Flu season is upon us! People with diabetes (type 1, type 2, or gestational), even when well-managed, are at high risk of serious flu complications, which can result in hospitalization and sometimes even death.

Many people are reluctant to get the flu shot. Help move them out of pre-contemplation to action with this informative and upbeat instructional video and song!

“The Flu Shot Song”

Is an educational and entertaining method to bring to light information about the Flu and the Flu Shot…through music!

“The Flu Shot Song” by Nurse Master Charlie, provides a general overview and the science behind why the flu vaccine works to prevent the flu; All while using the universal language of music!!!

This upbeat and informational video describes a quick history, along with transmission methods, differentiation, symptoms, prevention, diagnosis and treatment of the flu.

Flu Vaccines for People with Diabetes

• Injectable influenza vaccines (flu shots) are recommended for use in people with diabetes. The flu shot has a long, established safety record in people with diabetes.
• The live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV), also known as the nasal spray vaccine, is recommended as an option for use in people 2 through 49 years of age who are not pregnant. But, people with some chronic medical conditions (such as diabetes) should generally not receive LAIV.
• See the CDC Webpage for more info.

Nurse Master Charlie pictured at the CA AADE Meeting

Contact or follow Nurse Master Charlie

www.nursemastercharlie.com

Instagram: Nurse Master Charlie 

Facebook: Nurse Master Charlie 

YouTube: Nurse Master Charlie 

Twitter: Nurse Master Charlie 

Email: [email protected]

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This one-hour complimentary journey will expand your view of how trillions of bacterial hitchhikers profoundly influence our health. We will discuss how foods, the environment and our medical practices have impacted our gut bacteria over time and strategies we can take to protect these old friends. You can either view the webinar for free, or to receive 1.0 CE, purchase the webinar below for just $19 (normally $29). 

Feedback from a recent participant:

“Beverly never disappoints! Great information presented so nicely. She is interesting and fun.”

“Fabulous webinar!! Great cutting edge information!”

Watch now for free (no CEs):

This webinar is completely free because we love sharing exciting information with our community! However, if you would like CEs you can purchase the individual course or as part of a series.

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A good night’s sleep is not only beneficial for the human host, our bacterial hitchhikers also love getting extra zzzzz’s.

Studies suggest a link between gut microbiota, sleep, and cognitive flexibility in older adults; a link between insomnia and depression; between chronic sleep disruption and insulin resistance; and a positive connection between lactobacillus casei and deep sleep.

These Sleepline infographics summarize this relationship in an easy to understand and share format.

Read Sleepline’s summary of these studies here.

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View our FREE On-Demand Webinar – Getting to the Gut, Meet Your Microbiome

This one-hour complimentary journey will expand your view of how trillions of bacterial hitchhikers profoundly influence our health. We will discuss how foods, the environment and our medical practices have impacted our gut bacteria over time and strategies we can take to protect these old friends. Join us!

Gut Bacteria Resource Page & Printable Handouts

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“One in three Americans have Prediabetes but don’t know it!“

Help us raise awareness about diabetes this November by sharing the first step to prevention: prediabetes awareness and the fact it can be reversed. There is a great, FREE risk test and resources in English and Spanish for prediabetes below:

In a previous blog, we highlighted that many providers are not familiar with the diagnostic range for prediabetes and neglect to stress the importance of taking action to stop the progression to diabetes. In another blog we noted that many who receive an official determination of prediabetes are not referred to a diabetes prevention program.

The range for diagnosing prediabetes is an A1C is between 5.7 and 6.4% or if fasting blood glucose is between 100 and 125 mg/dL.

Prediabetes risk factors include:

• Family History of Diabetes
• Over the age of 40
• Experiencing overweight
• History of gestational diabetes, diabetes, or high blood sugar when pregnant
• High blood pressure
• Hispanic, African American, Asian, and Native American descent

“Do I Have Prediabetes?” website has excellent resources on prediabetes, and diabetes type 1 and type 2 for both health care providers and people with diabetes or who are concerned they may have prediabetes. Read more here.

Here is a list of Diabetes Prevention Programs throughout the United States.

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Whether it’s the candy, the turkey, stuffing, or the desserts, the holidays are a difficult time for anyone to eat healthy and avoid weight gain. Experts suggest that the holidays are not the best time to set weight loss goals. Instead, a more realistic approach is to focus on enjoying special events and weight maintenance coupled with lots of good self-care.

Weight watchers, most dietitians, and health bloggers suggest several strategies to make healthier choices when tempted by holiday fare:

• There is no need to eat to be polite – save calories or points for favorite foods. If there is lots of pressure, have 1-3 bites of whatever family or friends are suggesting.
• Be prepared for extra calories: maintain regular eating routine for the whole week leading up to the big meal. On the day of, make sure to have breakfast, and if the big meal is in the afternoon, have a small lunch or snack to avoid over-eating at the party.
• Drink calorie free beverages and choose vegetables or other low calorie options first before digging into the richer food choices.

Some interesting, alternative strategies that people are reporting success with:

• Plating up with a smaller plate: it tricks our brains into thinking we are eating more, and on average this strategy decreases intake by 40% or more.
• Wear something fitted and fabulous: boost self-confidence with an outfit that makes the wearer feel great about how they look, but also keeps them aware of quantity of food consumed.
• Take a walk after the meal instead of sinking into a recliner or couch to burn a few calories and keep metabolism revved up a bit longer.

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Free Resource Friday |Preparing for the CDCES Exam Webinar

Join us live with your questions on October 10, 2019 @ 11:30 a.m. PST!

Coach Beverly offers this FREE webinar to help get you prepare for the CDCES Exam. All her tips and tricks are meant to ease your mind and reflect the updates to the CDCES content outline. Register below with a name and email and you can join us live next Thursday!

Topics covered include:

• Changes in requirements for 2019
• Exam eligibility and test format
• Strategies to succeed
• Review of study tips and test taking tactics.

We will review sample test questions and the reasoning behind choosing the right answers.

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

Intended Audience: This FREE webinar is designed for individual or groups of diabetes educators, including RNs, RDs, Pharmacists, Nurse Practitioners, Clinical Nurse Specialists, Physician Assistants and other health care providers interested in achieving excellence in diabetes care and becoming Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialists®.

Instructor: Beverly Thomassian RN, MPH, CDCES, BC-ADM is a working educator who has passed her CDCES Exam 6 times. She is a nationally recognized diabetes expert for over 25 years.

See our Preparing for CDCES Resource Page >>

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Just in time for Diabetes Awareness Month: Make Learning about diabetes fun!

November is Diabetes Awareness Month. As part of your Diabetes Awareness activities, consider including our FREE Bingo game as a fun addition!

This educational tool is designed to increase participant’s knowledge of diabetes self-management terms and goals of care. It’s an invaluable resource for kinesthetic learners and makes learning upbeat and easy.

Players learn about diabetes management while having fun! DiaBingo is a must-have for support groups and in the classroom setting.

The questions are designed by our experts to help players become informed about diabetes and self-care in an upbeat and entertaining way. You are welcome to customize these questions as needed to make it relevant to your group.

Up to 30 Can play! Answers sheets and questions are available in English and Spanish. 

This free download includes:

• 2 DiaBingo Master Question and Answer Sheets
• 30 DiaBingo Answer Cards in English and Spanish

Simply print out the player cards and choose items to use as markers to get started.

This FREE DiaBingo has been reviewed for accuracy by Coach Beverly and is up to date for 2019! Please let us know if any corrections are needed!

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