Presidential candidates say fighting diabetes vital
Filed under: Type 1, Type 2, Opinion, Care, Personalities
The 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 candidates were asked about their plans for the healthcare system. Click here to read what they had to say about health issues. Two of the candidates, Senator Chris Dodd (CT) and Governor Bill Richardson (NM), both mentioned diabetes and their desire to cope with the problem, but they didn't get a chance to go into detail in the context of a televised debate. Such is the world we live in, folks! Visit CNN to read a transcript of the debate.
Meanwhile, Hillary Clinton has joined with other New York lawmakers to push for Congressional funding to fight the spread of type 2 in that state. The requested sum? $120 million. Click here to check out Allie's take on that issue.
Reversing Autoimmunity Q & A
Filed under: Type 1, Childhood, Research, Events
Like a dog chasing its own tail (but nowhere near as funny), type 1 diabetes is caused by a self-imposed attack on insulin producing cells. Here's your chance to chat live and learn about the latest discoveries to interfere with the automimmune confusion. Chat live with the head of the Immunogenetics Program at the Diabetes Research Institute, Alberto Pugliese, M.D.
The DRI program is specifically focused on understanding how genetic and immunological factors play a role in the development of type 1 diabetes and how certain genetic and immunological factors may actually afford protection from diabetes. The program is uncovering ways to interfere with the immune cells that attack the insulin producing cells in the pancreas resulting in diabetes.
In plain English, join Dr. Pugliese to enlighten yourself and ask any questions you may have regarding this impressive research. The chat begins at 9pm EST and those who miss it can catch the excitement in the transcript, to be posted shortly thereafter. I hope to see fellow IDDMs on the chat roster.
The South Beach Diet is not just about getting thin
Filed under: Diet, Nutrition, Books
A few years ago I gave the South Beach Diet a trial run. I bought and read the book, went shopping for the ingredients and started preparing the meals. Unfortunately, my attempt was short lived because I felt the recipes were rather complicated and with a newborn child on my hip, I just couldn't commit to the plan. However, after reading a post by Brian White on our sister site, That's Fit, I am thinking about revisiting the South Beach Diet.Dr. Agatston's new book, The South Beach Heart Program: The 4-Step Plan That Can Save Your Life, goes beyond recipes and meal plans. This book takes a comprehensive look at cultivating and maintaining a life-long heart healthy lifestyle. The intent of the book is to teach readers that healthy living is for all people of all ages and all lifestyles.
This approach to healthy living sounds much more palatable than simply following a meal plan. Although I have not yet read the book, I am planning on giving it a read, and I'll let you know how it goes.
20 very good reasons to get active
Filed under: Prevention, Exercise
If you're not already getting regular activity, I just have one question: What's stopping you? There are so many reasons to exercise, and the truth is, you don't need to sweat your life away in a crowded gym -- take up an activity that you enjoy, like swimming, walking, rowing, etc. The only catch is you have get your heart rate up. Still not convinced? Read this article called 20 Proven Health Benefits of Exercise. To name a few? Exercise prevents things as minor as a cold and things as major as heart attacks. Also? It can improve your sex life. Read the full article for more inspiration.
If you're already active, what got you moving?
Fat Loss for Beginners - Success Series Part 1
Everyone who wants to get leaner should read this article. Yes, I know it says "Fat loss for beginners," but sometimes we veterans forget what we once knew or we don’t practice what we now know.
Fat Land Makes A Shocking Read
I’m just finished reading ‘Fat Land’ by Greg Critser which chronicles how Americans have become the fattest people in the world. He pulls no punches explaining how it is that more than 25% of teenagers are now overweight or obese.
The books charts the changes to food consumption. From the introduction of extremely unhealthy fats such as palm oil to supersize portions being regarded as normal. It looks at the introduction of commercialism to schools from such things as vending machines and food carts Scools were no longer responsible for the pupil’s nutrition. Physical fitness of children was downgraded in priority at both local and national level.
At times I was quite appalled even angry by the way government and business manipulated, even misled the population. It’s certainly made me look very closely at food labels.
I would encourage you to read this book, particularly if you have a family. I think it will inspire you to take care of yourself and those around you.
Isobel Whytock 1Stop-Weightloss.com
The insulin bong
Filed under: Type 1, Type 2, Drugs, Opinion, Blogs
Think that big old Exubera inhaler (pictured) is sorta comical? You're definitely not alone. I was surfing around trying to get a clearer sense of how Pfizer's much-hyped inhalable insulin device is doing. Are users liking it? Is it really easy to use? Etcetera. But I got sidetracked into reading about that inhaler. It's big, it's plastic, it's bulky. The insulin bong. Come on, admit it. You were thinking the same thing! Here are some of the choicest comments I came across:Spotted on one message board: "As a pharmacist, my biggest problem with Exubera is that the delivery system looks not entirely dissimilar to a bong. I just don't see the conversation starter 'excuse me, I need to take a hit off of my insulin bong' to be a great opener."
On another board, one wag lists off what he/she considers Exubera's shortcomings. In addition to the fact that, yes, it looks like a bong, this reader also observes that diabetics "have to carry around enough bulky s**t as it is." Plus there's the fact that "Type II's can't afford it...unless they cut back on their food budget...but then they will lose weight...and they wouldn't need insulin."
On Diabetes Mine: the device "really is as bad as it looks in pictures. Worse, because the bulky 'white' plastic portions are not white at all, but that hospital-grade beige that reminds you of walkers and bedpans. An aesthetic nightmare, in the age of cool gadgetry...The funny thing was that the happy Exubera user in Pfizer's video must live in a city as tolerant or as jaded as San Francisco or New York, because not one patron even glanced over as he cocked and sucked on his medicinal bong."
Medical humor site QFever pokes fun at the device's arguably limited appeal with a satirical article describing how Exubera will be a practical alternative for "several diabetics." They missed a golden opportunity here by not zooming in on the inhaler for comedic mileage. What were they thinking?!
The final word goes to Drug Nazi (who I believe has now changed his moniker to Drug Monkey), who finds the Exubera inhaler reminds him of, er, something else entirely: "Oh Yeah...gimmie some of that sweet insulin lovin' baby..." (Oh, PS, if you visit this site, you have to read "Why does my prescription take so damn long to fill?) Happy inhaling.
MRI danger for Medtronic Paradigm pump
Filed under: Type 1, Type 2, Daily News, Products
Certain models of the Medtronic Paradigm insulin pump can be irrevocably damaged by exposure to MRI radiation. As a result - and based on information supplied voluntarily by Medtronic - the US Food and Drug Administration has declared a Class II recall for the affected pump models. MRIs (magnetic resonance imaging) can cause the pump to malfunction and deliver a dangerously high dosage of insulin to the user.Bottom line is that there's nothing defective about these pumps in terms of normal usage. You need only be concerned if you own one of the affected models and if your pump was exposed to MRI magnetic waves. Medtronic says the pumps that are affected should sound an alarm to warn users, but it is feared that people might override such alarms and continue using the devices, unaware that permanent damage has been done.
Owners of the affected models should have received a letter in the mail from Medtronic explaining the recall. If you use a Medtronic pump and have had an MRI, swing over to the FDA's website. There you can read the feds' statement (complete with typo misspelling "paradigm"!) on the problem and confirm whether or not yours is one of the problem pumps. This article in Diabetes Health is also useful. Strangely, I found the Medtronic website devoid of helpful info on the subject, but eventually tracked down a pdf of the letter sent to customers on the company's Canadian website.
FDA considers clearer food label symbols
The FDA is currently taking public comment on the possibility of creating a symbol system that would put nutritional information -- loud and clear -- on the front of food packages, instead of the current system of a smaller print food labeling on the side or back of a package. Though some companies currently do some version of this, the FDA system would presumably be more regulated and consistent. The hope is that when people see one of their favorite foods contains too much salt, fat, or sugar that they make a healthier choice.I think there are arguments for both sides of this issue. On the one hand, most of us are perfectly capable of turning a box around to read the ingredients -- if we choose to do so. But a clearer system would help those who can't read small print, who are illiterate, or who aren't educated in basic nutrition. Would it stop you from grabbing that super-sized bag of potato chips, though? I don't know...I mean, after all, when I buy junk food, I usually already know it's junk. What do you think?
82 years with diabetes described in "Longevity" book
Filed under: Type 1, Childhood, Lifestyle, Drugs, Books, Care
Around 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 available for pre-ordering on Amazon.
Linda von Wartburg, writing for Diabetes Health, has posted an excerpt about Cleveland taken from the book, for those who want an advance taste. According to that post, Bob Cleveland has lived with the disease for an amazing eighty-two years. This makes Cleveland second in line for the title of person in the US who's lived with diabetes the longest. He was five years old when diagnosed in 1925. Bob's brother, Gerald, has not had diabetes for quite so long, but he is the oldest living person with diabetes in the US. The brothers are pictured at right, with Bob on the left and Gerald on the right.
Reading Cleveland's account of his early years with diabetes, before insulin became available, is quite harrowing. He describes being on a "starvation diet," hospital stays, and memories of his mother desperately trying to pull him out of hypoglycemic episodes. Incredible reading.