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. :)

I test my blood sugar level more often in order to manage my diabetes during the summer.
Diabetes tipsDiabetes treatment

How do I manage my diabetes during the summer?

by tanja

During my 20 years of experience with diabetes, I have learned that I need to be extra careful when temperatures increase dramatically. I know that I have to manage my diabetes more often because It can affect my blood sugar control.

How the heat affects my levels depends on what I’ve eaten, whether I am well-hydrated and my activity level. If the heat and my activity make me sweat profusely, I may become dehydrated. As a result, that will lead to a rise in glucose levels. If I become dehydrated, my blood glucose levels will rise. Not only it will lead to frequent urination, but also it will lead to further dehydration and even higher blood sugar levels

How do I manage my diabetes during the summer?

What do I do to manage my diabetes properly?

Enjoying the sun is one of the things I look forward to in the summer and on holiday. In order to enjoy the outdoor activities without affecting my blood sugar level, I do the following things:

Drink plenty of water

 Wherever I go, I usually carry a small bottle with me.

Test my blood sugars levels frequently

I test my blood glucose levels more frequently than usual. On that way, I take appropriate and immediate action to keep my levels more stable.

Keep my blood glucose meter and test strips away from the sun

Extremes of temperature can also affect your blood glucose meter and test strips. As a result, I keep my meter and test strips as close to normal room temperature as possible and out of direct sunlight.

Store my insulin properly

During the hot weather, I keep my insulin in the fridge or a cool bag. Of course, I take care that it does not freeze.

I always take some snack with me

Some snacks can serve as a meal replacement. Others can serve as ways to prevent low blood sugars. I always have glucose tabs or glucose gel (Jubin) in my bag. 

I try to avoid sunburn

I apply sunscreen to exposed areas of your body 15–30 minutes before going out in the sun.

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How does living with diabetes look like?
My diabetes story

How does living with diabetes look like?

by tanja

I have been living with type 1 diabetes for almost 21 years. I learned that I have to control it every day if I want to have a normal life. A lot of people have asked me: “How does living with diabetes look like?” In order to answer their question, I wrote this blog post. I hope that it will help them realize what we are going through every day.

Currently, I am treating my diabetes with insulin pens. I use two types of insulin: long-lasting insulin Lantus, which I inject it every night (at 10 pm), and short-acting insulin Apidra, which I inject before every meal. Moreover, I inject this type of insulin when my blood sugar level is high. I use a blood glucose meter, called Plus Med. With this machine, I need to prick my fingers to draw blood. I usually check my blood sugar level 5-6 times per day, usually before my meals, after the meals and in the situations when I feel that my blood sugar level increased or dropped down.

Living with diabetes look like this.

Living with diabetes is not easy at all

This is how my day with type 1 diabetes look like:

Normally, during the working week, I wake up at 7 am. The first thing what I do after waking up is checking my blood sugar level. Usually, it is in the range between 6 mmol/L -8 mmol/L. Sometimes it can be bellow and above this range. For example, my personal lowest result was 1.2mmol/L and my personal highest result was 26 mmol/L. Depends on the result and of the amount of food I am planning to eat, I inject a dose of the insulin Apidra.

While I am at work, I normally check my blood sugar level two or three times. I usually check my blood sugar level before my lunch and one hour later. Of course, I don’t forget to inject a dose of the Apidra insulin before lunch. If I have a project with a tight deadline or I feel stressed, I check my blood glucose level every one hour and a half. In these situations, when necessary, I inject small doses of Apidra as well.

After I come back from work, I usually relax for one hour. After that, I enjoy going out with my friends, ride a bike or run. But before being physically active, I don’t forget to check my blood sugar level. Being physically active for me is a more interesting way to decrease my blood glucose level.

Finally, at night, I check my blood sugar level two more times: before my dinner and two hours after the dinner, which is usually the time before I go to bed. Before my dinner, I inject once again a dose of the insulin Apidra and before going to sleep, I inject the insulin Lantus.

Conclusion

So many injections and so many pricks, right? Living with diabetes is not easy. In fact, sometimes I feel like I can’t manage at all. However, I know that I am not alone. I know that this condition is manageable and shouldn’t stop me from achieving my dreams. 🙂

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How To Prevent Diabetic Ketoacidosis?
Diabetes tipsDiabetes treatment

How To Prevent Diabetic Ketoacidosis?

by tanja

Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a life-threatening problem that affects people with diabetes. Moreover, it can occur if you have type 2 diabetes as well. In some cases, diabetic ketoacidosis may be the first sign that a person has diabetes. That is why it is important to know how to prevent diabetic ketoacidosis.

Diabetic ketoacidosis is treated with fluids, electrolytes such as sodium, potassium, and chloride and insulin. It can lead to loss of consciousness and, eventually, it can be fatal.

How to prevent ketoacidosis complications?

A person with diabetes can take many steps to prevent diabetic ketoacidosis. In order to do that, we have to learn how to manage diabetes well.

Preventive steps include:

  • Manage your diabetes. In order to manage diabetes, you should make healthy eating and physical activity part of your daily routine.
  • Monitor your blood sugar level. Careful monitoring is the only way to make sure your blood sugar level remains within your target range. You should do this more often, especially if you are ill or under stress.
  • Adjust your insulin dosage as needed. In order to do this, talk to your doctor. Moreover, he or she will tell you what you eat, how active you are, whether you’re ill and other factors.
  • Check your ketone level. When you’re ill or under stress, test your urine for excess ketones with an over-the-counter urine ketones test kit. If your ketone level is moderate or high, contact your doctor right away or seek emergency care. If you have low levels of ketones, you may need to take more insulin.
  • Always be prepared to act quickly. If your blood sugar level is high, and you have excess ketones in your urine, seek emergency care.

Diabetes complications are scary. But don’t let fear keep you from taking good care of yourself. That is why we have to know how to prevent diabetic ketoacidosis complications. Follow your diabetes treatment plan carefully, and ask your diabetes treatment team for help when you need it.

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The symptoms and causes of diabetic ketoacidosis
Diabetes treatment

Diabetic ketoacidosis: Symptoms and Causes

by tanja

Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a serious condition of diabetes that occurs when your body produces high levels of blood acids called ketones. It can lead to diabetic coma (passing out for a long time) or even death.

Diabetic ketoacidosis: the causes

This condition develops when the body can’t produce enough insulin. As we know, glucose is the major source of energy for our muscles and other tissues. Insulin helps the glucose enter in the cells. Without enough insulin, our body begins to break down fat as fuel. This process produces a buildup of acids in the bloodstream called ketones. High levels of ketones can poison the body. When levels get too high, you can develop DKA. DKA may happen to anyone with diabetes, though it is rare in people with type 2. 

As a result, we have to learn the warning signs of diabetic ketoacidosis and know when to seek emergency care.

Symptoms

The signs may develop within 24 hours. The following symptoms may be the first indication of having diabetes:

  • Excessive thirst
  • Frequent urination
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Abdominal pain
  • Weakness or fatigue
  • Shortness of breath
  • Fruity-scented breath
  • Confusion

However, more-specific signs can be detected through home blood and urine testing kits as well. They are :

What causes diabetic ketoacidosis?

Here are three basic reasons for moderate or large amounts of ketones:

  • Not enough insulin
    If you have an inadequate insulin therapy or if you miss your insulin treatment, it can leave you with too little insulin in your system. Hence, it can trigger an episode of diabetic ketoacidosis.
  • Not enough food
    High levels may also occur when you miss a meal.
  • Insulin reaction (low blood glucose)
    If testing shows high ketone levels in the morning, you may have had an insulin reaction while asleep.

Last but not least, ketoacidosis is dangerous and serious. Furthermore, it can be fatal as well. If you have any of the above symptoms, contact your doctor IMMEDIATELY, or go to the nearest emergency room of your local hospital.

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Sweet dessert - chocolate muffins
Diabetes cookbook

Sweet chocolate muffins

by tanja

Imagine eating sweet chocolate muffins. Delicious, fluffy and moist double chocolate chunk muffins are bursting with chocolate flavor – and tons of chunks of chocolate in every bite!  It is indeed the most delicious and the finest dessert I have ever made. Nothing is romantic like chocolate, isn’t it?

These super chocolatey muffins are loaded with cocoa and big chunks of chocolate – just like from a bakery, but about a million times better. 

Ingredients needed for the chocolate muffins:

  • 1 egg
  • 100 g of Stevia sweetener
  • 1 vanilla extract
  • 170 g of flour
  • 30 g of cocoa powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda
  • 1 baking powder scoop
  • 1 teaspoon of salt 
  • 180 ml of milk
  • 100 ml of oil
  • 200 g chocolate (I use Dorina Milk chocolate with Stevia).

Preparation

To get perfect high-domed muffins as you would in a bakery at home, there is a specific process to get the best results. 

First, chop the chocolate into small, uniform pieces. In a large bowl, sift the dry ingredients. Add the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Next, add the sweetener, vanilla, and the cocoa powder and mix them.

Second, in another bowl, add the wet ingredients: the egg, the milk, and the oil.

How the sweet chocolate muffins should look like before I put them in the oven.

Third, add the chocolate in the dry ingredients and mix them. Let a piece of chocolate spit on them. Pour wet ingredients into dry and mix.

Last, but not least, cover molds with piles, pour the mixture and sprinkle with chopsticks. Bake in a heated oven at 200 degrees for 20 minutes. In the end, serve the chocolate muffins with a cup of coffee 🙂

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Sweets and desserts, like chocolate cake is one of my favorite desserts.
Diabetes cookbook

Can people with diabetes eat sweets and desserts?

by tanja

There is a popular misconception that people with diabetes must avoid all sweets and desserts. This is completely untrue! To be honest, many people have asked me the same question. The answer is: “YES, of course, we can”. People with diabetes can still enjoy sweets, but they may need to plan to help avoid unnecessary spikes in blood sugar.

People who have diabetes will agree that sweets and desserts can be tricky. I like most of my desserts to be sweet. However, I know that a low-carb diabetic dessert is a better option because it doesn’t mess up with my blood sugar level.

People with diabetes can eat sweets and desserts. For example, I ate one piece of chocolate cake, I injected dose of insulin and later, my blood sugar level was in the range of normal.

Savory desserts can be awesome as well, but, it’s hard to beat sweets and dessert to end a great meal. At least, it is hard for me.

Sugar and sugar substitutes (honey, agave nectar, etc.) will obviously affect your blood sugar and artificial sweeteners and sugar alcohols can have unwanted side effects (typically digestive issues).

Moreover, I know that there are plenty of delicious low-carb dessert recipes to choose from. I prefer to make my own desserts at home. On that way, I can control exactly what goes into the desert.

Furthermore, the recipes that I make I usually use either Stevia or get their sweetness from other ingredients like fruit and berries.

What is Stevia?

Stevia a completely natural sweetener since it’s simply an extract from the leaves of the plant species Stevia rebaudiana. Most grocery stores carry it and you can purchase it as a powder, extract, or as flavored drops.

Stevia is great for people with diabetes and does not raise my blood sugars levels. It’s actually my sweetener of choice. I use Stevia to sweeten up your morning coffee or oatmeal, or your favorite dessert.

There are many ways to create delicious desserts that are (relatively) low-carb and sugar-free. In my next blog post, I will write some of the recipes that make and, at the same time have great blood sugar.

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Diabetes tipsDiabetes treatment

How did I prepare for Wizz Air Marathon 2019?

by tanja

Yesterday, on the 4th of May, I participated in the Wizz Air Skopje Marathon 2019 for a second time. I was running 5 km. It was a challenging experience for me. First, it was a fight with myself while I was running. Although I was feeling a pain in my legs, I was trying to stay calm and motivate myself to go on. Second, I wanted to prove that my diabetes won’t stop me to achieve the goal – to run 5 km without having a negative effect on my blood sugar level.

Every person with diabetes should be well prepared before the marathon. For this Wizz Air Skopje Marathon 2019, I did the following things: when I woke up in the morning, first I checked my blood sugar level. It was above the normal range – 8,5 mmol/L. I ate one banana and I drunk two glasses of water. One hour later, a couple of minutes before the marathon started, I checked my blood sugar level once again. I was 9.00 mmol/L, but I didn’t inject insulin. After I finished the marathon, almost 40 minutes later, I checked my blood sugar once again. It was 11,00 mmol/L. This time, I injected insulin in order to decrease it and I ate my breakfast. One hour and a half later, I checked it once again, it was 7 mmol/L.

My motto for Skopje Wizz Air Marathon 2019
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Healthy lunch - chicken salad
Diabetes cookbook

My suggestion for a healthy lunch – Chicken salad

by tanja

People with diabetes have to eat healthy food. A salad that contains vitamins in combination with meat and pastry is a perfect combination for a healthy beginning of the day.

  • mde

Ingredients:

  • 400 grams of chicken white meat
  • 4 tomatoes
  • 250 grams of cheese
  • 6 pieces of Chrono bread
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 2 green salads
  • 100 grams of young spinach
  • 1 lemon
  • oil
  • salt
  • 1 onion

Preparation:

First, beat the white meat with a pestle and grilled on a grill-pan while roasted. Then cut it into smaller cubes.

Second, cut the cheese and tomatoes into cubes, onion into wheels, and cut the green salad into larger cubes.

Third, Bake the pieces of bread on a toaster, then rub with garlic and cut into cubes.

Last, but not least, add the spinach, and onions to the green salad, then pour them in oil, lemon juice, and flavor to taste.

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This is how an artificial pancreas looks like.
CGMs, Meters & PumpsDiabetes treatment

Artificial pancreas – A safe and effective treatment for type 1 diabetes

by tanja

The harm that diabetes can inflict on the human body is due to the inability of the pancreas to produce insulin Because insulin is essential for survival, people with diabetes must inject it artificially. But this is often risky. Too much insulin can cause serious complications, and too little can lead to coma and death. For years, the scientists have been working on creating a computerized, artificial pancreas that will continually measure the blood sugar level.

An example of artificial pancreas

The Scientists at the University of Virginia, Faculty of Medicine and Harvard, John A. Paulson, Faculty of Engineering and Applied Sciences, have been working on developing a computerized, artificial pancreas device system for years. The Artificial Pancreas Device System is a system of devices that closely mimics the glucose-regulating function of a healthy pancreas. The goal of the artificial pancreas is to automatically monitor and regulate blood sugar levels. As a result, it will eliminate the need for people with type 1 diabetes to stick their fingers to check their blood sugar frequently and manually inject insulin.

It consists of three types of devices. A continuous glucose monitoring system (CGM), an insulin infusion pump and a blood glucose device. The blood glucose device is a glucose meter that is used to calibrate the CGM.

How does the artificial pancreas work?

The artificial pancreas measures blood sugar levels using a continuous glucose monitor (CGM). Then the CGM transmits this information to an insulin pump. This device calculates and releases the required amount of insulin into the body. This is the same just as the pancreas does in people without diabetes.

The Do-It-Yourself Pancreas System (#DIYPS)

Dana Lewis and Scott Leibrand, the creators of The Do-It-Yourself Pancreas System (#DIYPS).

The Do-It-Yourself Pancreas System (#DIYPS) was created by Dana Lewis and Scott Leibrand in the fall of 2013. The main goal of #DIYPS is to solve the problem with an existing FDA-approved medical device. The figured out a way to augment continuous glucose monitor (CGM) alerts, which aren’t loud enough to wake heavy sleepers and to alert a loved one if the patient is not responding. #DIYPS can be utilized by those with CGM and insulin pump, CGM and multiple daily injections of insulin as well as for those with no CGM and daily injections.

In my opinion, technology has the potential to change lives. As a result, the artificial pancreas will be a milestone in the treatment of type 1 diabetes. It can make life with diabetes easier. Moreover, it can help people achieve more stable blood glucose levels too. Imagine waking up every day with blood glucose levels in the target range? That is something that we are waiting for.

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Diabetes food
Diabetes tipsDiabetes treatment

What kind of food can I eat if I have diabetes?

by tanja

If you are facing with diabetes for the first time, for sure, you are constantly asking yourself, “What kind of food can I eat?” Firstly, it’s time to stop worrying! Secondly, living with diabetes doesn’t have to mean feeling deprived. However, you just have to learn to balance your meals and make the healthiest food choices too.

The food groups people with diabetes can eat.

Moreover, you may worry that having diabetes means going without the foods you enjoy. The good news is that you can still eat your favorite foods, but you might need to eat smaller portions or enjoy them less often.

The food groups

The key to eating with diabetes is to eat a variety of healthy foods from all food groups, in the amounts your meal plan outlines.

The food groups are:

  • vegetables
    • nonstarchy: includes broccoli, carrots, greens, peppers, and tomatoes
    • starchy: includes potatoes, corn, and green peas
  • fruits—includes oranges, melon, berries, apples, bananas, and grapes
  • grains—at least half of your grains for the day should be whole grains
    • includes wheat, rice, oats, cornmeal, barley, and quinoa
    • examples: bread, pasta, cereal, and tortillas
  • protein
    • lean meat
    • chicken or turkey without the skin
    • fish
    • eggs
    • nuts and peanuts
    • dried beans and certain peas, such as chickpeas and split peas
    • meat substitutes, such as tofu
  • dairy—nonfat or low fat

Eat foods with heart-healthy fats, which mainly come from these foods:

  • oils that are liquid at room temperature, such as canola and olive oil
  • nuts and seeds
  • heart-healthy fish such as salmon, tuna, and mackerel
  • avocado
Photo of salmon avocado grains and olive oil.

Furthermore, use oils when cooking food instead of butter, or stick margarine.


How much can I eat if I have diabetes?

Eating the right amount of food will not only help you manage your blood glucose level but also it will help you manage your weight. In fact, your doctor can help you figure out how much food and how many calories you should eat each day.

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