Miss America Contestant Encourages Those
Living With Type 1 Diabetes To Feel More
decided that I also wanted to go to the pageant one day and
do for others what Nicole had done for me."
Like Sandison, Dr. Bill Polonsky, co-founder and president of
Behavioral Diabetes Institute, knows diabetes is more than
just a physical disease. "Living with diabetes impacts my
patients' mental, social and emotional wellbeing," says Dr.
Polonsky. "I realized these aspects of diabetes are rarely
discussed and more education and support was needed,
which led me to create the institute."
One of the tools Sandison counts on to help her manage her
disease is a Dexcom continuous glucose monitor (CGM), an
FDA-approved device that provides real-time glucose
readings every 5 minutes. It shows where the glucose level
is, where it's going and how fast it's getting there. Knowing
glucose levels is critical for successfully managing type 1
diabetes.
The new Dexcom G5 Mobile Continuous Glucose Monitoring
(CGM) System sends real-time data directly to a patient's
iPhone - eliminating the need for a receiver - which allows
patients to monitor their blood sugar more regularly and
discreetly than ever before.
To help those living with type 1 diabetes and their loved
ones, Sandison and Dr. Polonsky are offering inspiration
and advice to live confidently with this disease, including:
(BPT) - Approximately 1.2 million Americans have Type 1
diabetes, according to the American Diabetes Association. For
* With type 1 diabetes, people must balance their insulin
many, this diagnosis brings some insecurities. Miss America
contestant, Sierra Sandison, felt the same way when she was doses with the food they eat and the activity they do.
Planning ahead and knowing your body's typical blood
first diagnosed.
glucose response to exercise can help keep your blood
glucose from dropping too low or going too high.
Since her diagnosis as a teenager, the former Miss Idaho
made it a goal to inspire those living with type 1 diabetes to
manage their condition with confidence. For the young people
who feel self-conscious about body image in relation to
diabetes, Sandison is taking the conversation beyond the
pageant and beyond blood sugar by speaking out about the
tips and tools she uses to help manage her diabetes
confidently each day.
"Becoming Miss Idaho would never have happened if I didn't
have diabetes," Sandison says. "I was not popular in high
school and not the typical definition of a beauty queen. In fact,
when I was diagnosed with diabetes, I hid it. I wasn't taking
care of myself. But when I saw Nicole Johnson, Miss America
1999, wearing an insulin pump on the runway and still being
beautiful, it gave me the assurance I needed. I
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* Important technology, like Sandison's continuous glucose
monitor, a system that tracks your blood sugar levels day
and night, has evolved over the years to become more
discreet and wearable than ever.
* It is important to discuss diabetes with your partner or
family. Knowing and understanding how to deal with lows
and highs could be critical in a medical emergency.
* Observations in a person's behavior, sleep, and eating
cycle all play a role in detecting depression in someone who
has diabetes.
For additional information, visit www.dexcom.com.
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