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Two common concerns when managing medications include keeping track of multiple medications, and remembering whether or not a medication has been taken. Here’s a list of tools to help keep you organized and reduce your chances of a medication mix-up.

Reminders

Instead of relying on your memory to keep to your medication schedule, use a simple alarm or alert that can be set on a watch, a cell phone or a computer. If you use a service, such as a personal emergency response system or other monitoring service, see if they offer a medication reminder call. You can also check with your local senior service organizations regarding any phone reminder assistance that might be available.

Medication Cassettes

Keep track of your medications by using a medication cassette, or pill box. These plastic organizers are available in a variety of colors and sizes and allow you to put the pills into individual sections labeled for day of the week or time of day, such as breakfast/lunch/dinner.

Plastic Pill Packs

Sold in bulk, these are small, plastic, pocket-sized zip top pouches that allow a person to write any info on it such as pill name, schedule, or other notes, such as take with liquid or food, take at bedtime, and so on.

Blister Packs

Blister packs look like an 8 x10 sheet of cardboard with plastic bubbles that are pre-filled by a pharmacy with the appropriate medications and vitamins associated with a particular day and time. You simply pop out the medications from the blister pack to use them. Blister packs are often used when a person is discharged from a hospital, particularly if new medications have been prescribed.

Automated Medication Dispenser

If security is a concern, you can purchase or rent an automated medication dispenser. With this in-home device, you can organize and load medications into the machine and then lock it. The machine is programmed to dispense medications on a schedule that sounds an alarm when it’s time to take the medication.

Pre-fill Services

Some people find it easier to pre-fill their medications a week at a time. Ask your pharmacy if they offer pre-fill services. They may be able to pre-fill the medications utilizing the blister pack or pill box organizers, as well as insulin syringes for people with a regular, stable dose. Not all pharmacies offer pre-fill services, and some may charge a fee, but it may help you keep your medications organized and easier to take.

“Helpful Tips for Avoiding Medication Mix-ups” at https://caregiving.genworth.com/caregiving-resources-articles/-/carelib/articles/119364/Helpful-Tools-for-Avoiding-Medication-Mix-ups

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Among the tests targeted by prestigious panels of doctors as overused were annual Pap smears, regular PSA tests, regular EKGs and even routine yearly physicals. Overuse of such tests leads to dangerous side effects, pain, radiation exposure, unnecessary surgery — even death, the doctors said.

The American Board of Internal Medicine Foundation asked more than 50 medical societies — of family doctors, oncologists, cardiologists and other specialties — to identify tests and treatments that are often unnecessary. AARP is a consumer partner with this campaign, called Choosing Wisely.

John Santa, medical director at Consumer Reports, another Choosing Wisely partner, says these screening tests often yield false-positive results that lead to a spiral of unneeded invasive procedures, medications and even surgeries. If you have symptoms or certain risk factors, these tests can be valuable — even lifesaving — but they’re performed on far too many people.

1. Nuclear stress tests, and other imaging tests, after heart procedures

Many people who have had a heart bypass, stent or other heart procedure feel they’ve had a brush with death. So patients — and doctors — understandably want to be reassured through a nuclear stress test or other tests that their hearts are beating strong. But performing these tests every year or even every two years in patients without symptoms rarely results in any change in treatment, says William Zoghbi, immediate past president of the American College of Cardiology. “More testing is not necessarily better,” he says.

In fact, it can lead to unnecessary invasive procedures and excess radiation exposure without helping the patient improve. Instead, patients and doctors should focus on what does make a difference in keeping the heart healthy: managing weight, quitting smoking, controlling blood pressure and increasing exercise.

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2. Yearly electrocardiogram or exercise stress test

A survey of nearly 1,200 people ages 40 to 60 who have never had heart disease or any symptoms found that 39 percent had an EKG over the previous five years, and 12 percent said they had an exercise stress test. The problem: Someone at low risk for heart disease could be 10 times more likely to get a false-positive result than to find a true problem, says John Santa of Consumer Reports, which conducted the 2010 survey. This could lead to unnecessary heart catheterization and stents. Instead, have your blood pressure and cholesterolchecked. And if you’re at risk for diabetes, have your blood glucose level checked as well.

3. PSA to screen for prostate cancer

Cancer is always scary, but the PSA test often finds slow-growing cancers that won’t kill men. “The evidence is extremely convincing that in a man with usual risk and no symptoms, the PSA test causes more harm than benefit,” says Reid Blackwelder, president of the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP). As a result of the test, he says, men often have ultrasounds, repeat lab tests and even biopsies for a problem that isn’t there — an estimated 75 percent of tests that show high PSA levels turn out to be false alarms. When men do have treatments such as surgery or radiation, 20 to 40 percent end up with impotence, incontinence or both.

Not all doctors agree with AAFP’s recommendation against routine PSA screening, but many agree that the test is overused. Even the American Urological Association, which supports the use of PSA testing, says that it should be considered mainly for men ages 55 to 69. The American Society of Clinical Oncology recommends against PSA testing for prostate cancer screening in men with no symptoms when they are expected to live less than 10 years. A recent study published in the journal Cancer found that Medicare spent almost $450 million a year on PSA screenings, one-third of which was for men over age 75.

To Be Continued…

Agnvall, Elizabeth. 10 Medical Tests to Avoid. AARP Website.
http://www.aarp.org/health/conditions-treatments/info-2014/choosing-wisely-medical-tests-to-avoid.html

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Until recently, the only way to accurately diagnose Alzheimer’s was during an autopsy. In the last few years, doctors have begun using PET scans with a radioactive dye to look for beta-amyloid protein that is found in the brains of people with the disease. Although this test has promising use for research, there are serious questions about whether it should be used on those who complain of a fuzzy memory. PET scans in older people consistently find the protein in 30 to 40 percent of people whose memories are just fine.

Although beta-amyloid plaques are present in all of those who have Alzheimer’s, it is not known if or when everyone with the plaques will develop the disease, says Peter Herscovitch, president-elect of the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging. What’s more, even if a PET scan could accurately diagnose the disease, it’s untreatable. If you’re concerned about your memory, the better course is to have a complete medical evaluation by a doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating dementia. Many other medical conditions, such as strokes, thyroid deficiencies and vitamin deficiencies, can cause the same symptoms, and these are treatable.

5. X-ray, CT scan or MRI for lower back pain

Unfortunately, back pain is incredibly common — 80 percent of people will suffer from back pain some time in their lives. It can be both excruciating and debilitating. Naturally, people want to know what’s wrong. Here’s the catch: The best imaging machines in the world often can’t tell them. Many older people with no back pain can have terrible-looking scans.

Most back pain goes away in about a month and imaging tests tend to lead to expensive procedures that often don’t help recovery. One study found that people who got an MRI during the first month of their back pain were eight times more likely to have surgery than those who didn’t have an MRI — but they didn’t get relief any faster. If you don’t feel better in a month, talk to your doctor about other options such as physical therapy, yoga or massage. But if your legs feel weak or numb, you have a history of cancer or you have had a recent infection, see your doctor as soon as possible.

6. Yearly Pap tests

The yearly Pap smear is a common part of women’s health checklists, but it doesn’t need to be. Women at average risk only need them every three years, since cervical cancer generally takes 10 to 20 years to develop. If women have also had negative tests for the human papillomavirus (HPV), which is now known to cause the cancer, they only need a Pap test along with the HPV test every five years. And women older than 65 who have had several normal Pap tests in a row can stop having them altogether. Do note, however, that a yearly visit to an ob-gyn stays on the to-do list.

7. Bone density scan for women before age 65 and men before age 70

For the estimated 10 million people — mainly women —in the United States who have osteoporosis, bone-strengthening medications can lower the chances of breaking a bone. But many experts argue that for those ages 50 to 65 who have osteopenia — mild bone loss — testing and subsequent drug prescriptions may be a waste of time and money. Not only is the risk of fracture often quite low, medications such as Fosamax (alendronate) and Boniva (ibandronate) have been linked to throat or chest pain, difficulty swallowing, heartburn, muscle pain, bone loss in the jaw and thigh-bone fractures. And there’s scant evidence that people with osteopenia get much benefit from the drugs.

To help keep your bones strong, try walking and weight-bearing exercises, says Blackwelder. Get enough calcium and vitamin D in your diet. If you smoke, quit.

To Be Continued…

Agnvall, Elizabeth. 10 Medical Tests to Avoid. AARP Website. http://www.aarp.org/health/conditions-treatments/info-2014/choosing-wisely-medical-tests-to-avoid.html. Published March 2014.

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Many women receive repeated ultrasounds to verify that ovarian cysts have not become cancerous, but current research says that these tests aren’t necessary. For one thing, premenopausal women have harmless ovarian cysts regularly. For another, about 20 percent of postmenopausal women also develop harmless cysts.

“The likelihood of these small simple cysts ever becoming cancer is exceedingly low,” says Deborah Levine, chair of the American College of Radiology Commission on Ultrasound and a professor of radiology at Harvard Medical School.

In postmenopausal women, only cysts larger than 1 centimeter in diameter need a follow-up ultrasound. For premenopausal women, who typically have benign cysts every month when they ovulate, cysts smaller than 3 centimeters aren’t even worth mentioning in the radiologist’s report, says Levine.

9. Colonoscopy after age 75

Most people should have screening for colon cancer at 50 and then every five to 10 years after that, if the first test is normal. By age 75 — if you’ve always had normal colonoscopies — you can stop taking this test altogether. That should be good news, because a colonoscopy can cause serious complications in older people.

“Just the preparation for colonoscopy can be exceptionally harsh,” says James Goodwin, director of the Sealy Center on Aging at University of Texas Medical Branch, who studies overuse of colonoscopies. Some patients become incontinent or experience weeks of pain, diarrhea and constipation. In worst cases, the procedure can perforate the colon. Despite such risks, recent studies have found that substantial numbers of people over 75, even over 85, are still getting screening colonoscopies.

To protect your colon, eat plenty of fruits, vegetables and whole grains for fiber. Cut down on fatty foods, red meat and processed meats. Lose weight if you’re overweight and exercise. Sound familiar? It should, because that’s the best advice for protecting the rest of your body — and mind — as well.

10. Yearly physical

There’s little evidence that having an annual checkup can keep you healthy. Many tests that doctors regularly perform — to diagnose anemia, liver disease or urinary tract infections, for example — don’t make sense unless there’s a reason to suspect a problem. “A healthy 52-year-old does not need to see the doctor once a year,” says Jeremy Sussman, an internist for the VA system and assistant professor at the University of Michigan who was on the Society of General Internal Medicine task force for making the Choosing Wisely recommendation.

“We certainly don’t think people should never see doctors — quite the opposite. We question the value of seeing someone for the sake of seeing someone.” Your specific needs should determine how often you see your doctor, he adds. If you have an illness that needs treatment, you should see your physician. And do talk to your doctor about how often you need to have your blood pressure and cholesterol tested. “Our real point is, don’t do these things for the sake of a calendar,” he says. “Do them for the sake of your health.”

THE HIGH COST OF OVERTESTING

Each year in the United States, an estimated $225 billion is wasted on unnecessary medical tests and services, according to Rosemary Gibson, coauthor of The Treatment Trap.

Consider that nearly two-thirds of women who have had hysterectomies and half of women over 65 with no cervical cancer history — 14 million women — report having recent Pap tests, even though the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends against them for these women.

An estimated $3 billion is spent on PSA screening for prostate cancer, which many doctors groups say does more harm than good. Nearly a fourth of $1,000 colonoscopies performed in older people are most likely inappropriate.

That’s just the cost of the tests. Add in the amount spent on additional unnecessary biopsies, surgery and other procedures and the amounts are staggering.

MRI scans and other imaging tests for lower back pain are notoriously misleading. Yet those tests lead to more than $80 billion a year in treatments — painkillers, surgery and spinal injections — that often don’t fix the problem. PSA screening leads to an estimated $12 billion a year in prostate cancer care, including radiation biopsies and prostatectomies — much of it unnecessary.

Agnvall, Elizabeth. 10 Medical Tests to Avoid. AARP Website.
http://www.aarp.org/health/conditions-treatments/info-2014/choosing-wisely-medical-tests-to-avoid.html. Published March 2014.

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What Causes COPD?

In the United States, tobacco smoke is a key factor in the development and progression of COPD1, although exposure to air pollutants in the home and workplace, genetic factors, and respiratory infections also play a role.

How Serious Is COPD?

Chronic lower respiratory disease, primarily COPD, was the 3rd leading cause of death in the United States in 2011. Fifteen million Americans report that they have been diagnosed with COPD. More than 50% of adults with low pulmonary function were not aware that they had COPD; therefore the actual number may be higher.

The following groups are at risk for COPD:

People aged 65–74 years.

Current or former smokers.

People with a history of asthma.

How can COPD be prevented?

Avoid inhaling tobacco smoke, home and workplace air pollutants, and respiratory infections to prevent developing COPD. Early detection of COPD might change its course and progress.

Spirometry can be used to measure pulmonary or lung function and detect COPD in anyone with breathing problems.

How is COPD treated?

Treatment of COPD requires a careful and thorough evaluation by a physician.

Click Here to Search for a Doctor in your Area!

COPD treatment can alleviate symptoms, decrease the frequency and severity of exacerbations, and increase exercise tolerance. For those who smoke, the most important aspect of treatment is smoking cessation. Avoiding tobacco smoke and removing other air pollutants from the patient’s home or workplace are also important. Symptoms such as coughing or wheezing can be treated with medication. Pulmonary rehabilitation is an individualized treatment program that teaches COPD management strategies to increase quality of life. Plans may include breathing strategies, energy-conserving techniques, and nutritional counseling. The flu can cause serious problems in people with COPD. Vaccination during flu season is recommended and respiratory infections should be treated with antibiotics, if appropriate. Patients who have low blood oxygen levels are often given supplemental oxygen.

“Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 12 Mar. 2015. Web. 01 June 2015. <http://www.cdc.gov/copd/index.html>.

The post Spirometry, A Simple Test That Could Improve Your COPD appeared first on PBACO.

Kidney Smart Classes

Learn from expert educators about how your kidneys function and the best ways to manage your diet and health – at no cost to you.

In class, you will learn:

• How kidneys function and the causes of chronic kidney disease
• How medications, diet, and nutrition work together to help keep you healthy
• How to manage other related health condition including diabetes and hypertension
• How to continue educating yourself and what treatment choices are available

Online or in-person classes are available in your area.

Find an upcoming class today at KidneySmart.org/Class 

or call 1-888-MY-KIDNEY (1-888-695-4363)

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Because the nicotine in tobacco is addictive, quitting smoking can be challenging. Half of all current smokers have tried to quit in the past year, but only 6% of those who quit on their own, without help, will have succeeded in stopping smoking within a year. Fortunately, there are treatments that work.

BEHAVIORAL SUPPORT

Get help and support to quit and stay quit.

You can get free smoking cessation help by calling 1-800-QUIT-NOW (800-784-8669).

Pick a date in the next month to stop smoking completely.

Seek advice from your doctor.

MEDICATIONS

Nicotine replacement: The nicotine in cigarette smoke causes a chemical addiction. When a person is trying to quit smoking, the lack of nicotine causes anxiety, depressed mood, irritability, restlessness, and insomnia. Replacing nicotine through a skin patch maintains a blood level of nicotine, resulting in fewer of these symptoms. Nicotine gum, lozenges, inhalers, or nasal sprays provide a short burst of nicotine and also make it easier to quit smoking by reducing acute craving for cigarettes. Inhalers and nasal sprays require a doctor’s prescription, but the other nicotine preparations do not.

Bupropion: Bupropion is a medication used to treat depression that increases brain levels of dopamine. This brain chemical is also released by nicotine so that bupropion mimics the effects of nicotine, making it easier to stop smoking. People who quit smoking tend to replace the smoking habit with eating and gain weight. This medication helps avoid that weight gain temporarily.

Varenicline: This drug binds to part of the nicotine chemical receptor in the brain. It simulates part of nicotine’s effects, reducing the symptoms people experience when they try to quit smoking. It also blocks the brain nicotine receptor from binding nicotine, reducing the effect nicotine has on the brain if people continue to smoke.

Unproven treatments include:

Electronic cigarettes: These new and unproven devices deliver nicotine into the lungs through a device that looks like a cigarette. It is not known if these devices are effective or if they are safe. They are not regulated by the US Food and Drug Administration.

Smokeless tobacco: Products like chewing tobacco and snuff are placed in the mouth or nose and deliver nicotine. These products are associated with a risk of developing cancer or nicotine addiction. They are not considered safe alternatives to smoking.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/fact_sheets/smokeless/smokeless_ facts/; www.cdc.gov/tobacco/osh/index.htm

American Lung Association
www.lung.org/stop-smoking/

National Cancer Institute
www.cancer.gov/cancertopics /tobacco/smoking

“Smoking Cessation” by Edward H. Livingston, MD & Cassio Lynm, MA, for JAMA on October 17, 2012 at http://jama.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx? articleid=1383235

This JAMA Patient Page is a public service of JAMA. The information and recommendations appearing on this page are appropriate in most instances, but they are not a substitute for medical diagnosis. For specific information concerning your personal medical condition, JAMA suggests that you consult your physician.

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Adults in their golden years may have special needs when it comes to diabetes care. Only 35 percent of older adults with diabetes are managing the condition well, according to a recent study.

In general, diabetes management goals should be similar between older and younger adults. But there are few important ways that diabetes care is different for older adults.

Special Challenges for Seniors

As we age, our bodies change—and so do our needs when it comes to diabetes care. Older adults are more likely to have serious problems if their blood sugar goes too low, such as extreme confusion or passing out. Older adults are also more likely to suffer from depression.

Some older adults have special challenges that affect diabetes care, including:

•Disability and the risk of falling

•Memory and thinking problems

•Other illnesses, such as heart disease, stroke, and high blood pressure

•Persistent pain

•Taking numerous medications, some of which may have serious side effects for people with diabetes.

When to Ease Up on Diabetes Control

If you’re having other health problems, your target numbers for blood sugar levels and other tests may change as you grow older.

It’s important to talk with your doctor to determine the right goals for you. He or she may recommend goals that aren’t as strict if:

•You have a hard time doing day-to-day activities or being physically active.

•You have at least three chronic illnesses, including diabetes. Chronic illnesses include cancer, arthritis, heart disease, depression, high blood pressure, emphysema, and others.

•You have mild to severe thinking, reasoning, or memory problems.

Diabetes Care As You Age

No matter your age, daily physical activity is an important part of managing your diabetes. If it’s hard for you to move, do as much activity as you can. Try taking a 10-minute walk three times a day to start. Check with your doctor before starting a new exercise plan.

If you have trouble with any part of your diabetes treatment, such as forgetting to take medications, talk with your doctor. He or she can help you find solutions to keep you healthy.

Be Prepared

Make the most of your next doctor visit. Our free Ask My Doctor form helps you make note of any recent medical problems, symptoms you’re experiencing, and medications you take.

Bibliography

“10. Older Adults.” American Diabetes Association. Diabetes Care. Vol. 38, supplement 1, pp. 67-69.

“Hypoglycemia (Low Blood Glucose).” American Diabetes Association. www.diabetes.org/living-with-diabetes/treatment-and-care/blood-glucose-control/hypoglycemia-low-blood.html.

“Manage Your Diabetes Every Day.” National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health.nihseniorhealth.gov/diabetes/manageyourdiabeteseveryday/01.html.

“Prevalence of and Racial Disparities in Risk Factor Control in Older Adults with Diabetes: The Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study.” C.M. Parrinello et al. Diabetes Care. Vol. 38, no. 7, pp. 1290-98.

“Tips for Older Adults with Diabetes.” National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health. www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/health-communication-programs/ndep/living-with-diabetes/older-adults/tips-diabetes/Pages/resourcedetail.aspx.

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If you’ve been recently diagnosed with diabetes, you’re probably wondering what to expect. Your doctor may recommend certain new tests to help monitor your condition. Here’s what you need to know about these exams—what they are, what they detect, and how they help keep your diabetes under control.

Foot Exam

Diabetes can cause several foot problems, according to the American Diabetes Association. It can reduce blood circulation, making cuts harder to heal. Nerve damage—also called neuropathy—can make it more difficult to feel pain, so you might not realize you have a foot injury. Left untreated, the injury can lead to an infection. These infections are often the cause of foot or leg amputations in people with diabetes.

Every year, your doctor should take a thorough look at your feet to check for problems and care for any foot issues before they become too severe.

Outside of the doctor’s office, you can keep your feet healthy by:

•Washing and drying your feet every day

•Wearing shoes and socks at all times

•Regularly checking for cuts or blisters

•Using a gentle moisturizer, but not between your toes

Talk with your doctor right away if you notice any cuts, ingrown toe nails, or other changes to your feet.

Kidney Test

Diabetes is the leading cause of kidney failure, contributing to roughly 44 percent of all new cases. The National Institutes of Health estimates the number of Americans living with diabetes-related kidney failure at more than 180,000.

Your doctor will perform one or both of these tests to see how well your kidneys are functioning:

•ACR: The albuminuria-to-creatinine ratio (ACR) measures the amount of a certain protein—albumin—in your urine. Too much albumin in the urine is usually an indication of kidney disease.

•GFR: The glomerular filtration rate (GFR) is a measure of how well your kidneys remove waste from your blood. A lower score signals a loss of kidney function: 90 or above indicates that your kidneys are functioning normally, while 15 or below indicates kidney failure.

Cholesterol and Triglyceride Test

Having diabetes can make you prone to high cholesterol. A condition called diabetic dyslipidemia increases your “bad” cholesterol, or LDL, levels while lowering your “good” cholesterol, or HDL, levels. This condition raises your risk for heart disease and stroke.

Have your doctor check your cholesterol and triglycerides every year. You may have heard that your “bad” cholesterol should be below a certain number, but the American Heart Association says that is no longer the case. Instead, your doctor will look at your total cholesterol, a number that factors in your LDL, HDL, and triglyceride levels. A score less than 180 mg/dL is ideal.

A1C Test

Some diabetes-related tests are so important, they need to be scheduled more than once per year. Your A1C test, for example, should happen at least every six months, according to the American Diabetes Association.

The A1C test tells you your average blood glucose level over the past three months. Unlike your daily monitoring, which can fluctuate depending on factors like time of day and whether you’ve eaten recently, the A1C paints a more accurate picture of your overall blood glucose levels.

An A1C result of 7 percent is ideal for most people, but talk with your doctor to see if you should aim for a different goal.

Take Control

Between tests, there’s a lot you can do to take charge and keep yourself healthy. For instance:

•Quit smoking: People who smoke with diabetes are much more prone to serious issues, including problems with your heart, kidneys, eyes, and nerves.

•Get physical: Regular activity helps your body process insulin better and lowers your blood glucose, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels.

•Eat well: A healthy diet that includes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fish, and poultry can also help your blood glucose, blood pressure, and cholesterol.

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Bibliography

“A1C and eAG.” American Diabetes Association. www.diabetes.org/living-with-diabetes/treatment-and-care/blood-glucose-control/a1c/.

“Cholesterol Abnormalities & Diabetes.” American Heart Association.www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Conditions/Diabetes/WhyDiabetesMatters/CholesterolAbnormalitiesDiabetes_UCM_313868_Article.jsp.

“Diabetes Meal Plans and a Healthy Diet.” American Diabetes Association. www.diabetes.org/food-and-fitness/food/planning-meals/diabetes-meal-plans-and-a-healthy-diet.html.

“Foot Care.” American Diabetes Association. www.diabetes.org/living-with-diabetes/complications/foot-complications/foot-care.html.

“Foot Complications.” American Diabetes Association. www.diabetes.org/living-with-diabetes/complications/foot-complications.

“Glomerular Filtration Rate.” National Kidney Foundation. www.kidney.org/atoz/content/gfr.

“Kidney Disease of Diabetes.” National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse.http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/KUDISEASES/pubs/kdd/index.aspx.

“Physical Activity is Important. American Diabetes Association. www.diabetes.org/food-and-fitness/fitness/physical-activity-is-important.html.

“Smoking and Diabetes.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.www.cdc.gov/tobacco/campaign/tips/diseases/diabetes.html.

“Staying Healthy with Diabetes.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.www.cdc.gov/diabetes/living/health.html.

“The A1C Test and Diabetes.” National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse. http://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/dm/pubs/A1CTest/.

“Two Simple Tests to Check for Kidney Disease.” National Kidney Foundation.www.kidney.org/kidneydisease/twosimpletests.

The post Tests to Expect When Managing Diabetes appeared first on PBACO.

If you have diabetes, it can be confusing to know which foods to eat. Are all carbohydrates bad for you, or is it just sugar? Do you need to count your carbs? Is fruit OK or not? All the different headlines on “good” and “bad” foods are enough to drive a person crazy.

So take a deep breath and remember this: The best meal plan for diabetes is a well-rounded diet full of nutritious foods. Follow these three guidelines:

1. Make your grains whole grains

Foods with carbohydrates, such as bread, can raise your blood sugar levels as your body breaks down the food. But not all carbs are bad. Some raise your blood sugar more or faster than others. In general, the less processed that a food is, the less impact it will have on your blood sugar. Whole grains are a great example of a less-processed source of carbs.

In addition, whole grains have fiber and other important nutrients. Look for foods that say “100 percent whole grains” on the label or list whole-grain ingredients, such as whole wheat flour, as the first ingredient. Whole grains contain the germ and bran of the grain. This is where the grain’s nutrients and fiber come from. Oatmeal, popcorn, and brown or wild rice are also types of whole grains.

2. Swap salt for herbs and spices

People with diabetes have an elevated risk for stroke and heart disease. One of the simplest ways to lower your risk: limit how much salt you eat.

In a recent study published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, sodium intake was linked to health problems in people with type 2 diabetes. People who ate the most sodium had a higher risk for cardiovascular disease compared to people who consumed the least sodium.

Your move: Flavor foods with spices instead of salt. Cinnamon, for example, has been shown to improve fasting blood glucose levels.

3. Load up on fruits and vegetables

Produce is packed with nutrition and is high in fiber. Every day, you should eat a variety of fruits and vegetables. Watch your starchy vegetables, though: These include potatoes, squash, and corn. They’re high in vitamins and minerals, but they also tend to be high in carbohydrates. Fill about one-quarter of your plate with starchy foods at every meal and half with fruits and vegetables. When you do have fruit, choose fresh or frozen. Fruit juices often have added sugars.

See, eating with diabetes doesn’t have to be complicated. Stick with a well-rounded, no-nonsense diet to improve your health the simple way.

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Work with Your Doctor

Your doctor can help you develop a healthy eating plan. He or she may also suggest that you see a registered dietitian. Before your visit, print out our free tipsheet. It’s full of things you can do to make the most of your next doctor appointment and get your questions answered.

Bibliography

“Cardiovascular Disease and Diabetes.” American Heart Association, January 31, 2013.www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Conditions/Diabetes/WhyDiabetesMatters/Cardiovascular-Disease-Diabetes_UCM_313865_Article.jsp.

“Cinnamon Use in Type 2 Diabetes: An Updated Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.” R. W. Allen et al. Annals of Family Medicine. September 2013, vol. 11, no. 5, pp. 452–59.www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3767714/.

“Diabetes: Diet and Exercise.” National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, August 2014.nihseniorhealth.gov/diabetes/dietandexercise/01.html.

“Diabetes Superfoods.” American Diabetes Association, February 2, 2015. www.diabetes.org/food-and-fitness/food/what-can-i-eat/making-healthy-food-choices/diabetes-superfoods.html.

“Dietary Sodium Intake and Incidence of Diabetes Complications in Japanese Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: Analysis of the Japan Diabetes Complications Study (JDCS).” C. Horikawa et al. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism. October 2014, vol. 99, no, 10, pp. 3635–43.

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“What I Need to Know About Eating and Diabetes.” National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, June 4, 2014.diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/DM/PUBS/eating_ez/index.aspx.

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