Joslin Answers Your Questions Archive
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Joslin Diabetes Center experts answer commonly asked questions about diabetes monitoring, treatment, self-care, meal planning, and more.
Blood Glucose
- How often should I check my blood glucose?
- My doctor told me about a new way to check glucose called continuous glucose monitoring. From what I understand, you have to wear some kind of equipment all the time, but no longer have to do fingersticks. That would be great. Is this true? How can I get a continuous glucose monitor?
- My physician told me that it's more important to control my blood pressure than my A1C. Can you explain why? (Please note that I do take blood pressure medicine.)
- One day at work last week, I apparently was acting and talking strangely. A coworker who knows I have diabetes made me sit down and drink some orange juice. Was I possibly having a case of "hypoglycemia unawareness"?
- Whenever I check my blood glucose, it's always high. This makes me feel bad. Should I keep checking?
Fitness
General Concerns
- When should I see a diabetes specialist instead of my primary care physician? In addition to my physician?
- I'm a 60-year-old woman, and I've had type 1 diabetes for 36 years. My question is rather personal: I love my husband, but find that lately I've been avoiding having intimate relations because, frankly, it's uncomfortable and sometimes painful. I want us to continue having a healthy sexual relationship. Is this problem caused by my diabetes?
- I'm a male who's had type 1 diabetes for 15 years. Lately, I've been getting up four or five times at night to urinate. Since I'm half-asleep, I never think to check my blood glucose. I'm worried about complications, though. Is this a sign of diabetic kidney disease?
- I'm afraid of diabetes-related complications, but all the self-care steps seem cumbersome. Where do I begin?
- I've had painful neuropathy in my feet for the past six years. I've heard that a supplement called alpha-lipoic acid might help. Please advise.
- I've heard that people with diabetes shouldn't wear sandals or go barefoot. My feet are healthy, and I check them every day for cuts or redness. I live in the Southwest, where it's pretty hot most of the year. Do I really have to not wear sandals?
- My blood glucose seems to be higher than usual right before I get my period. I'm not eating more than usual-although I do get chocolate cravings at that time of the month. Is this normal? Do other women experience this?
- My husband constantly tells me how to care for my diabetes. I know he means well, but he's not being helpful. What can I say?
- What exactly does a diabetes educator do? Can seeing one help me even if I've been living with type 1 diabetes a long time?
Insulin and Diabetes Pills
- After taking diabetes pills for many years, I've started taking insulin. Does that mean I have type 1 diabetes and that I'm going to have more problems?
- My doctor has been talking to me about taking insulin, which is the last thing I want to do. How can I avoid this?
- Now that I have type 2 diabetes, I have to take all these pills. Won't my body use them as a "crutch" and get weaker?
Meal Planning and Diet
- I know I shouldn't eat anything with sugar in it, but I don't like the taste of most sugar-free products. What can I do?
- I'm kind of confused on diet: Am I only supposed to eat foods that have a low glycemic index? And can I eat more low glycemic-index foods because they won't affect my blood glucose?
- What can I eat? What can't I eat?
Weight Control
- I need to lose weight and thought I'd try a liquid meal replacement. Are these products safe for people with diabetes?
- My doctor said my diabetes control would be better if I lost 20 pounds, but I can't seem to lose. Any suggestions?
- Type 2 diabetes runs in my family. I have it, and I worry that my 12-year-old son will get it, too. He's overweight and pretty inactive. Is there anything we can do to help him avoid getting it?
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