Kim Haylor was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes when she was just a kid. While she says her Diabetes management wasn’t the best when she was younger, Kim has gone to great lengths to change that. Check out Kim’s blog and read about her Diabetes journey.

Can you tell us more about your diagnosis story?

I was diagnosed way back in 1974, just days after my 12^th birthday.   I had been losing weight and was constantly thirsty and peeing buckets.  I can remember actually drinking glassfuls of water at the same time as peeing!  My uncle mentioned to my mother that he didn’t think I looked well, and suggested she take me to the doctor.  The first doctor said I was just a “skinny kid”.   After losing more weight but eating everything in sight, and being extremely tired, we went to another Doctor who listened to my mother, did some lab work, and voila!  Type 1 Diabetes! My blood sugar was a whopping 528! I spent 2 weeks in hospital, learning to inject myself.  I practiced on an orange.  We took classes about food, learning the “exchange system”.  By today’s standards, that is archaic! I gained back 23 pounds in those 2 weeks!  Back then it was 1 shot a day, and testing glucose with urine.   At first things were pretty good, mainly because my mother was in charge.  I remember her calling me in to “test” while I was outside playing with friends, or telling me it was time to snack.  Once I got older and started doing more for myself, my care slipped.  As a teenager, I didn’t always eat what I should have.  I would eat chocolate and candies, things that, back then, were forbidden for a diabetic.  For years I just sort of went along, not really caring.  Even during my pregnancies, my care was not the greatest.  Luckily my 3 children did not suffer because of it.

Do any of your other family members have diabetes?

No one else in my family has Type 1 Diabetes. My grandmother developed Type 2 in her later years, but other than that, I’m it!  I didn’t know anyone else with Diabetes.

When did you first begin blogging and what was your motivation behind starting to blog?

I started blogging last year, on May 8^th.   In January 2011, I had triple bypass surgery and I knew things had to change.  I was looking at getting an insulin pump because I knew I had to get a hold of my Diabetes. I had been searching for information on insulin pumps, and came across a blog and started reading it.  That led me to more blogs!  I had been feeling very alone with my disease, and even though my husband and family were always there for me, they really didn’t understand the emotional side of it.  After finding and reading several D-blogs, I decided that I may have something to offer.  I realized that I was not alone with this, and if I wrote about my experience with Diabetes, perhaps someone would read it and realized that they weren’t alone either! I thought I may be able to help someone avoid the complications that I have because of Diabetes.    Blogging allows me to express myself, my ups and downs, the things that make me laugh,  and hopefully I can bring a smile to someone ‘s face,  and the knowledge that they are not alone either!

We noticed that you have a tattoo on your wrist. What does this tattoo mean to you? When did you first get it?

I got my tattoo on September 1, 2011.   I used to have a medic alert necklace, but the chain broke and I never bothered to get it replaced.  It was a nice piece of jewellery, but I didn’t always want to wear it.   I had been thinking about a tattoo for quite a while, and so I designed this one.  I used to keep my Diabetes quiet.  By that I mean I wouldn’t talk about it, or tell people.  I hid it in the background.  Since I had open heart surgery, mainly as a result of my lack of control in my younger years, I decided to take ownership of my disease, and let people in.  I talk about it whenever someone notices my tattoo.  It has become a great conversation starter!!

What are some essentials in your diabetes management and care? Can you name any of your favorite diabetes resources?

I used to be very lazy in my care. There was a time when I wouldn’t test for days, and for a long time I didn’t use my Levemir at night because it scared me.   Since I decided to take ownership of my Diabetes, I test at least 6 times a day, sometimes more.  I count carbs like a pro!   I try to walk every day, and I ALWAYS bolus. My Animas Ping is my best friend.    I do the best I can and I try not to stress over the numbers anymore.  As far as Diabetes resources go, I LOVE reading other D-blogs.    They let me know I’m not alone, and since the people writing them are from all over (US, Canada, England, and Australia), it allows me to get different perspectives.  The Canadian Diabetes Association has some good information and updates on their website.  DiabetesMine was one of the first resources I came across when I googled “Diabetes Resources”.

What are your top three health and fitness tips for other people living with type 1 diabetes?

1. Find an Endo that you trust.  One that listens and doesn’t judge.   You need to feel comfortable discussing everything with him/her.   If you can’t be honest with them, they can’t help you.
2. Don’t be afraid to be honest about your Diabetes.  Take care of yourself.  It is important.  We diabetics can live a very full and long life.  But if you don’t take care of yourself, you WILL end up with complications.  Believe me,  if I had taken control of this beast many years ago, I likely would not have had to undergo heart surgery, I would likely still have feeling in  my feet, and I probably wouldn’t have had to have laser surgery on my eyes numerous times.  These things are avoidable, but you have to work at it.
3. Try to exercise every day.  Even just going for a walk around the block gets your blood moving.  It helps with circulation, which for a diabetic is important.  Exercise helps lower blood sugars, and that helps stave off complications.  Find something you like to do, whether its bike riding, dancing, jogging, or whatever, just do it!!!!  Your Diabetes will love you for it!

Can you tell us about your diagnosis story? When were you first diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes?

I was diagnosed on March 13^th 2009 in Brantford, Ontario and I was eighteen years old.  I had taken a year off after high school after graduating to work and that was when I was diagnosed (which in hindsight seems like a good thing!). Prior to being diagnosed, I had all the classic symptoms of type 1 diabetes such as weight loss, blurred vision, memory loss, frequent urination, thirst etc.   My mother was picking up on these cues and made me go get my blood sugar checked.

When I got the blood work done, they called me the next day. My blood sugar was 24 mmol/l (432 mg/dl)   The told me to come into the doctor’s office. I had no idea that meant diabetes, so I got in my car and drove myself there.   After they told me I had diabetes I still did not know what that meant –  I kept thinking it was going to be like my Grandma and Grandpa who had type 2 diabetes and didn’t have to do much but take a pill a day. To my surprise I was put on 3 needles of Novarapid and 1 needle of Lantus a day.

When did you begin blogging at Kayla’s Life Notes, and what was your motivation to begin blogging?

After I was diagnosed, I was in the hospital for 4 days, and as soon as I got out everyone was wondering where I was, or if they knew, they wanted to know more about what diabetes was. I was learning too, after all I had only been diabetic for four days.  I started writing on the “notes” section of Facebook about where I had been and what diabetes was.  I started doing this almost every day talking about how frustrated I was, upset, and I would also talk about good days, where I had near perfect blood sugars.

Eventually someone suggested to me that I get an actual blog page to start documenting everything.  This was good advice because here I am now with a huge successful blog.  I use the blog as my diabetic therapy and I really enjoy having it.  But, beyond helping myself, it helps a lot of other people and I hear fascinating feedback and stories from my readers.

What are some of the biggest challenges you have faced living with diabetes?

The biggest challenge I face with diabetes is remember to be on the ball with everything.  Type 1 Diabetes really isn’t a ‘one pill a day’ sort of deal.  It takes up a lot of time and concentration and it is very easy to lose that focus or organization.   The challenges are things that seem simple like remembering to check blood sugar, bolus (I am on an insulin pump – so basically take insulin after eating) as well as being prepared with snacks.

It was hard to go from never worrying about my health to have to plan out my day based on my health. I have to remember to bring snacks everywhere I go, and if I don’t I better be prepared to buy something or find someone that does have something I can eat for low blood sugar.

How does diabetes affect your daily life?  Do any of your other family members also have diabetes?

Diabetes of course affects my life in many ways. I am a completely different person than I was before diabetes.  It changed my life for the better, but it does make a huge different in my day to day life compared to someone without diabetes. First of all, I have to be on the ball like I said before, I have to make sure my pump is full of batteries and insulin, that I have some sort of snack and that I am paying attention to how I feel.

Diabetes has a huge impact on my mood with both high and low blood sugars.  It can be hard at times to be patient and it makes it hard to deal with other people without letting diabetes take over your mood.

I have an uncle with type 1 diabetes who was diagnosed much later in life as well as a second cousin.  Other than that, I have type 2 in my family, both my grandparents as well as an uncle.

What are some essentials in your diabetes management and care?

Essentials with my type 1 diabetes management are the basics, my Medtronic insulin pump, my meter, strips and insulin.  That is what keeps me alive and happy, however there is something else that I think is the most important thing beyond the basics and that is support.

The social part of diabetes is really important. Having a good team in your hospital, home and online is critical because there is so much to learn and pass on.  As soon as you’re diagnosed with type 1 diabetes you instantly become an expert, and all people’s experiences with diabetes is unique, so being able to share important tips and tricks is a good way to keep your diabetes in check.

Being involved in the community is a way that I keep care of my diabetes. I find the more I am involved the more I want to make sure I have amazing blood sugars.  You don’t feel alone when others are going though what you are, so I really like connecting with others that live with diabetes and I can safely say that, that plays a HUGE role in managing my diabetes successfully.

What are your top three health and fitness tips for other people living with type 1 diabetes?

1. If you’re looking to keep active, but don’t like the gym, find something that you find FUN!  Like going for adventure hikes or rock climbing.

2. Don’t think you can’t have anything because you’re diabetic. It is important to eat healthy, but make sure you’re not depriving yourself.

3. Smile 

—

Site:  www.kaylaslifenotes.blogspot.ca

Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/Kaylas-Notes/250807698444

Twitter: @ kaylas_notes

Email: kaylambrown@hotmail.ca

A recent study by researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston shows the risks of heart disease caused by gestational diabetes are not the same for all women.  The results of the study were presented at the 93^rd Annual Meeting of the Endocrine Society.

Researchers studied records of over 800 women who had gestational diabetes during pregnancy between 1998 and 2007 and compared them with a control group of over 3,200 women who did not have gestational diabetes.  The women in the two groups were matched based on total number of pregnancies.

The study used medical records to follow the women for an average of over 11 years to track the development of cardiovascular disease including heart attacks, strokes or high blood pressure.  Women who developed type 2 diabetes during the study time were excluded.

The researchers concluded that once other risk factors were ruled out, gestational diabetes was not a good predictor of which women would develop heart disease in most ethnic groups. However, they also noted that black women who had gestational diabetes were at a significantly higher risk of heart disease.

The highest risk category was Hispanic women.  This group showed a 70 percent greater risk of developing heart disease compared to Hispanic women who had never had gestational diabetes.

The research team recommends that Hispanic and black women who had gestational diabetes should be closely monitored for signs of heart disease.  They also suggest that women who had gestational diabetes should talk to their health care providers about ways to control their risks of future problems.

Funding for this research was provided by the National Institutes of Health, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Harold Amos Medical Faculty Development Program, and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute.

Denise DeWitt is a freelance writer for EmpowHER.com.

Related Links:

Sources:

Science Daily. Women’s Risk of Heart Disease After Gestational Diabetes Differs by Race, Study Finds.  Web. March 26, 2012.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/06/110606121933.htm

University of Maryland Medical Center. Gestational Diabetes. Web. March 26, 2012.

http://www.umm.edu/diabetes/gestational_diabetes.htm

American Diabetes Assocation. Gestational Diabetes. Web. March 26, 2012.

http://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-basics/gestational/?loc=DropDownDB-gestational

Flavonoids are chemicals believed to have health benefits that are found in certain plants.  These phytochemicals are found in larger concentrations in the body and bright-colored skins of certain fruits and vegetables, as well as in the cocoa bean used to make dark chocolate.  Flavonoids provide protection to plants from toxins in the environment, and also help repair damage to the plant caused by toxins.  When we eat foods rich in flavonoids, we gain some of this protective benefit, which is commonly referred to as an antioxidant.

Antioxidants are natural substances that can help the body fight off damage to cells caused by free radicals.  Free radicals occur naturally in the body when food is broken down for use or is stored. Free radicals are also produced by contact with certain chemicals such as tobacco smoke, contaminants in the environment, or radiation. Free radicals are unstable particles that can cause damage to cell membranes and the DNA inside the cell.

Previous studies linked  flavonoids with a variety of potential health benefits including reduced risk of heart disease and cancer.  A recent study at the Harvard School of Public Health suggests flavonoids may also help reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.  Diabetes is the condition that results when the body does not produce enough insulin or is not able to effectively use insulin to regulate sugar levels in the blood.  Type 2 diabetes is the most common type of diabetes, which affects millions of people in the United States.

In the study, researchers used questionnaires to track the diets of approximately 200,000 men and women for up to 24 years.  None of the participants had diabetes when the project began. About 12,600 people were diagnosed with diabetes during the course of the study.   The results showed that people who ate blueberries two or more times a week had a 23 percent lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes compared with participants who ate no blueberries.   People who ate at least five apples a week also had a 23 percent lower risk than those who ate no apples.

An Pan, a research fellow at the Harvard School of Public Health, said the study showed a relationship between eating apples and blueberries and having a lower risk of the disease, but did not prove that these fruits actually prevent diabetes.

Denise DeWitt is a freelance writer for EmpowHER.com.

Sources:

Reuters. Blueberries and apples tied to lower diabetes risk. Aparna Narayanan. Web. March 18, 2012.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/03/16/us-diabetes-idUSBRE82F1A920120316

Cleveland Clinic. Heart-Health Benefits of Chocolate Unveiled. Web.  March 18, 2012.

http://my.clevelandclinic.org/heart/prevention/nutrition/chocolate.aspx

National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Antioxidant Supplements for Health: An Introduction. Web. March 18, 2012.

http://nccam.nih.gov/health/antioxidants/introduction.htm

American Diabetes Association. Diabetes Basics: Type 2.  Web. March 18, 2012.

http://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-basics/type-2/?loc=DropDownDB-type2

Type 1 diabetes is the condition that results when the pancreas cannot produce enough insulin to remove sugar or glucose from the blood.  Without insulin, sugar levels can rise to dangerous and even deadly levels.  People with this condition must inject insulin to provide their cells with the hormone needed to control blood sugar levels.   This can be done by hand using a syringe or through an insulin pump that is attached to a port in the skin on the stomach.

A pancreas transplant is surgery to add a new pancreas to supplement the work of the original, malfunctioning organ. The new pancreas is obtained from an organ donor who is brain dead but still on life support.  Most pancreas transplants are performed in conjunction with kidney transplants in patients with kidney failure caused by diabetes. In these cases, the pancreas transplant is necessary to prevent future damage to the new kidney that would result if diabetes was left uncontrolled.

Before a transplant can take place, doctors must find a donor organ that matches the blood type and other key characteristics of the recipient.  If the transplanted organ is not a close enough match or if the body recognizes it as a foreign object, it will be rejected and will stop working.  A patient who receives any kind of organ transplant must take immunosuppressive drugs for the rest of his life to keep his immune system from fighting against the new organ. These drugs can cause serious side effects that may be worse than the symptoms of diabetes and the need to take daily injections.

If pancreas transplant surgery is successful and the organ is not rejected, diabetes can be cured and insulin injections will no longer be necessary.   However, even with immunosuppressive drugs approximately half of all pancreas-only transplants are rejected.  When this happens, the new pancreas stops working and diabetes returns.

Another hindrance for many people in getting a pancreas transplant is the limited availability of organs.  There are not enough pancreas donations to meet the demand, and not all pancreases that are offered for donation pass the strict screening guidelines for transplant.  In rare cases, a patient may receive a partial pancreas transplant from a close relative which is a match as an organ donor.  This may be done in conjunction with a kidney donation from a living relative to protect the new kidney from diabetes damage.

Pancreas transplant is typically not an option for people with type 2 diabetes.  This condition is most often caused by an inability to use insulin effectively, not by an inability to produce insulin, which means a new pancreas would not cure the disease.

 Denise DeWitt is a freelance writer for EmpowHER.com.

Sources:

University of Maryland Medical Center. Pancreas transplant – Overview. Web. March 18, 2012.

http://www.umm.edu/ency/article/003007.htm

Mayo Clinic. Pancreas transplant. Web. March 18, 2012.

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/pancreas-transplant/MY00762

American Diabetes Association. Pancreas Transplant. Web. March 18, 2012.

http://www.diabetes.org/living-with-diabetes/treatment-and-care/transplantation/pancreas-transplantation.html

Type 2 diabetes occurs when cells in the body become resistant to insulin.  Insulin is a hormone which acts as a key.  When insulin is present, cells are able to open up and receive glucose or sugar from the blood, which they use as a source of energy.  But when cells become resistant to insulin, they ignore the insulin that is present which means they do not take in the glucose they need.

Sugar that remains in the blood triggers the pancreas to produce more insulin to coax the cells into opening.  Insulin resistance is recognized as a precursor to developing type 2 diabetes.  When the pancreas is no longer able to produce enough insulin to get the cells to open, blood sugar levels continue to climb and type 2 diabetes develops.

The recent study polled over 500 men and women over the age of 40 to find out how much time they spend sitting each week.  The test subjects also provided blood samples that were tested to check for indicators of diabetes and metabolic dysfunction.   The study showed that women who spent the longest time sitting also had higher levels of insulin in their blood, along with other chemicals that were signs of inflammation.

The researchers were not able to determine why women were more affected by sitting than men, but suggested that women might snack more while sitting. They also suggested that men were more active when they were up and moving than women, which may offset the effects of sitting to some degree.

The researchers say their study shows that more time sitting equates to a higher risk of insulin resistance and low-grade inflammation in women, but not in men.  Study leader Dr. Thomas Yates said, “This effect is seen regardless of how much exercise is undertaken. This suggests that women who meet the national recommendations of 30 minutes of exercise a day may still be compromising their health if they are seated for the rest of the day.”

The researchers are hoping further study will show the impact of reducing the amount of time spent sitting.   Yates said, “If these results are replicated, they have implications for lifestyle recommendations, public health policy, and health behavior change interventions, as they suggest that enabling women to spend less time sitting is an important factor in preventing chronic disease.”

Denise DeWitt is a freelance writer for EmpowHER.com.

Related Links:

Sources:

Science Daily. Diabetes Risk from Sitting Around. Web. March 26, 2012.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/03/120302082913.htm

American Diabetes Association. Diabetes Basics: Type 2. Web. March 26, 2012.

http://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-basics/type-2/?loc=DropDownDB-type2

Diabetes is the condition that results when sugar or glucose accumulates in the blood.  Normally the body uses insulin to help glucose move from the bloodstream into cells where it is used as an energy source.  People with diabetes do not produce enough insulin or their bodies are not able to use it effectively, which allows sugar to build up in the blood to dangerously high levels.

The glycemic index is a tool used to estimate how fast a particular food is likely to elevate sugar levels in the blood.  Foods that are assigned a high number in the glycemic index are more likely to provide a quick boost in blood sugar.  Foods with a low glycemic index will have less impact on blood sugar.  Foods with lower numbers also help sustain a stable blood sugar level for a longer period of time.

The Purdue University study shows that foods with a low glycemic index may help stabilize blood sugar levels with benefits extending from breakfast through the morning and past lunch.   The research team believes breakfast foods with a low glycemic index can help people feel full early in the day and may help reduce the urge to overeat for the rest of the day.

Professor of foods and nutrition at Purdue University Richard Mattes, M.P.H., R.D. focused his research specifically on almonds.  Almonds contain virtually no carbs and therefore have very little if any effect on blood sugar, giving them a glycemic index of zero.  Mattes studied the effects on blood sugar when people ate a breakfast containing whole almonds.  He concluded that the participants felt full longer and had lower blood sugar readings after both breakfast and lunch, compared to people who did not eat a low glycemic breakfast.

Mattes also concluded that when people in the study ate a low glycemic food as part of their regular diet, they chose to eat less the rest of the day.  Low glycemic foods are not necessarily low-calorie foods, so care must still be taken to eat an appropriate number of calories per day to reach and maintain a healthy weight.

The research team emphasized the importance of eating a healthy, low glycemic breakfast to maintain both a healthy weight and sugar level.  Estimates show that by the year 2030, more than 16% of people around the world will have problems with high blood sugar.  Researcher Kantha Shelke, Ph.D. said, “Most of the risk factors are things that can be managed and modified. We can reverse pre-diabetes and prevent it from becoming diabetes. Food has become the reason for what’s ailing us, but it can actually be a solution in a number of different ways.”

Denise DeWitt is a freelance writer for EmpowHER.com.

Related Links:

Sources:

Science Daily. Glycemic Index Foods at Breakfast Can Control Blood Sugar Throughout the Day. Web. April 1, 2012.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/03/120330110204.htm

Diabetes net. Glycemic Index. Web. April 1, 2012.

http://www.diabetesnet.com/food-diabetes/glycemic-index

The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. International table of glycemic index and glycemic load values: 2002.  Kaye Foster-Powell , Susanna HA Holt, and Janette C Brand-Miller. Web. April 1, 2012.

http://www.ajcn.org/content/76/1/5.full

Carbs Information.  Glycemic Index for: Almonds.  Web. April 1, 2012.

http://www.carbs-information.com/glycemic-index/almonds-gi-value.htm

Like type 2 diabetes, gestational diabetes is believed to be caused by a condition known as insulin resistance.  Insulin is a hormone that helps the body regulate blood sugar or blood glucose levels.  When we eat, our bodies convert food to sugar so it can be used by cells as a source of energy.  This sugar or glucose is carried by the bloodstream to cells all over the body.

Insulin acts as a key to open the door for cells to draw in glucose from the blood. Insulin resistance occurs when the pancreas produces insulin but the cells do not respond to it and are unable to access the glucose.  This causes glucose to build up in the blood, which triggers the pancreas to produce even more insulin to coax the cells into opening up.  If the pancreas cannot produce enough insulin, blood sugar becomes too high and diabetes results.

Researchers do not fully understand why gestational diabetes develops.  One accepted theory places the blame on hormones which are produced by the placenta during pregnancy such as estrogen, cortisol, and human placental lactogen. As pregnancy progresses, these hormone levels rise until they reach a level that interferes with the body’s ability to use insulin.    This usually happens in the middle of pregnancy, around 24 weeks.  To counteract this affect on insulin use, the pancreas may need to produce as much as three times the normal amount of insulin while a woman is pregnant.

Diabetes is considered to be “gestational” when it develops during pregnancy.  This type of diabetes usually goes away soon after the baby is delivered.  In women who were already prone to develop diabetes, pregnancy may trigger the onset of type 2 diabetes which remains after delivery.

Doctors typically test for gestational diabetes around week 24 of pregnancy.  You may be at higher risk if:

• You are 25 years or older.
• You had gestational diabetes in a previous pregnancy.
• Your had a previous baby born weighing more than 9 pounds (4 kg).
• You weighed more than 9 pounds at birth.
• You are obese or physically inactive.
• You are prediabetic.
• You have a family history of diabetes.

If you are diagnosed with gestational diabetes, careful control of blood sugar levels is critical for your health and the health of your baby.  This may be achieved through diet and exercise.  Carbohydrates are easily converted to sugar, so your diet will probably be low in processed carbs and high in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.  You will also need to monitor your blood sugar levels many times a day and may need to take medications or inject insulin to help keep your sugar levels under control.  You should also be tested to be sure diabetes goes away after you give birth to your baby.

Maintaining tight control over blood sugar levels is critical to the health of your baby.  If you have any questions or concerns, be sure to talk to your healthcare professional.

Denise DeWitt is a freelance writer for EmpowHER.com.

Related Links:

Sources:

University of Maryland Medical Center. Gestational Diabetes. Web. March 26, 2012.

http://www.umm.edu/diabetes/gestational_diabetes.htm

American Diabetes Assocation. Gestational Diabetes. Web. March 26, 2012.

http://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-basics/gestational/?loc=DropDownDB-gestational

MSN Health. Gestational Diabetes – Treatment Overview. Web. March 26, 2012.

http://health.msn.com/health-topics/diabetes/gestational-diabetes-108

Mayo Clinic. Pregnancy and diabetes: Why lifestyle counts. Web. March 26, 2012.

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/pregnancy-and-diabetes/DA00042

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Diabetes and Pregnancy. Web. March 26, 2012.

http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/pregnancy_gateway/diabetes.html