- With Mayo Clinic diabetes educators
Nancy Klobassa Davidson, R.N., and Peggy Moreland, R.N.
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Nancy Klobassa Davidson, R.N., and Peggy Moreland, R.N.
Nancy Klobassa Davidson and Peggy Moreland
Nancy Klobassa Davidson, R.N., B.S.N, C.D.E
Nancy Klobassa Davidson is a registered nurse who has worked in diabetes education for 17 years. She is a certified diabetes educator (C.D.E.) and is currently in graduate school working on a Master of Science in nursing (M.S.N.) and health care education.Nancy works with adults who have type 1, type 2 and other forms of diabetes. Nancy is coordinator of the Diabetes Unit's intensive insulin therapy program within the Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, Metabolism, & Nutrition at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. Nancy has worked extensively with insulin pump therapy and continuous interstitial glucose sensing.
Peggy Moreland, R.N., M.S.N.
Peggy Moreland is a certified diabetes educator (C.D.E.) in the Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, Metabolism, & Nutrition at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn.Peggy graduated with a Master of Science in Nursing and Health Care Education from the University of Phoenix and is a member of the American Association of Diabetes Educators and the American Diabetes Association. A certified diabetes educator (C.D.E.), Peggy enjoys working with patients to set and achieve diabetes self-management goals.
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Living with diabetes blog
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Dec. 18, 2008
Welcome to the diabetes blog
By Nancy Klobassa Davidson, R.N., and Peggy Moreland, R.N.
Diabetes is the 7th leading cause of death in the United States, and according to the American Diabetes Association there are 23.6 million children and adults in the United States, or 7.8 percent of the population, who have diabetes.
Unfortunately, 1 out of every 4 people who has diabetes is unaware. Uncontrolled diabetes can lead to serious complications, such as blindness, kidney damage, heart disease, and lower-limb amputations. Persons with diabetes can decrease their risk of complications by controlling their blood glucose, blood pressure, and cholesterol.
With your help, we hope we can increase awareness and find ways that you can help each other manage your disease.
If you're already managing diabetes, you know it can be time consuming.
The daily routines of diabetes self-management involve foot care, exercise, carbohydrate counting, self-monitoring of blood glucose, oral medications, insulin, or even a combination of oral medications and insulin.
Here are some questions for you:
- How much time do you spend managing your diabetes every day?
- Have you ever been tempted or even tried taking a vacation from your diabetes self-management?
- If so, what happened if anything, and what did you learn from the experience?
We look forward to you sharing your responses with us. Welcome to the blog.
- Nancy and Peggy
565 comments posted
August 9, 2010 3:37 p.m.
Jan: you might have diabetes. Make an appointment with your provider and get tested.
- Nancy and Peggy
August 8, 2010 11:53 a.m.
Last year, after a brief scare with Type-1 diabetes, I conducted extensive research about the rise of the disease amongst our youth. Research shows a direct relationship to diet, low physical activity, and hormone-injected cow's milk and other factors. I am an Instructional Designer/Flash Programmer by profession. I created the first series of a children's book called Run Tippy Run to start addressing the diabetes issues suddenly plaguing our children. Kids can read this book free online at...www.daystarbooks.com Brief Description of Book: Help our children draw their future without diabetes. The Purpose, Is Prevention: This series of Run Tippy Run - Draw Me Healthy publications, will attempt to introduce a green diet concept to young children. By illustrating a direct link to food and health, we induce kids to question their diet choices & food sources.
- Ike Austin
August 7, 2010 7:56 a.m.
I am just beginning thinking I may have type 2. I woke up this morning and took my reading. It was 158. Is that pretty normal? When I went to bed it was 157.
- Jan
July 27, 2010 2:38 p.m.
Christie, glucose comes from other sources besides food. When you are in a fasting state, your liver stores and releases sugar to provide energy and cover your brain's requirements for glucose.
- Nancy and Peggy
July 27, 2010 2:33 p.m.
Melissa, you can purchase a blood glucose monitor at any pharmacy/ large retail chain store. I would get in to see your health care provider as soon as possible.
- Nancy and Peggy
July 26, 2010 1:45 p.m.
For the past 6 months I have had unquenchable thirst (I could easily drink 4-6 litres of water a day) am fatigued, and cannot gain weight. I am waiting to get in to see the doctor and be tested for diabetes (it runs in our family) is there anything I can do on my own to see if I have it?
- Melissa
July 19, 2010 11:15 a.m.
My sugar level is within the normal range every part of the day except my fasting reading...which is 117-123 daily. I understand that I have diabetes and am going to do bloodwork on the 23rd...but why is my sugar so normal when I eat and so high when I dont eat!
- Christie
July 17, 2010 5:14 p.m.
Mary - it is very important for you to meet with your obstetrician as soon as possible.
- Nancy and Peggy
July 15, 2010 3:35 p.m.
I am 34 yrs old, type 1 diabetes, insulin pump dependent and A1C of 8.9 ;(, but that is not my mayor concern right now. My concern is that I think I am pregnant but I have to wait one more week to confirm that. As soon I start my suspicious I obviously check my sugar every 1 or 2 hr. The reason I think I am pregnant is because I have a very regular cycle so the pms symtoms are early, I have cramps and I always suffer of constipation but now I have lose stool and obviously when I check my calendar. How fast I can lower my A1C? I know I took a huge risk but what are the chances to have a healthy baby if I control my blood sugar even if I conceive with an A1C of 8.9? Please advise - Mary
- Mary
July 15, 2010 1:40 p.m.
Yvonne: There is not enough information to adequately answer your question. Is your blood sugar under good control? Is high blood sugar the cause of your weight loss? We recommend that you work with your primary provider, a dietician, and a certified diabetes educator.
- Nancy and Peggy
July 14, 2010 8:42 p.m.
Has anyone taken the injected diabetic control medicine called Victoria (Not sure how to spell it) It is taken once a day instead of twice like byetta. I am considering taken either byetta or this new injection. Can anyone tell me what are the pros & cons of either medicine.
- kathy
July 14, 2010 5:25 p.m.
Nancy & Peggy- Do you read all the comments? I have not gotten an answer from you yet, since the beginning of the month. Some people seem really, really desperate and I don't see your answer or comment. Still waiting..........Yvonne
- Yvonne
July 13, 2010 11:27 p.m.
hi my name is jody my husband of 22yrs as been dx. with type 1 at the age of 37 (now 44),he is on both long and fast acting insulin. i'am at such a lost he has been through such hell (mini stroke,all teeth removed,very bad depression and just uncontrolable seizures they average more then 5 a month. )today he sleep for 17hours no insulin and NO FOOD he is voiminting since he has woke up and what i think maybe be DKA he will not hear of going to the hospital .i dont know what to do , i can take care of him now but something needs to be done because not one MD can tell me what is going on. plz help if u know of anyone or anything i would be able to do.
- jody
July 13, 2010 3:35 p.m.
I am 34 yrs old, type 1 diabetes, insulin pump dependent and A1C of 8.9 ;(, but that is not my mayor concern right now. My concern is that I think I am pregnant but I have to wait one more week to confirm that. As soon I start my suspicious I obviously check my sugar every 1 or 2 hr. The reason I think I am pregnant is because I have a very regular cycle so the pms symtoms are early, I have cramps and I always suffer of constipation but now I have lose stool and obviously when I check my calendar. How fast I can lower my A1C? I know I took a huge risk but what are the chances to have a healthy baby if I control my blood sugar even if I conceive with an A1C of 8.9? Please advise
- Mary
July 12, 2010 1:35 p.m.
Vickie - We recommend that you let your provider know that you have protein in your urine. Your provider may want to order another urine test and proceed from there.
- Nancy and Peggy
July 12, 2010 1:33 p.m.
Joanna - We are very sorry about your mother. Unless your mother is a vulnerable adult, there is little that you can do to help her seek medical help (at least in the USA).
- Nancy and Peggy
July 12, 2010 7:15 a.m.
the doctor's office called and said i have diabetes and that they want to see me in about 7 weeks. why the wait? dont i need to know if i have type 1 or type 2? i also have a boat load of other questions. i have liver disease and hep c. how will my body process the insulin? ......
- renee
July 10, 2010 2:42 p.m.
I am 46 years old i was diagnosed type 1 diabetic at 17 years old, i have been insulin dependent all the time and i have the pump. i have gastrioparisis and i just found protien trace in my urine today. should i be concerned?
- vickie
July 8, 2010 4:56 p.m.
I have an A1c of 6.1...am I a diabetic?
- Rebecca
July 7, 2010 1:15 p.m.
I have type 1 diabetes and have gone from a healthy 116 pounds (height: 4'10") to a death looking 72 pounds. My endocrinologist does not know how I can gain weight. Every medical person says to drink Ensure for weight gain. I tried it. Doesn't work. I'm still losing about 1 pound every 2 or 3 months. I can't eat more carbs or sugar. How can I gain weight?
- Yvonne
July 7, 2010 10:51 a.m.
My doctor is concerned about my blood sugar level. It is at 110, which is on the very low end of Pre-diabetes. What should I do? I am a 50 year old male with Charcot, Marie, Tooth.
- Albert
July 6, 2010 3:16 p.m.
Please also advise, on what we can expect, should my mother continue to not treat her diabetes. Thank you!
- Joanna
July 6, 2010 2:34 p.m.
My mother (age 67) was diagnosed with Type II several years ago and has developed a severe distrust of the medical professionals. She has not been to a doctor for her diabetes in over 10 years. She has dropped a significant amount of weight and does not have the muscle strength to get onto a bicycle. She has been going to a "guru" and will not tell us who that is, she eats fruit smoothies for means and little protein, does not get very much exercise, is constantly tired and feeling run down. I have asked, begged, bribed, pleaded and attempted to trick my mother into seeing a doctor, but this only results in her getting defensive and more resistant to the idea of a western medicine diabetic treatment. Any suggestions for how to get help for her I would greatly appreciate. My siblings and I have even started talking about if/when we should try to get legal authority, as her mental judgements are starting to get very questionable.
- Joanna
July 5, 2010 9:50 p.m.
My hubby, a type 2 diabetic, has higher blood sugar levels in the morning also. Any ideas why?
- Mary
June 28, 2010 5:00 a.m.
I'm managing my type 2 quite well, but why would my sugar level increase after fasting and a good nights sleep? Before going to bed, sugar level was well within limits, then next morning an increase from the night before. Thanks, Glyn.
- Glyn.
565 comments posted