Vim & Vigor - Winter 2013 - North Mississippi - (Page 17)

online Are You at Risk for Diabetes? The Diabetes Treatment Center at IMA-Tupelo is dedicated to helping people better understand diabetes and inform them of treatment options. Visit www.nmhs.net/diabetes_ treatment_center.php to learn more. TOOL: Withings Blood Pressure Monitor ($130). You should have your blood pressure level checked at regular physician visits, but this device can keep track of it daily at home or on the go. Just plug it into your smartphone or computer and strap on the cuff. From here you can record and track your readings over time, and even email data to your doctor. GOAL Lower your cholesterol level Reducing blood cholesterol levels is an important goal for many people, but it is especially so for those with diabetes-even if their results aren't that high, Cornier says. "There's pretty good evidence that lowering cholesterol with a statin medication in individuals with diabetes who have normal cholesterol is still potentially beneﬁcial. That's why the guidelines recommend an LDL of less than 100 if not less than 70," he says. TOOL: MediSafe Virtual Pillbox app (free). This app helps you remember to take your pills, and it means business. In fact, if you don't conﬁrm that you've taken your meds, the app can be set to notify a relative or a caregiver as needed. A combination of aerobic exercise and strength training for at least 30 minutes per day, ﬁve days or more each week, is recommended as part of any diabetes management plan. But those on insulin should seek expert guidance in developing their workout regimen. PHOTOGRAPHY BY THINKSTOCK GOAL Make ﬁtness a priority Dealing with Depression A chronic dise ase di ag nosis can trigger depres sion, and peop le with diabetes are not immune, says Amer ican He ar t As sociatio n spokesm an M arc-A ndre Cornier, M D. "It can have a snow ball ef fect : As you ge t depres sed, you're les s interes ted in takin g care of yourself, and your underlying dise ase gets worse ," he says . "The n your depres sion ge ts worse as a re sult." Cornier note s that this aspect of diabete s care doesn't alw ays get the at tent io n it de serves , but recent ly there ha s been a bigger pu sh for inc re as ed awarenes s and m ore ag gres sive tre atmen t. "It can be hard for a prim ar y care provide r to see, especially wh en they 're work ing with the patient on a nu mber of ot her he alt h prob lems," he says . "It do es get complicated, but it need s to be addres sed." Cornier encourages those in need to se ek help, whet her thro ugh ps ychologic al co unseling or he alt h suppor t groups . "Exercise has an insulin-like effect, so your blood sugar can drop dramatically," Brill says. "Those who are insulin-dependent need to work with a health professional to prevent situations where their blood sugar drops too low." TOOL: Nike+ FuelBand ($149). This activity bracelet lets you easily track how active you are throughout the day and engage in friendly competition with your friends. "I've given these to several people, and it's actually very useful," Bhatnagar says. "You set your targets and if you don't have enough steps or activity, you can do extra things to meet the goal." WI NTER 2013 17 http://www.nmhs.net/diabetes_treatment_center.php http://www.nmhs.net/diabetes_treatment_center.php

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Vim & Vigor - Winter 2013 - North Mississippi

Vim & Vigor - Winter 2013 - North Mississippi
Contents
Opening Thoughts
The Weight Is Over
For Your Convenience
Got Excuses?
Managing Your Health with a DIY Tool Kit
Is It the Stress Talking?
The Wonderful World of Greens
Knee-to-Know Basics
On the Cover
Run for Your Life
14 Good-for-You Gifts
Special Delivery
Virtual Health
A Special Kind of Care
High Marks
A Dose of Prevention
Catch the Spirit

Vim & Vigor - Winter 2013 - North Mississippi