Extension Rural Health & Nutrition

High Blood Sugar and Hunger

Lee en español What You Need to Know Polyphagia, also known as hyperphagia, is a medical term for excessive or insatiable hunger, even after a meal. This phenomenon is commonly experienced among individuals working to manage a diagnosis of diabetes and can present a significant barrier to effective diabetes self-management. Persistent feelings of hunger may […]

Neuropathy: Increasing Awareness of Nervous System-Related Complications from Diabetes

The Nervous System The nervous system is responsible for sending messages throughout the body via electrical signals. These electrical signals instruct our bodies to perform various tasks, such as walking, talking, thinking, and digesting food. The brain and spinal cord make up the central nervous system. The nervous system is comprised of nerve cells known […]

Getting Restful Sleep with Diabetes: A Guide to Practicing Good Sleep Hygiene

Sleep: An Overview Sleep is an essential component of human health and well-being. On average, individuals spend approximately 1/3 (33%) of their lives asleep, underscoring the critical role sleep plays in maintaining normal physiological and cognitive function.  Without sufficient sleep, the human body cannot sustain its optimal performance or maintain long-term health. This is because […]

Building a Healthy Smoothie

Introduction Finding healthy food options at the store or at home can be challenging. Smoothies can be a great choice when you need something quick, easy, satisfying, and nourishing to fuel your body. When you think of smoothies, fruits and vegetables often come to mind. While fruits and vegetables are great foundations for a smoothie, […]

Summer Safety with Diabetes

Having water on hand is one of the easiest ways to stay hydrated in the summer. Image Credit: RHN Team Picture Bank, 2020, Clemson Extension With warmer weather and longer days, the summer months provide more opportunities for outdoor activities. But before planning that trip to the beach or afternoon hike, make sure you are […]

Nutrition Recommendations for Diabetes

Introduction Diabetes is a complex chronic disease that, when left untreated, can impact every part of the body. Often, one may hear older generations refer to diabetes as a “touch of sugar” or “sugar diabetes.” While these names for the condition of diabetes are technically inaccurate terms, they do in some ways describe a small […]

Kidney Health and Diabetes

The kidneys are vital organs essential for survival, playing massive roles in waste management within the human body to support functions of all organ systems. To carry out their roles, the kidneys remove waste by filtering the blood and using the waste and extra fluids to produce urine. During this process, the kidneys remove acids […]

The Role of the Gut Microbiota in Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes

According to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), one of the most notable risk factors for type 2 diabetes is obesity. Obesity raises the risk for type 2 diabetes by increasing the body’s resistance to insulin, the hormone responsible for removing glucose (sugar) from the blood and delivering it to the body’s cells for energy. Additionally, […]

Prickly Pear and Diabetes

Plant-based dietary additives are becoming more popular as they’re affordable and offer less side effects than some traditional medications. One such plant being used is the prickly pear cactus, which is native to Central America and the Southwestern United States. In these regions, prickly pears have been traditionally used as herbal remedies for their potential […]