles by Janis Roszler, visit the e-version of our magazine at walgreensdiabetes.com
No comments:
Post a Comment