Divabetic Mystery Phrase #4

Can you complete the Mystery Phrase below? Diabetes self-care can be emotionally taxing, but reframing your mind-set can have powerful results.

Self-help books often promote the power of positive affirmations. If you’ve never tried them before, the idea can seem incredibly awkward to tell yourself how awesome you are.

Positive affirmations help to re-program your thought patterns and change the way you think and feel about things. They are short positive statements that can help you focus on goals, get rid of negative, self-defeating beliefs and program your subconscious mind.

And yes, there is genuine theory and a fair amount of neuroscience behind this practice.

If you’re struggling to cope with your diabetes diagnosis: try repeating positive affirmations to yourself each morning to steer your mood in the right direction. This way of thinking can be helpful when the mental burden of diabetes management gets tough.

A positive body image is an acceptance of your body and both its good and bad points. This helps you to become confident and comfortable in your own skin. We’d like to stress that having a positive body image does not mean that you think everything about your body is perfect. Positive body image means celebrating your natural shape and size, and how your body performs. We think you’re fabulous!

Tell us how we’re doing. Take our quick Divabetic Podcast Listener Survey to help us identify the topics that matter to you most.

SURVEY

Diabetes Late Nite Podcast

We’re talking about ‘ROMANCE & DIABETES’ on Diabetes Late Nite with musical inspiration from Camila Cabello.

Having diabetes affects much more than a person’s diet. It can impact every aspect of their life, including their sexual health.

When a person has diabetes, their body cannot use insulin properly, and this can lead to high blood sugar levels. Over time, these can lead to complications such as nerve damage and cardiovascular problems. Both have implications for sexual health in men and women.

Guests include ‘Intimacy & Diabetes’ Author Janis Roszler LMFT, RD, LD/N, CDE, FAND, American Heart & American Diabetes Association’s Know Diabetes by Heart Ambassador Hyvelle Ferguson Davis, ‘My Sweet Blessing: Adventures In Diabetes’ Author Trisha Porretti RN, BSN, CDE, Poet Lorraine Brooks, and Kathy Malleck. Throughout the podcast we will be featuring music from Camila Cabello’s Romance album courtesy of SONY Music.

Diabetes Late Nite is a fast-paced, full-filled hour of diabetes education and wellness advice that encourages listeners to “laugh a little, learn a lot.

05/24/202005/29/2020

Divabetic Mystery Phrase #3

Can you complete the Mystery Phrase below? Diabetes self-care can be emotionally taxing, but reframing your mind-set can have powerful results. Upbeat, kind, encouraging and gentle words that you say to yourself can help!

Self-help books often promote the power of positive affirmations. If you’ve never tried them before, the idea can seem incredibly awkward to tell yourself how awesome you are.

And yes, there is genuine theory and a fair amount of neuroscience behind this practice.

We’re talking about how to minimize the drama in our diabetes lives with music from the ultimate diva, Maria Callas on Divabetic’s Diabetes Late NIte podcast.

Are you a drama queen?

If there’s drama in multiple areas of your diabetes life, be honest with yourself—you’re the constant. Are you creating it? We don’t do anything repeatedly unless there’s something in it for us, so, what’s the payoff?

Every time we find ourselves immersed in something that seems overwhelming, we have an opportunity to learn how to deal with challenges better.

Guests include Dr. Wendy Satin Rapaport PhD, Jill Weisenberger MS, RDN, CDE, CHWC, FAND, Lorraine Brooks, American Heart and American Diabetes Association’s Know Diabetes By Heart Ambassador Rob Taub, Yoga for Diabetes Author and Director Rachel Zinman and Patricia Addie-Gentle RN,CDE.

05/20/202005/20/2020

Divabetic Puzzle: Wheel Of Fortune #1

Can you solve the puzzle?

Divabetic is celebrating it’s 10 year anniversary of podcasting in July 2020 with a series of games, trivia questions and virtual outreach events to help you ‘GLAM MORE, FEAR LESS’ and prevent a diabetes health-related complication from occurring. Make sure to check out our full calendar at divabetic.org for updates.

Win the chance to appear in Divabetic’s Annual Mystery podcast on Tuesday, September 8, 2020, 6 PM, EST when you fill out our quick Podcast Listener Survey. Share your opinions on what topics, experts and music choices you’d like us to present over the next year.

Puzzle answer: Low Blood Sugar

What is Hypoglycemia or a low blood sugar? Hypoglycemia is a condition in which your blood sugar (glucose) level is lower than normal. Too much insulin or other diabetes medications may cause your blood sugar level to drop too low, causing hypoglycemia. Hypoglycemia can also occur if you eat less than usual after taking diabetes medication, or if you exercise more than you normally do.

Typical symptoms of hypoglycemia may include: Increased thirst and/or hunger. Frequent urination. Sugar in your urine. Talk to your doctor about how to treat low blood sugars.

Listen to Divabetic’s Diabetes Late Nite podcasts for diabetes information, expert advice, real-life testimonials and music from your favorite artists. This month, we’re talking to The Lager Queen of Minnesota and Kitchens of the Great Midwest Author J. Ryan Stradal, Deborah Greenwood PhD, RN, BC-ADM, CDE, FAADE, Fonzi Thornton, Rachel Stahl MS, RD, CDN, CDE, and Lorraine Brooks and featuring music from Dionne Warwick.

11/08/201911/08/2019

Diabetes Time Machine Trivia Game

In celebration of National Diabetes Awareness month and World Diabetes Day we’re encouraging people to learn more about the history of diabetes in a fun, new way with Divabetic’s Diabetes Time Machine Trivia Game!

For example, do you know 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.

PLAY NOW

How much do you know about the History of Diabetes?

Understanding the history and its early treatment can help us appreciate how far the understanding, support and treatment of diabetes has come.

Over 3,000 years ago, the ancient Egyptians mentioned a condition that appears to have been type 1 diabetes. It featured excessive urination, thirst, and weight loss.

The writers recommended following a diet of whole grains to reduce the symptoms.

In ancient India, people discovered that they could use ants to test for diabetes by presenting urine to them. If the ants came to the urine, this was a sign that it contained high sugar levels. They called the condition madhumeha, meaning honey urine.

During the third century B.C.E., Apollonius of Memphis mentioned the term “diabetes,” which may have been its earliest reference.

In time, Greek physicians also distinguished between diabetes mellitus and diabetes insipidus.

Diabetes Late Nite Inspired by Jennifer Hudson

We’re talking about Weight Loss Journeys & Diabetes with musical inspiration from Jennifer Hudson in honor of National Diabetes Awareness Month on November’s Diabetes Late Nite scheduled for Tuesday, November 12, 2019, 6 PM, EST.

TUNE IN

We’ve watched Jennifer Hudson soar to stardom as her powerhouse pipes have taken her from American Idol back in 2004 to coveted roles in film, theater and TV, including as a judge on The Voice. Throughout that journey, the singer has also had another major life change: She went from a size 16 to a size 6, dropping 80 pounds. The star followed poor dieting practices and finally chose to approach her weight loss in a healthy way after giving birth to her son, David.

While studies show most people who drop significant pounds regain the weight they lose, Jennifer Hudson has managed to keep her svelte figure for the past nine years.

“I’m very careful and cautious of what I’m eating, so I just try to pace those meals throughout the day,” said Jennifer Hudson.

Guests include Vanessa Hunter abnd Autumn Reed, who have both lost over 100 pounds, share their weight loss journeys with us. Additionally, Dr. Wendy Rapaport PsyD, Dr. Stewart Harris, Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE, will be joining us!

Throughout this podcast we will be featuring music from Jennifer Hudson’s self-titled album, ’Jennifer Hudson’ courtesy of SONY Music.

Diabetes Late Nite is a fast-paced, full-filled hour of diabetes education and wellness advice that encourages listeners to “laugh a little, learn a lot.”

05/24/201905/24/2019

Game of Groans: Everyday Aches & Pains Game, Pt. 1

Persistent aches and pains plague nearly one-fifth of adults in the U.S., according to the 2010 National Health Interview Survey, but Ya-Ling Liou, a chiropractor and author of Every Body’s Guide to Everyday Pain, refuses to buy the idea that pain is a part of aging. She has too many elderly patients who live pain-free.

“Everyday aches and pains can be caused by minor arthritis, joint pain and stiffness, muscle aches, cramps and inflammation,” says Rebecca Lee, a New York City nurse and founder of the natural health resource www.Remediesforme.com in an article on nextavenue.org.

Mr. Divabetic plays his new health game, ‘Game of Groans: Everyday Aches & Pains’ at ‘Barbershop Talk: A Man to Man Discussion about Men’s Health Issues Breakfast‘ on Saturday, June 1, 2019, 10 AM – 12 PM at Jefferson Alumni Hall, 10202 Locust Street, Philadelphia, PA. Try your luck! (answer listed at bottom of post).

Once certain underlying causes are ruled out with tests like bloodwork, MRI and X-rays, everyday aches and pains can be pinpointed back to other causes, such as infection, the flu, a cold, exercise, drug side effects, stress, depression or anxiety.

A lot of people reject the idea that stress can play a role in pain or make it worse. But Liou explains that because we don’t physically react the way animals do (fight or flight) in response to most stress, we don’t have an outlet for it. That energy has to go someplace in the body, finding its way to your GI tract or your lower back, for instance.

“As soon as you feel pain, you should ask yourself what were you doing?” says Liou. Plus, the way pain feels (burning, stabbing, sharp) may help you trace it back to its trigger. Because everyone’s brain determines pain differently, the way pain feels can be misleading, but typically, a burning sensation can spell nerve pain. Dull or achy discomfort can mean muscle pain.

What’s more, if you can change pain — make it better or worse, by moving, resting, elevation or applying ice — you can control the pain, and Liou says there’s hope to cure it.

When you stay on top of pain, ask the right questions and seek help when needed, you can prevent most aches and pains from settling in long-term.

READ MORE

Mr. Divabetic talks with Dr. Corrine Morgan from Morgan Chiropractic Center in Philadelphia, PA

Dr. Michele Summers Colon known as ‘The Holistic Podiatrist’ discusses two common foot issues for people with diabetes, on April’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast.

ANSWER: (B). Lower back pain. According to research from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, no less than 84 percent of adults in the U.S. will experience chronic back pain at some point in their life. Often occurring in the lower back, the pain may be caused by an injury or develop progressively due to arthritis, osteoporosis, or normal wear-and-tear.

Arthritis. Joint pain is also one of the leading types of chronic pain among American adults, typically caused by injury, infection, or advancing age. According to a report from the U.S. Bone and Joint Initiative, arthritis is the most common cause, affecting over 51 million Americans (or roughly one of every two adults).

10/25/2018

How Much Do You Know About Insulin? Part 2

How much do you know about insulin?

The happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic has created a new game to test one lucky listener’s ‘INSULIN IQ’ featuring a series of questions about insulin for November’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast with musical inspiration from Aretha Franklin’s rendition of ‘Teach Me Tonight’ from her Aretha Franklin Sings The Great Diva Classics album courtesy of SONY Music.

Can’t wait until Wednesday, November 14th? Test your knowledge with these two ‘Teach Me Tonight Challenge’ questions (answers appear at the bottom of this blog post):

3: Which animal was insulin first tested on?

A. A cow

B. A pig

C. A dog

4: What year was insulin first used on a human?

A. 1912

B.1922

C. 1932

5: How many people are living with diabetes in the world?

A. 322 million

B. 399 million

C. 422 million

Are you concerned about the average price of insulin skyrocketing in recent years – nearly tripling between 2002 and 2013?

Join us in calling for increased transparency and more affordable insulin. More than 377,207 people have signed the American Diabetes Association’s petition to support those struggling with insulin affordability. Add your name today. CLICK HERE

Don’t miss November’s Diabetes Late Niteon Wednesday, November 14, 2018, 6 PM, EST.Divabetic will be hosting November’s Diabetes Late Nite with music by Aretha Franklin on World Diabetes Day Wednesday, November 14, 2018, 6 PM EST in celebration of World Diabetes Day.

You may be wondering why November 14th is 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, Sir Frederick Banting. Banting discovered insulin in 1922, alongside Charles Best. Insulin isn’t just a drug. It’s the difference between life and death for millions of people with diabetes – and it’s something they will need every day for the rest of their lives.

Guests included Poet Lorraine Brooks, Dr. Wendy Satin Rapaport, Owner of Diabetes Strong Christel Oerum, Makeup Artist & Skincare Expert Suzanne Perez, Mama Rose Marie and the Charlie’s Angels of Outreach. Plus, win a copy of Dr. Wendy Satin Rapaport’s newest book,

“Friendship Matters: memoir, life lessons, laughter” as part of our World Diabetes Day giveaway! TUNE IN

ANSWERS: 1). C: DOG. Canadian physician Frederick Banting and medical student Charles H. Best would be credited with discovering the hormone insulin in the pancreatic extracts of dogs. Banting and Best injected the hormone into a dog and found that it lowered high blood glucose levels to normal. 2). B: 1922. On 11 January 1922 insulin was first used in the treatment of diabetes. Insulin was discovered by Sir Frederick G Banting, Charles H Best and JJR Macleod at the University of Toronto in 1921 and it was subsequently purified by James B Collip. 3). C: 422 MILLION. According to the World Health Organization, 422 million people are living with diabetes worldwide, nearly doubling the prevalence from 4.7 percent in 1980 to 8.4 percent in 2014. In the United States alone, an estimated 29.1 million adults and children are affected.

04/16/2017

Raising Awareness for Diabetes Related Eye Disease at NYC Easter Parade

For the fifth year in a row, I’’ll be raising awareness for diabetes in a fun, new way at this year’s Annual Easter Parade and Bonnet Festival in New York on Sunday, April 16, 2017, 12:30 PM.

We will discussing symptoms, causes and treatments for diabetes related eye disease.

Did you know that diabetic retinopathy is a health complication of diabetes and a leading cause of blindness?

Diabetic retinopathy occurs when diabetes damages the tiny blood vessels inside the retina, the tissue at the back of the eye. Diabetes also can cause leaking of blood vessels in the eyes, which leads to scarring and loss of vision.

How much do you know about diabetes related eye disease?

Test your knowledge with 2 questions from Mr. Divabetic’s Diabetes “Eye”-Q quiz courtesy of dLife

ANSWER: D (All of the above) Diabetic retinopathy is when there is damage to the blood vessels in the retina. Cataract is a clouding of the eye’s lens. Cataracts develop at an earlier age in people with diabetes. Glaucoma is an increase in fluid pressure inside the eye that leads to optic nerve damage and loss of vision. A person with diabetes is nearly twice as likely to get glaucoma as other adults.

ANSWER: B (False) Tightly managing your blood sugars is one way to help prevent diabetic eye disease or its progression. Controlling elevated blood pressure and cholesterol can also reduce the risk of vision loss. People who have good control of their diabetes are at much lower risk for diabetic eye disease.

In people with diabetes, high blood sugar damages the walls of the small blood vessels in the eye, altering their structure and function. As part of this condition, called diabetic retinopathy, these vessels may thicken, leak, develop clots, close off, or grow balloon-like defects called microaneurysms. Frequently, fluid accumulates in the part of the retina used in tasks such as reading; this condition is called macular edema. In advanced cases, the retina is robbed of its blood supply and grows new, but defective, vessels — a process called neovascularization. These fragile vessels can bleed, creating vision-impairing hemorrhages, scar tissue, and separation of the retina from the back of the eye (retinal detachment). The new vessels can also block fluid flow within the eye, producing glaucoma.

Pain or pressure in one or both of your eyes could be a sign of damage to your retinas. Blurry or double vision, dark spots or blank areas and trouble seeing out of the corners of your eyes are other symptoms to watch for.

If you have diabetic retinopathy, at first you may notice no changes to your vision. But over time, diabetic retinopathy can get worse and cause vision loss.

It’s important that anyone who has diabetes gets annual eye exams from an ophthalmologist so that retinopathy can be detected early.

Diabetes & Easter: Easter can be a difficult time to have diabetes, not least because of the temptation READ MORE

Don’t let the parade pass you by! Tune in to Facebook Live (Divabetic) to catch all the sights and sounds live from the Red Carpet with guests Divabetic Image & Style Advisor, Catherine Schuller AICI, CIP, diabetes advocate Laura Laria and Harlem’s Heaven hat designer, Evetta Petty and more!

Never been to the New York Easter Parade?

“Sunday best” gets new meaning during this annual procession, wherein participants show off elaborately constructed hats— shaped like gigantic Easter baskets, the NYC skyline and the Coney Island Cyclone! The tradition started in the mid-1800s, when high-society ladies would promenade in their Easter finery after church, and has since evolved into a showcase for millinery.

11/08/2016

Weekly Wow: Nutrition Labels

I want to make learning about diabetes fun! That’s why I play games and give away great prizes to help you stay happy and healthy on my monthly podcast, Diabetes Late Nite.

You can be an INSTANT WINNER on our November Diabetes Late podcast scheduled for Tuesday, November 8, 2016, 6 -7 PM, EST. Correctly answer the question below on Divabetic’s FB page and you could win our Prize Giveaways.

The “iconic” look of the nutritional label remains, but we are making important updates to ensure consumers have access to the information they need to make informed decisions about the foods they eat.

ANSWER: These changes include increasing the type size for “Calories,” “servings per container,” and the “Serving size” declaration, and bolding the number of calories and the “Serving size” declaration to highlight this information.

By law, serving sizes must be based on amounts of foods and beverages that people are actually eating, not what they should be eating. How much people eat and drink has changed since the previous serving size requirements were published in 1993. The reference amount used to set a serving of soda is changing from 8 ounces to 12 ounces.

LISTEN NOW: Diabetes Late Nite inspired by Ella Fitzgerald. Guests include Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE, Susan Weiner MS, RD, CDN, CDE, Poet Lorraine Brooks and Mama Rose Marie.

10/27/201610/27/2016

Weekly Wow: Foot Health

BE AN INSTANT WINNER: Correctly answer this question on Divabetic’s FB page and you could win our Prize Giveaway on November’s Diabetes Game show podcast scheduled for Tuesday, November 1, 2016, 6 -7 PM, EST.

People with diabetes are at risk for a variety of foot-related health concerns.

25% of people with diabetes will develop a foot ulcer in their lifetime.
50% of those foot ulcers will get infected and up to 15% of those will require amputation.
Diabetes is the leading cause of lower extremity amputation accounting for over 60% of these amputations.
Every 30 seconds a leg is lost from a medical complication due to diabetes.

If left untreated, these relatively minor foot problems can develop into serious health complications, eventually leading to amputation of the foot or leg. Foot care is key.

TUNE IN: Diabetes Game Show podcast hosted by Mr. Divabetic with prize giveaways courtesy of Dr. Greenfields Diabetes Foot, Hand & Body Creams and Lotions. Special Guest: Dr. Stanley Greenfield, PhD. Dr. Stanley Greenfield is pharmaceutical chemist, with a passion for helping people with diabetes.

10/22/201610/23/2016

Weekly Wow: Frequent Eye Infections

True or False? Can diabetes cause you to have eye infections such as pink eye and frequent styes?

The correct answer is: True. People with diabetes are more likely to get bacterial infections, including bacterial pink eye and/or eyelid styes. Diabetes affects the autoimmune system, lowering one’s resistance to infection. Keeping your A1c (marker of blood sugar levels) as low as possible and practicing good hygiene such as washing your hands frequently and avoiding touching or rubbing your eyes can help.