Wellness Support
In order to maintain good health, individuals cannot do it all themselves. We all need help. “Wellness support” includes both products and people that are important particularly for those with or trying to prevent chronic health challenges.
Thankfully, there are seemingly limitless sources of information outlining both products and people that are available to support both general health as well as the increasing number of health challenges that we all face. Below you will find a number of valuable references on managing your general health.
If your organization would like to be listed in this section please contact us at info@balanceandstretch.org.
As a service, the Balance and Stretch Center would like to offer the following introductory information from our Balance and Stretch Success Guide.
Insulin and other medications are very important for controlling diabetes. In addition to diabetes medication, you may take other medications for other conditions. It is important that you understand how each affects you and when you should take them. To help you keep track of what you take and when you take them, stick to a system that works for you. Recording when you take your medications and insulin in your log book will help you stay in a routine.
Knowing the Basics of Insulin
There are many types of insulin available, but it is mostly important to understand the ones that you take. You should know when they work (onset), how long they work (duration), and when they have the greatest effect (peak). Insulin is given in two kinds of doses: (1) as a Basal Dose, insulin that controls your blood sugars between meals and overnight, and/or (2) as a Bolus Dose, insulin released or injected for meals or to correct blood sugar.
Insulins and How They Act |
Types |
Onset |
Peak |
Duration |
Rapid Acting
Aspart (Novolog)
Lispro (Humalog)
Glulisine (Apidra) |
10 – 30
Minutes |
30 Mins – 3 Hours |
3 – 5 Hours |
Short Acting
Regular (R) |
30 – 60
Minutes |
1 – 5 Hours |
8 Hours |
Intermediate Acting
NPH |
1 – 4 Hours |
4 – 12 Hours |
14 to 26 Hours |
Long Acting
Glargine (Lantus)
Detemir (Levemir) |
1-2 Hours |
No Peak |
24 Hours |
Insulin Devices
There are several devices people use to get insulin into their body. The most common are the traditional insulin syringe, insulin pens, and insulin pumps. Talk to your healthcare team about which of these devices is best for you.
Medical Identification
Because insulin and/or other diabetes medications increase your risk of having a low blood sugar, you should always wear something that identifies that you have diabetes so that in an emergency others know how to care for you.
Knowing the Basics of Diabetes Medications
In order to balance their diabetes, people with Type 2 diabetes sometimes need medications in addition to exercise, a healthy diet, adequate sleep, and decreased stress levels. There are also people with Type 1 who may need to take oral diabetes medications (pills) in addition to their insulin.
Oral Diabetes Medications |
Types |
Description |
Sulfonylureas
Glucotrol
Glucotrol XL
Micronase
Glynase
Diabeta
Amaryl |
Used to stimulate the beta cells of the pancreas to release more insulin. These are usually taken once or twice per day before meals |
Meglitinides
Prandin
Starlix |
Used to stimulate the beta cells of the pancreas to release more insulin. These are taken before each of three meals. |
Biguanides
Glucophage
(Metformin) |
Used to lower blood sugar levels by decreasing the amount of glucose that the liver produces and making muscle tissue more sensitive to insulin. It is usually taken twice per day. |
Thiazolidinediones
Avandia
Actos
Rezulin |
Help insulin work better in the muscle and fat cells and reduce glucose production in the liver. They are taken once or twice a day with food. |
Alpha-glucosidase
Inhibitors
Precose
Glyset |
Help the body to lower blood sugar by blocking the breakdown of starches in the intestine and slow the rise of blood sugar after a meal. They should be taken with first bite. |
Knowing the Basics of All Medications
Make sure to ask your healthcare team about each of the medications you take. Never take ANY type of medication if you don’t know the following:
- What it is
- When you need to take it
- Why you take it
- With what do you or do not take it with
(Food or on an empty stomach)
- What you do if you forget to take it
- What the side effects are
- Can you use a generic product
If you are interested in our success guide, please contact us. |
