MedWorm.com provides a medical RSS filtering service. Over 6000 RSS medical sources are combined and output via different filters. This feed contains the latest items from the 'The Diabetes Blog' source. Mon, 05 Jul 2010 09:06:27 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3538048&cid=s_34867_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2010%2F05%2F06%2Fcounting-carbohydrates-an-easy-way-to-manage-diabetes%2F Filed under: DietCounting carbohydrates can help diabetics manage their type 2 diabetes and control their blood sugar. Preventing high blood sugar is key because it gives diabetics the flexibility to eat what choose their foods, and it increases their sense of control when managing diabetes. After a few attempts, most diabetics gain confidence as they measure the sugars and starches that they put into their bodies. To learn how to count carbs, find a registered dietitian or certified diabetes educator. Both have experience teaching diabetics about how to manage their diet. Check out more information on AOL Health. Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments (Source: The Diabetes Blog) The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3538048 Wed, 05 May 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3538048 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3533790&cid=s_34867_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2010%2F05%2F04%2Fare-eggs-good-for-you%2F Filed under: DietEggs often get a bad rap because they are a major source of dietary cholesterol. Yet, these days, the overarching opinion is that limiting cholesterol is not necessary if you eat a diet low in saturated fat and free of trans-fats, and you don't have diabetes. In the Physicians' Health Study, men with diabetes had an increased chance risk of dying or having a heart attack or stroke if they consumed eggs. The study, though flawed, raises questions. According to dietitians, diabetics should eat no more than two egg yolks per week. Eggs provide a low-cost, nutrient-rich source of complete protein that many people do not get elsewhere, especially those who are on modified eating plans. Check out more information on AOL Health. Permalink | Email this | Link... The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3533790 Mon, 03 May 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3533790 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3515301&cid=s_34867_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2010%2F04%2F29%2Fspices-heal-diabetes%2F Filed under: ResearchPakistani and American researchers showed in 2003 that adding spices to your diet can help control cholesterol and blood sugar. In the study type 2 diabetics took powdered cinnamon to lower their blood sugar, LDL and triglycerides. One study, however, isn't proof. More recent studies showed that 3 grams of powdered cinnamon a day lowered blood sugar by 10 percent, but didn't affect LDL or triglycerides. Other studies showed that it might depend on the age and sex of the diabetic. If you want to give cinnamon a try, go ahead - but be advised that no one knows if megadoses have side effects or interact with other medications. And don't give up your traditional medications. Check out more diabetes information on AOL Health.Permalink | Email this | L... The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3515301 Wed, 28 Apr 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3515301 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3508134&cid=s_34867_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2010%2F04%2F27%2Fcan-injury-lead-to-diabetes%2F Filed under: Type 1Although there are some who believe that a blow to the abdomen, where your insulin-producing pancreas lives, can cause type 1 diabetes, that is simply not the case. Type 1 diabetes is caused by an autoimmune process, during which one's own immune system harms cells in the pancreas. After the disease takes over the pancreas, people cannot monitor their glucose levels. Occasionally, trauma to the pancreas can trigger inflammation that involves a fairly large area of the pancreas. In a severe case of pancreatitis, if most of the pancreas is destroyed from inflammation and scarring, diabetes can occur. Check out more diabetes information on AOL Health.Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments (Source: The Diabetes Blog) The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3508134 Mon, 26 Apr 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3508134 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3494268&cid=s_34867_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2010%2F04%2F22%2Fdiabetes-rockstar-chris-thomas%2F Filed under: Type 1, BloggersWriting an introductory post is pretty intimidating. I'm sitting at the computer, trying to find the perfect words for The Diabetes Blog. Should I try to be funny? Should I make myself sound sophisticated and professional? As I ponder this, I keep coming back to this: Hello, my name is Christopher Thomas, and I am an Addict. An Insulin Addict. As excited as I am to be a part of The Diabetes Blog, I feel like I'm at an "Anonymous" meeting. I'm standing up in front of a large crowd, all of whom know diabetes. It's pretty obvious why I'm so nervous. Twenty-three million Americans have diabetes. I'm comforted by the reality that every person affected by diabetes has an unique story. Like everyone else, I have my own personal diabetes tale. About three years ... The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3494268 Wed, 21 Apr 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3494268 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3487000&cid=s_34867_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2010%2F04%2F20%2Fthe-relationship-between-diabetes-and-depression%2F Filed under: ResearchDepression and diabetes are often seen in the same patients, but does one cause the other? It's no doubt that the stress of living with diabetes can make patients depressed. Research presented at the 2006 American Diabetes Association meeting may complete the circle. Research suggests that certain hormonal changes that accompany depression may lead to diabetes. And a surprising analysis from a large diabetes prevention trial hints that the use of antidepressants is somehow linked to diabetes. Still, many argue, the benefits of taking antidepressants far outweigh the supposed diabetes risks. In addition to both disease being problematic on their own, they're also linked to heart disease. Diabetics should be on the lookout for signs of depression, which can interfere... The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3487000 Mon, 19 Apr 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3487000 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3471739&cid=s_34867_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2010%2F04%2F15%2Fkey-members-of-diabetes-care-the-dietitian%2F Filed under: CareAs a recently diagnosed diabetic, your life will change dramatically. Instead of stopping in to see a doctor only when you have a cold or flu, you'll have to see your primary care physician regularly. You're also going to have to see eye doctors, dentists, podiatrists and endocrinologists. Once you've had an initial consultation with your registered dietitian and have a treatment plan in place, though, repeat visits with him or her can seem tedious. They shouldn't be. Dietitians can help you figure out your food needs throughout your life and will help you adjust your eating habits depending on lifestyle changes, medications you may take or other health goals. Dietitians work in hospitals, schools, fitness centers and private practices. Look for dietitians who speci... The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3471739 Wed, 14 Apr 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3471739 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3467709&cid=s_34867_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2010%2F04%2F13%2Fshould-diabetics-have-gastric-bypass-sugery%2F This study included 55 newly diagnosed diabetics between ages 20 and 60 who were obese. Half of the participants had gastric banding surgery to reduce the size of their stomachs. The other half was treated in the usual way. The people who had surgery lost an average of 21% of their body weight. The other group lost less than 2% on average. Two years after treatment, 73% of those who had surgery (22 out of 29 patients) had blood sugar levels below the number used to diagnose diabetes -- and they were not taking medication! For this group, type 2 diabetes was considered to be "in remission." Only 13% of the group that did not have surgery had a remission at the two-year evaluation. Complications and side effects can occur from surgery. Also, surgery for obesity does not enable obese people t... The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3467709 Mon, 12 Apr 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3467709 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3448809&cid=s_34867_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2010%2F04%2F08%2Fbabys-size-related-to-diabetes-study-says%2F Filed under: Daily NewsSmaller-than-normal babies have higher rates of type 2 diabetes when they grow up, but doctors have never understood why, until now. According to scientists, who published their findings in Nature Genetics, there are two genetic regions that affect a baby's size at birth. One of them is also linked with developing diabetes later in life. The research, which involved analyzing the results of more than 38,000 Europeans from 19 different studies, confirms that people who inherit two copies of a variant gene have a 25 percent higher risk of diabetes in adulthood than those who do not. "Our study shows that genes are part of the reason why babies born with a lower birth weight are more at risk of type 2 diabetes 50 or 60 years later," Rachel Freathy, Ph.D., a Sir Henr... The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3448809 Wed, 07 Apr 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3448809 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3440744&cid=s_34867_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2010%2F04%2F06%2Fdiabetes-screening-should-start-sooner%2F Filed under: Type 2, ResearchDiabetes screening should start sooner according to a recent study in The Lancet. Dr. Richard Kahn, from the American Diabetes Association, and associates have proved that it is more cost effective for people to be screened for type 2 diabetes starting between the ages of 30 and 45. They should then be screened again every three to five years. Those who are obese or have a family history of diabetes should start screenings sooner. Currently, recommendations state that people should be screened for type 2 diabetes starting at age 45, especially if they are overweight. For the study, the researchers simulated a population of 325,000 non-diabetic 30-year-olds. They showed that in addition to being cost effective, early screening for diabetes may decrease the n... The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3440744 Mon, 05 Apr 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3440744 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3429135&cid=s_34867_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2010%2F04%2F01%2Fdiabetics-more-likely-to-die-from-cancer-surgery%2F People with diabetes who undergo cancer surgery are more likely to die in the month following their operations than those who are not diabetic, researchers at Johns Hopkins University say. The study, which will be published in the April issue of "Diabetes Care," shows that cancer patients who also have Type 2 diabetes have a 50 percent greater risk of death after surgery. "Diabetic patients, their oncologists and their surgeons should be aware of the increased risk when they have cancer surgery," Hsin-Chieh "Jessica" Yeh, Ph.D., assistant professor at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, said in a press release. "Care of diabetes before, during and after surgery is very important. It should be part of the preoperative discussion. Although the researchers analyzed 15 previous s... The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3429135 Wed, 31 Mar 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3429135 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3420416&cid=s_34867_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2010%2F03%2F30%2Fdiabetes-rates-soar-in-asia%2F Although diabetes has long been a serious health problem in the United States, it's now reaching epidemic status in other countries. A new report shows that more people have diabetes in China than in any other country. With one-in-10 people diagnosed with diabetes, China's battle against diabetes is now one of the top public health priorities for the country. The recent Diabetes in Asia Study Group International Conference, which was created to promote diabetes awareness and encourage research, called for Asia-oriented diabetes research and studies. Among the major hurdles that Asian health experts face is the age of diabetes diagnosis. In Western countries, patients are diagnosed between ages 60 to 79. In Asia, they are diagnosed at 20- to 59-years old. Check out AOL Health for mo... The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3420416 Mon, 29 Mar 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3420416 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3403831&cid=s_34867_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2010%2F03%2F25%2Fneuropathy-and-diabetes-what-does-it-mean%2F Filed under: ComplicationsDiabetes damages nerves, slowing down the rate at which nerves relay messages to and from different parts of the body. Scientists aren't certain why this happens, but they think the damage might happen when glucose attaches to or affects proteins in nerve cells. Nerve damage can cause changes in sensory perception, pain, or problems with digestive, bladder, bowel or sexual function. More than half of diabetics have some signs of neuropathy. Serious neuropathy can lead to foot ulcers and the loss of lower limbs. Symptoms of nerve damage include numbness, tingling and reduced sensitivity to light touch. A burning, shooting or stabbing pain may also occur. The real danger of this condition is that it lessens your sensitivity to vibration, touch and pain, especially... The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3403831 Thu, 25 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3403831 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3395077&cid=s_34867_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2010%2F03%2F23%2Fdiabetes-and-exercise%2F Filed under: CareDaily activities like gardening or taking the stairs are good for your heart, lengthen your life and keep you mobile. Exercise can help prevent or control heart disease, diabetes, osteoporosis and other illnesses. If you already have diabetes, exercise will still benefit your health. However, there are some precautions you should take before exercising. Before starting new workouts, consult with your doctor. He or she can warn you about potential problems. You should follow a regular routine of eating, exercising and taking your medications at the same time each day to help your body adjust. You must also be careful exercising when your medicine is reaching its peak effect. Depending on the time you exercise and your workout intensity, you may need to discuss possible c... The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3395077 Tue, 23 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3395077 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3378413&cid=s_34867_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2010%2F03%2F18%2Fdiabetes-alert-day-is-march-23rd%2F March 23rd is Diabetes Alert Day. Sponsored by the American Diabetes Association (ADA), it's a day dedicated to helping those who could have diabetes recognize that they are at risk. Almost six million Americans don't know they have diabetes and that number is quickly rising. If you think that you might be at risk or are worried about people you know who might be at risk, the Diabetes Risk Test will let you know whether you have reasons to be concerned. If you determine that you're a high-risk person, you might consider getting a blood test. Type 2 diabetes is linked to obesity, genetics or memberships in a high-risk group. African-Americans, Hispanics and Native-Americans are among those in high risk groups. Type 1 diabetes has risk factors that include viral infection, environmental tri... The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3378413 Thu, 18 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3378413 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3370358&cid=s_34867_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2010%2F03%2F16%2Fhow-to-make-the-most-of-your-doctors-appointment%2F Filed under: CarePatients and doctors don't always see eye-to-eye, but there are ways to make your next doctor's appointment easier. There are often many options for diagnosing or treating diabetes and choosing to work with your doctor -- instead of against him or her -- will help. Make sure that you choose a doctor who you feel comfortable with and can build a great relationship with. Choosing a doctor who understands your lifestyle, wants, needs and limitations is essential. Be an active participant at your appointment, by takinge your daily blood sugar (glucose) monitoring logbook to your appointment. Also, be prepared for any tests that you might need to take and think about the following questions that your doctor can use to help you manage your diabetes, especially if you're havi... The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3370358 Tue, 16 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3370358 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3354262&cid=s_34867_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2010%2F03%2F11%2Fsports-drinks-and-sodas-possibly-linked-to-diabetes%2F Filed under: Diet, ResearchFans of sugary sports drinks and sodas take note: You could be increasing your chance of diabetes and heart disease. Researchers at the University of California, San Francisco discovered that increasing the consumption of sugary soft drinks contributed to130,000 new cases of diabetes and 14,000 new cases of heart disease. "The finding suggests that any kind of policy that reduces consumption might have a dramatic health benefit," said senior study author Dr. Kirsten Bibbins-Domingo, an associate professor of medicine at the University of California, San Francisco, who presented the finding Friday during the American Heart Association's Cardiovascular Disease Epidemiology and Prevention annual conference. Though the study has not yet been reviewed by other quali... The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3354262 Thu, 11 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3354262 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3346425&cid=s_34867_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2010%2F03%2F09%2Faustin-freeman-diagnosed-with-diabetes%2F Filed under: Type 1, Type 2, Daily NewsGeorgetown guard Austin Freeman has developed diabetes, which shouldn't affect his basketball career, but has made the junior's status questionable for today's start to the Big East tournament in New York City. Regardless of when he begins playing, his physician, Stephen Clement, head of the Diabetes Center at Georgetown University Hospital, will be on hand to help the Hoyas' leading scorer manage his condition. Clement told reporters at a press conference that it may take up to a month to determine which type of diabetes Freeman has. Type 1 diabetes, which occurs when the pancreas stops producing insulin, afflicts five to 10 percent of all diabetics. Type 2 diabetes occurs when the body can't use the insulin that is produced. Freeman had felt ill... The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3346425 Tue, 09 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3346425 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3331260&cid=s_34867_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2010%2F03%2F04%2Fgestational-diabetes-what-you-need-to-know-now%2F Filed under: Type 2Research has recently confirmed that even small elevations in blood sugar during pregnancy can lead to sick children, and experts are now recommending new changes in diagnosis be implemented. With these changes two to three times as many pregnant women could be diagnosed and treated for gestational diabetes in the future. Unless you've had a friend with gestational diabetes, though, it's unlikely that you know much about the condition. A blood screening test given between the 24th and 28th weeks of pregnancy will determine whether you have gestational diabetes. Following a diet and exercise plan can keep your blood sugar levels controlled during pregnancy. You may also receive insulin. Gestational diabetes typically disappears after delivery, but many women later ... The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3331260 Thu, 04 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3331260 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3322325&cid=s_34867_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2010%2F03%2F02%2Finsulin-pump-or-injections%2F Filed under: Drugs, CareUsually used to treat type 1 diabetes, insulin pumps can be key to one's care. An insulin pump is an option for those who cannot adjust to insulin injections. The light-weight pump has several pieces including a pager-sized, insulin-containing device that is usually clipped to your belt or waist. It pumps insulin into a very thin, soft tube called a catheter that carries the insulin from the pump to a "connector" on the skin of your abdomen. This connector is made of an adhesive pad that sticks to the your skin like a bandage. A spring-loaded needle punctures your skin each time you attach the connector to your body. After the connector is attached, the needle is removed. For most pumps, the connector must be changed every three days, which is a simple, painless... The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3322325 Tue, 02 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3322325 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3306806&cid=s_34867_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2010%2F02%2F25%2Fstress-linked-to-memory-loss-in-older-type-2-diabetics%2F Filed under: Type 2, Daily NewsStress might be behind the memory loss that older people with type 2 diabetes experience, according to new research from the University of Edinburgh. The researchers studied 900 men and women aged between 60 and 75 with type 2 diabetes, which tends to be more common in those over age 40. Their results showed that brain function slowed down in those with higher cortisol levels, a stress hormone, in their blood. Memory loss is a well-known symptom among older people with diabetes, but until now, it was unclear as to why. Scientists used a wide range of tests to evaluate mental abilities like memory function and the speed at which participants could process information. Although the team took into account factors like education, heart disease, smoking an... The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3306806 Thu, 25 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3306806 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3298276&cid=s_34867_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2010%2F02%2F23%2Finternet-helps-teens-monitor-diabetes%2F Filed under: Type 1, Daily NewsTeens with type 1 diabetes may be getting new ways to monitor their health. Vanderbilt University School of Nursing's Shelagh Mulvaney, Ph.D., led a study of a Web-based intervention to improve glycemic control among adolescents. The results, published in Diabetes Care were presented at the annual meeting of the International Society for Research on Internet Interventions in Amsterdam. This approach to self-management allows teenagers to take an approach that uses real-world experiences while capitalizing on teens' Internet use. The study involved 72 participants age 13 to 17 who had been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes for at least six months. One group received access to conventional care, while the other received access to conventional care and access to ... The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3298276 Tue, 23 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3298276 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3283496&cid=s_34867_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2010%2F02%2F18%2Folympic-athletes-with-diabetes%2F Filed under: Type 1, PersonalitiesAfter a diabetes diagnosis you're often angry and frustrated. Immediately, people begin setting limits for you, telling you what you can and can't do. Olympic skier Kris Freeman, who has type 1 diabetes, never listened to his critics. After being diagnosed in 2000 at age 19, his doctors told him that he would not be able to compete at an Olympic level. He could ski, but he wouldn't be able to keep his blood sugar stable for the 50-kilometer cross country race. Immediately, he began experimenting with different tools to maintain keep his blood sugar levels normal during competition. He now wears a small insulin pump to manage his diabetes. His determination paid off. He's a 13-time U.S. National cross-country champion who is competing in his third... The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3283496 Thu, 18 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3283496 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3275763&cid=s_34867_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2010%2F02%2F16%2Fdiabetes-superfoods-eat-these-to-stay-healthy%2F Filed under: LifestyleEvery health and fitness publication or web site in America has a top 10 lists of "superfoods" everyone should eat. They're full of vitamins, nutrients and minerals. Which ones are right for a diabetic? The American Diabetes Association believes that the following items should be added to your diet: Beans: Beans are very high in fiber. They're also a good sources of magnesium, and potassium. Dark Green Leafy Vegetables: Spinach, collards and kale are low-calorie powerhouses with carbohydrates. Citrus Fruit: All citrus fruits are full of soluble fiber and vitamin C. Sweet Potatoes: These orange vegetables are full of vitamin A and fiber. They're a healthier option than white potatoes. Berries: Berries are packed with antioxidants, vitamins and fiber. Throw... The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3275763 Tue, 16 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3275763 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3262577&cid=s_34867_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2010%2F02%2F11%2Feye-exams-early-warnings-of-undiagnosed-diabetes%2F Eye exams may warn doctors of undiagnosed diabetes, according to the American Diabetes Association. Diabetes increases your risk for vision loss fourfold, and it's the leading cause of new cases of blindness in people ages 20-74. Retinopathy is a condition that affects the blood vessels in the retina. However, because of delayed diagnosis, about 10 -20 percent of people with type 2 diabetes already have some degree of eye disease when their diabetes is diagnosed. If ophthalmologists notice that a patient is exhibiting symptoms of retinopathy, they should recommend additional testing. After 20 years nearly all people with type 1 diabetes and 60% of those with type 2 diabetes have developed retinopathy. To cut back on the chances of developing retinopathy, people with type 1 diabetes s... The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3262577 Thu, 11 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3262577 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3254423&cid=s_34867_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2010%2F02%2F09%2Feating-disorders-on-rise-in-diabetic-teens%2F Filed under: ComplicationsReports linking eating disorders and young women with type 1 diabetes first surfaced in 2007, yet little attention has been paid to "Diabulimia," the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International's term for type 1 diabetics who regularly skip insulin injections to lose weight. Although diabetics have to monitor their diets and exercise to an almost obsessive degree -- like those with full-blown eating disorders -- disordered eating patterns can have a pronounce, immediate and severe effect on type 1 diabetics. High blood sugar levels can cause dehydration and fatigue. Muscle tissue also breaks down. Over longer periods of time, individuals can suffer from complications like blindness, kidney disease and heart disease. Although these complications can occur... The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3254423 Tue, 09 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3254423 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3239531&cid=s_34867_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2010%2F02%2F04%2Fdiabetes-patients-doctors-disagreed-on-treatment-aspects%2F Filed under: CareNewly diagnosed diabetics and their doctors don't always agree on which aspects of the disease are the most important to treat. A new study from the University of Michigan Medical School showed that, on average, adults with diabetes have at least three other chronic health conditions. Doctors usually focus on treating physical aspects like high blood pressure. Diabetics, however, are more focused on pain relief and depression. The study, some believe, brings to light the reasons why diabetics have a hard time managing their health. With different goals than their doctors, it's nearly impossible to determine whether treatment is successful. There are several reasons that diabetics might experience pain. Muscle pain is a common complaint. Among the most common reasons fo... The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3239531 Thu, 04 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3239531 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3231435&cid=s_34867_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2010%2F02%2F02%2Fchris-thomas-diabetic-rockstar%2F Chris Thomas never planned to start a revolution. It just happened that way. In 2007, Thomas was like any other fresh-out-of-college kid. After seven years working in the bar and restaurant business, he was having a hard time adjusting to a daytime work schedule. Or, at least, that's what he thought. Though he drank high-sugar sodas and sports drinks, he was constantly sluggish, which he attributed to his frequent nighttime trips to the bathroom. The sugar high helped combat his sleepiness and dry mouth, but after a few months, he realized that he was losing weight. He could barely keep 115 pounds on his once-150-pound frame. Uninsured, Thomas searched the Internet for a diagnosis. His sleuthing led him to determine that a thyroid condition, which ran in his family, was likely. His mom... The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3231435 Tue, 02 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3231435 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3216546&cid=s_34867_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2010%2F01%2F28%2Fdiabetes-management-stay-healthy-strategies%2F Filed under: Care function runOmni() { s_265.pageName="Article Page"; s_265.trackExternalLinks="true"; s_265.channel="us.health"; s_265.prop1="learn-about-it"; s_265.pfxID="hth"; s_265.prop2="taking-precautions"; s_265.prop12="http://www.aolhealth.com/learn-about-it/taking-precautions"; s_265.prop17="harvard"; s_265.prop18=""; s_265.mmxgo=true; s_265.disablepihost=false; s_265.disablepipath=false; s_265.mmxtitle="Article Page"; s_265.linkInternalFilters="javascript:,aol.com"; s_265.t(); } var s_account="aolhth,aolsvc"; (function(){ var d = document, s = d.createElement('script'); s.type = 'text/javascript'; s.src = 'http://o.aolcdn.com/omniunih.js'; d.getElementsByTagName('head')[0].appendChild(s); })(); Diabetes doesn't have to limit your options. You can still enjoy your l... The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3216546 Thu, 28 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3216546 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3208316&cid=s_34867_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2010%2F01%2F26%2Fdiabetes-symptoms-type-1-diabetes%2F Filed under: CareRecognizing the symptoms of diabetes can often help you get a proper diagnosis and treatment. There are currently 5.7 million people who have undiagnosed diabetes in the United States, according to the American Diabetes Association. Symptoms of type 1 diabetes usually come on quickly within days or weeks. The following can be signs of type 1 diabetes: Your appetite has increased, and you're still losing weight. You're fatigued or irritable. Your vision is blurry. You're dehydrated. Once diagnosed, you will still experience high and low blood sugar levels. High blood sugar levels develop slowly. Low blood sugar levels can develop in minutes. Symptoms of low blood sugar include sweating, weakness and hunger. Symptoms of high blood sugar include increased... The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3208316 Tue, 26 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3208316 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3197587&cid=s_34867_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2010%2F01%2F21%2Ftype-2-diabetes-prevention%2F Filed under: Diet, Lifestyle, ExerciseType 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes in the United States, but it is also the most preventable kind of diabetes. Here are eight simple tips to lower your type 2 diabetes risk. 1) Lose 10 pounds. 2) Walk. People who exercise about 35 minutes a day dropped their risk of diabetes by 80% according to a Finnish study. 3 Eat the right cereal. Look for cereals that are high fiber, watch for hidden sugars and skip those that list brown sugar, corn sweetner, corn syrup, dextrose, fructose, high fructose corn syrup, invert sugar, maltose, malt syrup, molasses, sugar and sucrose as the first three ingredients. 4) Ditch the drive-thru. Regular fast-food splurges increase your risk of diabetes. 5) Grab some veggies. Women who ate read meat... The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3197587 Thu, 21 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3197587 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3189111&cid=s_34867_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2010%2F01%2F19%2Fsiblings-diabetic-status-predicts-gestational-diabetes%2F Filed under: Adult Onset, ResearchWomen who have a diabetic sibling are more likely to develop gestational diabetes than women who have two diabetic parents, according to a recent study in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Gestational diabetes occurs in about 135,000 U.S. women each year, usually when they are around 24-28 weeks pregnant. Often, stress from pregnancy affects the mother's ability to produce insulin, and she develops abnormally high blood sugar. There can be several pregnancy complications related to this illness, including having a larger-than-normal baby. "Sibling-only history may be a greater risk factor than previously documented," study author Catherine Kim of the University of Michigan Medical School and colleagues wrote. The results, based on a s... The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3189111 Tue, 19 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3189111 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3171859&cid=s_34867_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2010%2F01%2F14%2Fdiabetes-diet%2F Filed under: CareMost people make resolutions to lose weight in January. For diabetics, sticking to a meal plan is more about staying healthy than looking great. Your diet should be low in saturated fats, cholesterol and sweets. It should also be high in fiber, fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Your dietitian can help create an individualized meal plan, but the basics will be the same regardless of your health status. People with diabetes should get most (45-55%) of their daily calories from complex carbohydrates including vegetables, whole-grain breads and cereals. The simple sugars found in low-fat dairy and fruit are included as healthy carbohydrates, too. It's important to remember that blood glucose levels can be affected by how foods are prepared. Raw veggies are digested mor... The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3171859 Thu, 14 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3171859 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3163739&cid=s_34867_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2010%2F01%2F12%2Fdiabetes-patients-get-your-h1n1-vaccine%2F Filed under: ComplicationsIf you've been avoiding your annual flu shot, it's time to get a vaccine. Today has been designated the National Influenza Vaccination Week's vaccination day for people with chronic health conditions. This year, vaccinations against H1N1 or swine flu and regular influenza are recommended. It's extremely important that those with chronic conditions get the vaccine because they are at higher risk for serious flu-related complications like pneumonia. High-risk chronic conditions include asthma, diabetes, heart disease, kidney and liver disorders, neurological disorders, blood disorders, cancer and HIV or AIDS. A pneumococcal vaccine to prevent pneumonia is also recommended for people with diabetes. After you get your flu shot, remember to take any antiviral medi... The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3163739 Tue, 12 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3163739 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3149009&cid=s_34867_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2010%2F01%2F07%2Fjob-stress-and-diabetes%2F Filed under: Type 2, ResearchDoes your too-demanding boss have you ready to blow? Or are your co-workers, who dump "team" projects on you, driving you crazy? It's not only annoying, it might be bad for your health. A British study published in the December issue of Diabetes Care, shows that women who experience high levels of job stress and little work-related social support appear to be at an increased risk for developing type 2 diabetes, which is linked to obesity and other lifestyle choices. During the study, which lasted nearly 12 years, the research team assessed job-related stressors of 5,895 initially diabetes-free British civil servants. There was no link between job stressors and diabetes risk in men. In women, 10 percent of all type 2 diabetes cases would have been prevented ... The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3149009 Thu, 07 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3149009 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3142497&cid=s_34867_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2010%2F01%2F05%2Fcoffee-could-lower-diabetes-risk%2F Coffee drinkers, get excited. Your morning joe might be good for your health. In a study released last month, an international team of researchers showed that people can drink coffee and tea to dramatically lower their risk for Type II diabetes. Adults who drank three to four cups a day had a 25 percent lower risk of developing diabetes than those who drank little or no tea or coffee. The researchers aren't sure what effect caffeine has on the diabetes, but believe that a combination of magnesium, caffeine, lignans and chlorogenic acids contribute to the beverages' ability to lower diabetes risk. Coffee has also been shown to be a major source of antioxidants, which prevent damage to cells, in the U.S. diet. Check out Aol Health to find ways to manage diabetes. Permalink | ... The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3142497 Tue, 05 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3142497 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3133571&cid=s_34867_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2009%2F12%2F31%2Fdentists-could-diagnose-diabetes%2F If you're thinking about skipping your regular visit to your dentist, think again. A New York University nursing-dental research team has discovered that those who have periodontal (gum) disease are also at high risk for diabetes. The same researchers concluded that dentists should consider offering diabetes screenings in their offices. Using guidelines established by the American Diabetes Association, the team determined that 93 percent of subjects who had periodontal disease were considered high risk for diabetes and should be screened for the disease. Dentists won't hand out diabetes diagnoses; but, researchers are encouraging dentists to screen patients for diabetes by evaluating other risk factors: obesity, belonging to a high-risk ethnic group, having high blood pressure, having a... The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3133571 Thu, 31 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3133571 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3126574&cid=s_34867_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2009%2F12%2F29%2Fdiabetes-risk-factors-you-never-considered%2F Almost 24 million people in the United States have diabetes according to the American Diabetes Association. Think you're not at risk? Think again. Type 1 diabetes, an autoimmune disease, can be caused by genes, viruses or foods. Type 2 diabetes is more likely to be linked to age, medications, poor nutrition and lack of exercise. Gestational diabetes, which usually occurs around weeks 24-28 of pregnancy, has been linked to the hormones produced by the placenta that hinder the action of the mother's insulin. Even if you're convinced your safe, check out these shocking risk factors. Breast size: If you're a size D or larger at age 20, you may be up to five times more likely to develop diabetes than your flat-chested friends. Birth month: If you're a spring baby, you're more likel... The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3126574 Tue, 29 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3126574 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3118843&cid=s_34867_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2009%2F12%2F24%2Fself-manage-your-diabetes%2F Diabetes can be unpredictable. Your blood-sugar can drop too low fairly quickly and the long-term consequences of diabetes aren't pretty. Still, with good self-management, you can minimize your chances of developing complications. To stay healthy and avoid the complications that can arise over time, it is important to follow some basic health guidelines. Like anyone else, you should eating a healthy diet, exercising and visiting your doctor regularly. Check out Aol Health for other self-management tips.Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments (Source: The Diabetes Blog) The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3118843 Thu, 24 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3118843 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3111376&cid=s_34867_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2009%2F12%2F22%2Favoid-diabetic-emergencies-this-holiday-season%2F In the holiday season's hustle and bustle, it's easy to forget to take care of your health. Low blood sugar isn't uncommon. Ignoring it, however, can lead to trouble. Make sure that you pay attention to your body and the warning signs that you might have low-blood sugar like dizziness when standing. Also, remember to carry a medical identification card and wear a medical alert bracelet or necklace at all times. Make sure your friends, family members and co-workers know what to do in an emergency. Severe hypoglycemia, ketoacidosis and hyperosmolar coma are among the most common diabetic emergencies. Check out Aol Health's guide to diabetic emergencies.Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments (Source: The Diabetes Blog) The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3111376 Tue, 22 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3111376 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3100755&cid=s_34867_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2009%2F12%2F17%2Fdiabetes-and-holiday-weight-gain%2F The holidays are a hard time for anyone to maintain their weight. Between the cocktail hours, appetizer buffets, family dinners and packed dessert trays, there are diet hurdles everywhere. For those with diabetes, the diet traps can be down-right dangerous. Instead of staying home, stick to several dining-out basics: Avoid hidden oils, carbohydrates or quality of the nutrients you are eating. Watch portion sizes. One appetizer is okay. Making a meal out of them isn't. Limit dressings, dips and other condiments. They can be high-calorie traps. Visit Aol Health for more tips on how to make healthy choices when eating out. Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments (Source: The Diabetes Blog) The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3100755 Thu, 17 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3100755 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=877640&cid=s_34867_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2007%2F09%2F17%2Fthe-diabetes-blog-retired%2F For regular readers of this blog, I have disappointing news. The Diabetes Blog is now retired. That means that, while it will still be available for reading and searching, new posts will not be added. Our Cardio and Cancer blogs are also being retired, which I mention here because some readers bookmarked more than one of the Life Sciences group. The choice to stop publishing these three blogs is a business decision, and has nothing whatsoever to do with their quality. I am, and everyone here is, deeply grateful to the bloggers whose dedication to these sites gave so much information and inspiration to thousands of people. These three blogs are among the longest-running properties in our network, and it is sad to let them go. Thank you to our many readers for visiting us, and sharing in the... The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=877640 Mon, 17 Sep 2007 04:00:00 +0100 877640 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=870399&cid=s_34867_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2007%2F09%2F14%2Fwhats-your-diabetes-mystery%2F Filed under: Type 1, Type 2, Childhood, Adult Onset, Drugs, Research, Opinion, Blogs, Services, Allie Beatty, Support, Care, Complications, PersonalitiesWhy is diabetes an imperfect science? The last 22 years of my life with diabetes have disproved as much (or more) than it has confirmed in conventional diabetes wisdom. The facts were in the studies - but researchers didn't know what to do with them, at the time. Here's where the mysteries will unfold.. The last year blogging with The Diabetes Blog has been an in your face demonstration of the imperfect science of diabetes. Many undisclosed details of studies from days gone by have proven to be a reason why diabetes has been an imperfect science. Since when has science been imperfect? When you don't complete your homework. Don't get wrong ... The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=870399 Fri, 14 Sep 2007 04:00:00 +0100 870399 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2510388&cid=s_34867_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2007%2F09%2F14%2Fexercise-of-the-week-the-boxing-workout%2F Filed under: Type 1, Type 2, ExerciseThere's a workout, and then there's a Work Out. And THEN, there's a BOXING WORK OUT. Trust me, there's a reason why boxers are able to spend over a half an hour in a ring exchanging punches and not go into cardiac arrest. It's because these guys and gals have trained their butts off for months before ever stepping foot in that arena, let alone that ring. But, you don't have to be Rocky Balboa to get the benefit of a boxing workout, which is why I am this week highlighting some of the basic boxing moves that you too can add to your fitness routine. First of all, be sure to always maintain a proper stance. This means keeping your feet a little more than shoulder width apart, with your dominant foot in the back (in other words, if you're right handed/foot... The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2510388 Thu, 13 Sep 2007 23:00:00 +0100 2510388 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2510387&cid=s_34867_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2007%2F09%2F14%2Ftop-5-from-lol-diabetes%2F Filed under: Type 1, Type 2, Lifestyle, BlogsThe healing continues. From laughter, that is. As we wait with great hope for a cure for diabetes, we do so with a smile thanks to humor to be found on the new website LOL Diabetes (www.loldiabetes.com). I've posted before about this site, which itself is part of the popular diabetes website Six Until Me (www.sixuntilme.com). Nevertheless, things have become waaaaaay to funny over there for me to not highlight some of my favorites. These would be my Top 5: 5 - The Insulin Monkey. This picture features a stuffed animal, a monkey to be exact, with dozens of syringes sticking out of it, much like a pin cushion. The words "You're Doing it Wrong" that are printed on the picture sum it up perfectly. 4 - iPump. A play on the now famous iPod silhou... The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2510387 Thu, 13 Sep 2007 23:00:00 +0100 2510387 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=868212&cid=s_34867_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2007%2F09%2F13%2Fthe-specials-tonight-are-fulminant-and-non-fulminant%2F This study may be the antithesis of conventional wisdom for preventing complications. Staking all hopes on blood sugar control is heavily optimistic. Yes controlling blood sugar does lessen the workload for existing beta cells, and thus extends the lifespan of each beta cell. Research suggests that c-peptide offers protection to beta cells, both from apoptosis (cell death) and encourages new cell growth. This new cell growth applies to beta cells and other cells of the body that endure long-term Type 1 diabetes complications. Diabetics are instructed that maintaining normal blood sugars is the Holy Grail of preventing long-term complications. Yes and no. The truth is controlling your blood sugar will not allow complications of Type 1 diabetes to develop as quickly, presuming you still had ... The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=868212 Thu, 13 Sep 2007 04:00:00 +0100 868212 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=865470&cid=s_34867_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2007%2F09%2F12%2Fboost-glycemic-control-with-vitamin-c%2F Filed under: Type 2, Adult Onset, Diet, Research, Products, Allie Beatty, CareInsulin not only moves glucose into the cells, but it also escorts Vitamin C. Blood sugar hogs the seats on the bus in most diabetics, therefore reducing the amount of Vitamin C we can absorb. This is the premise of The GAA Theory: high glucose levels hinder vitamin C entry into cells. Vitamin C is vitally important for many functions throughout the body - a big one being metabolism. Glucose and Vitamin C are similar in the way they enter the cells. Both molecules require help from insulin. The name for the process that brings glucose and Vitamin C through cell membranes is insulin-mediated uptake. The insulin-mediated uptake of glucose and vitamin C uses white blood cells. White blood cells have more insulin pum... The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=865470 Wed, 12 Sep 2007 04:00:00 +0100 865470 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=861789&cid=s_34867_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2007%2F09%2F11%2Fwhy-don-t-insurance-companies-insure-diabetic-kids%2F Filed under: Type 1, Childhood, Opinion, Products, Allie Beatty, Support, Personalities, Form and FunctionEd Hinerman, a life insurance specialist with the Hinerman Group, was posed an interesting challenge recently. For years he has successfully found affordable life insurance for many adults with type 1 diabetes, but he had never been asked about life insurance for children with Type 1 diabetes until now. After speaking with underwriters in the top 40 or so companies, he found a discernible lack of interest due to lack of data. Companies would say that they couldn't consider someone with type 1 diabetes until they were either age 15 or age 20. A peer in the industry told Ed the knee jerk reaction was because insurance companies haven't done mortality studies on children. They simply don... The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=861789 Tue, 11 Sep 2007 04:00:00 +0100 861789 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2510390&cid=s_34867_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2007%2F09%2F11%2Fexercise-of-the-week-the-bench-press%2F Filed under: Type 1, Type 2, ExerciseIf there's any one exercise that everyone seems to use as a show of pure strength and power, it is certainly the bench press. "How much ya' bench?" is a popular question thrown around weight rooms, and the answers are almost always inflated so as to match the ego of the responder. But, throwing around as much weight as possible may not exactly be the best way to see and feel results from this exercise. That's why I am highlighting the proper form, execution and target muscles of this gym workout staple. The bench press targets the development of the pectoral muscles (aka the chest muscles), but also calls upon help from your triceps (located on the back of your arms) and deltoids (aka shoulders). To properly do this exercise, you first have to lie flat... The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2510390 Mon, 10 Sep 2007 23:00:00 +0100 2510390 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2510389&cid=s_34867_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2007%2F09%2F11%2Fshould-you-seek-a-dietician-over-a-doctor%2F Filed under: Type 2, Adult Onset, Diet, Research, Opinion, Services, Allie Beatty, Support, Care, PersonalitiesThomas Smith began reviewing scientific literature after conventional medicine failed him in controlling diabetes. Smith found research that shows dietary toxins impair cell membrane function. These toxins include trans fatty acids and refined sugars. Cells begin to have trouble absorbing nutrients, and the blood sugar rises. Over time, this results in chronic elevated blood and urine sugar levels. Sounds like a growing epidemic, doesn't it? This damage to cell membranes, caused by a poor diet, can be repaired. The diabetic syndrome can be cured by eliminating all processed fats and oils. The protocol calls for supplementing high-dose Omega-3 fatty acids. This protocol normalizes... The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2510389 Mon, 10 Sep 2007 23:00:00 +0100 2510389 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=856776&cid=s_34867_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2007%2F09%2F10%2Fdr-bernstein-answers-your-questions-on-september-19th%2F Filed under: Type 1, Type 2, Childhood, Adult Onset, Drugs, Events, Opinion, Allie Beatty, Support, Care, Complications, PersonalitiesDr. Bernstein, a world leading authority in diabetes, is hosting a live internet broadcasts to answer your questions on diabetes. Diabetes 911 is setup to stop the complications of diabetes before it's an emergency. Here's a link to the page where you can submit your questions, to be answered on his next broadcast -- September 19, 2007. Just a heads-up for The Diabetes Blog reading community - AOL has announced they will be retiring The Diabetes Blog on September 14, 2007. So this is a preemptive blog to get your calendar out, send yourself a reminder email titled: OPEN ON SEPTEMBER 19th!!!! This will not be my last blog shared with you, all mighty readers o... The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=856776 Mon, 10 Sep 2007 04:00:00 +0100 856776 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2510391&cid=s_34867_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2007%2F09%2F10%2Fthe-thing-that-people-with-diabetes-hate-the-most%2F Filed under: Type 1, Type 2, Childhood, Drugs, Opinion, Allie Beatty, Retro Review, PersonalitiesI don't mind high sugars as much as I loathe lows. Personally I'm not so ruffled by shots either (but my liver begs to differ). However, in a message posted on The Islet Foundation, Pfizer reported that insulin-dependent diabetics declared they most hate taking shots. Was this the warm-up for the Exubera campaign? Here's a fact I support! A close second to this hatred is the hypos. Any diabetic will confess -- hypos are unforgiving. So what if you could catch two birds with one capsule? I must reiterate the scientific genius behind the Oramed gel caps. The encapsulated insulin bypasses destruction in the stomach cavity. It reaches an entry point in the intestines where it reports for duty to t... The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2510391 Sun, 09 Sep 2007 23:00:00 +0100 2510391 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=849981&cid=s_34867_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2007%2F09%2F07%2Fnevada-county-has-a-low-rate-of-diabetes%2F Filed under: Type 1, Type 2, Childhood, Adult Onset, Diet, Lifestyle, Research, Exercise, Support, Care, ComplicationsUCLA researchers report Nevada County, California residents have the lowest rate of diabetes in the state -- 2.6 percent. That's about one-third the state-wide average (6.8 percent), and slightly less than one-quarter the prevalence of diabetes in Imperial County (11.2 percent). Take a few guesses why Nevada County's rate of diabetes is so much lower than Imperial County, and well under the national average of 7 percent. Do families eat less processed food around the dinner table? More jogging trails? Better health insurance coverage? Researcher Theresa Hastert states, "There is no one thing, but higher income is associated with better foods and exercise." Hastert explaine... The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=849981 Fri, 07 Sep 2007 04:00:00 +0100 849981 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2510392&cid=s_34867_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2007%2F09%2F07%2Fthe-true-gifts-in-life-come-in-the-form-of-advice%2F Filed under: Type 1, Type 2, Childhood, Adult Onset, Opinion, Allie Beatty, Support, PersonalitiesMy recent blog on interlopers offering advice about controlling diabetes upset a good friend of mine. He asked a question that gave me one of those What if...dream sequences. The reality check warrants a new blog. He asked -- what if an interloper talked your doctor into reconsidering the use of natural animal insulins because they read the research and figured out that it was the better choice? Would you still think interlopers have no value in diabetes control? Touché` - you sunk my battleship. I had to confer with a fellow diabetes OC blogger to get the he said / she said feedback. She made a very good point, too. In her words, there is a special group of non-diabetics who have an ... The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2510392 Thu, 06 Sep 2007 23:00:00 +0100 2510392 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=847287&cid=s_34867_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2007%2F09%2F06%2Fboredom-busting%2F Filed under: Type 2, ExerciseWalking -- it's the first thing we learn to do after crawling. Factor in the amount of it we've done over the course of our lives since then, and it's clear that we're more than warranted in considering ourselves experts. Professional, even. We are the walking gurus, and we have the extensive track record to prove it. With this being the case, why is it when it comes to walking as an exercise, so few people do it? Probably because we do it all the time anyway, therefore it does little to stimulate our interest. We are an easily bored species, one that needs almost constant change in some way, shape or form. This is likely the reason why so many people prefer elaborate workouts to something as simple as placing one foot in front of the other for an extended per... The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=847287 Thu, 06 Sep 2007 04:00:00 +0100 847287 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=847286&cid=s_34867_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2007%2F09%2F06%2Fstem-cells-treat-foot-wounds%2F Filed under: Type 1, Type 2, Childhood, Adult Onset, Research, Care, ComplicationsDiabetic foot complications are responsible for many lower extremity amputations. But this last drastic step can be prevented up to 85 percent of the time with early diagnosis and proper care. Now Thai researchers and physicians have shown using a patient's own stem cells can effectively heal chronic foot wounds. Diabetes patients with chronic foot wounds, aged 50-72, were injected with stem cells obtained from their own blood. Most excitedly, the wounds healed nicely within three to four months. The stem cell treatment also makes fiscal sense. According to this article, stem cell treatment for wounds in a patient with diabetes costs about $6,000, one-fifth the cost of conventional treatment for a leg wound. ... The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=847286 Thu, 06 Sep 2007 04:00:00 +0100 847286 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=847285&cid=s_34867_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2007%2F09%2F06%2Fthe-great-escape-boarding-a-diabetic-pet%2F Filed under: Type 2, Adult Onset, Exercise, Opinion, Allie Beatty, Care, PersonalitiesA friend of mine told me about a friend of hers who had a cat that used to have diabetes - until she left him with the Vet. Her friend was overprotective of her little cat since it was diagnosed with diabetes. The cat was put on insulin injections. She also upgraded the entire posse of cats to low-carb cat food. Routinely she took her cat to the vet to have the blood sugar levels checked ($75 a pop!) So far, so good - the story is mundane until her friend left for a vacation and boarded the cat at the Vet's for the week. All week her friend was worried about the welfare of her cat - even though she was safely under the watchful eye of the vet. As it turns out, upon her return from vacation - the vet notif... The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=847285 Thu, 06 Sep 2007 04:00:00 +0100 847285 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2510393&cid=s_34867_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2007%2F09%2F06%2Fhow-many-diabetics-does-it-take-to-screw-in-a-lightbulb%2F Filed under: Type 1, Type 2, Childhood, Adult Onset, Opinion, Services, Allie Beatty, Support, PersonalitiesOk, sounds like a joke - but seriously, TuDiabetes is growing like gangbusters! Meredith Cummings wrote a great article on TuDiabetes and its explosive growth! The online community for people touched by diabetes, is growing at a rate of 10% per week. Way to go, Manny! And why shouldn't we all plant a flag in this real estate? TuDiabetes offers nonstop support through conversations, debates, mysteries and revelations - all amounting to some degree of resolve. TuDiabetes is a great place to remind you that we're not alone in this dark tunnel. Need some light? Ask and you shall receive. And, by the way - you can get the answer to the lightbulb question by signing in and friending Mere... The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2510393 Wed, 05 Sep 2007 23:00:00 +0100 2510393 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=841674&cid=s_34867_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2007%2F09%2F05%2Fthe-insulin-evolution%2F Filed under: Type 1, Type 2, Childhood, Adult Onset, Drugs, Opinion, Allie Beatty, Retro Review, PersonalitiesHow did we allow insulin to evolve into a genetically modified hormone? It all boils down to propaganda. If you're confident your current insulin surpasses former natural insulin in: purity, availability, allergy response, similarity and safety - I encourage you to review the following facts that were conveniently neglected or not available, due to restraints of time travel. Purity: In the 1970s, a Genentech scientist stated that natural insulin was incredibly pure. In the 1980s, rDNA humulin insulins were less pure than the natural insulins of the 70s. The advertising campaign for rDNA insulin suggested otherwise. Here's a quote, as printed in the book, Invisible Frontiers: "They... The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=841674 Wed, 05 Sep 2007 04:00:00 +0100 841674 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2510395&cid=s_34867_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2007%2F09%2F05%2Fthe-insulin-evolution%2F Filed under: Type 1, Type 2, Childhood, Adult Onset, Drugs, Opinion, Allie Beatty, Retro Review, PersonalitiesHow did we allow insulin to evolve into a genetically modified hormone? It all boils down to propaganda. If you're confident your current insulin surpasses former natural insulin in: purity, availability, allergy response, similarity and safety - I encourage you to review the following facts that were conveniently neglected or not available, due to restraints of time travel. Purity: In the 1970s, a Genentech scientist stated that natural insulin was incredibly pure. In the 1980s, rDNA humulin insulins were less pure than the natural insulins of the 70s. The advertising campaign for rDNA insulin suggested otherwise. Here's a quote, as printed in the book, Invisible Frontiers: "Th... The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2510395 Tue, 04 Sep 2007 23:00:00 +0100 2510395 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2510394&cid=s_34867_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2007%2F09%2F05%2Fdiabetes-health-tv-introduces-neuragen%2F Filed under: Type 1, Type 2, Childhood, Adult Onset, Events, Products, Magazines, Allie Beatty, Complications, PersonalitiesCreator of Diabetes Health Magazine, Scott King, has been a type 1 diabetic for over 34 years. Needless to say, he knows diabetes, and he is doing a remarkable job of introducing cutting-edge treatments for diabetics. In the first Diabetes Health TV broadcast, he shared interviews from the recent AADE Conference. A really exciting product he featured is called Neuragen - a topical treatment for diabetes neuropathy. With diabetes neuropathy, people experience pain due to damage to the peripheral nerves. Neuropathic pain is often characterized by burning sensations or shooting pain, or may occur as numbness or chronic itching. Clinical trials have shown Neuragen to be ... The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2510394 Tue, 04 Sep 2007 23:00:00 +0100 2510394 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=838802&cid=s_34867_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2007%2F09%2F04%2Fwhen-a-child-cant-remember%2F Filed under: Type 1, Childhood, Research, Opinion, Allie Beatty, Retro Review, PersonalitiesIn the fall of 1985, a very scary thing happened shortly after I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. One morning I woke up and I couldn't remember things I would normally remember. I couldn't remember the name of my neighbor's dog. I had a fanatical love for Cookie. Of course I would remember Cookie! A diabetic child would never forget such a sweet name for such an adorable dog! One more thing -- I had a pounding headache. My mom brought me to the hospital, where my endocrinologist met us. They ran test after test and nary could an expert explain my memory loss. They confirmed I was experiencing amnesia, which turned out to be temporary because I was back to normal the next day. How many people hav... The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=838802 Tue, 04 Sep 2007 04:00:00 +0100 838802 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2510396&cid=s_34867_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2007%2F09%2F04%2Freporting-drug-side-effects-one-click-away%2F Filed under: Type 1, Type 2, Childhood, Adult Onset, Drugs, Allie Beatty, Support, PersonalitiesA recent study found that 87% of patients who experienced an adverse symptom from a prescribed drug spoke to their doctor. However less than half of the doctors went through with filing the adverse event paperwork to notify the drug manufacturer. Why is this? The research was published in the latest issue of Drug Safety. Doctors dismissed patients' complaints, and told them their symptoms were not connected to use of the drug. One doctor commented that the time it takes to complete the adverse event drug paperwork is time-consuming, and often not worth it unless it is life threatening. Would Hippocrates have accepted that answer? Please review your Hippocratic Oath, doc. Your doctor is too bus... The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2510396 Mon, 03 Sep 2007 23:00:00 +0100 2510396 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=838066&cid=s_34867_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2007%2F09%2F03%2Fis-somebody-planning-to-reverse-diabetes-with-candy%2F This study was funded by confectionary giant Mars, Inc. In case Mars doesn't ring a bell - maybe some of their products might: Snicksers, 3 Musketeers, Milky Way, and M & M's to name a few. With the results of this research, and the deep pockets behind it -- maybe Mars is contemplating coming out with a diabetes-reversing candy bar? I suggest they call it The Sweet Escape (start the music!)Read | Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments (Source: The Diabetes Blog) The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=838066 Mon, 03 Sep 2007 04:00:00 +0100 838066 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=835444&cid=s_34867_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2007%2F08%2F31%2Flobbying-the-feds-dont-come-cheap%2F Filed under: ServicesThe American Association of Diabetes Educators has spent big bucks this year ensuring its point of view gets across to our representatives in the federal government. The AADE spent $375,000 on lobbying in just the first half of 2007, according to a Senate disclosure form that has been picked up by the media. The law requires that such disclosures be made public. Members of the organization include big Pharma names like Eli Lilly, Novartis and Merck.The AADE is, obviously, a member organization for diabetes educators, with advocacy in Washington - for professionals and patients - coming as an additional service. The government-run site Healthfinder lists more about the AADE if you're interested. Given the amount of money involved, I'm surprised how little attention this... The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=835444 Fri, 31 Aug 2007 04:00:00 +0100 835444 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=835443&cid=s_34867_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2007%2F08%2F31%2Fvegetable-fiber-a-first-rate-diabetes-defense%2F Filed under: Type 2, Diet, Research, Daily NewsWe could all benefit from added fiber in our diets. However, it seems the type of fiber consumed is important too. A new study concludes that vegetable fiber is a good defence against type 2 diabetes. The study comes courtesy of researchers at the University of Sydney, Australia, who found that adults eating five grams of vegetable fiber daily were 24 percent less likely than other adults to develop the disease. People over the age of seventy enjoyed a thirty-one percent risk reduction.The study tracked the eating habits of more than two thousand people over a ten year period. Wow. The researchers also reported that those whose diets contained fiber from mainly cereal or fruit sources did not fare so well - they had a higher risk for type 2 di... The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=835443 Fri, 31 Aug 2007 04:00:00 +0100 835443 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=830938&cid=s_34867_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2007%2F08%2F30%2Fbicycling-to-bring-a-cure-closer%2F Filed under: Type 1, Childhood, Research, Fundraisers, Opinion, Blogs, Allie Beatty, Support, PersonalitiesIn two weeks, Bernard Farrell will be riding in the Bike the Miles annual fundraiser to support Dr. Faustman's research to cure Type 1 diabetes. His participation is especially intrinsic because it is one day away from his 35th anniversary of becoming a Type 1 diabetic. Bernard plans to raise $10,000 for Dr. Faustman's research. Last year he raised $7,500. The entire event raised a whopping $301,000! All of this funding is going toward the human trials to cure Type 1 diabetes. After discovering that the insulin-producing islet cells of the pancreas are capable of regeneration, Dr. Faustman now needs to test her treatment, already known to be safe in humans, to see if the effects are a... The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=830938 Thu, 30 Aug 2007 04:00:00 +0100 830938 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=829969&cid=s_34867_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2007%2F08%2F29%2Fca-man-leads-police-on-bizarre-low-speed-car-chase%2F Filed under: Daily NewsYes, you read correctly. Low-speed car chase. Not something you see in the news too often, right?Jacob Kells (30) is from Santa Rosa, CA. He has diabetes. Last Thursday, Kells got behind the wheel of a rented U-Haul truck. Oh, what a bad idea. He was obviously having low blood sugar issues because he caused several minor hit-and-run crashes that morning. Kells would not respond to police calls for him to pull over. Result: the cops had to tail him all, slowly, all the way from Redwood City to Gilroy.When the police finally caught up with him, Kells was reportedly sweating and incoherent. The officers, obviously aware his state was diabetes-related, gave him glucose paste then got him to hospital, pronto. He was later arrested and taken in for psychological assessment... The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=829969 Wed, 29 Aug 2007 04:00:00 +0100 829969 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=829968&cid=s_34867_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2007%2F08%2F29%2Fglaxo-touts-diabetes-wellness-plan-for-employees%2F Filed under: Lifestyle, Services, Support, CarePharmaceutical giant GlaxoSmithKline has announced an initiative designed to improve the health of employees with diabetes. Yes, the company's head honchos decided they would take the bull by the horns: if employees have difficulty taking care of their health, they determined to find out why and correct the problem. Result: an internal analysis of healthcare spending within GSK.Turns out diabetes was one of the biggest problems for Glaxo employees. Glaxo's number-crunchers found the company spends more on diabetes medications, but less on medical care, than the national average. GSK's report states the company spent a total of $26.2 million on diabetes treatment for employees in 2005. Glaxo has now launched what it describes as a multilateral ... The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=829968 Wed, 29 Aug 2007 04:00:00 +0100 829968 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=829967&cid=s_34867_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2007%2F08%2F29%2Famy-tracks-newest-gizmos%2F Filed under: Opinion, Products, CareWhat's small, green and cute? Nah, not Kermit the Frog. It's the Renew Lancing System. I was just checking out Amy T's review of this and other cool/interesting new diabetes-related gadgetry on her site, Diabetes Mine.The Renew Advanced Lancing System: it's sleek, small, and in cool colors - retro lime green and silver. But the name! "Renew Advanced Lancing System" - jeepers, couldn't they have thought of something a little catchier?? Anyway, it's a handy little self-contained, disposable lancing unit that contains twenty needles. Don't bother checking out the website, 'cause there's no info on there yet. Hmm...Amy gives the thumbs-down to another newie: the DUO-CARE, a combined blood glucose and blood pressure monitor. The idea is okay, but the design: ... The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=829967 Wed, 29 Aug 2007 04:00:00 +0100 829967 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=829966&cid=s_34867_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2007%2F08%2F29%2Ftuberculosis-diabetes-tougher-to-treat%2F Filed under: Type 2, Childhood, Adult Onset, Research, Daily News, BooksNew research finds tuberculosis (TB) is more difficult to treat if the patient has type 2 diabetes. The study examined 737 Indonesians with tuberculosis screened for type 2. Nearly 15 percent had type 2, and initially, their TB was as severe as the non-diabetics. After two months of treatment, TB sputum tests were positive 18.1 percent for those with type 2 and only 10 percent in non-diabetics. At the six month mark, 22.2 percent of type 2s had positive sputum results compared to 9.5 percent of the non-diabetics. The story in Reuters does not address why people with TB and type 2 diabetes do not respond as well to TB treatment. Tuberculosis is a serious infectious disease. Over one-third of the world carries the TB ba... The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=829966 Wed, 29 Aug 2007 04:00:00 +0100 829966 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=829965&cid=s_34867_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2007%2F08%2F29%2Fparenting-your-kids-are-ok-but-you-have-diabetes%2F Filed under: Lifestyle, Books, SupportBrowsing diabetes-related books on Amazon recently, I came across this one: When You're a Parent with Diabetes: a real life guide to staying healthy while raising a family by Kathryn Gregorio Palmer. It caught my eye because 1.) it got very favorable reader reviews and 2.) it addresses a topic that is usually neglected - being a good parent when it's you with diabetes. When You're a Parent was published in September 2006 by Healthy Living Books.Interesting, that. I mean, there are tons of resources out there about raising children with diabetes and keeping them healthy. This book addresses the needs of parents with diabetes who want to raise healthy happy children, but also have special health needs of their own to remember.Top 100 Amazon reviewer Mann... The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=829965 Wed, 29 Aug 2007 04:00:00 +0100 829965 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=828079&cid=s_34867_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2007%2F08%2F28%2Felevated-pregnancy-blood-sugars-linked-to-childs-obesity%2F Filed under: Type 2, Adult Onset, Diet, Lifestyle, Research, Exercise, Daily News, Support, CareA new study by Kaiser Permanente's Center for Health Research carries both good news and bad news. Bad news first -- research of 9,439 mother-child pairs shows maternal blood sugar is tied to a future risk of obesity in offpsring. Pregnant women with above-normal blood sugar levels were twice as likely to have overweight kids. Across all racial and ethnic groups, the higher the mother's blood sugar during pregnancy, the greater the chance her offspring would develop obesity by 5 to 7 years of age. Now if you're pregnant and you've been diagnosed with high blood sugar, take a deep breath. The good news is the risk of childhood obesity is reversible if elevated sugars are treated through diet, ex... The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=828079 Tue, 28 Aug 2007 04:00:00 +0100 828079 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=828078&cid=s_34867_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2007%2F08%2F28%2Fsugary-hazard-high-fructose-corn-syrup-may-raise-diabetes-risk%2F Filed under: Type 2, Diet, Research, ProductsA lot of people I know avoid foods that list high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) as an ingredient. Apart from the calories they add to foods, there's a growing belief that lab-devised products like HFCS are simply unnatural and may be harmful. Wikipedia has an interesting article on the origins and controversy surrounding HFCS, if you want to learn more.Not surprisingly, the food industry has always defended HFCS against claims that it is harmful. But here's the latest contradiction of that claim: a recent study found that HFCS is "astonishingly" high in reactive carbonyls, which are thought to contribute to the development of diabetes. The study was led by Dr. Chi-tang Ho, head of Rutgers University's Department of Food Science, and colleagues. The... The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=828078 Tue, 28 Aug 2007 04:00:00 +0100 828078 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=828077&cid=s_34867_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2007%2F08%2F28%2Fobesity-rates-rising-mississippi-the-worst%2F Filed under: Type 1, Type 2, Childhood, Adult Onset, Diet, Lifestyle, Research, Exercise, Daily NewsWhen I read the headline in this Yahoo! news, Obesity rates climb in most states, I took a stab at guessing the leanest and fattest states in America. My favorite state, Colorado, immediately came to mind for the fittest state. Ding, ding, ding ... that is correct! But I had no clue on the fattest state, West Virginia was a shaky guess. I heard the buzzer on that one, Mississippi became the first state to break the 30 percent barrier for obese, adult residents. But hey, I wasn't far off, West Virginia and Alabama are slightly behind the double-letter state. Colorado has an obesity rate of 17.6. Yikes, this is the leanest state in the nation. Statistics were provided by the Trust for America'... The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=828077 Tue, 28 Aug 2007 04:00:00 +0100 828077 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=828076&cid=s_34867_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2007%2F08%2F28%2Fcnn-coverage-of-diabulemia-is-bananas%2F Filed under: Type 1, Childhood, Opinion, Allie Beatty, Support, PersonalitiesI'm outraged at the coverage CNN provided on diabulemia. They accuse diabetics who suffer with the condition of doing the wrong thing. CNN neglected to address the cause of diabulemia. The drug all insulin dependent diabetics must use is a synthetic hormone that has been genetically modified. It is nothing like human insulin or any natural vertebrate insulin, for that matter. The fact that 1 in 3 diabetics choose to take less insulin is not because they wish to eat more food. It is a reaction provoked by an inadequate and dangerous genetically modified drug. The reason a diabetic would take less insulin is to avoid experiencing the unnatural side effects the insulin is causing. CNN sensationalized diabulemia and ... The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=828076 Tue, 28 Aug 2007 04:00:00 +0100 828076 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=828075&cid=s_34867_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2007%2F08%2F28%2Fexercise-of-the-week-side-lunge-with-upright-row%2F Filed under: Type 1, Type 2, Exercise, BlogsFor a few months now, I've been offering fitness tips in what I'm calling the Exercise of the Week (very creative, I know) on TheCardioBlog. But, what occurred to me today is that you folks reading TheDiabetesBlog may be just as interested in learning some of these tips. Sure, I suppose you could very easily drop on by TheCardioBlog and read them over there, but that would be too easy. And, if your serious about losing weight and getting into better shape, let me be the first to tell you that nothing ever comes easy!!. So, on a going forward basis, I think I will also start posting these tips here on TheDiabetesBlog. With that, I offer the first installment of the Exercise of the Week. Some of the best fat-burning and muscle-building exercises ar... The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=828075 Tue, 28 Aug 2007 04:00:00 +0100 828075 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=828074&cid=s_34867_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2007%2F08%2F28%2Fcircus-acrobat-thrives-despite-rare-form-of-diabetes%2F Filed under: Type 1, Adult Onset, Lifestyle, Drugs, PersonalitiesYou've heard about the sports stars and the rock stars who succeed in life despite suffering from diabetes. Now, here's something a little more unusual: a circus acrobat! Dolly Jacobs is Circus Sarasota's "Queen of the Air." She recently gave an interview to the Bradenton Herald about her life in the circus.Trim and petite like a dancer, Jacobs was diagnosed ten years ago. How did it happen? She had the warning signs most type 1s experience: weight loss and a killer thirst she just could not quench. Her mom already had type 1, so during a routine office visit, Jacobs asked the doc to check her blood sugar too. Whoa. It was 260 - way, way above normal. Jacobs was diagnosed not with type 1, but with a rarer form sometimes dubbe... The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=828074 Tue, 28 Aug 2007 04:00:00 +0100 828074 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=824667&cid=s_34867_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2007%2F08%2F27%2Fwhy-is-hindsight-20-25-in-diabetes%2F Filed under: Type 1, Type 2, Childhood, Adult Onset, Drugs, Research, Opinion, Allie Beatty, SupportBev did a great job covering the study of obese mice having protection from elevated blood sugar due to a plethora of adiponectin. Adiponectin was shown to enhance insulin signaling which transported the excess glucose to less harmful areas of the body, rather than the cells which would endure diabetes complications. The results of this study created a condition called ratones mórbidamente obesos - which sounds better in Spanish because in English this means morbidly obese mice. You know what they say about hindsight, right? A study from a year ago revealed some good news and some bad news. Good news first - turns out Type 2 diabetes drugs using troglitazone increased adiponectin. Rez... The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=824667 Mon, 27 Aug 2007 04:00:00 +0100 824667 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=824666&cid=s_34867_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2007%2F08%2F27%2Fnew-type-2-medication-study-seeks-participants%2F Filed under: Drugs, Research, Daily NewsParticipants are being sought for a new study on the possible benefits of an aspirin-like medication for people with type 2 diabetes. The research, which is being funded by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, is aimed at determining if Salsalate, a drug that has been used for more than 40 years to treat pain associated with arthritis, can also be used to help manage diabetes. Recent studies have linked chronic inflammation to the development of insulin resistance type 2 diabetes. To that end, researchers are looking for adults ages 18 to 75 whose glucose levels are not well controlled and who do not take insulin. Participants will be randomly assigned to either receive Salsalate or a placebo and will receive all medi... The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=824666 Mon, 27 Aug 2007 04:00:00 +0100 824666 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=824665&cid=s_34867_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2007%2F08%2F27%2Fca-school-nurses-balk-at-training-non-medical-staff%2F Filed under: Type 1, Type 2, Childhood, Daily News, Support, Care, ComplicationsRecently I posted on the California Department of Education's recent lawsuit settlement with the American Diabetes Association. CDE promised students would have access to legally-required diabetes care on campus. With a shortage of school nurses, CDE agreed caregivers could include trained volunteers. I came away from the agreement thinking, "Good! It may have taken a lawsuit, but problem solved." But this settlement is hardly a neatly wrapped package. Liability drives many decisions. Now the California School Nurses Organization has advised school nurses to seek guidance from district lawyers before training volunteers. Nurses are concerned they could lose their licenses if they train non-medical staff. Execut... The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=824665 Mon, 27 Aug 2007 04:00:00 +0100 824665 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=823014&cid=s_34867_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2007%2F08%2F26%2Fu-s-ironman-with-diabetes-competes-today%2F Now 40 years old, Jay Hewitt was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of 24. What did he do then? He started entering Ironman Triathlons. You've probably heard of these gargantuan events -- a mere 2.4 mile swim, followed by a 112 mile jaunt on the bike, capped off with a marathon run (26.2 miles). Nuts! I did a mini-sprint triathlon in my 20s and cannot imagine setting off on an Ironman. An elite triathlete, Jay enters Ironman races regularly. Showing the world type 1 diabetes has not stopped him from achieving his goals, Jay has finished 13 Ironmans and is racing in the Louisville Ironman right now. Actually, he's biking -- as of 9:30 am CST he had finished the swim in 1:09:32, ranked 422. Click on the Louisville Ironman website and read updated race coverage, view photos and even t... The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=823014 Sun, 26 Aug 2007 04:00:00 +0100 823014 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=823013&cid=s_34867_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2007%2F08%2F26%2Fscientists-to-discuss-epidemic-at-seattle-meetup%2F Filed under: Type 2, Research, Events, CareScientists from all over the world will meet up in Seattle October 22-23 to attend the Warren G. Magnuson Congress for a Global Diabetes Alliance. The initiative is intended to help fight the rapid rise of type 2 diabetes worldwide. International Diabetes Federation past president Pierre Lefebvre, who will be a speaker at the conference, says the need for such an alliance to fight the T2 global epidemic "could not be more urgent."More than one hundred diabetes experts hailing from over twenty countries will attend the congress. There's one main goal: the discussion of how to help under-served populations, such as indigenous peoples. However, the more general problems - prevention, treatment and the possibility of a cure - will also be on the table... The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=823013 Sun, 26 Aug 2007 04:00:00 +0100 823013 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=823012&cid=s_34867_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2007%2F08%2F26%2Flemonade-for-sale-25c-a-cup%2F Filed under: Type 1, Childhood, Diet, Research, FundraisersThe Rusing family of Tucson, Arizona, run a remarkably successful lemonade stand. The stand began as a way to keep the kids occupied, but turned into a bit of a money maker. It's been so successful, in fact, that it's now in the running for the title of Best Lemonade Stand in America. Yes! There is such a thing. Cute, huh?The Rusings donate the proceeds from the stand to diabetes research. The stand is named "The Mighty Quinns" for Quinn Rusing. Quinn, who is four-years-old, was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at age three. He helps run the lemonade stand, along with mom, Carolyn, and six-year-old twin sisters, Cali and Olivia. The secret to their success appears to be the free cookies. That's right. Free Famous Amos cookies with ea... The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=823012 Sun, 26 Aug 2007 04:00:00 +0100 823012 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=823011&cid=s_34867_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2007%2F08%2F26%2Fadiponectin-protects-obese-mice-from-diabetes%2F Filed under: Type 2, Childhood, Adult Onset, Diet, Lifestyle, Research, ExerciseHow come type 2 diabetes does not affect all obese people? A study recently published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation may explain why. Adiponectin is a hormone that controls insulin sensitivity. Leptin is a hormone which lessens appetite. Too much adiponectin allow mice to store excess calories in fat tissue instead of in more dangerous areas -- the liver, heart or muscle tissue -- where extra fat may lead to inflammation, diabetes and heart disease. Unfortunately adiponectin levels decline as people get fatter. So researchers wondered "what if overeating mice had high levels of adiponectin?" Researchers genetically engineered mice to produce lots of adiponectin and a lack of leptin. The mice overate a... The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=823011 Sun, 26 Aug 2007 04:00:00 +0100 823011 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=821979&cid=s_34867_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2007%2F08%2F25%2Ftype-2-drug-prescribed-for-autism%2F Filed under: Type 2, Childhood, Adult Onset, DrugsAutism is a bio-neurological disorder typically appearing in children before the age of 3. Individuals with autism usually have difficulties in verbal and non-verbal communication, social interaction, play and cognitive function, as well as certain physical ailments. Severity of autism can vary widely. One in 150 now have autism, and boys are diagnosed four times more often than girls. Alternative treatments for autism are growing (chelation and dietary therapies), but I've never heard of this one -- the type 2 diabetes drug Actos. Dr. Marvin Boris of Autism Associates, stated his office prescribes Actos to children with autism. Remember, Actos just received the black box warning from the Food and Drug Administration for risk of heart failu... The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=821979 Sat, 25 Aug 2007 04:00:00 +0100 821979 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=819519&cid=s_34867_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2007%2F08%2F24%2Fvision-loss-for-african-americans-with-type-1%2F Filed under: Type 1, Childhood, Adult Onset, Research, Support, ComplicationsPrevious studies have examined visual impairments of Caucasians with type 1 diabetes, but this is the first study analyzing vision loss for African Americans with type 1. The vision and associated risk factors of approximately 500 African Americans with type 1 were studied over a 6-year period. At follow-up, 4.3 percent of patients realized vision loss in their better eye (visual acuity of 20/40 or worse) and 0.6 percent became blind in their better eye (visual acuity of 20/200 or worse). Nearly 10 percent lost 15 or more letters on the eye chart due to a doubling of the visual angle in their better eye. Another 13.5 percent had this doubling in either eye, which the researchers stated was "particularly high". In... The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=819519 Fri, 24 Aug 2007 04:00:00 +0100 819519 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=819518&cid=s_34867_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2007%2F08%2F24%2Fthe-water-cure%2F Filed under: Type 1, Type 2, Childhood, Adult Onset, Diet, Products, Allie Beatty, SupportIt's free, it covers 70% of the Earth's surface, and it's a remedy for all living things. So why do physicians rarely promote the curative properties of water? Every plant needs it to survive. Every living thing on Earth requires water - even the cacti of the Sahara Desert. We are no different. Mike Adams, of News Target, was one of the last people to interview the late Dr. Batmanghelidj. The things he learned about "The Healing Power of Water" left him in awe. The conversation revealed which ailments and "diseases" are actually caused by dehydration, why the general population is chronically dehydrated and henceforth labeled diseased, what ingredients deplete the body's water reserves, why thirst is ... The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=819518 Fri, 24 Aug 2007 04:00:00 +0100 819518 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=817602&cid=s_34867_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2007%2F08%2F23%2Fdiabetes-talkfest-live-chat-with-stem-cell-researcher%2F Filed under: Type 1, Type 2, Childhood, Adult Onset, Research, Events, Opinion, Services, Allie Beatty, Support, PersonalitiesJuan Domínguez-Bendala, Ph.D., is Director of Stem Cell Development for Translational Research at the Diabetes Research Institute. Once again, thanks to Gina and Jon at Diabetes Talkfest - you'll have the opportunity to chat live with Dr. Domínguez-Bendala on August 23rd at 9pm Eastern Standard Time. Dr. Domínguez-Bendala is currently involved in several projects that focus on the use of embryonic stem cells to obtain pancreatic islets, in the hopes that these newly developed cells could one day be transplanted into patients with type I diabetes. Join Dr. Domínguez-Bendala to discuss his work and ask questions pertaining to embryonic stem... The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=817602 Thu, 23 Aug 2007 04:00:00 +0100 817602 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=815160&cid=s_34867_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2007%2F08%2F22%2Fspecialized-conference-for-type-1-diabetes%2F Filed under: Type 1, Childhood, Events, Opinion, Services, Allie Beatty, SupportHear ye! Hear ye! I have an announcement to make. About 3 months ago, a committee formed to explore the possibility of creating a new conference series for adults with type 1 diabetes. Most conferences are currently geared towards all types of diabetes, but a group of us felt there should be more for the unique challenges that are posed to adults living with type 1. With that in mind, we are conducting an interest study for the conference. Who would you like to see at the conference? Tell us what is missing from Type 1 diabetes (besides the obvious **cure**). This will help us with programming, as well as securing sponsorships for the event. Besides giving you all you want from the latest and greatest in type ... The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=815160 Wed, 22 Aug 2007 04:00:00 +0100 815160 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=814181&cid=s_34867_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2007%2F08%2F21%2Fsoup-to-nuts%2F Filed under: Diet, Drugs, ResearchDrug companies are very good at making it seem like taking a certain medication or supplement will be a panacea for just about everything that ails you. Even at the end of their commercials, when they're rattling off a whole host of possible unwanted side effects, the person on-screen is still smiling, riding or a horse, swinging on a swing in slow-motion, or something just as cheery. And while there are many amazing drugs out there that do help people a great deal, there are also many out there that are no more than snake oils. Case in point, I just came across this supposed interview (it looks kind of staged to me) on YouTube, featuring a doctor who claims that type 2 and type 1 diabetes can be miraculously cured by drinking alkaline water. A bunch of B.... The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=814181 Tue, 21 Aug 2007 04:00:00 +0100 814181 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=814180&cid=s_34867_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2007%2F08%2F21%2Fdiabetic-man-collapes-on-flight%2F Filed under: Type 1, Drugs, Daily NewsA man en route to Sydney, Australia, collapsed mid-flight during a 25-hour trip from Norway to Australia. The man, an engineer whose home is in Sydney, has diabetes and was prevented from bringing his medical supplies on board the plane. Can you believe it? It was all due to new airline security rules requiring that people with diabetes carry documentation along with their medications. The passenger arrived at the airport with a supply of insulin, but was forced to leave it behind because he did not have the required letter from his doctor. He was very sick on arrival in Sydney and had to be rushed to hospital in an ambulance. Don't risk your life to get from A to B. That's the moral of this story. Okay, maybe the security rules go a bit overboard. Yes... The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=814180 Tue, 21 Aug 2007 04:00:00 +0100 814180 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=814179&cid=s_34867_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2007%2F08%2F21%2Fhole-in-one-for-golfer-blinded-by-diabetes%2F Filed under: Type 1, Type 2, Childhood, Adult Onset, Lifestyle, Exercise, Daily NewsI have the utmost respect for golfers with disabilities. In a conference match in high school, I played against an opponent missing her right hand and most of her forearm. As a right-handed golfer, her swing arc was primarily guided by her left arm, so she didn't miss a beat when it came to form. Whatever yards she lost on her long game were covered by a pretty mean short game. I couldn't help but smile wide after hearing this story yesterday about Sheila Drummond, a golfer blinded by diabetes 26 years ago. She may have lost her eyesight to diabetes, but nothing can take this golfing accomplishment away. Last Sunday in a steady rain, 53-year-old Drummond teed off with a driver on the 144-yard, par-3 fourth... The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=814179 Tue, 21 Aug 2007 04:00:00 +0100 814179 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=814178&cid=s_34867_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2007%2F08%2F21%2Fdentists-raising-the-bar-for-diabetes-prevention%2F Filed under: Type 2, Services, CareThe Chicago-Sun Times just ran a piece about area dentists who are doing their bit for type 2 diabetes prevention. These docs are screening all patients with gum disease for high blood sugar. They hope this will help with early detection, since gum disease is a risk factor for diabetes. (In fact, gum disease is a risk factor for tons of health issues, running the gamut from minor to life-threatening.)The paper profiles, among others, dentist Dr. Ronald Schefdore. Whenever Schefdore gets patients coming in with gum disease, he automatically gives them blood tests that measure cholesterol and blood sugar levels, as well as inflammation. Schefdore describes a success story involving one patient who, thanks to the tests, got an early diagnosis of pre-diabetic... The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=814178 Tue, 21 Aug 2007 04:00:00 +0100 814178 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=814177&cid=s_34867_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2007%2F08%2F21%2Fnurse-killed-elderly-british-man-with-insulin-overdose%2F Filed under: Drugs, Daily News, CareThis is sad: an elderly British man was the victim of an accidental insulin overdose. Leslie Avenell, who was 82, had diabetes. He was living in a care home where he had the assistance of a nurse. Turns out, the nurse injected Mr. Avenell with 84 units of insulin - ten times the correct dose. The death has been ruled an accidental mishap caused by neglect. The awful mistake took place after the nurse misread discharge papers for Mr. Avenell from a local hospital, which stated the patient should be given "8U" (eight units) of insulin. So ruled the coroner assigned to investigate the case.Complicating the case: postmortem results show that Mr. Avenell died from bronchial pneumonia. However, the coroner says he cannot rule out the fact that the overdose con... The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=814177 Tue, 21 Aug 2007 04:00:00 +0100 814177 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=809593&cid=s_34867_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2007%2F08%2F20%2Ffoot-thermometer-detects-inflammation%2F Filed under: Type 1, Type 2, Childhood, Adult Onset, Research, Support, Care, ComplicationsDiabetic ulcers are the most common foot injury leading to amputation in the lower extremities. Encouragingly, early detection and proper treatment of a foot ulcer can prevent up to 85 percent of amputations. It is important for physicians to perform regular, thorough foot exams, however people with diabetes can also rely on a foot thermometer for early detection of inflammation and potential ulceration. Xilas Medical Inc. manufacturers the TempTouch (R), an infrared temperature measurement device for at-home use. In previous clinical trials, TempTouch (R) successfully detected inflammation before an ulceration perforated the surface skin. Patients compared temperatures of each foot in like positions... The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=809593 Mon, 20 Aug 2007 04:00:00 +0100 809593 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=809592&cid=s_34867_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2007%2F08%2F20%2Fnot-all-hypos-lead-to-police-brutality%2F Filed under: Daily News, Opinion, ComplicationsWow. I'm floored. Not every diabetic experiencing hypoglycemia in a pubic place becomes a victim of police brutality. A Texas woman with diabetes was recently discovered in her car on the side of a road by a police deputy. She was incoherent, talking to herself. No, the deputy did not drag her in to the station for DUI. Constable's Deputy Russell Whitton, intelligent guy, realized something was up and used the lady's cell phone to call the most recently missed call. This put him in touch with a relative, and he was able to establish that the lady had been reported missing, is diabetic, and was about to go into shock. The deputy gave her LifeSavers to help raise her blood sugar and called for an ambulance. . In the course of blogging for TDB I'... The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=809592 Mon, 20 Aug 2007 04:00:00 +0100 809592 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=808630&cid=s_34867_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2007%2F08%2F19%2Fsix-hours-locked-in-a-bank%2F Filed under: Type 1, Type 2, Daily NewsIn a case of stunning ineptitude, staff at an Orange County branch of Bank of America locked in an elderly diabetic woman after closing at the end of the day on Wednesday. The woman, Marian R. Prescher (73), went to the bank late Wednesday to access the contents of a storage box she keeps there. The bank shut up shop at 6 p.m., and employees apparently forgot to check the private room that she was in before leaving.Around that time - I'm not clear on whether it was before she was locked in or perhaps as a result of being locked in - Prescher's blood sugar dropped into the danger zone. Fortunately, Prescher was discovered around midnight by a cleaning crew, whose members found her in diabetic shock - "unconscious and cold to the touch," according to a ... The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=808630 Sun, 19 Aug 2007 04:00:00 +0100 808630 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=808629&cid=s_34867_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2007%2F08%2F19%2Ftype-1-type-2-name-confusion-is-a-problem%2F Filed under: Type 1, Type 2, OpinionIndignation, frustration. It's all growing stronger amongst diabetics over the fact that most people don't understand this basic fact: type 1 and type 2 diabetes are two very different conditions. When, oh when (or ever?), will we get more appropriate names. "Type 1" and "type 2" are so meaningless to most non-diabetics and probably to a lot of type 2 diabetics as well. "Juvenile" or "childhood onset" are, these days, likewise, quite meaningless when so many kids are getting T2DM due to atrocious lifestyle/eating habits. A recent editorial caught my eye. I want to share, because I think it's a good example of how the media helps add to this ignorance when journalists fail to make a distinction between T1 and T2. "In our view: Targeting Diabetes," was pub... The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=808629 Sun, 19 Aug 2007 04:00:00 +0100 808629 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=808628&cid=s_34867_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2007%2F08%2F19%2Fupper-trunk-fat-this-is-not-about-elephants%2F This study, linking upper trunk fat to insulin resistance, was conducted by researchers based at the San Francisco VA Medical Center. The connection was actually established in the course of a study of fat redistribution and metabolic change in HIV-infected patients. Both HIV-positive patients on antiretroviral therapy and non-HIV-infected control participants were involved in the study.A surprise finding was this fact that upper trunk fat contributes to insulin resistance just as much as does visceral fat. Also of note: this occurs regardless of whether or not the other type of fat is present. The researchers also note that all study participants were equally at risk. Says lead researcher Dr. Carl Grunfeld, "Strikingly, there was very little difference between HIV-infected people and cont... The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=808628 Sun, 19 Aug 2007 04:00:00 +0100 808628 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=806941&cid=s_34867_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2007%2F08%2F18%2Fman-disabled-by-neuropathy-treated-with-immune-globulin%2F Filed under: Type 1, Type 2, Childhood, Adult Onset, Drugs, Research, Daily NewsJapanese researchers published an interesting case in the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry. The case involved a wheelchair-bound 57-year-old man with serious diabetic neuropathy. The patient had type 2 diabetes for 10 years, and experienced pain and progressive loss of muscle and strength in both legs. He also lost a lot of weight. Researchers at Nagoya University School of Medicine treated this gentleman with intravenous immune globulin (IVIg) for 5 days. The patient initially realized marked improvements in pain and muscle weakness, but the pain crept up again over the following three weeks. A repeat course of IVIg infusions reduced the pain once again. For a man who could not previously stan... The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=806941 Sat, 18 Aug 2007 04:00:00 +0100 806941 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=806940&cid=s_34867_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2007%2F08%2F18%2Ftwo-year-olds-cell-phone-skills-save-dad%2F Filed under: Type 1, Daily News, PersonalitiesIsn't it amazing that even toddlers can operate computers and cell phones these days? Alex Merriam lives in Pleasanton, Texas. Alex is only two-years-old, but he helped save his dad's life recently. His father, William Merriam, has had type 1 diabetes since he was only four. Last Friday, William's blood sugar got dangerously low and and he fell unconscious in a chair. Alex was the only one in the house with him at the time.Alex's mom, D'anna, was worried when she kept trying to call her husband. No one answered. In the end, aware that a hypoglycemic episode could have hit William, she had her father try calling too. Eventually, Alex - all of two-years-old, mind you - got the ringing cell phone out of his dad's bag and answered it. He told his g... The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=806940 Sat, 18 Aug 2007 04:00:00 +0100 806940 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=805911&cid=s_34867_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2007%2F08%2F17%2Foral-lyn-has-the-big-idea%2F Filed under: Type 1, Type 2, Childhood, Adult Onset, Drugs, Research, Products, Allie BeattyThe results are looking good for the first-round of human testing for Oral-lyn, Generex's flagship product. The oral insulin, delivered into the body through the oral cavity (with no deposit in the lungs), is as effective as injected insulin. The efficacy of Oral-lyn for controlling blood sugar was decidedly as good as multiple insulin injections. The research found that regular insulin and Generex Oral-lyn had similar effects on lowering blood sugar in subjects with type 1 diabetes. The subjects received twice-daily insulin analogue for basal coverage. So this might rewind some of us old timers to the days long-gone where we could get by with two shots. Period. If Oral-lyn makes it to the local pha... The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=805911 Fri, 17 Aug 2007 04:00:00 +0100 805911 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=805910&cid=s_34867_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2007%2F08%2F17%2Fgestational-diabetes-cancer-link%2F Filed under: Type 1, Type 2, ResearchWomen who developed gestational diabetes while pregnant are at a higher risk for pancreatic cancer. Unfortunately, that's the word from a new study. According to this report from Canada's CTV News, past studies have linked type 2 diabetes with increased pancreatic cancer. And, of course, having gestational diabetes puts you at risk for type 2 diabetes. However, this is the first time a link has been made between GD and pancreatic cancer.The study involved an analysis of health records for a whopping 40,000 women, all of whom gave birth in Jerusalem between 1964 and 1976. Phew, that's a lotta diapers... Of 410 women diagnosed with GD, five developed pancreatic cancer in later years. None of the 137 women with type 1 diabetes went on to develop pancreatic... The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=805910 Fri, 17 Aug 2007 04:00:00 +0100 805910 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=805909&cid=s_34867_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2007%2F08%2F17%2Fmodernist-painter-and-diabetic-charles-demuth%2F Filed under: Type 1, Drugs, Events, PersonalitiesWorks by the modernist painter Charles Demuth (1883-1935) are now on display at the Amon Carter Museum in Fort Worth, Texas. Add Demuth to the pantheon of notable Americans with diabetes. Demuth lived nearly his entire life in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. He had a hard life, being type 1 diabetic at a time before digital meters and pumps and all that good stuff. Not only that, he was diabetic at a time when insulin was only beginning to be used. So, you may well ask: what did they do in the dark, dark pre-insulin days? Well, dear reader, the treatment was pretty unsophisticated. Starvation, basically. They got you eating as little as possible. Not surprisingly, life expectancy was not good in those days! Demuth suffered from a lack of energy and... The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=805909 Fri, 17 Aug 2007 04:00:00 +0100 805909 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=805908&cid=s_34867_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2007%2F08%2F17%2Fafrican-americans-suffering-from-substandard-housing%2F Filed under: Type 2, Lifestyle, ResearchA study just out links high rates of diabetes to African Americans who lived in substandard housing. Sigh. Doesn't that seem rather obvious? Does it really require a big study to confirm it?? Well, anyway, here's the scoop: researchers collected data on 998 African American men and women born in St. Louis between 1936 and 1950. They looked at all the risk factors for those individuals - factors that could contribute to ill health. Examples of risk factors include access to medical care and quality of neighborhoods (including such things as air quality, condition of yards and sidewalks, and proximity to industrial sites and traffic noise.)The conclusion? Those whose housing conditions were ranked as only fair or poor were at increased risk for type 2 ... The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=805908 Fri, 17 Aug 2007 04:00:00 +0100 805908 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=805907&cid=s_34867_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2007%2F08%2F17%2Fcounterfeit-test-strips-traced-to-china%2F Filed under: Type 1, Type 2, Childhood, Adult Onset, Daily News, CareYou pull out a test strip, prick your finger, place a drop of blood on the end of the strip and stick it into your meter. A few seconds later, voila, an accurate blood sugar -- unless you have purchased a counterfeit test strip. Last September, diabetics in the U.S. and Canada started calling Johnson & Johnson's (J&J) LifeScan hotline, complaining their OneTouch Test Strips were faulty. Without a prescription, the test strips sell for about $1.00 per strip, in boxes of 25, 50 and 100. We all know there are many diabetics out there without health insurance, one of the worst injustices of our country. I get sick to my stomach when I think of the uninsured shelling out $100 to $200 for a month's supply of strips. No... The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=805907 Fri, 17 Aug 2007 04:00:00 +0100 805907 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=802235&cid=s_34867_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2007%2F08%2F16%2FSympathy+absent+in+diabetes+death%2F Filed under: Lifestyle, Daily News, Opinion, Care, ComplicationsA United Kingdom woman's death by diabetes made the news recently. But empathy had no place in the story. Instead, she was recorded as having died of natural causes, yet also convicted of her own murder.The point of the story, which was reported nearly six months after she was found dead in her home, appears to be the fact that her boyfriend was found not to be responsible for her death. The death was originally ruled suspicious because the 41-year-old woman who lived alone was found partially disrobed in her home. Turns out, the boyfriend didn't kill her, but saw her dead through a window and decided to rob her. That's not all he did. He paved the way for her to be publicly ridiculed for struggling with a chronic illness and ... The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=802235 Thu, 16 Aug 2007 04:00:00 +0100 802235 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=802234&cid=s_34867_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2007%2F08%2F16%2Fdiabetes-trending-like-a-shrimping-net%2F Filed under: Type 2, Adult Onset, Drugs, Research, Daily News, Allie Beatty, Support, PersonalitiesI'm having a blonde moment. The headline reads: cases of undiagnosed diabetes drop sharply. As if this is good news. The article continues - the number of men in the United States with undiagnosed diabetes has declined sharply over the past 25 years. Like I said, I'm blonde. Maybe somebody can help me correlate this to good news for us diabetics. I have a larger than life question mark looming over my head. A recent news story alluded to the fact that the death toll for women over the last 30 years shows little to no improvement over diabetic men. I think I get it now. The net continues to harvest whole, healthy bodies. Shrimp caught in nets are complete animals. Only once they are dumped on... The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=802234 Thu, 16 Aug 2007 04:00:00 +0100 802234 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=800063&cid=s_34867_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2007%2F08%2F15%2Fthe-epidemic-is-over-exaggerated%2F Filed under: Type 2, Research, Opinion, CareIn my previous post, I looked at a RAND Corporation study of undiagnosed diabetes - something that continues to be a big problem. Now I want to zero in on one aspect of that study that really caught my eye. According to the sole author, James P. Smith, talk of a type 2 diabetes epidemic is over-exaggerated.Hang on a minute. Aren't we always hearing about the so-called epidemic proportions of diabetes' spread in the US and globally? And aren't cities like New York taking steps to track the spread of diabetes, keeping tabs on its growth just as you'd do with a contagious epidemic outbreak of, say, tuberculosis? Well, yes. But Smith isn't buying it.During the twenty-five-year period included in the study, Smith says diagnosis of men with diabetes mo... The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=800063 Wed, 15 Aug 2007 04:00:00 +0100 800063 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=799242&cid=s_34867_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2007%2F08%2F14%2Fdiabetic-child-books-that-inform-and-inspire%2F Filed under: Type 2, Childhood, Opinion, Books, SupportSpeaking of kids with T1DM, (click here for previous kid-related post) I was just browsing around Amazon's selections of books for parents of type 1 children. There are, of course, a bunch of books on the market. Maybe not quite as many as I'd expected though. (Perhaps T1 parents turn to the web for support these days?) Anyway, there were some clear favorites amongst readers. But be prepared. To get to the good stuff, you will have to sift through tons of Diabetes Cured-Overnight!-style "self-help" manuals.A current bestseller seems to be The Everything Parent's Guide to Children with Juvenile Diabetes by Moira McCarthy and Jake Kushner. Bonus: it's part of the "Everything Guide" series of books, so it's packed with info, yet reasonabl... The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=799242 Tue, 14 Aug 2007 04:00:00 +0100 799242 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=799241&cid=s_34867_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2007%2F08%2F14%2Fcomplicated-gene-can-aggravate-diabetes%2F Filed under: Type 2, Diet, Drugs, Research, ExerciseI don't know about you, but I find it disconcerting to read about new scientific discoveries that mystify even the experts. Scientists go out. They do research. They come back and tell us what they find. Usually, they come back with some explanation for how the world works. But sometimes not.Case in point? Researchers at Texas A&M University say they have identified a puzzler of a gene that resides in the liver and other spots in the body. They found it's possible to increase and decrease this gene in mice, but with odd results. Increasing it in obese patients who overeat whittles waistlines, and prevents heart disease and diabetes. However, doing so aggravates liver disease. Decreasing it in other obese patients cures fatty liver dis... The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=799241 Tue, 14 Aug 2007 04:00:00 +0100 799241 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=799240&cid=s_34867_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2007%2F08%2F14%2Fny-drug-store-chain-expands-free-diabetes-program%2F Filed under: Lifestyle, Daily News, Services, CareBack in a February '07 post, I described an initiative by New York drug store chain Duane Reade. The chain had announced it was opening a free diabetes center. The idea was to drum up business by meeting customer demand for diabetes-related advice and services. At the time, I thought it was an interesting story - perhaps the sign of a new trend on the rise. And definitely a sign of the commercial clout wielded by diabetics.A few months down the road and it looks like the concept has really taken off. A Duane Reade press release has announced that the center will be expanding its services to keep pace with demand. Yep. The Duane Reade Diabetes Resource Center will now be offering space in its support groups to anyone from the NY metro area, ... The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=799240 Tue, 14 Aug 2007 04:00:00 +0100 799240 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=799239&cid=s_34867_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2007%2F08%2F14%2Fthe-undiagnosed-men-benefit-most-as-disparity-evens-out%2F Filed under: Type 1, Type 2, ResearchAccording to a RAND Corporation study, fewer and fewer diabetics are going undiagnosed these days. Specifically, the gap has closed dramatically over the last twenty-five years. So much so that Hispanics and African Americans are now no more likely than whites to be undiagnosed. Good news, to be sure. And the news is especially good for men. James P. Smith, who authored the study, says that twenty-five years ago about fifty percent of men with diabetes did not even know they had the disease. Jump forward to 1999-2002, however, and the number drops to about twenty percent.Smith concludes that even though ethnic and gender disparities remain, we are certainly doing a lot better at getting people diagnosed and into treatment. Diabetes programs that target ... The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=799239 Tue, 14 Aug 2007 04:00:00 +0100 799239 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=795100&cid=s_34867_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2007%2F08%2F13%2Ffree-fruit-friday-in-australian-schools%2F Filed under: Type 1, Type 2, Childhood, Adult Onset, Diet, Lifestyle, Research, Exercise Australia has big hopes for an $11 million dollar plan to provide high-quality fruits and vegetables to school kids. Targeting Victorian government school students, the first stage of Free Fruit Friday includes 35,000 prep to grade two students across 300 schools. Australia has its own problems with rising obesity and diabetes, and this fiber-loaded funding is more than just good stuff on Fridays. Premier John Brumby stated the Victorian plan is more comprehensive than a UK free fruit program that resulted in limited impact, per a published study last month in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health. Brumby explained Free Fruit Friday is part of a broader strategy, pairing with other programs ... The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=795100 Mon, 13 Aug 2007 04:00:00 +0100 795100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=795099&cid=s_34867_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2007%2F08%2F13%2Fopportunity-knocks-diabetes-grows-globally%2F Filed under: Type 1, Type 2, Childhood, Adult Onset, Drugs, Daily NewsDiabetes has previously been associated with obese people in the U.S and other rich countries, but it's beginning to hit the developing world hard, with 80 percent of sufferers in low and middle income brackets, according to the International Diabetes Federation.A report in the British newspaper the Telegraph suggests that as poorer countries rapidly urbanize and experience other changes to traditional diet and ways of life, diabetes will become a much bigger problem. In the next 20 years, diabetes is expected to soar by 80 percent in Africa and 100 percent in Latin America, while growth in the US will be 43 percent, according to the same report. And, this year, diabetes will kill about 3.8 million people worldwide, abou... The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=795099 Mon, 13 Aug 2007 04:00:00 +0100 795099 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=795098&cid=s_34867_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2007%2F08%2F13%2Faussie-ethnic-minorities-suffering-from-diabetes%2F Filed under: Type 2, Lifestyle, Daily NewsIt's a complicated little world, isn't it? For example, type 2 diabetes is a growing problem in Australia, particularly in rural areas. Recently, however, some good news appeared: immigrants from Mediterranean regions living in Australia who stuck with a traditional Mediterranean diet over long periods of time, enjoyed much better health than other segments of the population. And that includes less diabetes.But now, there's news that Australia's ethnic minorities suffer from type 2 diabetes at much higher rates than the rest of the population. Hardest hit are Asians, Pacific Islanders and people originally from the Middle East. The finding results from a survey of 11,000 Australians. There are some good reasons why immigrants suffer from diabetes m... The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=795098 Mon, 13 Aug 2007 04:00:00 +0100 795098 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=795097&cid=s_34867_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2007%2F08%2F13%2Faustralian-flu-season-spikes-diabetes-diagnoses%2F Filed under: Type 1, Childhood, Daily NewsA particularly bad flu season in Australia has triggered a sharp rise in the diagnosis of type 1 diabetes, according to a recent report in the Sydney Morning Herald. One doctor at Children's Hospital at Westmead in Sydney reported the hospital has diagnosed more than twice as many children than usual with type 1 diabetes."Every year in the winter there's more children getting diabetes than at any other time of the year," said Dr. Neville Howard. "However, this year there's a mini epidemic occurring."According to the story, the hospital made more than double the usual number of type 1 diabetes diagnoses this month. Six of the 17 cases required intensive care for diabetic ketoacidosis. Experts suggest symptoms of diabetes could have been masked by th... The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=795097 Mon, 13 Aug 2007 04:00:00 +0100 795097 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=794195&cid=s_34867_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2007%2F08%2F12%2Fa-faltering-healthcare-system%2F Filed under: Type 1, Type 2, Opinion, Support, CareHow is this nation going to cope with the so-called epidemic of type 2 diabetes when our healthcare system is faltering? How are diabetics, both type 1 and type 2, going to get the care they deserve until the system is reformed? It's a good thing that many Americans realize this is a mammoth problem. Michael Moore's new film Sicko has, in it's typically Moore-ish way, helped draw more attention to the issue too. The current system, rests on a precarious and complex (or should I say, chaotic?) relationship between public and private healthcare providers and the insurance industry. Sadly, reform may not be possible until Americans get much, much angrier about how badly they are being let down by the system that's supposed to serve them. A gr... The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=794195 Sun, 12 Aug 2007 04:00:00 +0100 794195 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=794194&cid=s_34867_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2007%2F08%2F12%2Fpopcorn-can-save-your-life-not%2F Filed under: Type 2, Diet, Opinion, MagazinesDumb headline spotted in today's USA Weekend magazine: "Popcorn can help save your life." Oh, wow. I mean, we all enjoy a clever eye-catching headline, but this is ridiculous! Despite that misleading title, no, the salty snack preferred by movie-goers does not have super-human, life-saving powers. In fact, it's about the nutritional benefits of whole grains. And popcorn is actually a good source of whole grains: three cups popped equals one serving of whole grains. The article mentions an Iowa Women's Health Study finding that women fifty-five and over who eat lots of whole grains are less likely to die from inflammatory diseases like asthma or infections. Whole grain consumption is also linked to a lower risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes a... The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=794194 Sun, 12 Aug 2007 04:00:00 +0100 794194 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=794193&cid=s_34867_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2007%2F08%2F12%2Fhelp-offered-for-diabetes-brought-on-by-agent-orange%2F Filed under: Type 2, Adult Onset, Support, CareAgent Orange, the now infamous substance used to clear jungles and forests during the Vietnam War, has caused myriad health problems in veterans. Type 2 diabetes is recognized as one of them. And now the hunt is on for those who have developed it so that the government can help."A lot of people just say, I'm getting older, I have it anyway," said Cliff Riley, a veteran who has diabetes and was featured in a recent Cincinnati TV station report on the search. "If they do in fact have that condition and did in fact have their boots on the ground in Vietnam they will qualify for some sort of disability or compensation."More information is available from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or from your local Veterans Services Center.Read |... The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=794193 Sun, 12 Aug 2007 04:00:00 +0100 794193 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=793462&cid=s_34867_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2007%2F08%2F11%2Fthiamine-deficiency-linked-to-vascular-disease%2F Filed under: Type 1, Type 2, Childhood, Adult Onset, Research, ComplicationsMany people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes have to deal with vascular problems. Just ask my brother. A type 1 for over 30 years, he has diabetic retinopathy and had a stroke in his late 30s. Microvascular complications can cause kidney disease, vision disorders and neuropathy, while macrovascular complications can cause heart disease, stroke and peripheral vascular disease. Researchers at the University of Warwick have definititvely shown diabetics are deficient in thiamine (vitamin B1), and the deficiency is connected to vascular complications associated with the disease. The research team found thiamine concentration in blood plasma was decreased 76 percent in type 1s and 75 percent in type 2s. Why is this only... The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=793462 Sat, 11 Aug 2007 04:00:00 +0100 793462 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=791321&cid=s_34867_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2007%2F08%2F10%2Flandmark-agreement-in-california-for-students-with-diabetes%2F Filed under: Type 1, Type 2, Childhood, Daily News, Support, Care, ComplicationsMost school cafeterias and vending programs feed our kids junk, but even worse, students with diabetes are not provided legally required care to manage the disease during school hours. Children with insulin dependent diabetes are heading to school without the assurance of regular blood glucose testing, the administration of insulin or other diabetes care tasks. In 2005, four California families and the American Diabetes Association (ADA) filed a suit in San Francisco, alleging some California school districts were not providing adequate diabetes care. In some cases, parents were called to give aid before summoning a school nurse. Michelle Ferry was one such parent. When her son was in first grade, this widowed... The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=791321 Fri, 10 Aug 2007 04:00:00 +0100 791321 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=791320&cid=s_34867_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2007%2F08%2F10%2Faustralian-obesity-crisis-fuels-diabetes-epidemic%2F Filed under: Type 2, Lifestyle, Daily NewsType 2 diabetes, mate? By crikey. Australia's diabetes epidemic continues to be a problem. News this week indicates the spread of obesity, and with it associated conditions like Type 2 diabetes, in rural areas is far worse than previously realized. A survey of 806 randomly selected adults (okay, not the biggest sample, admittedly) found that a great many are affected by the disease. Based on their findings from that survey, researchers calculate that almost three-quarters of Aussie men living in rural areas are overweight. They think women in rural areas may be slightly better-off - around two-thirds may be overweight. This puts rural Australians at a very high risk for T2DM. The conclusion, stated in the Medical Journal of Australia: "urgent popul... The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=791320 Fri, 10 Aug 2007 04:00:00 +0100 791320 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=789201&cid=s_34867_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2007%2F08%2F09%2Fwere-you-cured-of-type-2-diabetes%2F Filed under: Type 2, Adult Onset, Diet, Lifestyle, Opinion, Services, SupportWhat do you see when you picture THE CURE? The proverbial cure has always been a pill or a shot - just once. Problem solved. Well, if you look at the long list of Type 2 diabetics who have already been cured - it seems a cure will only come one way: the hard way! Google sent me to this page posted by the Alternative Cancer Treatment Centers. The information first explains where Type 2 diabetes derives: a derangement in essential fatty acids. Specifically and statistically speaking - the fact that we consume twice as many Omega 6s as Omega 3s. The Omega 6s have become the main building blocks of the fats in our diets and therefore the fat in our bodies. This seems to be a triggering event for the rising incidences ... The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=789201 Thu, 09 Aug 2007 04:00:00 +0100 789201 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=789200&cid=s_34867_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2007%2F08%2F09%2Fpoll-says-majority-will-not-prescribe-avandia%2F Filed under: Type 2, Childhood, Adult Onset, Drugs, Research, Daily News, ComplicationsAvandia-maker GlaxoSmithKline might have breathed a sigh of relief after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) panel voted to keep Avandia on the market. But trust me, it is a very heavy sigh This vote was followed by the panel's official acknowledgment (20-3) the drug increases risk of heart attack in patients with type 2 diabetes. What are the healthcare professionals saying? In a recent MedPage Today poll, only a trickle of respondents (9 percent) stated they would continue prescribing Avandia with no worries. One in four said the drug should be swept off the shelves. Per the FDA panel's recommendation, 36 percent stated they would continue treating certain patients with Avandia. But a whoppin... The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=789200 Thu, 09 Aug 2007 04:00:00 +0100 789200 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=786724&cid=s_34867_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2007%2F08%2F08%2Floss-of-sleep-may-lead-you-to-eat%2F This study may hint at reasons behind the dubious freshman fifteen for a lot of college students. Can the body adapt to being up all night studying and snacking without jolting the counter regulatory response of metabolism?Read | Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments (Source: The Diabetes Blog) The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=786724 Wed, 08 Aug 2007 04:00:00 +0100 786724 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=783899&cid=s_34867_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2007%2F08%2F07%2Fmagnetocapsules-protect-transplanted-beta-cells%2F Filed under: Type 1, Childhood, Adult Onset, Research, CareExperimentally used to treat type 1 diabetes, pancreatic beta cell transplants require immunosupressive drugs and have yielded inconsistent results. Johns Hopkins researchers state part of the challenge is an inability to track the cells after transplantation. Currently, transplanted cells can be attacked by a recipient's immune system, and the cells cannot be seen, blinding researchers in determining why the cells stop making insulin over time. A team at Hopkins is testing a new technique which encapsulates transplanted cells in magnetic capsules, allowing the cells to be tracked via magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). After mixing alginate (gooey stuff from seaweed) and Feridex, a material containing magnetic iron ore, they surrou... The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=783899 Tue, 07 Aug 2007 04:00:00 +0100 783899 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=783898&cid=s_34867_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2007%2F08%2F07%2Ffunding-boost-for-insulin-gel-caps%2F Filed under: Research, Products, SupportThere's a story running on CNN Money about the progress of Oramed Pharmaceuticals' insulin capsule, which is currently under development. The capsule, taken orally, could provide a more convenient way for diabetics to get insulin than through shots. And popping a gel cap would, needless to say, also be more convenient than toting and blowing on one of those big old clunky Exubera inhalers.In the quest to get its product to market, Oramed needs cash, and lots of it. Answering the call, a combination of private investors are putting up more than two million dollars in financing for the Israel-based company.It's hoped the money will help to propel the insulin capsule through completion of Phase 1 (drug safety) trials by the middle of next year. Said Ora... The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=783898 Tue, 07 Aug 2007 04:00:00 +0100 783898 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=783897&cid=s_34867_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2007%2F08%2F07%2Fhouse-passes-bill-to-extend-research-funding%2F Filed under: Type 1, Research, Daily NewsThe U.S. House of Representatives has passed reauthorization bill (HR 3162), legislation which includes a one-year extension of the Type 1 Diabetes Special Funding Program at the National Institutes of Health and the Indian Health Service.The American Diabetes Association describes the inclusion of these programs and passage of the bill as a great first step toward the goal of a five-year extension and a nominal increase in funding to grow these vital programs. From 1998 until next year, the special type 1 funding program will have provided $1.14 billion in research funds to support type 1 diabetes research. The House action is a step toward extending that funding beyond next year.The program is coordinated by the National Institute of Diabetes and ... The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=783897 Tue, 07 Aug 2007 04:00:00 +0100 783897 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=781336&cid=s_34867_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2007%2F08%2F06%2Fadas-step-up-to-fight-diabetes-fundraiser%2F Filed under: Type 1, Type 2, Childhood, Adult Onset, Lifestyle, Exercise, Daily News, Fundraisers, SupportThe American Diabetes Association (ADA) recently announced, Step Up To Fight Diabetes, a unique, new fundraiser. Up to 1,000 participants will pledge to raise a minimum of $1,000 in sponsorships as they walk 10 miles across Philadelphia, stepping up and down 25 staircases along the way. The ADA chose Philly as its inaugural event city due to its historic staircases (Rocky, Rocky!), and the city's dedication to improving health. The event will be held October 20, 2007. Walkers will pass Independence Park, City Hall, even head down the Schuylkill River path to the Philadephia Art Museum. I was enamored by the Schuylkill's winding beauty my very first visit to Philly. During each subsequ... The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=781336 Mon, 06 Aug 2007 04:00:00 +0100 781336 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=780664&cid=s_34867_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2007%2F08%2F05%2Forgan-donor-family-seeks-a-miracle%2F Filed under: Type 1, Type 2, Childhood, Adult Onset, Daily News, SupportNearly 20 years ago I signed the back of my drivers license to approve my organs for donation. Hearing this story about a Wisconsin family is one more affirmation of my signature. When it comes to diabetes and kidney problems, Lorna Burns Hager says her family is jinxed. Hager has diabetes and was born with one kidney. Her brother died from diabetes complications and kidney failure. Two of her four children were also born with one kidney and developed diabetes. Rough stuff. This past Friday, Wisconsin's Governor Jim Doyle honored Hager with the Gift of Life medal of honor for donating her daughter Kelly's two kidneys after she died last year. Kelly was profoundly mentally disabled, and Hager is confident Kelly is livin... The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=780664 Sun, 05 Aug 2007 04:00:00 +0100 780664 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=778626&cid=s_34867_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2007%2F08%2F04%2Fyoga-asanas-for-diabetes%2F Filed under: Type 1, Type 2, Childhood, Adult Onset, Lifestyle, Exercise, Support, CareI adore yoga, I feel stretched and relaxed for days after every session. An at-home yoga gal, I pop in yoga tapes and dvds produced by Gaiam (good yoga gear/instruction). I haven't done much yoga lately due to a recent achilles surgery, but this is only a rationalization. There are many positions I can do, and after reading this article on yoga and diabetes, it is time to unroll my purple mat -- tonight! This helpful article reminds people with diabetes that stress can increase blood glucose. They suggest eight asanas (sitting meditations) proven to increase blood flow and improve blood sugar processing, while also strengthening the liver, stomach and pancreas. Don't think 'sitting' means you'll be in a ... The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=778626 Sat, 04 Aug 2007 04:00:00 +0100 778626 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=776125&cid=s_34867_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2007%2F08%2F03%2Fcombo-drug-therapy-reverses-type-1-in-mice%2F This study suggests stopping the development of type 1 in humans must address the autoimmune T-cell disorder and the loss of insulin responsiveness in tissues due to inflammation. Once a body starts losing insulin-generating beta cells, the cells that remain have to work even harder to control blood sugar. Dr. Strom stated human clinical trials will begin within a year. The study is published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Read | Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments (Source: The Diabetes Blog) The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=776125 Fri, 03 Aug 2007 04:00:00 +0100 776125 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=774148&cid=s_34867_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2007%2F08%2F02%2Fmy-first-hate-mail%2F Filed under: Type 1, Childhood, Blogs, Allie Beatty, Support, PersonalitiesA little over 2 weeks ago I posted something about diabulemia on site where diabetics exchange their feelings, frustrations, and experiences with the disease. Two Type 1 diabetic women took the time to write me a very thoughtful hate mail. Hate is a strong word but these are some strong accusations. For starters, they said, "There ain't no such word as diabulemia. It's called diabetic stupidity." That is cut directly from the email, and as you can see - it was written with an arrogant disregard for the 450,000 people suffering from this serious condition. I understand strong words come from passion. An email with the subject title "There's type 1, and then there are fools with type 1" could only have been composed ... The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=774148 Thu, 02 Aug 2007 04:00:00 +0100 774148 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=773343&cid=s_34867_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2007%2F08%2F01%2Fcampaign-for-research-funding-kicks-off%2F Filed under: EventsBeginning today, advocates across the country will be meeting with their Congressional representatives in an effort to push legislators to approve funding for type 1 diabetes research.The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation's Promise to Remember Me Campaign kicks off at 11 a.m. on the Cannon House Office Building Terrace in Washington, DC. Congressman Eric Cantor, R-Virginia, will join recording artist and American Idol finalist Elliott Yamin at the event. Yamin, who has type 1 diabetes, is set to perform at 5 p.m.As part of the campaign, the JDRF invites participants to share their story of living with diabetes with legislators and encourage them to vote for type 1 diabetes research. The effort aims to join hundreds of families with legislators in the next 10 months t... The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=773343 Wed, 01 Aug 2007 04:00:00 +0100 773343 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=773342&cid=s_34867_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2007%2F08%2F01%2Fu-s-doctor-compensation-only-serves-doctors%2F Filed under: Type 1, Type 2, Childhood, Adult OnsetThe cost of health care is like a kick in the gut. A good friend of mine and her husband pay over $600 a month for their portion of a policy (her small business employer pays the rest), and her family deductible is $2,000. Over $9,000 a year for family health insurance, not including the 20 percent co-pays on each post-deductible bill. If you have a particularly unhealthy year or a chronic disease like diabetes, this can run thousands more until you reach a cap. I thought we had it bad, their costs are double what my family pays. I'm not going to even get into the costs of private health insurance or the plight of the uninsured. Alex Berenson's July 29 column in The New York Times made me ponder about the rising costs of health care. Beren... The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=773342 Wed, 01 Aug 2007 04:00:00 +0100 773342 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=773341&cid=s_34867_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2007%2F08%2F01%2Fso-avandia-stays-but-will-doctors-prescribe-it%2F Filed under: Type 2, Childhood, Adult Onset, Drugs, ComplicationsIt was plastered all over the news earlier this week. The committee of advisors to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration voted 22-1 to keep GlaxoSmithKline's Avandia on the market. They also voted 20-3 the evidence reveals Avandia increases risk of heart attack. Comforting, isn't it? Avandia, used to treat type 2 diabetes, has been under attack for cardiovascular risks since a late May study showed a 43 percent higher risk of heart attack. Okay, so Avandia will likely get a black box warning from the FDA, its sternest alert to doctors. Pascale Boyer Barresi, an analyst at Bordier & Cie in Geneva stated the black box is likely and Avandia sales will probably not recover to previous levels. They might gain 10 to 15 percent... The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=773341 Wed, 01 Aug 2007 04:00:00 +0100 773341 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=768942&cid=s_34867_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2007%2F07%2F31%2Finsulin-grown-in-tobacco-plants%2F Filed under: Type 1, Drugs, ResearchYes, the title conjures up images of a futuristic world in which diabetics puff their way back to health. "New! Insulin Cigarettes!" In fact, it's rather more innocuous than that: scientists have engineered a type of insulin-containing tobacco plant that could - in theory, at least - be used as a diabetes treatment. A study has just been completed of its use. Once freeze-dried and broken down into powder, the insulin-containing tobacco leaves were administered to mice. The scientists who came up with the plant (and who are based at the University of Central Florida), found the powder successfully prevented diabetes symptoms in the mice after eight weeks. It seems pretty safe to assume, they speculate, that humans with type 1 diabetes could get similar re... The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=768942 Tue, 31 Jul 2007 04:00:00 +0100 768942 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=765738&cid=s_34867_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2007%2F07%2F30%2Fny-diabetes-database-raises-privacy-concerns%2F Filed under: Type 1, Type 2, Research, SupportThe New York City diabetes database, created to track the growth of (type 2) diabetes amongst the city's residents, has raised the ire of some who claim it violates their right to privacy. A reporter for the Staten Island Advance quotes resident Melissa: "Every time I go to have my blood sugar checked, my test results are being wired to the (city) Health Department. The idea of your privacy being taken away from you goes across all bounds." Melissa also says she doesn't think the city has justification to track patient records for something like diabetes, which is not contagious like, for example, tuberculosis.My first instinct on reading this: cry me a river, Melissa. Residents should be aware their blood sugar levels are being sent to the hea... The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=765738 Mon, 30 Jul 2007 04:00:00 +0100 765738 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=764995&cid=s_34867_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2007%2F07%2F29%2Ffor-heart-health-type-1-kids-must-move%2F Filed under: Type 1, Childhood, Lifestyle, Research, Exercise, ComplicationsA new report says physical activity is critical for kids with type 1 diabetes because it helps prevent heart trouble later in life. The German and Austrian researchers behind the study reached this conclusion after crunching the numbers for more than 23,000 kids between ages three and eighteen, comparing their health with activity levels. As you would expect, the most active kids had the healthiest hearts and lower levels of cholesterol and triglycerides. By comparison, thirty-six percent of children who were active only once or twice a week had high cholesterol and triglycerides. For type 1 kids, activity levels relate to HbA1c levels: fit children had lower HbA1c levels. High HbA1c levels in childhood practically... The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=764995 Sun, 29 Jul 2007 04:00:00 +0100 764995 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=764994&cid=s_34867_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2007%2F07%2F29%2Famericans-with-disabilities-act-restoration-act-introduced%2F Filed under: Type 1, Type 2, Childhood, Adult Onset, Daily News, SupportThe Americans with Disabilities Act was signed into law in 1990 to prevent discrimination on the basis of a disability. Unfortunately, when it comes to employment, people with medical conditions are falling through the cracks -- including people with diabetes. John W. Griffin, Jr., Chair of the American Diabetes Association's (ADA) Legal Advocacy Subcommittee gave an excellent explanation of this injustice. Mr. Griffin stated Supreme Court decisions have created a climate where the better someone manages their medical condition, the less likely the courts can protect them in a case of discrimination. Many people in good control of their diabetes haven't a legal leg to stand upon if they are denied a job for having diab... The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=764994 Sun, 29 Jul 2007 04:00:00 +0100 764994 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=764993&cid=s_34867_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2007%2F07%2F29%2Fmediterranean-diet-beneficial-for-diabetics%2F Filed under: Type 1, Type 2, Diet, Lifestyle, ResearchI was intrigued by a recent Swedish study reporting that people on a so-called "Stone Age" diet had more stable blood sugar levels than those on a Mediterranean diet. An intriguing claim, because it's so often said that Mediterranean-style eating is super-healthful. Let's also admit it is a delicious way to eat: yes, pasta and bread is there, but it's balanced out by tons of fresh fruits, vegetables, fish and olive oil. The Stone Age way is a bit more spare: we're talkin' meat, fish, and lots of whole grains, berries and nuts. Nary a sliver of Parmesan in sight.However, the results of yet another study, this time from Australia, indicates Mediterranean-style eating is a good choice, especially for diabetics. Researchers from the Univers... The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=764993 Sun, 29 Jul 2007 04:00:00 +0100 764993 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=764992&cid=s_34867_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2007%2F07%2F29%2Fseaweed-coated-implants-work-say-johns-hopkins-researchers%2F Filed under: Type 1, Drugs, ResearchIn the past, I've blogged about an Australian experiment using implants that could, theoretically, eliminate the need for type 1 diabetics to use insulin shots. Researchers said it's possible to implant seaweed-coated capsules containing insulin-producing cells in the abdomen. The cells produce insulin, but the tiny pores in the seaweed do not allow immune system cells to pass through and destroy the cells. Allie has also looked at a related issue: experiments that surgically attach kelp-coated islets to the liver for the same purpose.Sounds pretty brilliant. But could it really work? The verdict looks like "Yes." According to the results of a new Johns Hopkins University study, such implants could be helpful for type 1 diabetics whose bodies otherwise r... The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=764992 Sun, 29 Jul 2007 04:00:00 +0100 764992 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=764203&cid=s_34867_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2007%2F07%2F28%2Fpresidential-candidates-say-fighting-diabetes-vital%2F Filed under: Type 1, Type 2, Opinion, Care, PersonalitiesThe Democratic presidential candidates all know this: whoever gets the nomination has an excellent shot at making it to the White House. First, though, is the long, hard, down and dirty campaign slog in which each candidate has to do the impossible - try and be all things to all people.One thing we can except is that they all devote a little time to addressing diabetes. Specifically, finding a cure for type 1 diabetes and strategies for containing the unprecedented spread of type 2 diabetes. The type 2 "epidemic" (as it is sometimes called) is all the more serious because of the strain it is adding to the US healthcare system, a system already failing to meet the needs of many Americans.During Monday night's CNN/YouTube debate, the c... The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=764203 Sat, 28 Jul 2007 04:00:00 +0100 764203 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=764202&cid=s_34867_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2007%2F07%2F28%2Faustralian-aborigines-make-headway-in-diabetes-struggle%2F Filed under: Type 2, Diet, Lifestyle, Exercise, SupportIt's often said that grass-roots level initiatives are what will turn the tide on the spread of type 2 diabetes. Here's an example of a grass-roots success story: Catholic News reports that Australian Aborigines from the Mowanjum community of Western Australia are benefiting from the introduction of a type 2 prevention and management program. Titled "Indigenous communities beat diabetes," (that could be a bit of an overstatement), the article describes the impact of the program in Mowanjum community in Western Australia. Successes include the introduction of a comprehensive diabetes education program aimed at young people with diabetes. The program, which is organized by Aboriginal development group Unity of First Peoples Australia, al... The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=764202 Sat, 28 Jul 2007 04:00:00 +0100 764202 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=764201&cid=s_34867_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2007%2F07%2F28%2Fmagazine-industry-loses-a-giant-peter-a-banks%2F Filed under: Type 1, Type 2, Childhood, Adult Onset, Magazines, Support, PersonalitiesPeter A. Banks, renowned past publisher of the American Diabetes Association's (ADA) Diabetes Forecast magazine died on July 21 at his home. Mr. Banks had colon cancer. For years and years, my parents subscribed to Diabetes Forecast. My brother had been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in the mid-1970s, and in an effort to gather the latest news on type 1, my parents were avid readers. Mr. Bank's career with the ADA spanned 20 years from 1986-2006. He was named publisher of Diabetes Forecast in 1999. Over the next seven years as publisher, Diabetes Forecast circulation rose nearly 20 percent. Before that time, he also served as editorial director. In his last year with the ADA, Mr. Banks was recognized one... The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=764201 Sat, 28 Jul 2007 04:00:00 +0100 764201 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=764200&cid=s_34867_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2007%2F07%2F28%2F82-years-with-diabetes-described-in-longevity-book%2F Filed under: Type 1, Childhood, Lifestyle, Drugs, Books, CareAround a year ago I posted the story of two elderly brothers, both of whom have had type 1 diabetes since childhood. It's amazing to read about these guys for two reasons: first, they've lived with diabetes for a reeeaally long time. Secondly, for most of that time, they did not have the medical knowledge or technology on which today's diabetics depend. (Okay, so when it comes to stuff like Avandia, you could argue that's a good thing!)Anyway, one of the brothers - Robert "Bob" Cleveland (87) - will be featured in a new book titled 50 Secrets of the Longest Living People with Diabetes by Sheri R. Colberg and Steven V. Edelman. The book is part of the Marlowe Diabetes Library series. It will be published in November and is availab... The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=764200 Sat, 28 Jul 2007 04:00:00 +0100 764200 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=764199&cid=s_34867_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2007%2F07%2F28%2Fsally-the-fabulous-hypo-detecting-dog%2F Filed under: Type 1, Research, Support, Complications, PersonalitiesOn the 18th of July I blogged about a study that aims to explain how dogs are able to detect approaching hypoglycemic episodes in diabetic humans. Well, reader Margaret from Cumbria, in the UK, posted a comment about her dog, Sally, who is one of these amazing hypo-detecting dogs. I asked Margaret to tell us more and she obliged. Here is Sally's story:Sally is a thirteen and a half-year-old Border Collie mix who lives with human "parents" Margaret and Alan, and canine buddy Poppy, who is a Cocker Spaniel. That's Sally (right) and Poppy (left) in the picture. Margaret and Alan adopted Sally from an animal shelter when she was just a tiny pup. Little did they know that Sally came complete with a special gift: she knows when ... The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=764199 Sat, 28 Jul 2007 04:00:00 +0100 764199 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=761485&cid=s_34867_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2007%2F07%2F27%2Fnew-book-suggests-obesity-is-all-in-the-genes%2F Filed under: Type 1, Type 2, Childhood, Adult Onset, Diet, Lifestyle, Exercise, Books, Support, CareThis past spring a new book by Gina Kolata, a science reporter for the New York Times, hit the scene -- Rethinking Thin: The New Science of Weight Loss - and the Myths and Realities of Dieting. I came across a mention of the book in the blogosphere and had to check it out. I have personally not read the book yet, but I have poured over newspaper and reader reviews. In Rethinking Thin, Kolata argues being fat is biological destiny. She says most overweight people are stuck within a relatively narrow weight range set by their genes. But as obesity rates have steadily risen and the phrase 'obesity epidemic' sails across the news waves, the pressure to eat healthy, exercise and lose weight screa... The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=761485 Fri, 27 Jul 2007 04:00:00 +0100 761485