What’s Trending This Week At Divabetic

Check out the latest headlines in diabetes, diabetes self-management, healthy lifestyles and diva entertainment that we think you should know about.

Talking About Sex Is Great, But HOW You Talk About Sex Is What Really Matters

When individuals and couples have problems in the bedroom, it impacts other areas of their lives. “I once met with a couple to discuss how to manage the husband’s diabetes better. We talked about meal planning, label reading, exercise, medication dosing, and more,” writes Janis Roszler, LMFT, RD, LD/N, CDEFAND. “Later, I learned that he had erectile dysfunction (ED). She was angry and hurt. She assumed that his performance problems meant that he was no longer attracted to her.” READ MORE

Taylor Swift Goes to a Darker Place on New Album, ‘Reputation’ 
Singer Taylor Swift didn’t just release a new single this week; she kicked off a meticulous campaign to get die-hard fans involved in the collective experience of buying things from Taylor Swift.
When Swift dropped “Look What You Made Me Do” at midnight on August 24, another video appeared on her YouTube page to announce a new partnership between the singer and Ticketmaster in preparation for the tour she’ll embark on in support of her upcoming album Reputation, which will be available November 10. The basic idea is, as the peppy voiceover declares, to “beat the bots” to the business of buying the best seats, an ongoing frustration for fans of Swift and/or anyone else who routinely sells out shows. READ MORE
Hurricane Harvey: Diabetes Tips to Be Prepared for the Storm 
Hurricane Harvey is heading toward Texas and is set to make landfall late Friday night or early Saturday morning — meaning that people with diabetes should take preventative measures now.
The American Diabetes Association recommends storing three days worth of diabetes supplies, which, depending on how you take care of your diabetes, could include oral medication, insulin, insulin delivery supplies, lancets, extra batteries for your meter and/or pump, and a quick-acting source of glucose. You may also want to have an extra glucagon emergency kit. All these items should be kept in an easy-to-identify container, and stored in a location that is easy to get to in an emergency. READ MORE
Amazon Says Whole Food Prices Will Drop Prices 
Amazon is cutting the prices of bananas, butter, organic eggs, and other best-selling staples at Whole Foods’ 470 stores, promising customers lower costs and targeting the grocer’s “Whole Paycheck” nickname. The online giant also says its Amazon Prime members will get special prices and perks according to npr.org.
New prices will take effect on Monday, August 28, 2017 — the same day Amazon says it will finalize its $13.7 billion acquisition of Whole Foods. The online marketplace, famous for disrupting the book industry and other retail segments, also laid out its plans for combining its business with an established brick-and-mortar chain. READ  MORE

Dr. Phil Could have Ended up Weighing 500 Pounds.

“I’m the only one in my family who’s not morbidly obese,” says the top TV talk show host. “I have two nephews who are over 500 pounds, I’ve got aunts that died in their 40s from being hugely obese.” His father died of heart complications from obesity, and diabetes is a huge problem for both sides of his family. READ MORE

Luther Vandross Tribute Podcast
We’re honored to celebrate Luther Vandross and his musical legacy as well as raise awareness for diabetes health-related complications (such as stroke) on our annual Luther Vandross Tribute podcast. Featured guests include Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE, Luther percussionist Steve Kroon, Luther vocalists Tawatha Agee and Pat Lacy, Luther historian Leon Petrossian, members of ‘The Luther Re-Lives Experience’, family members, friends and superfans. Throughout the podcast we will be featuring selected songs from the album entitled ‘Luther Vandross’ courtesy of SONY Music. LISTEN NOW

How To Put Intimacy Back into Your Diabetes Life

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February’s musical inspiration, superstar George Michael never shied away from singing about ‘sex’ and we’re not afraid to talk about it, especially when it relates to your diabetes life.

It doesn’t make much sense to button our lips about ‘sex’ when so many people with diabetes are struggling with sexual health issues.

At any given time an estimated 30 million American men experience impotence (erectile dysfunction), defined as the inability to achieve or maintain an erection sufficient for intercourse more frequent than one out of four times. Approximately 35 percent of women with diabetes may experience some form of sexual dysfunction related to their disease. And 50 to 70 percent of men and 40 to 50 percent of women living with diabetes health related complications may have sexual difficulties because of nerve damage.

If there’s a silver lining to be found in any of the above statistics its that sexual dysfunction doesn’t have to mean the end of sexual intimacy. By learning to communicate with your partner about bodily changes and other sexual issues and by learning to focus on your ability to give your partner pleasure, rather than on any impairment or limitations you may have, you can keep your love life alive.

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In honor of Valentine’s Day, we asked one of our favorite diabetes educators, the author of “Sex and Diabetes” and “The Secrets of Living and Loving with Diabetes” and family therapist, Janis Roszler, LMFT, RD, LD/N, CDE to share some of her favorite intimacy tips:

1.  Hug!  Every day, hug your partner until you both feel relaxed. It’s a non-sexual hug that nurtures your emotional needs while it enriches your relationship.  When you feel more connected, romantic moments get even better!

2.  Do one romantic thing for your loved one each day – send a loving text, call to say you miss them, place a romantic note in their sink, buy their favorite food, etc.  Show that you are thinking of them.  Very romantic!

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Don’t miss Diabetes Late Nite inspired by George Michael on Tuesday, February 7, 2017, 6-7 PM, EST. Enjoy our first-ever Valentine’s Day Party featuring Chef Ward Alper aka ‘The Decadent Diabetic’, ‘Rich In Love Fashion’ blogger Doris Hobbs, the Charlie’s Angels of Outreach, Poet Lorraine Brooks and Mama Rose Marie

Learning to accept yourself for who you are is the most important step to self-love. Stop comparing yourself to others and learn to embrace the person you are.

You have beautiful qualities, both physical and emotional, that draw people to you. You don’t need to look or talk or act like anyone else. We all offer the world something different. That’s what makes it so beautiful.

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Lest our team of experts show you how to embrace Valentine’s Day without feeling like you’re compromising your diabetes self-care. Don’t let diabetes dim your Dazzle!

This podcast is part of Diabetes Podcast Week in support of the ‘Spare A Rose, Save A Child’ campaign. Please join us! #Dpodcastweek

How To Treat Low Blood Sugars in the Bedroom

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An orgasm is a sought-after sexual reward, but for people with diabetes it can feel like a quest for fire and/or unattainable goal. And, yes, we’re talking about women and men here.

Achieving an orgasm might take a lot of work,  fantasy, time and patience  which could lead to a low blood sugar.

I spoke with Janis Rozsler MS, RD, LD/N, CDE, FAND (2008-2009 Diabetes Educator of the Year (AADE) on our Diabetes Late Nite podcast about how to treat low blood sugars in the bedroom.  The question really isn’t about how to treat a low blood sugar, it’s about to treat it without wrecking the mood.

So how do you treat you blood sugars without losing out on the spontaneity.

“Keep things in their nightstands like a snack and check your blood sugars before going into the bedroom,” says Janis.  “You can also incorporate food into your sexual play like strawberries and chocolates and whipped cream.You need to test what works for you,” says Janis.

If low blood sugar at night is a common problem for you, talk to your doctor about changing your diabetes treatment plan to better control your nighttime glucose levels.

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LISTEN: Don’t Let Diabetes Kill Romance with guest, Janis Rozsler  MS, RD, LD/N, CDE, FAND (2008-2009 Diabetes Educator of the Year (AADE).