A Diabetic's Story

Novel Stem Cell Treatment May Hold Promise for Type 1 Diabetes

2012-01-12T12:44:00.000-05:00

"A new type of stem cell treatment for people with type 1 diabetes appears to help re-educate rogue immune system cells, which allows cells in the pancreas to start producing insulin again.

The treatment, which combines a patient's immune system cells with stem cells from a donor's cord blood, even worked in people with long-standing diabetes who were believed to have no insulin-producing ability.

Although the treatment didn't wean anyone off insulin completely, average blood sugar levels dropped significantly, which would reduce the risk of long-term complications."

Read the rest of this story.

Statins Raise Diabetes Risk In Post-Menopausal Females

2012-01-12T12:41:00.000-05:00

Medical News Today

"Post-menopausal females who take statins have been found to have a higher risk of developing diabetes, researchers from various medical schools in Massachusetts and other US faculties reported in Archives of Internal Medicine. However, the authors emphasized that the benefits of statins - cholesterol-lowering medications - still outweigh the risks, even for females in the mentioned age-groups.

Their six-to-seven year study, involving thousands of women from the Women's Health Initiative, found that patients who had been prescribed certain types of statins had a 48% higher chance of subsequently being diagnosed with diabetes, compared to their counterparts who were not on those medications."

Read MORE.

Poor sleep worsens health in youth with type 1 diabetes

2012-01-12T12:35:00.000-05:00

USA Today

"Young people with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) may have difficulty getting a good night's sleep, resulting in difficulty controlling blood sugar and decreased performance in school, according to a study published in the January issue of SLEEP.

Michelle M. Perfect, Ph.D., of the University of Arizona in Tucson, and colleagues used home-based polysomnography, actigraphy, and questionnaires to track the sleep health of 50 patients, aged 10 to 16 years, with T1DM; results were compared with a control group without diabetes matched for sex, age, and body mass index. The level of glucose control was simultaneously assessed using continuous glucose monitors and hemoglobin A1C values."

Read more.

American Diabetes Association Announces 2012 Officers and Board Members

2012-01-12T12:30:00.000-05:00

Market Watch

"The American Diabetes Association, the nation's largest and leading voluntary health organization leading the fight to Stop Diabetes(R), is pleased to announce its officers and Board of Directors members for 2012."

Read more HERE for the full list of board members

Diabetes Tattoos Replacing Non-Permanent Types of Medical Identification

2010-03-07T11:19:00.000-05:00

eMax Health

Removable medical identification jewelry is being voluntarily replaced with tattoos. Medical identification is important for patients in case of emergencies such as car accidents or collapsing in public, but some patients aren't privy to wearing jewelry or watches that might have their medical info inscribed on the inside because it's irritating. The caduceus symbol and a "T1" or "T2" specification is now permanently gracing the wrists and ankles of diabetics around the world.

The familiar caduceus is generally depicted as two serpents twisting around a herald's staff with wings outstretched at the top. Many ID bracelets or necklaces will have this symbol with the medical condition transcribed on the back. A necklace or bracelet isn't permanent however and some people can't stand wearing jewelry. This growing phenomenon is now testing the waters of whther tattoos are as taboo as some people might think.

HbA1c better predictor of diabetes, heart disease than fasting blood glucose

2010-03-07T11:17:00.001-05:00

Endocrine Today

HbA1c tests provide similar diabetes measurements to the traditional fasting blood glucose test, but the HbA1c excels in predicting future heart disease and stroke risks, researchers concluded in a new study.

As a diagnostic tool, “HbA1c has significant advantages over fasting glucose,” researcher Elizabeth Selvin, PhD, MPH, assistant professor of epidemiology and medicine in the department of epidemiology at the Welch Center for Prevention, Epidemiology and Clinical Research, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, said in a press release.

The researchers compared the prognostic value of fasting glucose vs. HbA1c in identifying adults at risk for cardiovascular disease or diabetes. They measured samples from more than 11,000 black and white adults with no history of diabetes or CVD who participated in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities study (1990-1992).

Hoyas star Austin Freeman is far from alone in living with diabetes

2010-03-07T11:12:00.001-05:00

Washington Post

You don't need to be an athletic marvel to successfully manage diabetes.

More than 285 million people, or 6.4 percent of the world's adult population, live with the disease right now, and it's safe to presume most of them can't make a layup on a 10-foot basket to save their lives.

Having said that, the traits that have helped Austin Freeman become a productive Division I basketball player, an elite college athlete, should serve him well in managing diabetes.

School Lunch Programs Are Causing Diabetes In Children

2010-02-27T19:51:00.001-05:00

America's News Online

The lunches the children eat in school are anything but nutritious and certainly not good-tasting, as most Americans know from their own personal experience. That they cause Diabetes, as Senator Tom Coburn asserted at the Health Summit, cannot be dismissed, least of all because the Senator is a physician.

Casey Johnson's death was from untreated diabetes, coroner says

2010-02-27T19:48:00.000-05:00

CNN

Casey Johnson, heiress to the Johnson & Johnson fortune, died of natural causes related to diabetes, the Los Angeles County coroner said Thursday.

Johnson, 30, may have been dead as long as two days before her body was found January 4 by a friend who was letting her stay in a guest house, according to the autopsy report made public Thursday.

The socialite had "a long history of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus that was poorly-controlled," the coroner said. She had been hospitalized at least twice because she did not take her insulin, the report said.

Diabetes Research Institute

2010-02-20T11:12:00.002-05:00

From the Diabetes Research Institute website.

If you or someone you love has diabetes, then you know that diabetes is a devastating disease that causes so much pain and suffering. You know that diabetes robs children of the freedom and innocence of childhood; that it takes lives prematurely; and that patients worry about their future as they try to manage diabetes every minute of every day. The one thing you dream about: a cure for diabetes.

Thankfully, there are many charities and organizations devoted to the care of diabetes patients and the education of the public about diabetes. But there is only one national organization solely devoted to finding a cure for diabetes: the Diabetes Research Institute.

This has been our singular goal since our inception almost four decades ago. We maintain this steadfast commitment by putting the patient front and center of everything we do.

Jack Postema's snowmobile ride for diabetes to span 3,700 miles

2010-02-20T11:05:00.002-05:00

mLive

Postema is one of 72 riders participating in the event, know as MichCanSka, that was created to raise funds for diabetes research.

Riders, who break into three groups traveling one day apart, will attempt to cover 200 miles per day. They’re scheduled to arrive in Tok, Alaska, about 319 miles northeast of Anchorage, by the second week in March.

For Postema, it will be an adventure unlike any other. He says his endurance will be tested as he navigates the rugged Canadian wilderness in sub-zero temperatures.

More about this story.

FDA Approved Diabetes Drug Despite Hints at Cancer Risk

2010-02-20T11:02:00.000-05:00

Business Week

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is defending its decision in late January to approve a new diabetes drug, Victoza (liraglutide), even though animal studies suggest it might increase the risk for a rare thyroid cancer.

Victoza, among a class of medicines called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists, is meant to be used along with diet and exercise to control blood sugar by helping the pancreas make more insulin after a person eats.

FDA officials explained the agency's stance on the drug in a Perspective article published online Feb. 17 in the New England Journal of Medicine.

More to the story HERE.

Funding boost for type 1 diabetes research

2010-02-20T10:59:00.001-05:00

Media-Newswire

A new treatment for type 1 diabetes could be a step closer thanks to a EU grant of €10.9 million.

Two University of Bristol academics are part of a group of 14 leading researchers who have received the award. Professor Polly Bingley and Dr Colin Dayan will collaborate with researchers from eight European countries to develop and trial "natural immunomodulators" to change the immune process that destroys the insulin making cells in this condition.

Type 1 diabetes, formerly known as juvenile onset diabetes, affects over 100,000 adults and children in the UK and results in a life-long dependence on insulin injections.

Professor Bingley's research group have shown that children who are going to develop type 1 diabetes can be identified many years in advance by testing for particular antibodies in their blood.

Type 2 Diabetes Cases To Rise 98 Percent By 2020

2010-02-20T10:57:00.001-05:00

eMAx Health

Due to rising obesity rates, a 2020 prediction states type 2 diabetes could raise up to 98 percent. The report "A prediction of Obesity Trends for Adults and their associated diseases: Analysis from the Health Survey for England 1993-2007" published today is an updated report from research released in 2007. Diabetes isn't the only disease that will be on the rise, heart disease and cancer will also increase because of obesity.

Oxford University's Kim McPherson, of the National Heart Forum, produced the updated analysis of 2020 overweight and obesity rates using recent information from Health Survey for England (HSE). McPherson calculated the new data then compared it to previous estimates published in 2004.

More.

Cholesterol drugs up diabetes risk slightly: study

2010-02-20T10:53:00.000-05:00

Reuters

The finding is unlikely to dent the use of best-selling pills like Pfizer Inc's Lipitor and AstraZeneca Plc's Crestor by the majority of patients.

It could, however, prompt a rethink among those with low cardiovascular risk factors who are tempted to take statins to prevent future heart disease.

Statins are among the most successful drugs of all time and have been credited with preventing millions of heart attacks and strokes. They generally have few adverse side effects.

More about this story HERE.

Skier qualifies for Olympics despite diabetes

2010-01-25T21:12:00.002-05:00

Diabetes UK

Diabetes does not have to be a barrier to athletic achievement. In winter sports, it seems that having diabetes doesn't preclude young men and women from competing at the highest level. Chris Southwell, a British extreme snowboarder, has proved this time and time again. Now, a young skier with diabetes has been selected for an international competition.

Cross-country skier Kris Freeman has been named as part of the 2010 Winter Olympics ski team. The team will be competing for the chance of winning a gold medal in Vancouver next month. Kris suffers from the more rare form of diabetes, type 1, and requires daily injections of insulin to manage his condition.

Read the story HERE.

Changes in the Position of Conventional Insulin Pumps Shown to Significantly Impact Accuracy of Insulin Delivery

2010-01-25T21:09:00.000-05:00

CNN Money

Researchers at Sansum Diabetes Research Institute and University of California, Santa Barbara have concluded that changing the height of a conventional insulin pump in relation to its tubing and infusion set can significantly impact expected insulin delivery rates. Such changes can occur during routine daily activities like dressing, sleeping or showering. The study, "Siphon Effects of Continuous Subcutaneous Insulin Infusion Pump Delivery Performance," evaluated the siphon or hydrostatic pressure action effects on continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion and was published in the January issue of Journal of Diabetes Science and Technology.

"In this study we found a pronounced siphon effect in conventional insulin pumps, which caused significant fluctuations in the accuracy of insulin delivery rates when the pump position was moved higher or lower relative to its tubing and infusion site," said lead investigator Howard Zisser, MD, Director of Clinical Research and Diabetes Technology at the Sansum Diabetes Research Institute in Santa Barbara, CA. "Insulin pump therapy allows for precise control of insulin delivery for patients with type 1 diabetes. The unintended fluctuation in insulin delivery, which may arise from pump movement during normal daily use, can increase blood glucose variability, a risk factor for the progression of complications of diabetes. The effect of hydrostatic pressure was most significant at low basal rates and therefore these findings may be particularly important for pediatric diabetes patients, who often use insulin pumps at low basal rates."

More HERE.

Lexicon diabetes drug meets mid-stage trial goal

2010-01-25T21:06:00.001-05:00

Reuters

Lexicon Pharmaceuticals Inc said its experimental diabetes drug met the main goals of a mid-stage trial, sending its shares soaring 46 percent in morning trade.

Data from the mid-stage study of the drug, LX4211, showed improvements in glycemic control, suggesting statistical significance in the primary and multiple secondary efficacy goals, the company said.

"Today's results lay down the foundation for partnership talks ... the primary care diabetes market is a huge opportunity for the company and they will have to partner the drug to send it across the finish line," Thomas Weisel Partners analyst Stephen Willey said by phone.

Patients with preexisting diabetes still exceeding recommended fat, sodium intake

2009-09-14T09:24:00.001-04:00

Endocrine Today

Overweight patients with preexisting diabetes may not be meeting recommended food and nutrition guidelines, consuming excess fat, saturated fats and sodium.

Researchers for the Look AHEAD trial enrolled approximately 5,000 people with type 2 diabetes to evaluate the effects of lifestyle intervention compared with diabetes support and education as they impact long-term cardiovascular and other health outcomes. As participants entered the trial between September 2000 and December 2003, 2,575 of them completed food frequency questionnaires — a modified version of the Diabetes Prevention Program Food Frequency Questionnaire — which researchers used to assess participants’ regular food consumption during the previous six months. Participants were aged 45 to 75 and were overweight or obese with BMI ≥25.

More.

Medtronic Unveils Paradigm Veo in Fight against Diabetes

2009-09-14T09:20:00.000-04:00

Trading Markets

At this year's annual meeting of the International Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Diabetes (ISPAD) in Ljubljana, Slovenia, Medtronic announced the launch of a technology designed to provide additional protection against the risks associated with hypoglycemia.

This new device, now available in more than 50 countries outside of the United States, can automatically suspend insulin delivery when the device senses that glucose levels have fallen to or below a user-selected threshold. The company said this feature is intended to reduce the severity of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) in situations where patients ignore or are unable to treat hypoglycemia. A dangerous and often frequent occurrence in diabetes management, hypoglycemia can be one of the most frightening aspects of living with type 1 diabetes. If left untreated, hypoglycemia can cause loss of consciousness, seizure, coma, or even death.

More.

Inspiring New Online Destination From Bayer Diabetes Care

2009-09-14T09:18:00.000-04:00

PR Newsire

Bayer Diabetes Care is continuing to simplify life for people with diabetes with the launch of simplewins.com, an online destination designed to inspire people with diabetes and help them meet the day-to-day challenges of living with and managing the disease. This contemporary resource will enable all people whose lives are affected by type 1 or type 2 diabetes, including adults and children, healthcare professionals and family members, to find practical tools, up-to-date information and touching stories from real people sharing their personal diabetes experience.

Simplewins.com features informative videos and printable content about diabetes management options from Bayer's diverse partner organizations, such as the motivational Stephen Covey of the FranklinCovey organization and Fit4D with helpful coaching from diabetes experts.

To further customize the experience, the online resource will feature videos from real people with diabetes, with real stories and simple wins to inspire site visitors and allow them to learn about different approaches to managing the disease. People will also be able to personalize a page of their own by uploading their videos, photos, and sharing their Simple Wins or small every day victories.

Continue.

Tool Kit

2009-09-11T20:04:00.003-04:00

Jim Turner discusses his diabetes tool kit.

via dLife

Diabetes Advance: Researchers Find Gene That Causes Resistance To Insulin

2009-09-11T19:59:00.000-04:00

Science Daily

A breakthrough by an international team of researchers in Canada, France, the UK and Denmark has uncovered a new gene that could lead to better treatment of type 2 diabetes, as well as a better understanding of how this widespread disease develops.

Unlike most of the genes that have been shown to cause diabetes, the new gene, called Insulin Receptor Substrate 1 (IRS1), doesn't affect how insulin is created in the pancreas, but rather, how the body responds to insulin already in the bloodstream, say the researchers, whose work will be published in Nature Genetics Sept. 6.

"Most of the genes that we've identified as diabetes risk genes to date reduce the function of the pancreas, specifically of beta cells in the pancreas that make insulin," explained Dr. Robert Sladek of McGill University and the Génome Québec Innovation Centre in Montreal, a corresponding author of the paper. "IRS1 has to do with the function of the other tissues in the body. Rather than reduce production of insulin, this gene reduces the effect of insulin in muscles, liver and fat, a process called insulin resistance."

The Pre-Diabetes Danger

2009-09-08T12:52:00.001-04:00

By George Stark

Diabetes is a disease that can silently ambush your health. If you are not aware of the early signs of diabetes you are setting yourself up for the fight of your life. Because recognizing the signs of diabetes is so ultra important you must become an expert at detecting the diabetes early warning signs and symptoms.

The first stage of diabetes is known as pre-diabetes. Pre-diabetes occurs when a person's blood glucose level is higher than normal but not so high as to trigger a diabetes diagnosis. Even though you might develop pre-diabetes it does not necessarily mean that you will be stricken with full diabetes. You can reverse the clock and return to normal glucose levels.

However, pre-diabetes is sometimes hard to recognize. But if you have any of the following symptoms then you are probably a candidate for pre-diabetes. If you are thirsty alot, if you have to urinate frequently, if your eyesight becomes blurry at times and if you feel tired most of the time, then you could be experiencing pre-diabetes. If you notice any of these signs you must take immediate action to prevent your pre-diabetes from developing into a more advanced diabetes state.

Here's what you need to do fast. You must reduce your weight by 5-10 percent and you must engage in modest physical activity for 30 minutes daily. It's as simple as that. Weight loss and moderate exercise can turn back the clock and return your elevated blood glucose levels to the normal range.

So if you are a couch potato and you are overweight then you should be on the look-out for pre-diabetes. Don't let pre-diabetes develop into a more advanced stage of diabetes that could detrimentally effect your health for the rest of your life.

Article source: 212Articles

George Stark is the owner and operator of DiabetesClearingHouse.com a website devoted to diabetes care and treatement. Visit http://www.diabetesclearinghouse.com if you need information, insights and inspiration on how to fight diabetes.

A Message from Bayer Diabetes Concerning FDA meter news

2009-08-25T18:16:00.000-04:00

Examiner

You may have heard some recent news regarding concerns over certain blood glucose meters and the possibility of inaccurate results due to cross-reactivity with sugars other than glucose.

We want to let you know that Bayer’s meters DO NOT use the problematic technology that FDA stated can give inaccurate results.

In fact, Bayer’s BREEZE®2, CONTOUR®, and CONTOUR®TS are specifically designed for no interference with maltose and galactose (two non-glucose sugars cited by FDA), to help ensure the accuracy of your blood glucose readings. They also feature No Coding™ technology to eliminate inaccurate readings due to miscoding.