DiabeTeens Expert Svati shares DiabeTeens management news and commentary at DiabeTeens.com. The HealthCentral Network, Inc. (www.HealthCentral.com) is one of the top health destinations on the Web, with more than 35 condition-specific, wellness and general health Web properties. http://www.healthcentral.com/diabeteens/c/22669 http://www.healthcentral.com/diabeteens/c/22669/rss self application/xml en-us 15 120 19 http://www.healthcentral.com/images/hc_logo_sm.gif http://www.healthcentral.com/diabeteens/c/22669 http://www.healthcentral.com/diabeteens/c/22669/73220/protecting-sun Tue, 09 Jun 2009 14:33:00 -0400 Svati Summertime is great, for its long days, its sunny weather, and the free time it gives a lot of us to pursue fun outdoor activities. In addition to slathering on sunscreen, drinking lots of water and following general safety precautions, we must also remember to protect diabetes supplies from getting too hot.   A Type 1 diabetic cyclist recently told me that he usually clips his insulin pump to the outside of his shorts... http://www.healthcentral.com/diabeteens/c/22669/73220/protecting-sun http://www.healthcentral.com/diabeteens/c/22669/73222/swimming-pumps Thu, 04 Jun 2009 14:46:00 -0400 Svati Many insulin pumps are waterproof, but this doesnt mean that we have to wear them in the water. I don't ever swim with my pump on, because I have no place to clip it and don't see the harm in being disconnected for short periods of time. However, I do know people with diabetes who go in the pool and the ocean with their pumps.   Different types of pumps have different features, obviously, and some are "waterproof" while others are "water... http://www.healthcentral.com/diabeteens/c/22669/73222/swimming-pumps http://www.healthcentral.com/diabeteens/c/22669/73264/smartinsulin Tue, 02 Jun 2009 20:07:00 -0400 Svati Researchers might be on the verge of a huge breakthrough in diabetes care. Right now, experiments are being conducted with a new type of insulin - an insulin that, if all goes well, would only need to be taken once a day to control blood sugars.   SmartInsulin was developed by a biotech company called SmartCells, Inc., which is based in Massachussets. The scientists at SmartCells have engineered a new type of artificial... http://www.healthcentral.com/diabeteens/c/22669/73264/smartinsulin http://www.healthcentral.com/diabeteens/c/22669/59619/counting-carbs Fri, 20 Mar 2009 18:27:00 -0400 Svati In a recent post, I knocked down a book intended to help people make smart choices when it comes to food. Now, I want to discuss how people can get the information they need from other sources in order to enjoy going to restaurants and safely manage blood sugars at the same time. If nothing else, Eat This Not That at least made the point that we really do not know what is in the food we get at restaurants, and our best guesses can... http://www.healthcentral.com/diabeteens/c/22669/59619/counting-carbs http://www.healthcentral.com/diabeteens/c/22669/61133/pump-meltdown Fri, 06 Mar 2009 16:01:00 -0500 Svati Around 11:15 am today, my pump died. Then I brought it back to life. At 9 pm, it died again. For good, I think. And despite having TWO backup Deltec Cozmo pumps which are exactly the same make/model as my original, I am now wearing an Animas pump. An ancient Animas, which happens to be exactly the same type as my first pump ever. Aah, I'm getting nostalgic already.   Anyway, here's what happened (unfortunately, this post contains very... http://www.healthcentral.com/diabeteens/c/22669/61133/pump-meltdown http://www.healthcentral.com/diabeteens/c/22669/57195/david-zinczenko Tue, 03 Feb 2009 14:32:00 -0500 Svati Eat This, Not That by David Zinczenko promises to illuminate the menus of fast-food joints and fine restaurants alike, giving you fool-proof choices to make in order to lose weight and be healthy. While browsing in a Barnes and Noble store, I flipped through this best-seller and was more than a little disappointed.    Zinczenko compares foods in pairs, always presenting "eat this" foods on the left page, facing... http://www.healthcentral.com/diabeteens/c/22669/57195/david-zinczenko http://www.healthcentral.com/diabeteens/c/22669/49965/504-plans Sun, 25 Jan 2009 19:04:00 -0500 Svati Have you ever gotten a low blood sugar during class, suddenly feeling dizzy and unable to focus on what the teacher is saying? What about during a test? Hypoglycemia should never force you to sacrifice good grades in school, and no matter how adept you are at controlling your blood sugars, these episodes are bound to occur at least once in a while.   I have met plenty of kids (through support groups, diabetes camp, etc.) who... http://www.healthcentral.com/diabeteens/c/22669/49965/504-plans http://www.healthcentral.com/diabeteens/c/22669/54273/potential Wed, 14 Jan 2009 11:25:00 -0500 Svati After wearing a pump for a long time, I can say that it has really helped me manage my blood sugars better than injections. The main reason I love the pump is that it gives me so much more flexibility in terms of when and what I eat, and when I exercise. Basically, it's the ultimate way to customize your diabetes management. Pumping isn't for everybody, but it is definitely worth trying. Choosing the right pump and getting the right education on... http://www.healthcentral.com/diabeteens/c/22669/54273/potential http://www.healthcentral.com/diabeteens/c/22669/46994/race-breakdown Mon, 03 Nov 2008 20:43:00 -0500 Svati So, today I ran in one of my last high school cross country races. You would think that I have perfected the art of managing blood sugars for this event by now, but no such luck. However, there are a few things I do as "standard preparation" for each race.   My pre-race routine is different from my pre-practice routine because I check my blood sugar way more often and eat more carbs right before I run. Usually, for a regular... http://www.healthcentral.com/diabeteens/c/22669/46994/race-breakdown http://www.healthcentral.com/diabeteens/c/22669/40125/runner-diabetic Wed, 10 Sep 2008 02:16:00 -0400 Svati I've said it before, and I will say it again: distance running and diabetes mix about as well as oil and water. Sometimes, despite all the benefits of running, I feel that I would have better control of my diabetes and thus be healthier if I was sedentary.   Lately my blood sugars have been a bit wacky and have been spiking higher after meals than they used to. My bg climbs about 150 points for an hour after eating, and then starts... http://www.healthcentral.com/diabeteens/c/22669/40125/runner-diabetic