Author

tanja

My name is Tanja Shatanovska. I have been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes for 20 years. In this blog, I share my personal everyday experiences and explain how I manage my diabetes world. My goal is to increase awareness about diabetes and help people realize that with regular control of their diabetes, they can have a normal and healthy life. :)

If people with diabetes have COVID-19, they have to check their blood sugar level regularly.
Diabetes tipsDiabetes treatment

What Should People With Diabetes Do If They Have COVID-19?

by tanja

As far as we know, COVID-19 can cause more severe symptoms and complications in older people, those with long term conditions such as chronic lung disease, cancer and people with diabetes. Unfortunately, if people like me have COVID-9, we may be more vulnerable to the severe effects of the virus.

If you have COVID-19, you should have all your diabetes medications.

That’s why it’s important to plan what to do before we get ill. For instance, we have to have contact information about our health care provider. Also, we have to make sure we have an adequate stock of medications and supplies for monitoring our blood glucose at home. If we are infected with the virus may see their glycaemic control deteriorate during the illness. In those situations, we should contact our doctor immediately for advice on how to monitor our blood sugar level. Also, our doctors has to provide us with adequate refills for medications (especially insulin). Lastly, he or she has to tell us what adjustments we may need to do in our medication or diet.

If we have COVID-19, we should:
  • Monitor our blood glucose
  • Monitor our temperature
  • If we are on insulin, also monitor our ketone bodies
  • Follow the healthcare team recommendations

International Diabetes Federation has published a guideline on which you can find more information about how to manage your diabetes during an illness. You can download it right here.

How we can avoid the virus?

To avoid the virus, we should take the following simple, sensible measures:

  • Frequently wash hands with soap and water
  • Use an alcohol-based solution, especially before eating and after being in public.
  • Don’t share food, tools, glasses and towels.
  • Avoid close contact with those who are ill.
  • If you get ill with respiratory symptoms, stay at home and notify others and your doctor.
  • When sneezing or coughing, cover the nose and mouth with a tissue or with the crook of the elbow. Throw the tissue in the bin.

If you want to get correct information about the situation with COVID-19 in Macedonia, you can do that on the following link: http://gdi-sk.maps.arcgis.com/apps/opsdashboard/index.html?fbclid=IwAR1_K921oU1bGmHfQX9XZGTWxByxDNvNkCmOxHceCFsL9r3GuTgErMS8Tiw#/2096bd4b051b42948ac3f5747e80c3a5

Home-based exercise for people with diabetes

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, governments in many countries have restricted the movement of their citizens, confining them to the home environment. Regular physical activity is of great benefit to the general population and even more for people living with diabetes.

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COVID-19 and Diabetes: Protect yourself!
Diabetes treatment

Why People With Diabetes May Be At Increased Risk Of COVID-19?

by tanja

As we all know, the news about the coronavirus or also known as COVID-19 continues to dominate around the world. Unfortunately, people with diabetes are more likely to experience severe complications when infected with it. Also, they have much higher rates of serious complications and death than people without diabetes.

COVID-19 and Diabetes: People with diabetes are more likely to experience severe symptoms and complications when infected with a virus

COVID-19 is different from seasonal flu.

Coronavirus or COVID-19 belongs to a family of viruses that cause respiratory illnesses. Moreover, most of them cause illness in animals. One of those is SARS-CoV-2 virus that caused the COVID-19. Unfortunately, we have to be aware that COVID-19 is a more serious illness than seasonal flu.

COVID-19 is a risk for people with diabetes:

No matter which type of diabetes people have, the complications that may occur vary from people’s age and how well they have been managing their diabetes. People who already have diabetes-related health problems are more likely to have worse outcomes if they are in contact with people who have coronavirus. While older people and those with respiratory conditions, diabetes or heart disease appear to be more vulnerable to becoming seriously ill with the virus. It’s important to be informed all the time. On that way, you can be proactive in preventing the illness.

People with well-controlled blood glucose levels do not face an increased risk of contracting COVID-19. Unfortunately, people with poorly controlled diabetes would be at an increased risk of contracting the illness. That’s why, it’s mandatory to maintain excellent blood sugar control, limit potential exposure, eat a healthy diet, and get regular exercise if possible.

Take everyday precautions:

  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick or who have travelled to countries that are considered as high and middle risk
  • Wash your hands often
  • After blowing your nose, sneezing and coughing wash your hands for at least 30 seconds,
  • If there are no soap and water available, always carry with you and use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
  • Wash your hands after touching surfaces in public places
  • Avoid touching your face, eyes and nose.
  • Clean and disinfect your home
  • Avoid crowds.
  • Avoid all non-essential travel including plane trips.

Get correct information about COVID-19 on the link below:

http://gdi-sk.maps.arcgis.com/apps/opsdashboard/index.html?fbclid=IwAR1_K921oU1bGmHfQX9XZGTWxByxDNvNkCmOxHceCFsL9r3GuTgErMS8Tiw#/2096bd4b051b42948ac3f5747e80c3a5


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Diabetes and COVID-19 Virus
Diabetes treatment

Diabetes and COVID-19 virus

by tanja

According to the CDC reports, “coronaviruses” are a large family of viruses common in animal species, and only rarely do they infect and spread among humans. That’s happened here with this officially named COVID-19 virus that started late last year with an outbreak in Wuhan, China, linked to a market selling seafood and live animals. Unfortunately, it’s gone global. The World Health Organization has declared the Coronavirus outbreak to be a public health emergency of international concern.  

Diabetes and COVID-19

COVID-19 virus signs

Common signs are typical flu-like symptoms like fever, tiredness, cough, breathing difficulties, and muscle aches. They usually start within 3-7 days of exposure to the virus. However, in some cases, it has taken up to 14 days for symptoms to appear.

Unfortunately, people of all ages can be infected. More than 80% of cases, COVID-19 virus is mild, with minimal flu-like symptoms. Some have not shown symptoms or only very mild symptoms, more like a common cold. Fortunately, most of the people who have caught the virus did not need to be hospitalised for supportive care. However, approximately 15% of cases COVID-19 has been severe and in around 5% of cases, it has led to critical illness. Around 98% of people infected to date have survived.

We know that coronaviruses can cause more severe symptoms and complications in older people, and those with long term conditions such as cancer or chronic lung disease. Also, people with diabetes may be more vulnerable to the severe effects of the virus.

What can people with diabetes do?

If you have diabetes, it is important to take precautions to avoid the virus if possible. To do that:

  • Wash hands regularly.
  • Try to avoid touching your face before you have washed and dried your hands.
  • Clean and disinfect any objects and surfaces that are touched frequently.
  • When you cough or sneeze, cover your mouth and nose with a tissue
  • Try to avoid contact with anyone showing symptoms of respiratory illness such as coughing.
  • Don’t share food, glasses, towels, tools etc.
  • Avoid unnecessary travel
  • Stay at home If you are ill.
  • Pay extra attention to your glucose control.
  • Make sure you will be able to correct the situation if your blood glucose drops suddenly.
  • Make sure you have a good supply of the diabetes medications you need. Think about what you would need if you had to quarantine yourself for a few weeks.
  • Prepare in case you get ill.

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Inject insulin in a public place
Diabetes tipsDiabetes treatment

Should We Inject Insulin In Public?

by tanja
Yes, we should inject insulin in public.

From my point of view, yes we should inject insulin in public. We should not feel ashamed to do that. However, for someone who doesn’t have diabetes, seeing someone inject is rare. Most of the people with diabetes state that injecting insulin in a public place is usually not a problem and that only occasionally will it prompt a reaction in others.

However, we have to be aware that some people around you may have a phobia of needles so it’s best to be as discreet as you can, especially around people you don’t know well. The key is in making sure we are discreet and ensuring that we minimise any risk of danger to ourselves or others.

Inject insulin when I am outside

I don’t have a problem to inject in public, especially when I am with my family and friends. In some cases, I wish to request to use a private area to administer an injection. For instance, when I go out with friends, I do the injection in the toilet. I do that for health and safety reasons, to completely prevent any risk of anyone else getting accidentally jabbed.

When I am at work

At work, all my colleagues are aware of my condition. During my first days in the company, I was asking them if it will be okay to check my blood sugar level or inject insulin in front of them. Fortunately, they didn’t have a problem with that. Now I can say that every time when I need to check my blood sugar level or inject insulin before my meal, I do that without a problem.

Additionally, no matter where I am, I always pay attention to the following things:

Ensure I have plenty of space and light to inject

Obviously I don’t inject if it could be dangerous to you or others. That’s why I make sure that there is plenty of space to inject so I don’t risk getting knocked. Also, I ensure that I am in a well-lighted area as this will make the injection easier.

I try to dispose of needles appropriately

Any used needles or syringes need to be disposed of appropriately. In public, I find a way to carry my used needles or syringes with me so I can dispose of them in a sharps collection box when I get home. Used needles and syringes count as biological waste and should never be disposed of in general waste bins.

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On January 11th 1922, Insulin Was First Used To Treat Diabetes
Diabetes stories from other people

On January 11th 1922, Insulin Was First Used To Treat Diabetes

by tanja

January 11th 1922 is a very important day in the history of diabetes. On this day, the insulin was first used in the treatment of diabetes.

On January 11th 1922

January 11th 1922 is the day when the lives of people with diabetes changed

A fourteen-year-old Leonard Thompson, who had diabetes, was dying at the Toronto General Hospital. The doctors gave him the first injection of insulin – a pancreatic extract prepared by Dr. Frederick Banting, and medical student, Charles Best. However, the extract was so impure that Thompson suffered a severe allergic reaction.

Over the next 12 days, James Collip worked day and night to improve the ox-pancreas extract. On the 23rd of January, they injected him a second dose of insulin. Luckily, this was completely successful. The boy’s blood sugar levels dropped to normal levels. Thompson would live another 13 years with daily injections of insulin, before dying of tuberculosis.

A dramatic moment

Doctors kept the children dying from diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) in large wards, often with 50 or more patients in a ward, mostly comatose. Grieving family members were often in attendance, awaiting the (until then, inevitable) death. In one of medicine’s more dramatic moments Banting, Best, and Collip went from bed to bed, injecting an entire ward with the new purified extract. Before they had reached the last dying child, the first few were awakening from their coma, to the joyous exclamations of their families. Although it was not a cure, it was a monumental breakthrough in treatment for diabetes.

Published paper in the Canadian Medical Association Journal

In March 1922, the Canadian Medical Association Journal published a paper in which described the case of Leonard Thompson, and six other patients the Banting and Best team treated with the refined extract. Additionally, this was the first official announcement of an extract developed to alleviate the symptoms of diabetes.

“A message of hope to sufferers from diabetes goes out authentically today from the medical research laboratories of the University of Toronto. The modesty of medical men and scientific investigators of the genuine brand attempts to minimize the results obtained. The harm of exaggeration and the injustice to both parents and research men in awakening false and premature hopes before the extracts can possibly be manufactured cannot be over-emphasized. But the fact remains that one of the most important discoveries in modern medical research has been made at the university here. It is not a cure for diabetes, its authors state. Within six months, however, their discovery will be used on a large scale, they hope, to prolong life quite considerably at least. There will be no secrecy, as from the beginning. The medical profession will know all the facts.”

— The Toronto Daily Star – March 22, 1922 Edition


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There is a connection between diabetes and skin complications.
Diabetes treatment

Diabetes And Skin Complications – Part 2

by tanja

Diabetes and skin complications are very connected. If we don’t control our diabetes, it can affect every part of our body, including our skin. Some of the skin complications include diabetic dermopathy, necrobiosis lipoidica diabeticorum, diabetic blisters, and eruptive xanthomatosis. 

Diabetes and skin complications are very connected

Diabetic dermopathy

To start with, when people with diabetes don’t control their blood sugar level, it can cause changes in the small blood vessels. Dermopathy often looks like light brown, scaly patches. These patches may be oval or circular. Also, this disorder most often occurs on the front of both legs. They do not hurt, open up, or itch. Dermopathy is harmless and doesn’t need to be treated.

Necrobiosis lipoidica diabeticorum

Changes in the blood vessels can cause necrobiosis lipoidica diabeticorum (NLD). NLD is a rare condition that causes spots similar to diabetic dermopathy, but they are fewer, larger, and deeper. It often starts as a dull, red, raised area. After a while, it looks like a shiny scar with a violet border. The blood vessels under the skin may become easier to see. Unfortunately, sometimes NLD is itchy and painful.

Eruptive xanthomatosis

Diabetes can also cause eruptive xanthomatosis. It consists of a firm, yellow, pea-like enlargements in the skin. Each bump has a red halo and may itch. This condition occurs most often on the backs of hands, feet, arms, legs and buttocks. Fortunately, these bumps disappear when diabetes control is restored.

Diabetic blisters (bullosis diabeticorum)

Rarely, people with diabetes can have blisters. Diabetic blisters can occur on the backs of fingers, hands, toes, feet and sometimes on legs or forearms. These sores look like burn blisters and often occur in people who have diabetic neuropathy. They are sometimes large, but they are painless and have no redness around them. Usually, they heal by themselves, usually without scars, in about three weeks. The only treatment is to bring blood sugar levels under control.

Conclusion

To conclude, there is a connection between diabetes and skin complications. To protect ourself from the skin complications, it is very important to take control of our diabetes, check our blood sugar level regularly as well as visit our endocrinologist regularly. However, if we face some skin complications and don’t know how to solve them, we should go to our dermatologist (skin doctor).

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Diabetes complicaitons may occur if you don't have a regular control of your diabetes.
Diabetes treatment

Diabetes And Skin Complications – Part 1

by tanja

Unfortunately, diabetes can affect every part of our body, including the skin. Skin complications, such as itching, bacterial infections and fungal infections are more common in people with diabetes.

Diabetes and skin complications.

Skin complications

Itching

Yeast infection, dry skin, or poor circulation can cause itching. When poor circulation is the cause of itching, the itchiest areas may be the lower parts of the legs.

Bacterial infections

There are several kinds of bacterial infections that may occur. For example, styes (infections of the glands of the eyelid), boils, folliculitis (infections of the hair follicles), carbuncles (deep infections of the skin and the tissue underneath), infections around the nails, inflamed tissues are usually hot, swollen, red, and painful.

Fungal Infections

The culprit in fungal infections of people with diabetes is often Candida albicans. It can create itchy rashes of moist, red areas surrounded by tiny blisters and scales. These infections often occur in warm, moist folds of the skin. Problem areas are under the breasts, around the nails, between fingers and toes, in the corners of the mouth, under the foreskin (in uncircumcised men), and in the armpits and groin. Common fungal infections include jock itch, athlete’s foot, ringworm (a ring-shaped itchy patch), and vaginal infection that causes itching.

Good skincare

Yes, you can prevent skin complications. You can prevent that by doing the following things :

  • First, it is important to keep your diabetes well managed. People who have hyperglycemia tend to have dry skin and less ability to fend off harmful bacteria. Both conditions increase the risk of infection.
  • Second, avoid very hot baths and showers. If your skin is dry, don’t use bubble baths. Moisturizing soaps may help. Afterwards, use a standard skin lotion, but don’t put lotions between toes. The extra moisture there can encourage fungus to grow.
  • Third, prevent dry skin. Scratching dry or itchy skin can open it up and allow the infection to set in. Moisturize your skin to prevent chapping, especially in cold or windy weather.
  • Also, treat cuts right away. For instance, wash minor cuts with soap and water. Furthermore, cover minor cuts with sterile gauze. See a doctor right away if you get a major cut, burn, or infection.
  • Moreover, during cold, dry months, keep your home more humid. Bathe less during this weather, if possible.
  • Take care of your feet. It is recommended to check them every day for sores and cuts. Wear broad, flat shoes that fit well.
  • Last, but not least, if you don’t know how to solve your skin problems, go to your dermatologist (skin doctor).
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DiabetesDiabetes Facts

Can Diabetes Lead To Feet Complications?

by tanja

Yes, if you have diabetes and if you have high blood sugar levels for a long time (hyperglycemia), it can cause some serious feet complications. Even ordinary problems can get worse and unfortunately lead to serious feet complications.

Feet complications that may occur if you don't control your blood sugar level.

Feet complications 

There are many feet complications that may occur. Some of them are the following:

Neuropathy

If you don’t control your blood sugar level, your nerves can be damaged. This process is called neuropathy. When neuropathy happens, you feel tingling, pain (burning or stinging), or weakness in the foot. It can also cause loss of feeling in the foot, so you can injure it and not know it. Poor blood flow or changes in the shape of your feet or toes may also cause problems.

Diabetic nerve damage can also lessen your ability to feel pain, heat, and cold. Loss of feeling often means you may not feel a foot injury until the skin breaks down and becomes infected. It can also lead to changes in the shape of your feet and toes.

Skin changes

Diabetes can cause changes in the skin of your foot as well. At times your foot may become very dry. Also, the skin may peel and crack. The problem is that the nerves that control the oil and moisture in your foot no longer work.

Foot ulcers

Ulcers occur most often on the ball of the foot or on the bottom of the big toe. Ulcers on the sides of the foot are usually due to poorly fitting shoes. Although some of them do not hurt, you should visit your doctor right awat.. Neglecting ulcers can result in infections, which in turn can lead to loss of a limb.

Poor circulation

Poor circulation (blood flow) can make your foot less able to fight infection and to heal. Diabetes causes blood vessels of the foot and leg to narrow and harden. You can control some of the things that cause poor blood flow. Don’t smoke; smoking makes arteries harden faster. Also, follow your health care provider’s advice for keeping your blood pressure and cholesterol under control. If your feet are cold, you may be tempted to warm them. Unfortunately, if your feet cannot feel the heat, it is easy for you to burn them with hot water, hot water bottles, or heating pads. The best way to help cold feet is to wear warm socks.

Amputation

People with diabetes are far more likely to have a foot or leg amputated than other people. Many people with diabetes have peripheral arterial disease (PAD), which reduces blood flow to the feet. Also, many people with diabetes have nerve disease, which reduces sensation. Together, these problems make it easy to get ulcers and infections that may lead to amputation.

To prevent these feet complications, it’s very important to take good care of your feet and wear comfortable shoes. Anytime you feel pain or notice something different, see your doctor right away as well as follow his/her advice.

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14-th of November - World Diabetes Day!
DiabetesDiabetes Facts

November 14th is World Diabetes Day!

by tanja

Today people with diabetes celebrate World Diabetes Day. It is internationally recognized and is an official United Nations Day and it takes place on the 14th of November every year. It has become a globally-celebrated event that increases awareness about diabetes.

World Health Organisation (WHO) and the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) introduced this day in 1991.

Me celebrating November 14th - World Diabetes Day

World Diabetes Theme

This year, the theme for World Diabetes Day 2019 is once again, The Family and Diabetes. The aim is to raise awareness of the impact that diabetes has on the family and support network of those affected. Also, the goal is to promote the role of the family in the management, care, prevention and education of diabetes.

9th Edition of the IDF Diabetes Atlas

Every year the International Diabetes Federation is releasing new figures that highlight the alarming growth in the prevalence of diabetes around the world. On this day, november 14th, they published the 9th Edition of the IDF Diabetes Atlas. According to their data, there are now 463 million adults with diabetes worldwide. 

The global prevalence of diabetes has reached 9.3%, with more than half (50.1%) of adults undiagnosed. Type 2 diabetes accounts for around 90% of all people with diabetes.

In order to reduce the impact of diabetes, people can do a lots of things. Evidence suggests that type 2 diabetes can often be prevented, while early diagnosis and access to appropriate care for all types of diabetes can avoid or delay complications in people living with the condition. Check out the other key fundings at www.diabetesatlas.org. 

Me celebrating November 14th - World Diabetes Day!
edf

Why is November 14th World Diabetes Day?

November 14th is a significant date in the diabetes calendar because it marks the birthday of the man who co-discovered insulin, Frederick Banting. Banting discovered insulin in 1922, alongside Charles Best.

This is known as one of medicine’s most incredible moments. In 1922, at the University of Toronto, scientists went to a hospital ward with children who were comatose and dying from diabetic keto-acidosis. There was a room full of parents sitting at the bedside waiting for the inevitable death of their child. The scientists went from bed to bed and injected the children with the new purified extract – insulin. As they began to inject the last comatose child, the first child injected began to awaken. One by one, all of the children awoke from their diabetic comas. A room of death and gloom became a place of joy and hope. Thank You Dr. Banting and Dr. Best!

November 14th is a significant date. It marks the birthday of Frederick Banting who discovered the insulin in 1922, alongside Charles Best.
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Stress can have a negative impact on our blood sugar levels.
Diabetes managementDiabetes treatment

How Does Stress Affect Diabetes?

by tanja

Stress is the reaction of our body to any change that requires an adjustment or response. The body reacts to these changes with physical, mental, and emotional responses. When we become stressed,  the body quickly responds by releasing hormones that give cells access to stored energy – fat and glucose – to help the body get away from danger.

Diabetes and stress

As we know, diabetes management is a lifelong process. As a result, this adds stress to your daily life. Stress can be a major barrier to effective glucose control. Stress hormones in your body may directly affect glucose levels. When you’re feeling stressed, the body releases stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline. These hormones should give you an energy boost for a ‘fight or flight’ response. But the hormones actually make it harder for insulin to work properly, known as insulin resistance. As energy can’t get into your cells, your blood sugar levels rise.

If your blood sugar levels go too high, you face high blood sugar levels or hyperglycemia. If it doesn’t go away, it can keep your blood sugar levels high and put you at a higher risk of diabetes complications. It can also affect your mood and how you look after yourself, which can start to affect your emotional health.

What do I do when I feel stressed?

Everyone copes with stressful situations in different ways. For example, sometimes I feel stressed when I try to do things perfectly. As a result, in the end, I don’t manage to finish the things as I was expecting. Because stress increases my blood sugar level, in these situations, the first thing that I try to do is to look after myself. This means that I try to stay calm and take a deep breath. Also, I check my blood sugar level more often in the following two or three hours.

Moreover, I learned not to put too much pressure on myself to do everything perfectly. This can add or lead to stress. But it’s good to be aware of how easy it can be to give in to the habit of letting diabetes self-care slip in times of stress.

Trying to get enough sleep and building exercise, rest and relaxation time into my routine also help me cope better with stress.

Last, but not least, talking with other people about what’s making me stressed helps me a lot. Talking with my family and sister about things that make me worry is the best therapy for me. Their words and advice help me put something into perspective or just make me feel relieved about getting it off your chest.

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