Susan Sorensen
Gardening safely needs only planning
Published on Wed, May 19, 2010 by Susan SorensenRead More Sorensen
Columnist's note: For
my loyal readers, this month I have some bad news and some good news.
The bad news is that effective this month and until the end of the year, I will not be writing new monthly articles on diabetes. But the good news is that I have made an agreement with the Sequim Gazette to provide a previously published article after I have reviewed it for medical updates.
You deserve an explanation for this sudden change of events, and it is simple: I need a break.
My first diabetes article was published in August 1999 so I have been doing research and writing a monthly article for more than 10 years. When I sat to compose the April 2010 article, the creative ideas did not come easily to me, and suddenly I knew that I needed to take time to recharge.
My health is fine, my family is wonderful, and I am looking forward to working on my Bucket List in the next few months. Thank you for your support and understanding.
Susan Sorensen
The blooming lilacs announce the arrival of spring, which gives the green light for working in the garden, digging weeds and planting flowers. But before pulling on your work clothes, a little planning can help you to complete your gardening safely.
Let's discuss simple
steps that you can take to preserve your health while you enjoy working outside.
_ Wear footwear that provides support and fits you properly. If you have developed neuropathy in your feet, that loss of sensation can be very dangerous.
_ Before putting on your shoes, check inside for foreign objects or wrinkles in the sole. You even may consider shoes with steel toes for added protection. Please no sandals!
_ Select a seam-free sock to limit pressure areas on your feet. At the end of the day, remove the insoles of your shoes to allow them to air dry overnight.
_ Long pants and a long-sleeved shirt help to protect your skin, since a tear in fabric is better than a tear in your skin. Apply sunscreen to prevent sunburn and wear a wide-brimmed hat for additional protection.
_ Find a pair of gloves that are comfortable so that you will want to wear them. Wash your hands with soap and let the suds dry on your hands before putting on your gloves. The protective film of dry soap will speed your cleanup and prevent the need for vigorous scrubbing of your hands.
Maintain routine
Gardening is wonderful exercise but you must maintain your routine with meals and glucose monitoring. Expect a lower glucose reading after gardening since your body will be using glucose for energy.
Be tuned into your symptoms of hypoglycemia and always have individually wrapped hard candy in your jacket pocket. Try to do outdoor gardening early in the day and take frequent breaks to rehydrate.
Do not wait until you are thirsty to drink water - by then you already are dehydrated. Pace yourself and avoid marathon gardening sessions; I guarantee that the weeds will be there the next day.
When you have diabetes, a simple injury quickly can become a serious problem. Try to anticipate how you can prevent an injury, be prepared to take quick action and be prompt in pursuing medical care. You can live healthy with diabetes, so get outside and enjoy some fresh air.
Susan Sorensen is a registered nurse who does diabetes education in the community and can be reached at www.star
ladydiabetes.com.
my loyal readers, this month I have some bad news and some good news.
The bad news is that effective this month and until the end of the year, I will not be writing new monthly articles on diabetes. But the good news is that I have made an agreement with the Sequim Gazette to provide a previously published article after I have reviewed it for medical updates.
You deserve an explanation for this sudden change of events, and it is simple: I need a break.
My first diabetes article was published in August 1999 so I have been doing research and writing a monthly article for more than 10 years. When I sat to compose the April 2010 article, the creative ideas did not come easily to me, and suddenly I knew that I needed to take time to recharge.
My health is fine, my family is wonderful, and I am looking forward to working on my Bucket List in the next few months. Thank you for your support and understanding.
Susan Sorensen
The blooming lilacs announce the arrival of spring, which gives the green light for working in the garden, digging weeds and planting flowers. But before pulling on your work clothes, a little planning can help you to complete your gardening safely.
Let's discuss simple
steps that you can take to preserve your health while you enjoy working outside.
_ Wear footwear that provides support and fits you properly. If you have developed neuropathy in your feet, that loss of sensation can be very dangerous.
_ Before putting on your shoes, check inside for foreign objects or wrinkles in the sole. You even may consider shoes with steel toes for added protection. Please no sandals!
_ Select a seam-free sock to limit pressure areas on your feet. At the end of the day, remove the insoles of your shoes to allow them to air dry overnight.
_ Long pants and a long-sleeved shirt help to protect your skin, since a tear in fabric is better than a tear in your skin. Apply sunscreen to prevent sunburn and wear a wide-brimmed hat for additional protection.
_ Find a pair of gloves that are comfortable so that you will want to wear them. Wash your hands with soap and let the suds dry on your hands before putting on your gloves. The protective film of dry soap will speed your cleanup and prevent the need for vigorous scrubbing of your hands.
Maintain routine
Gardening is wonderful exercise but you must maintain your routine with meals and glucose monitoring. Expect a lower glucose reading after gardening since your body will be using glucose for energy.
Be tuned into your symptoms of hypoglycemia and always have individually wrapped hard candy in your jacket pocket. Try to do outdoor gardening early in the day and take frequent breaks to rehydrate.
Do not wait until you are thirsty to drink water - by then you already are dehydrated. Pace yourself and avoid marathon gardening sessions; I guarantee that the weeds will be there the next day.
When you have diabetes, a simple injury quickly can become a serious problem. Try to anticipate how you can prevent an injury, be prepared to take quick action and be prompt in pursuing medical care. You can live healthy with diabetes, so get outside and enjoy some fresh air.
Susan Sorensen is a registered nurse who does diabetes education in the community and can be reached at www.star
ladydiabetes.com.
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