Category: Diva TalkRadio

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Domestic Violence On The Rise

The spread of the COVID-19 is making violence in homes more frequent, more severe and more dangerous.

Domestic violence goes up whenever families spend more time together, such as the Christmas and summer vacations, she said.

Now, with families in lockdown worldwide, hotlines are lighting up with abuse reports, leaving governments trying to address a crisis that experts say they should have seen coming.

According to the New York Times, the United Nations called for urgent action to combat the worldwide surge in domestic violence. “I urge all governments to put women’s safety first as they respond to the pandemic,” Secretary General António Guterres wrote on Twitter.

For anonymous confidential help call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 (SAFE)

 

October’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast guest, Rose Hall, from Tessie’s Teas, shares important resources for anyone seeking help with domestic violence. 

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How To Correctly Monitor Your Blood Pressure At Home

“When you have high blood pressure your heart is working overtime, all the time, “says Neva White DNP, CRNP, CDE on October’s Diabetes Late NIte podcast. “Measuring your blood pressure is one of the best  non invasive tests that we have available to give us a window into how well the heart is actually functioning.”

The American Heart Association recommends home monitoring for all people with high blood pressure to help the healthcare provider determine whether treatments are working. Home monitoring (self-measured blood pressure) is not a substitute for regular visits to your physician.

How to use a home blood pressure monitor

Be still. Don’t smoke, drink caffeinated beverages or exercise within 30 minutes before measuring your blood pressure. Empty your bladder and ensure at least 5 minutes of quiet rest before measurements.

Sit correctly. Sit with your back straight and supported (on a dining chair, rather than a sofa). Your feet should be flat on the floor and your legs should not be crossed. Your arm should be supported on a flat surface (such as a table) with the upper arm at heart level. Make sure the bottom of the cuff is placed directly above the bend of the elbow. Check your monitor’s instructions for an illustration or have your healthcare provider show you how.

Measure at the same time every day. It’s important to take the readings at the same time each day, such as morning and evening. It is best to take the readings daily however ideally beginning 2 weeks after a change in treatment and during the week before your next appointment.

Take multiple readings and record the results. Each time you measure, take two or three readings one minute apart and record the results using a printable (PDF) or online tracker. If your monitor has built-in memory to store your readings, take it with you to your appointments. Some monitors may also allow you to upload your readings to a secure website after you register your profile.

Don’t take the measurement over clothes.

Photo by Hush Naidoo on Unsplash

Why keep a blood pressure journal?

One blood pressure measurement only tells what your blood pressure is at that moment. A diary of multiple readings taken over time provides a better picture of your blood pressure that can help you partner with your physician to ensure that your treatments  to lower high blood pressure  (HBP or hypertension) are working.

If you have been prescribed medication to lower your blood pressure, don’t stop taking your medication without consulting your doctor, even if your blood pressure readings are in the normal range during home monitoring.

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Being Heart Healthy Doesn’t Have To Be A Drag!

Beloved Drag Queen Mutha Chucka, who is known for splashy costumes, striking hair and makeup, and humorous, politically pointed performances, is using her flair to promote heart health.

Back in 2016, Mutha Chucka landed in the hospital with a heart problem. Doctors diagnosed cardiomyopathy and “basically told me I was on death’s door,” Mutha recalled.

Today, Mutha Chucka exercises and eats lots of vegetables and not much red meat. Mutha, 58, is mindful of his family history of cardiovascular diseases. His grandmother had a stroke; both of his parents have high blood pressure; and his father has had high cholesterol and a heart attack treated with a stent.

As he strives to live a healthy life, he urges others to, as well. Mutha makes a point to educate the community about LGBTQ health and heart disease risk through charities, drag shows and online events.

“I just encourage everyone to take the best care of themselves,” he said. “It’s part of the persona of Mutha. I’m always telling everyone what to do.”

 

We’re talking about ‘HEART HEALTH & DIABETES‘ with musical inspiration from the rock band “Heart” on this episode of Divabetic’s popular Diabetes Late Nite podcast.

Adults with diabetes are two to four times more likely to die from heart disease than adults without diabetes.

People with insulin resistance or diabetes in combination with one or more of these risk factors are at even greater risk of heart disease or stroke. However, by managing their risk factors,  people with diabetes may avoid or delay the development of heart and blood vessel disease.

Guests include Author of ‘Nutrition & You’ Dr. Joan Salge Blake, EdD, RDN, LDN, FAND, Jill Weisenberger, MS, RDN, CDE, CHWC, FAND, Glucose SOS founder Pamela Heyward and the Charlie’s Angels of Outreach.

Throughout the podcast we will be playing music from Heart’s “The Essential Heart” album courtesy of SONY Music

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Our Exclusive Interview with Angela Bofill Airs Tomorrow Night on Diabetes Late Nite

Divabetic’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast inspired by Angela Bofill airs tomorrow, Tuesday, October 13, 2020, 6-7:30 PM, EST.

We’re talking about the symptoms, causes and prevention of stroke with musical inspiration from Angela Bofill.

Stroke is the fifth leading cause of death and a leading cause of adult disability in the US. As many as 5 to 14 percent of stroke survivors have a second stroke within one year.

With her strong, distinctive alto, Angela Bofill carved a niche as an outstanding interpreter of soul ballads and became a mainstay on the Quiet Storm radio format.

Angela Bofill suffered two strokes but neither stroke could take away her positive, humorous personality and her fighter spirit. After she lost the ability to sing, she returned to the stage for “The Angela Bofill Experience” in which she skillfully narrated her life story, while her band and other singers .

Podcast guests include Angela Bofill, Lorraine Brooks, Catherine Schuller, Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE, Neva White DNP, CRNP- BC, CDE, and Rose Hall from Tessie’s Teas.

Throughout the podcast we will feature music from Angela Bofill’s first two albums Angie and Angel of the Night courtesy of SONY Music.

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How To Blind Bake Pie Crust

There’s a good indication that murder might be part of the recipe when Nantucket’s ten time reigning Baking Champion’s last name is ‘Coffin’ in Divabetic’s Mystery Podcast, ‘Kill Me Madam’. The secret to her success is blind baking.

What is blind baking?

Photo by Debby Hudson on Unsplash

Blind baking a pie crust is pre-baking the crust, without filling, then adding the filling once the crust is baked according to the King Arthur Baking Company. The pie can then be placed back in the oven for the filling to bake; or the baked crust can be filled with cooked filling, the whole left to cool and set.

Why is it necessary to blind bake pie crust?

READ MORE

 

Divabetic’s Mystery podcast cast includes USA Best-Selling Author Tonya Kappes, Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE, MaryAnn Horst-Nicolay MEd, NDRT, Lorraine Brooks, Catherine Schuller, Wendy Radford, Coach The Cure‘s Trisha Artman, Mama Rose Marie, Seveda Williams, and Max ‘Mr. Divabetic’ Szadek. Produced by Leisa Chester-Weir.

Throughout the podcast we will be featuring music from the Broadway Cast Album of ‘Call Me Madam’ courtesy of SONY Music.

Are you interested in learning how to bake with sugar substitutes? Join the happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic for this free, fun Virtual Baking Party with special guest, Stacey Harris aka The Diabetic Pastry Chef on Thursday, December 10, 2020, 7 – 8 PM, EST on Zoom.

FREE REGISTER 

 

 

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Divabetic Exclusive: Best-Selling Author Tonya Kappes Interview

USA Today Best-Selling Author Tonya Kappes stars in Divabetic’s newest Mystery Podcast, ‘Kill Me Madam’ available on demand with this LINK.

Tonya Kappes has written more than fifty Southern Cozy Mysteries, all of which have graced numerous bestseller lists, including USA Today and two of them have been selected as a Woman’s World Book Club pick. Best known for stories charged with southern charm, emotion and humor and filled with flawed characters, her novels have garnered reader praise and glowing critical reviews.

We caught up with this busy best-selling author to ask her a few questions about her books and to learn more about her passion for diabetes advocacy.

Q: I don’t even know where to start with questions because you’re such a busy author.  Why don’t you tell us about your Mail Carrier Cozy Mystery series.

Tonya Kappes (TK): I really wanted to create an older sleuth since most Cozy Mystery sleuths are in their 20’s. And…it’s easier to give the sleuth, Bernadette, some real life issues since she’s older and has seen more of the world than a 20 year old. With that said, I knew I could make the sleuthing a little more fun by her using her knowledge and her skills as a mail carrier to help sniff out the killer. Trust me…your mail carrier knows a lot of secrets you’d never want anyone to know. I knew that would be a great angle for a sleuth too.

Q: You mentioned on July’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast that your involvement in Divabetic’s Annual Mystery podcasts, over the past eight years, inspired your main character, beloved mail carrier, Bernadette Davis’s health issues. Can you explain?

TK: As you’ve been doing the mystery podcast and weaved information about diabetes self-care, I realized how I could easily inject real-life issues into Bernadette’s story. It makes her more relatable as an everyday person. For examples, I made her a widow with a not-so-great dead husband because relationships can be stressful and not always rosy behind closed doors. And what 50-something woman hasn’t gone through a socially awkward menopause moment? Bernadette’s moment might just be during a stakeout, but her health provides a shared connection of a genuine situation.

Q: Share a diabetes self-care tip you’ve learned from one of  Divabetic’s past Mystery podcasts?

TK: My dad has diabetes with severe neuropathy. I’ve learned how much you need to take care of your feet, which leads to making sure your blood levels are good, which leads into your diet. These tips have made me more educated when I go to his doctor appointments with him and talk to his doctor. It’s made me a better advocate. In fact, he will tell you that now he’s feeling better than he has in twenty years. He’s had diabetes for twenty-seven years.

Q: You were known as a storyteller, but not as a writer or reader. How did you become a best-selling author?

TK: Gosh, that’s hard to answer. I like to think that my interactions with my readers and my gratitude for them has played a big role.

Q: What do you love about mysteries? Specifically, Cozy Mysteries? 

TK: I love the small town, quirky characters, and the gossip that goes into solving the crimes.

Q: When did you realize that you’d actually made it as a writer? 

TK: Have I?

You can find Tonya Kappes all over social media and at Tonyakappes.com.

 

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How Do Perimenopause and Menopause Affect Women with Diabetes?

When you have your period, your estrogen and progesterone hormones are fluctuating and can affect how your body responds to insulin. During perimenopause, many women experience periods that are heavier or lighter, longer or shorter than usual. This is caused by the imbalance of progesterone and estrogen. For women with diabetes, the higher levels of estrogen can improve insulin sensitivity. However, higher levels of progesterone can cause insulin resistance. When your menstrual cycle is less predictable, you can expect your diabetes to be less stable on some days than others.

READ MORE 

We discuss the signs, symptoms and diabetes health-related issues of Menopause with special guest, Dr. Andrea Chisholm on this free Divabetic podcast.

Menopause happens naturally with age. But it can also happen as a result of surgery, treatment of a disease, or illness. In these cases it is called induced menopause or premature ovarian failure.

When menopause happens naturally, it tends to happen on average at the age of 51. But for some women it can happen before age 40. this is called premature menopause. The age when women enter menopause is thought to be mostly determined by their genes.

Andrea Chisholm, M.D. is a Board Certified Obstetrician and Gynecologist practicing in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Dr. Chisholm graduated from Hunter College-CUNY (1991) and Boston University School of Medicine (1995). She completed her OB/GYN residency at St. Luke’s Roosevelt Hospital in New York City (1999). Dr. Chisholm has been providing general gynecologic and obstetrical care to a diverse population of women over the last sixteen years.

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Diabetes Late Nite Podcast Inspired by Mariah Carey

We’re talking about ways to proceed with ‘CAUTION’ when coping with Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) with musical inspiration from Mariah Carey on Divabetic’s popular Diabetes Late Nite podcast.

Do you know living with type 2 diabetes puts you at greater risk for heart disease and stroke? Unfortunately most people don’t. We want to help you get CLUED INN and make a healthy comeback worthy of Mariah Carey.

Music critics agree that Mariah’s latest collection of songs not only maintains her status as one the best singer/songwriters in the game, but also eloquently displays her truth. She opens up about love, loneliness, and self-worth in a cautionary album that reminds us that she is still a force to be reckoned with after nearly three decades in the industry.

Guests include Poet Lorraine Brooks, 2015 AADE Diabetes Educator of the Year Susan Weiner, MS RDN CDE FAADE, Mama Rose Marie, Yoga For Diabetes Director & Author Rachel Zinman, WeAreEatNeat.com‘s Lloyd Owens, Type 2 Diabetes What To Know Community Moderator Nick Zevgolis, and the Charlie’s Angels of Outreach.

Throughout the podcast we will be playing music from Mariah Carey’s “CAUTION” courtesy of SONY Music.

Diabetes Late Nite is a fast-paced, full-filled show of diabetes education and wellness advice with a twist that Diabetes Forecast Magazine describes as “not your typical fare”.

 

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Diabetes Late Nite Podcast Inspired by Angela Bofill in October!

We’re talking about the symptoms, causes and prevention for stroke with musical inspiration from Angela Bofill. With her strong, distinctive alto, Angela Bofill carved a niche as an outstanding interpreter of soul ballads and became a mainstay on the Quiet Storm radio format.

TUNE IN

Angela Bofill suffered a stroke in 2006 and was paralyzed on her left side. She suffered a second stroke in July 2007 which required therapy and left both her speech and mobility impaired. One thing the strokes couldn’t take was Bofill’s positive, humorous personality and her fighter spirit. After she lost the ability to sing, she returned to the stage for “The Angela Bofill Experience” in which she skillfully narrated her life story, while her band and other singers sang her hit songs.

Podcast guests include Lorraine Brooks, Catherine Schuller, Patricia Addie-Gentle, and Rose Hall from Tessie’s Teas.

Throughout the podcast we will featuring music from Angela Bofill’s first two albums, Angie and Angel In the Night courtesy of SONY Music.

Divabetic’s monthly podcasts are dedicated to Music Lovers living with, at risk and/or affected by diabetes. We aim to be the epicenter of the circle of care, a link between patients and their health care providers, a translator of clinical speak and a bridge between denial and acceptance, fear and confidence.

Divabetic was inspired by the late music legend, Luther Vandross and created in 2005 by Max ‘Mr. Divabetic’ Szadek, who, as Vandross’ assistant of 14 years, witnessed his boss, mentor, and friend struggle in silence and solitude with the diabetes and its related complications.

Experience more of our GLAM MORE, FEAR LESS philosophy at divabetic.org

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Are Nuts Good For Diabetes?

We’re talking about the benefits of nuts for people with diabetes in Divabetic’s new Mystery Podcast, Kill Me Madam, available on demand for free.
Nuts can be a good snack for people with type 2 diabetes because they may help prevent heart disease, keep blood sugar controlled, and even aid weight loss according to an article on NDTV‘s website.
Nuts are known to be low-glycaemic foods, which is a ranking of carbohydrate according to how they affect blood sugar levels. They have a limited amount of dietary carbohydrate; therefore, it has a little effect on your blood sugars.
Almonds have been shown to slow down the blood sugar response when eaten with carbohydrate-rich foods, as per a study published in the journal Metabolism.

There’s a good indication that murder might be part of the recipe when Nantucket’s ten time reigning Baking Champion’s last name is ‘Coffin’ in Divabetic’s Mystery podcast: Kill Me Madam.
Starring USA Best-Selling Author Tonya Kappes, Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE, MaryAnn Horst-Nicolay MEd, NDRT, Lorraine Brooks, Catherine Schuller, Wendy Radford, Coach The Cure‘s Trisha Artman, Mama Rose Marie, Seveda Williams, and Max ‘Mr. Divabetic’ Szadek. Produced by Leisa Chester-Weir.
 
Throughout the podcast we will be featuring music from the Broadway Cast Album of ‘Call Me Madam’ courtesy of SONY Music.
 

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