No Complications Using Hoodia Gordonii Reported
By Patsy Hamilton Phytopharm just completed the first phase of its five phase clinical research program and has reportedly found no complications; using hoodia is apparently safe for reasonably healthy individuals. While no hoodia side affects have been reported, it is not recommended for use by pregnant or nursing women. Consumer Reports does not recommend [...]
No Complications Using Hoodia Gordonii Reported
By Patsy Hamilton Phytopharm just completed the first phase of its five phase clinical research program and has reportedly found no complications; using hoodia is apparently safe for reasonably healthy individuals. While no hoodia side affects have been reported, it is not recommended for use by pregnant or nursing women. Consumer Reports does not recommend it [...]
No Complications Using Hoodia Gordonii Reported
By Patsy Hamilton
Phytopharm just completed the first phase of its five phase clinical research program and has reportedly found no complications; using hoodia is apparently safe for reasonably healthy individuals. While no hoodia side affects have been reported, it is not recommended for use by pregnant or nursing women. Consumer Reports does not recommend it [...]
No Complications Using Hoodia Gordonii Reported
By Patsy Hamilton
Phytopharm just completed the first phase of its five phase clinical research program and has reportedly found no complications; using hoodia is apparently safe for reasonably healthy individuals. While no hoodia side affects have been reported, it is not recommended for use by pregnant or nursing women. Consumer Reports does not recommend it [...]
NFL family raises awareness of diabetes complications
Filed under: Type 2, Adult Onset, Diet, Lifestyle, Exercise, Support, Complications
Retired Dallas Cowboys running back Ron Springs is only 50 years old, but since his type 2 diabetes diagnosis in 1990, he has endured multiple amputations and a recent kidney transplant. Ron's son Shawn Springs plays cornerback for the Washington Redskins. He offered to end his career and donate a kidney to his dad, but Ron refused. Since that time, Ron received a donated kidney from former teammate Everson Walls in March 2006. Incredible.
Now Ron and Shawn are national spokespeople for the State of Diabetes Complications in America, an educational campaign to raise awareness about serious health complications resulting from uncontrolled diabetes, such as heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, eye damage and foot problems leading to possible amputation.
A new report shows the state of Texas spent about $1.85 billion on direct medical costs related to diabetes and complications. Diabetes and related complications cost each Texan approximately $8,500 annually, of which nearly $1,400 is paid out-of-pocket for non-reimbursables such as co-pays and deductibles.
But Ron and Shawn want to spread the word the risk of developing these serious complications can be reduced, and they want to share how people with type 2 diabetes can work with their doctor to create a personal diabetes management plan. Next Wednesday, July 25, they will join Dr. Jonathan D. Leffert, Clinical Assistant Professor at The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, to discuss Ron's story and how it has impacted the Springs family. Celebrities are often hired by advertisers to hawk diabetes supplies. It is nice to see two NFL celebrities raise awareness to prevent the devastating complications of uncontrolled diabetes.
(photo by krisandapril at www.flickr.com)
[RESEARCH] Body piercing in England: a survey of piercing at sites other than earlobe
Objectives To estimate the prevalence of body piercing, other than of earlobes, in the general adult population in England, and to describe the distribution of body piercing by age group, sex, social class, anatomical site, and who performed the piercings. To estimate the proportion of piercings that resulted in complications and the proportion of piercings that resulted in professional help being sought after the piercing.
Design Cross sectional household survey.
Setting All regions of England 2005.
Participants 10 503 adults aged 16 and over identified with a two stage selection process: random selection of geographical areas and filling predefined quotas of individuals. Results weighted to reflect the national demographic profile of adults aged 16 and over.
Main outcome measures Estimates of the prevalence of body piercing overall and by age group, sex, and anatomical site. Estimates, in those aged 16-24, of the proportion of piercings associated with complications and the seeking of professional help.
Results The prevalence of body piercing was 1049/10 503 (10%, 95% confidence interval 9.4% to 10.6%). Body piercing was more common in women than in men and in younger age groups. Nearly half the women aged 16-24 reported having had a piercing (305/659, 46.2%, 42.0% to 50.5%). Of the 754 piercings in those aged 16-24, complications were reported with 233 (31.0%, 26.8% to 35.5%); professional help was sought with 115 (15.2%, 11.8% to 19.5%); and hospital admission was required with seven (0.9%, 0.3% to 3.2%).
Conclusions Body piercing is common in adults in England, particularly in young women. Problems are common and the assistance of health services is often required. Though serious complications requiring admission to hospital seem uncommon, the popularity of the practice might place a substantial burden on health services.
Big savings today with IT based diabetes care
Filed under: Type 1, Type 2, Childhood, Adult Onset, Lifestyle, Research, Products, Support, Complications
Last month Bev addressed a news article that found high tech diabetes management did not equate to better diabetes care. Doctors felt that electronic care is only as good as the patient willing to participate beyond office visits. However, another service is trying to evolve the preconceived notions with a more developed system - and a bigger bang for the buck. How does $14.5 billion sound?
Information technology enabled diabetes management (ITDM) was found to be beneficial in avoiding diabetic complications - MILLIONS of cases. This is an overzealous finding - considering the word prevent is permanent and should probably be replaced with delayed. Even the DCCT knew that much. However, the study was conducted over a period exclusive to the program, and not the lifespan of diabetics in the study. However patient compliance did grow from less than 50% to approximately 80%. That would evoke a few halleluiahs from doctors. Another reason in support of ITDM is the fact that an electronic diabetes registry offers Medicare and other payers the ability to save quite a bit. Over 10 years, the overall net savings is estimated to be $14.5 billion. Does that figure include COLA - cost of long-term diabetes complications adjustment? The complications that did not occur in 2008 saved Medicare and payers $1.45 billion. Score! What is the inflation adjusted cost of those delayed complications occurring in 2013?
The headcount standing at 20 million diabetics, at a savings of $1.45 billion per year - I asked for clarification on that figure. The savings is speculative because the company is anticipating saving costs on preventing diabetic complications. That's optimistic but not entirely realistic.
The specials tonight are fulminant and non- fulminant
Filed under: Type 1, Childhood, Research, Allie Beatty, Support, Complications, Personalities, Form and Function
A type 1 diabetic mystery is why do some Type 1s get complications and others seem to never get them? A massive Japanese study of Type 1 diabetics found that those with fulminant diabetes developed complications much faster and more severely than those with non-fulminant diabetes.
The difference between fulminant and non-fulminant is the speed and intensity at which the disease develops. Fulminant Type 1 diabetes typically develops suddenly with near total loss of beta cell function. This type of diabetes is confirmed with testing c-peptide levels. Non-fulminant type 1 diabetes has residual c-peptide levels that eventually taper to undetectable. Sometimes this is seen through many years of the Honeymoon Period.
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 some level of beta cell function upon diagnosis (i.e., c-peptide). That doesn't sound like a reward as much as it does a delayed punishment. I'd like c-peptide with my insulin, please. It's off the ?a carte menu? That's fine - serve it up! I want to thank Klausen for bringing this study to my attention.
Diabetic trauma patients face hazards
Filed under: Type 1, Type 2, Research, Care, Complications
You may have heard that diabetics face a greater risk of complications during hospital stays. Well, now there's evidence that diabetics with trauma injuries are particularly at risk. That info comes courtesy of a large Pennsylvania study that looked at records for around 25,000 trauma patients, half with diabetes, the other half without. The study tracked the patients' progress over the course of almost twenty years. Impressive.What did they find? Twenty-three percent of the diabetic trauma patients experienced complications. That compares with only fourteen percent of non-diabetics. The diabetics also spent slightly more time in intensive care and were more likely to need ventilator support. The overall risk of infections was higher too - eleven percent versus six percent.
Good news: despite all this, the data did not suggest people with diabetes are more likely to die after a trauma injury. Nor did it suggest diabetics stay in hospital longer than non-diabetics. The team that conducted the study states that the next step would be to examine whether or not improved blood sugar control in diabetic trauma patients would impact these figures.
Read more about these findings by visiting MedPageToday or, for a brief summary, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Or check out the full report, published in Archives of Surgery (July, 2007).
C-Peptide - Missing in Action
Filed under: Type 1, Type 2, Childhood, Adult Onset, Lifestyle, Drugs, Research
When treating diabetes, today's doctors focus on establishing blood glucose control, but often overlook the need to protect against common diabetic complications such as blindness, kidney damage, and nerve damage. The DCCT, even with a comprehensive treatment program, had a complication rate of approximately 40% of participants.
People who do not have diabetes make insulin with C-peptide. Those of us diabetics who inject synthetic insulin do not get the C-peptide. When scientists began developing insulin - they weeded out the pieces of the amino acid chain they felt were insignificant in lowering blood glucose. Synthetic insulin was designed to reduce the dangerous buildup of excess sugar in the bloodstream. Uh oh - hindsight is surprisingly clear! The long-term complications were initially thought to be caused by lack of insulin - not lack of something that should've been in it. It would make sense if insulin came equipped with this critically important element, wouldn't it?
Tada! C-peptide is the connecting peptide found on the amino acid chain of naturally produced insulin, but left on the cutting room floor in the lab. Studies have shown that C-peptide prevents the development and progression of many diabetic complications and was shown to improve glucose metabolism up to 66%.
Regardless of the potential profit decay C-peptide might cause the production of insulin - the bottom line is the salvation it will provide every man, woman, and child injecting insulin. If you're taking insulin injections, chances are you won't stop taking insulin because you're adding C-peptide to your daily lineup. Chances are - you'll be around a lot longer, and a lot healthier because you do not have the complications most often associated with long-term diabetes.
Wouldn't that be reason enough for you to celebrate the company that brings C-peptide to the drugstore nearest you? Consumer loyalty goes a long way. For those companies who knew a long time ago how beneficial C-peptide would be but didn't do a thing about it - is it really the 33% loss in insulin sales you didn't want to encounter? C'mon. We can handle the truth.