Is Your Body Trying to Tell You Something? Medical Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment from your healthcare provider. Have you ever noticed that health problems seem to appear one at a time? Then, before you know it, it can feel like your health has started snowballing downhill. One year, your doctor tells you that your blood pressure is too high. A few years later, your cholesterol or t

The best diabetes care doesn't happen when one person carries all the responsibility—it happens when you work together. There were many times while caring for my first husband, Robbie, that I became mentally and physically exhausted. As a registered nurse, I also spent years caring for patients with diabetes, so I understood the seriousness of the disease. But understanding diabetes didn't make me immune to being tired. Life doesn't stop because someone has diabetes. There we

Teaching Children What to Do in a Diabetes Emergency When we think about teaching young children, we usually think about colors, numbers, and the alphabet. But sometimes, there are other lessons that become just as important. My first husband, Robbie, had diabetes. He was diagnosed with type I diabetes when he was just four years old. Like many people with diabetes, he occasionally experienced severe episodes of low blood sugar. There were times his blood glucose dropped belo

(And I'm Not Talking About Insulin Shots) Most of us have heard the expression, "calling the shots." It means being in charge. It means making the decisions. But when diabetes starts calling the shots—and I'm not talking about insulin shots—it can slowly begin making decisions you never wanted it to make. It tells you that you're too tired to enjoy your grandchildren. It tells you that your feet hurt too much to take a walk. It tells you that your blood sugar is too high, so

Disclaimer: The patient story shared in this article is based on a real experience, but identifying details have been changed or omitted to protect privacy. This article is for educational purposes only and should not replace medical advice from your healthcare provider. "I feel fine." I've heard those words more times than I can count. People skip their yearly checkups for many reasons. Some don't have health insurance. Others don't have a primary care provider. Some say the

Disclaimer: The information shared in this article is intended for educational purposes only and reflects our family's personal experiences along with general medical information. Our experiences may not be the same as yours. This article is not intended to diagnose, treat, or replace the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider. Never start, stop, or change a medication without first discussing it with your healthcare provider. If you've watched televi

Continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) have been life-changing for many people living with diabetes. Devices such as Dexcom G7, Dexcom G6, and Freestyle Libre 3 allow people to monitor glucose levels more closely without repeated finger sticks. These devices can provide valuable information about blood sugar trends, helping people make better decisions regarding food, activity, medications, and insulin. But there is one frustration I continue to hear over and over again: “My sens

For many people living with diabetes, pain becomes an unwelcome daily companion. Sometimes it starts slowly burning in the feet, tingling in the toes, numbness in the hands, or leg cramping that wakes you in the middle of the night. Other times it feels like stabbing, electric, or shooting pain that comes without warning. This kind of nerve pain is often called diabetic neuropathy. Neuropathy happens when high blood sugar over time damages the nerves, especially in the feet,

A Conversation Between a Caregiver and a Loved One With Diabetes Diabetes affects more than blood sugar. It affects energy. It affects emotions. It affects communication. It affects marriages. It affects families. Many people think diabetes is only about food, insulin, and glucose numbers. But those living with diabetes—and those caring for someone with diabetes—know it affects so much more. It can create fear. Frustration. Exhaustion. Misunderstanding. Loneliness. Sometimes

Food has always been tied to love, celebration, comfort, and connection. Family cookouts. Church potlucks. Holiday gatherings. Birthday parties. Sunday lunches. Dinner with friends. Food brings people together. That is why changing the way you eat can sometimes feel difficult. Whether you are trying to lower carbs, support better blood sugar, lose weight, reduce inflammation, or simply make healthier choices, gatherings can feel challenging. You may look at the table and see

When many people think about diabetes nutrition, the first thing they think about is carbohydrates. And yes, carbohydrates matter because they usually raise blood sugar the fastest. But diabetes nutrition is about much more than just counting carbs. Protein matters. Fats matter. Food quality matters. Balance matters. For many years, people were taught that fat was bad. We were told to buy low-fat foods, fat-free foods, and avoid fat whenever possible. Unfortunately, many of t

Preparing for Difficult Days With Faith and Wisdom Sometimes emotions feel like riding a seesaw. There are moments when life feels balanced. We feel calm, strong, and able to think clearly. During those times, making good choices often feels easier. Then there are other moments when life shifts quickly. Stress rises. Fatigue sets in. Emotions feel heavy. The balance changes, and suddenly even simple decisions feel much harder. I think most of us know what that feels like. In

Many people living with diabetes also live with high blood pressure. In fact, these two conditions often go hand in hand. When blood sugars stay elevated over time, the heart, kidneys, blood vessels, and nerves can all be affected. This is one reason why managing diabetes is about much more than simply watching glucose numbers. One thing I have seen over many years of nursing is that when people begin moving toward a more natural low-carb lifestyle, many start seeing improvem

Many people with diabetes have stomach problems such as bloating, gas, cramping, nausea, or diarrhea. Their first thought is often, “It must be my diabetes.” Sometimes diabetes can affect digestion, but diabetes is not always the reason. Sometimes the problem may be: • Lactose intolerance • Medication side effects • Another medical condition Lactose intolerance happens when your body does not make enough of the enzyme needed to break down lactose, which is the natural sugar f

I have been seeing many posts lately sharing studies that claim this medication or that supplement is the best way to manage diabetes—as if everyone should fit into one singular mold. After many years in nursing, I can tell you with confidence that healthcare simply does not work that way. I have never seen a medication, treatment plan, or dietary approach that is truly “one size fits all.” Yes, research matters. Studies matter. Medical advancements matter. But we also need

If you are living with diabetes—whether Type 1 or Type 2—you have probably heard a lot of advice from family, friends, coworkers, and even strangers. Some of it may come from a place of love. Some of it may come across as criticism. "Get your life together." "You need to change your diet." "Why did you let this happen?" While those words may be painful to hear, I want you to consider something. The people saying these things are often afraid too. They may be worried about you

When many people are first diagnosed with diabetes, one of the first thoughts that comes to mind is, "Why me?" Whether you are diagnosed as a child, a teenager, a young adult, or later in life, hearing the words "You have diabetes" can be overwhelming. Suddenly there are new medications, blood sugar checks, doctor appointments, meal planning, and concerns about the future. It can feel as though your body has changed overnight. The truth is that diabetes affects everyone a lit

One of the most common questions people with diabetes ask is, "What is neuropathy?" In simple terms, neuropathy is nerve damage. Over time, high blood sugar levels can damage the small nerves throughout the body, especially in the feet and legs. Think of nerves as the body's electrical wiring. When those wires become damaged, messages between your brain and different parts of your body may not travel correctly. The good news is that not everyone with diabetes develops neuropa

As temperatures rise, many people with diabetes notice that their blood sugars seem higher than usual. They may be eating the same foods, taking their medications as prescribed, and following their usual routines. So what changed? One possible culprit is dehydration. When the weather is hot, your body loses more fluid through sweating. If those fluids are not replaced, the amount of glucose in your bloodstream becomes more concentrated, which can lead to higher blood sugar re

When most people think about diabetes, they think about blood sugar numbers, medications, doctor visits, and food choices. While these things are important, there is another side of diabetes that often remains hidden—the emotional and spiritual burden that many people carry every day. For some, diabetes begins with fear. Fear of complications. Fear of insulin. Fear of losing eyesight. Fear of kidney disease. Fear of amputation. Fear of becoming a burden to loved ones. Fear of