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What are Continuous Glucose Monitoring Devices and How to Choose a CGM?

Choosing a Continuous Glucose Monitor is a big decision. Here we breakdown the top CGMs, their manufacturers, and features so you can select the right CGM to fit your lifestyle.

Having a Social Life and Navigating Events with Diabetes

Managing diabetes can be difficult enough as it is. This is US MED’s guide on how to balance diabetes management and still have a fun time.

Main Differences Between the Freestyle Libre 3 vs 2

Learn the key distinctions between Abbott’s latest continuous glucose monitoring systems in this guide with US MED.

Diabetes Support Groups: Why Are They Important?

If you’re curious about diabetes support groups but don’t know how to get started, US MED can help. Here, you’ll find our comprehensive overview. 

Hypoglycemia Symptoms, Causes and Treatments for Diabetics

Hypoglycemia is the term that is used for low blood sugar. Learn more about how people with diabetes can treat hypoglycemia.  

Plan Your Diabetes Safe Exercise Routine

Create the Right Exercise Routine Exercise–everyone knows how vital it is to your health and well-being. But why is it so difficult to make regular exercise a habit? Let’s talk about creating a diabetes-friendly exercise routine that can become a part of your day-to-day lifestyle. The key is the make part of your daily plan.…

Ways to Stay Healthy with a Desk Job

Why Is Sitting Bad For You? We’ve all heard it. Sitting for long periods of time is not what our bodies were meant to do. But did you know that physical inactivity, especially sitting for long periods, has been linked to increased mortality rates second only to smoking? According to research from the American College…

Top Suppliers for CGM

Living with diabetes can be hard enough. You shouldn’t have to worry about sticking yourself with needles multiple times a day. Instead, ask your doctor about Continuous Glucose Monitoring (or CGM). These systems are composed of a small sensor and transceiver device that constantly monitor your blood sugar levels. To learn more about how CGMs…

How to Keep Injection Sites Healthy

Studies found that almost 2/3 of all people who inject insulin have some degree of lipohypertrophy, which is thickening or rubbery skin at injection sites. Here we’ll discuss ways to avoid lipo and what insulin users need to look out for.

CGM (Continuous Glucose Monitoring) A Beginner’s Guide.

When you live with diabetes a common term you might hear is Continuous Glucose Monitoring, also known as CGM.  For the uninitiated to the world of diabetes management, using a CGM might seem an overwhelmingly daunting task.  All types of questions can present you with a challenge, but you’re not alone!  Read on for answers…

10 Tips for Living with a Long-Term Catheter

Wondering how to safely live with a long-term catheter? In this article, we’ll take you through 10 tips that long-term catheter users should keep in mind. By following these tips for living with a catheter – male or female – you’ll be able to mitigate health risks such as UTIs and blockages.

The Effects of Smoking & Diabetes

Cardiovascular Disease Smokers have a 30-40% higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes over non-smokers.  Smoking also makes it difficult to control the disease and determine proper insulin dosage since it makes your body more resistant to insulin leading to higher glucose levels.  The more prevalent the smoking habit is, the higher the risk of…

Vitamin D vs. Diabetes

With diabetes on it’s meteoric rise, new innovations are being discovered to help quell it’s rising numbers.  New research is looking into vitamin D as a possible treatment option for the now 30 million people living with type 2 diabetes in the U.S.  Obesity is rising as well, raising type 2 diabetes risk factors that…

Simple Ways to Improve Sleep Quality

Getting a sufficient amount of quality sleep can be difficult for many, but a few changes can have a significant impact, according to the Mayo Clinic. Much of the requirement for getting a good night’s rest revolves around controlling the environment in which a person is sleeping and developing routines that aid a person in…

Potential Allergy Complications Indoors

Nasal allergies affect about 50 million people in the United States and indoor allergens can aggravate them according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. Pollen, mold, dust mites, and pet dander can all be irritating to sensitive individuals, and while air cleaning devices with HEPA filters are helpful, the best way to prevent…

The Medicare Competitive Bid Program

As a component of the Center of Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) Competitive Bidding Program, diabetes testing supplies (DTS) are provided through mail order at a substantial discount for people with diabetes (PWD).  PWD must be enlisted in Medicare Part B to qualify for mail order service.  Covered DTS include blood glucose meters, replacement batteries for…

9 Steps to Better Catheter Self-Management

We share the 9 steps that every catheter user should know. Self-manage your catheter with these safety steps.

DIABETES ALERT! DAY

What’s Your Type 2 Diabetes Risk? One in three American adults is at risk for developing type 2 diabetes, a serious disease that can lead to complications like kidney failure, heart disease, stroke, blindness, and amputations. But type 2 diabetes doesn’t have to be permanent-it can be prevented or delayed with healthy lifestyle modifications. The…

Top 10 Reasons To Use Your CPAP Machine

Around 25 million Americans experience OSA (Obstructive Sleep Apnea), and approximately 60% of them actually utilize a CPAP machine nightly.  Incorporating CPAP therapy can be difficult, but OSA is a risky condition that does not improve on it’s own.  Here are some top ten reasons to make CPAP a part of your nightly ritual: 1.…

Advantages of Wearing a Back Brace

Chronic back pain is a condition that plagues many people, young and old. This explains why so many people find themselves using back support braces for additional support. A study by The University of Maryland Medical Center states that 60 to 80% of adults in the U.S. have lower back pain, which is also the…

Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM)

Get Accurate Blood Glucose Monitoring While some diabetics only need to check their blood sugar levels a couple of times a day, those who are suffering from more severe forms of diabetes may require continuous glucose monitoring (CGM). This constant monitoring will ensure their glucose levels remain at safe levels, allowing them to make any…

More Than Two Types of Diabetes?

For the past 20 years diabetes has always been classified as either type 1 or type 2, but new revelations show that there could actually be five different types.  New research such as one found in an article out of The Lancet: Diabetes & Endocrinology suggests a need for a revision to the diabetes classification system. …

Apple Watch Detects Diabetes with 85% Accuracy

The Apple watch is not just a hi-tech fashion statement but is now able to detect diabetes with 85% accuracy, according to part of a larger DeepHeart study with Cardiogram and UCSF.  It used data from Apple Watch users and detected 462 of them as having diabetes using the watch’s built-in heart rate sensor and artificial intelligence-based…

The Future of Medical Records on The Blockchain

With the recent explosion of Bitcoin and all the hype surrounding it, the one thing that is for certain is that its underlying technology called the blockchain will be an industry disruptor for many financial sectors in the years to come.  One of those sectors that can see a major use-case for such innovation is…

Insulin History and How Insulin Works

It’s been over 100 years since the lifesaving treatment of insulin was discovered by Dr. Banting. In this article we’ll cover the history of insulin, types of insulin available, and a how-to for injecting insulin.

Child Food Allergies are on the Rise

As modern medicine continues to find ways to treat and prevent illnesses from occurring, at least one issue affecting children is on the rise, allergies. According to the Centers for Disease Control, food allergies in children have risen by 50 percent over the past couple of decades with peanut or tree nut allergies more than…

10 Ways to Curb Overeating

It is a little known fact that people with type 1 diabetes lose production of what is called Amylin.  Amylin is a hormone secreted by beta cells that are responsible for making us feel full after a meal.  It also impedes the emptying of the stomach along with regulating rising glucose levels. There are various…

A Healthy Social Life Reduces the Risk of Diabetes

Studies over at Maastricht University in the Netherlands have shown a link between healthy social ties and it’s influence over mental and physical health.  Being socially active can actually reduce your risk of type 2 diabetes according to this study published in the BMC Public Health journal. Study co-author Dr. Miranda Schram explains, “High-risk groups…

Cinnamon May Help Fight Against Obesity.

A 2017 study from the University of Michigan found how a common spice—cinnamon—can help fight against obesity. Researchers had previously noticed that cinnamaldehyde (a basic oil responsible for cinnamon’s flavor) seemed to defend mice against obesity and hyperglycemia, but it was not well comprehended what prompted this effect.  More study on this process was necessary…

Identifying Alzheimer’s before symptoms

New tests to diagnose Alzheimer’s disease are emerging, offering hope for new treatments and therapies. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, the memory disease is now the sixth leading cause of death in the United States, and more than 5 million people are currently living with the disease. In fact, for seniors, a third of all…

Switch Jobs in your 50s for a Longer Career, Study Says

Switching jobs late in life might be the key to a longer career, according to Boston College’s Center for Retirement Research. But the key is switching job voluntarily. Those who were laid off late in life had difficulty finding new jobs. Those who switched jobs voluntarily worked longer, increasingly the likelihood of still working at…

Low-Sugar Fruits for Diabetic Diets

Naturally occurring sugar can be found in all fruits, although some may contain more than others.  Those trying keep sugar consumption under control usually give up a lot of the usual culprits such as soda pop and candy, but quite often overlook fruit.  Although a healthier way of satisfying a “sweet-fix” fruits such as watermelon…

Veteran’s Day Observed

Veterans vowed their allegiance to our country by serving in the military and fight for America’s liberty.  Showing gratitude can come in many forms, but a little appreciation can go a long way for those senior veterans in need on Veteran’s Day as their health and resources decline.   Here are some things you can do…

The Medical Supplies Market is Expanding

Market Research Future Report According to Market Research Future, the global medical supplies market is growing exponentially and expected to reach $132 Billion by late 2022.  The primary cause of this massive growth is the rising population of geriatrics as well as increase in patients with chronic diseases such as cardiovascular & diabetes.  Leading this sales…

Have Medicare and Need to Manage your Diabetes?

In 2017 Medicare covered 58 million Americans, and to a lot of us, it can seem like a complicated labyrinth.  For those over 65 years of age, it is essential health coverage administered by the United States government.  It’s a daunting task to understand it right away, but here is some information to mitigate the…

Artificial Beta Cells that Release Insulin in Response to High Blood Sugar

A major hurdle in the patient-friendly treatment of Diabetes is the need for efficient on-demand control of blood glucose levels.  Normal pancreatic cells do this naturally, so creating an insulin delivery system has been quite a challenge for researchers. Insulin pills end up destroyed in digestive enzymes and acids making it an unviable option.  Pancreatic…

Yoga or Therapy May Help Back Pain

If you suffer from chronic low back pain, you might be desperate for some sort of solution to the debilitating condition. Chronic low back pain is a widespread problem. According to WebMD, Americans spend over $50 billion each year on back pain. About 80 percent of the population will experience a back problem at some…

What’s All The Fuss About Gluten?

It’s nearly impossible to go to a restaurant or a supermarket now and not be bombarded with labels touting “gluten free” ingredients and recipes. Today people are acutely aware of an allergy to a protein in wheat, barley and rye. This allergy is called celiac disease. With all of the sudden attention to this disease,…

Shoes Make the Difference in Foot Pain

The workday can seem long when your feet hurt. Podiatrists at the Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine give this advice: Heels – Notoriously bad for your feet, heels cause a painful knot on the back of the heel, according to WebMD. Wearing heels constantly leads to a permanent, bony protrusion called the pump bump.…

New Food Nutrition Labels Now Lists ‘Added Sugars’

The useful nutrition labels on foods now contain a new element: Added Sugars. The listing now allows consumers to tell how much sugar is naturally occurring and how much is added. This can be important when comparing products. One example, according to the Tufts University Health & Nutrition Letter: Compare 12 ounces of lemon-lime soda…

US MED Employees Host Internal Fundraiser to Aid Hurricane Harvey Victims

“US MED is in the business of assisting people in need of care on a daily basis. This extends beyond the clinical community and into local communities. As a result, US MED has launched an internal fund raising initiative through our Employee Giving Program, to assist the victims of the Harvey hurricane,” said Chief Sales…

US MED Solar Eclipse, August 21, 2017

The US MED Family is patiently waiting for the 2017 Solar Eclipse! To celebrate, the Marketing team put together Eclipse Bags for the employees containing Sun Chips and SunKist, along with a printed insert showing 6 Facts About the 2017 Solar Eclipse. 6 Facts About the 2017 Solar Eclipse 1 – This will be the…

Special Education for Children Living with Paralysis

August is the month of back to school. Stores are busy, traffic is back, and it’s time to place that alarm clock at least 1 hour before than your regular time. For parents with children living with paralysis, back to school means a lot more planning and preparation. It is important that you understand your…

Did You Know Herbs Can Affect Prescription Medications?

Millions of people take herbal supplements and consider them completely safe, but there are nearly 1,500 documented interactions between herbs and prescription medications. According to poison.org, about 20 percent of North Americans take herbal supplements. Humans have been using herbs for thousands of years for common ailments. In fact, many medicines today, such as morphine…

Learn How to Avoid a Medical Emergency

Heat and humidity add up to danger and if you know the signs, you can quickly avoid a medical emergency. Emergency rooms see an increase in cases of heat stroke and dehydration in July and August. The American College of Emergency Physicians gives this advice on how to stay safe in hot weather: Check the…

How Lower Back Pain is Improved by Exercise

Most people suffer from lower back pain at one point or another, but treating it remains hit and miss. Research reported by Reuters says that 80 percent of all people will suffer from some sort of back pain during their lives. An estimated 90 percent of all chronic pain sufferers are prescribed opioid pain medications…

How To Keep Your Energy Level High All Day

If your energy level varies from high to low during the day, making adjustments to your diet can help. According to Weill Cornell Medical Center, food increases energy in three ways. It provides enough calories for your body to run; it delivers stimulants like caffeine; and it pushes your metabolism to burn fuel more efficiently.…

Seniors Swim Their Way To Health

High blood pressure, bad balance, arthritis — these are common problems for seniors. Still, all the experts say you should get out there and exercise. If traditional exercise just hurts, why not try swimming? Swimming is the ideal exercise for people with joint and muscle pain. The buoyant water takes the pain out of much…

Steps to Better Sleep

For Individuals with Sleep Apnea Here are some science-backed alternative options to help those with sleep apnea. Bear in mind, however, that since the root causes behind sleep apnea vary, a remedy that cures one person might do nothing for another. You’ll need to find the combination that works for you with some or all…

Cultivate Your Motivation

No Motivation = Fail Personal Development Trainer Sid Savara gives you these seven proven tips on how to get motivated. He says, “Today is the day. It’s time to make the most out of your life, and that means, it’s time to get motivated.” Break out of your motivational funk. No. 7. Find your mantra.…

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