Taking Care of your Skin with Diabetes

New diet, insulin injections, blood sugar checks- diabetics already have a lot on their plate. However, many diabetics don’t realize that they may also face skin disorders as a potential side effect of diabetes. In fact, as many as one-third of diabetics will have a skin disorder related to diabetes during their lives. However, smart skincare can help prevent many of these issues. 

Skin disorders linked to diabetes often stem from common side effects of diabetes. For example, high glucose levels often cause dry skin, which leads to other disorders such as itching, cracking, rashes, and difficulty healing from open wounds. Diabetics also experience reduced blood flow to certain areas of the body and weakened immune systems, making them prone to bacterial or fungal infections. In rare cases, insulin injections can cause yellow skin, or, more commonly, rosacea.

While these skin issues can turn serious, it’s possible to prevent them from even occurring with smart skincare techniques. Diabetics should bathe with mild soap and warm, not hot, water daily, using moisturizing soap and lotions afterwards to retain moisture. In the cold, windy winter months, air is drier; counteract this by keeping your home’s air humid. Keep your blood pressure and glucose levels controlled to maintain good circulation and soft skin. You may also want to keep a first aid kit for skin stocked; have it include items like antibacterial ointment, petroleum jelly, gauze pads, hypoallergenic tape, cleansing towelettes, and self-adherent elastic wrap.

Finally, diabetics are also vulnerable to foot problems, such as blisters, cracked feet, infections, and skin conditions caused by a lack of circulation or diabetic nerve damage. Stop these problems before they even start by wearing shoe inserts to prevent change in the shape of your foot that diabetic nerve damage may cause. You should also examine your feet daily for any damage or new conditions, and see your doctor yearly for a foot examination that focuses on circulation and sensation.

Diabetics may be prone to skin and foot issues, but with proper preventative care, you can avoid many of these disorders.

The Importance of Breast Cancer Awareness

Sure, it may be cool these days to complain about how all the pink you see during Breast Cancer Awareness Month hurts your eyes, or to point out that despite all the awareness efforts and money raised, breast cancer is still without a cause. However, breast cancer awareness is a bigger issue now than it ever has been before, and it’s a cause that still needs our help.

First, it’s important to recognize the strides that have been made in the fight against breast cancer. In the time spanning 1990 to 2011, breast cancer deaths declined 25%. Meanwhile, the number of nonprofit organizations committed to fighting breast cancer have increased drastically, from just a few in 1989 to over 200 in 2011. These charities have also combined to raise over $550 million every year in total revenue, according to the National Center for Charitable Statistics at the Urban Institute.

While these figures are admirable, there’s still plenty of work to do. Globally, women get breast cancer far more than any other form of cancer, with 16.8 million cases diagnosed in 2012, according to the World Health Organization. And in the United States, breast cancer diagnoses are actually on the rise, from 192,370 cases in 2009 to a projected increase of 232,670 in 2014, according to the American Cancer Society.

Looking at the big picture, then, it’s clear that breast cancer needs our support more than ever. Nonprofits can benefit from the foundation and audience that breast cancer awareness campaigns have built, and use these assets as stepping stones to planning campaigns that will be meaningful and engaging to your constituents.

5 Great Tips for Playing Slot Machines

I thought I would share some tips about playing slot machines that I have learned over the years. I am not a huge gambler but I enjoy playing from time to time.

1. If you are flying in to Vegas or Reno and have change for the machines, don't put it in a Ziploc bag. This is really for any airport. It will look like a knife, I learned this lesson twice.

2. Speaking of change, you don't actually use coins or tokens at the casino. If you want to save change for gambling, take it to the bank. The cashiers do not want to count your change. Trust me. The airport cashiers want to cash you out and smile as your eyes get wide when you see the lights of the machines. Everything is on a card you insert to the machine. No change buckets needed.

3. There are several different types of machines. You have nickel machines, quarter, dollar, five dollar and twenty dollar machines. I call the nickel slot machines the play here machines because you get more bang for your buck.

4. Nickel machines sound cheap but you really pay more than a nickel. They are usually the kind with different lines each line costs a nickel. You can choose how many lines you want to use. Sometimes it will default to one line so pay attention.

5. Set your limit before you go to the casino. If you want to limit yourself to $40, only bring $40. Leave cards and cash at home. Sometimes you can win Starburst Touch Free Spins where it will spin all by it's self. Free spins are almost as good as cash. You know you will probably spin again anyways.

I hope you enjoyed the tips I shared with you. You can always play straight from your computer if a trip to a casino isn't in the cards. Check out  free play rainbow riches here. Good luck and have fun.