dLife Today

Medtronic Quick-Set Infusion Sets Recalled

2009-07-08T22:26:56Z

Medtronic has issued a voluntary recall for Quick-set infusion sets used with MiniMed Paradigm insulin pumps that have a lot number of 8. According to the company, about 2% of the infusion sets with this lot number "do not allow the insulin pump to vent. This can potentially cause too much or too little insulin to be delivered and may lead to serious injury or death."

Find out more about the recall and how to get replacement sets at the Medtronic Minimed website.

Lantus and Cancer Risk

2009-06-30T22:38:32Z

You may have heard recent media buzz about a potential link between the insulin analog Lantus (insulin glargine) and an increased risk of certain types of cancer. Here are the facts.

Several studies were published in the medical journal Diabetologia analyzing data from European patients taking the insulin. Some studies indicated a positive link between Lantus and cancer while others showed no link The authors agreed the data was inconclusive and further research is needed to prove or disprove a link. If you take Lantus, do NOT stop taking the insulin without speaking with your doctor about any safety concerns. Both the American Diabetes Association and the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists recommend that Lantus therapy not be discontinued on the basis of these preliminary and inconclusive studies. dLife will continue to follow this story as it develops.

Summer Daze

2009-06-30T20:56:12Z

Feeling a little overwhelmed about how to handle your diabetes and the fun of summer at the same time? Check out the dLife summer resources for tips on everything from feeling and dealing with a summer sunburn to protecting your medications from the heat. Get the facts, and then share stories from your summer in the dLife Community!

Healthy Snack List

2009-06-23T15:02:17Z

Snacks can be a double-edged sword for people with diabetes. They may help stave off hunger and overeating, while keeping blood sugar levels from dropping too low. But serious snack attacks can also derail your best efforts to eat healthy and manage your weight. Check out this slideshow for the best in d-friendly snacking and sweet treats.

And for more delicious diabetes-friendly food ideas, visit the dLife Recipe Finder!

Fighting Diabetes Needs to Be a National Priority

2009-06-17T16:22:01Z

Our friends at Novo Nordisk are part of a nationwide campaign to create a National Diabetes Coordinator position, which is "a new leadership position to coordinate and align efforts regarding diabetes across all federal agencies." According to Novo's website:

About 35 years ago, Congress acknowledged the need for diabetes coordination by passing the National Diabetes Act of 1974. However, that law must to be updated to meet the challenges of today’s diabetes crisis – and the best way to do that is through a National Diabetes Coordinator.

Make a difference and let your voice be heard! Add your signature to the growing support from across America calling for a National Diabetes Coordinator to ensure effective, coordinated federal leadership and spending in diabetes prevention, treatment and care. Click here to sign the petition.

Support Access to Diabetes Self-Management Training

2009-05-29T19:02:19Z

The American Association of Diabetes Educators (AADE) is looking to support access to Diabetes Self-Management Training and Education (DSMT). They've created a petition to tell Congress to pass the Medicare DSMT Act as part of national health reform.

According to the petition overview:

"Patient adherence to the self-management tools taught by diabetes educators significantly reduces overall health costs and improves health outcomes for patients with diabetes.

By signing this petition you are helping to promote Medicare access to quality diabetes education and training by Certified Diabetes Educators. Help the almost 24 million Americans who have diabetes, and the 54 million Americans who are at serious risk of diabetes gain access to the valuable education and self management tools they need to manage their disease and its complications. "

Visit the petition website and show your support!

Supreme Court Judge ... With Diabetes?

2009-05-26T21:19:17Z

Judge Sonia Sotomayor has been named President Obama's first Supreme Court appointment - but did you know that Judge Sotomayor has lived with type 1 diabetes since she was eight years old? dLife's own Nicole Purcell, blogger at Blogabetes, has a great post about how diabetes will not stop any of us from achieving our dreams!

For more famous people with diabetes, visit the dLife Fame page!

In New York? Lend a Hand

2009-05-20T20:02:12Z

Attention New Yorkers. Our friends at TuDiabetes.com want you to help spread diabetes awareness by attending the CBS Early Show taping in New York City on Tuesday, June 2nd. Participate in a live television event and help the Global Diabetes Handprint project raise money for diabetes programs. Find out more and RSVP here.

Insulin Pump Training

2009-05-15T14:03:22Z

Are you thinking about using an insulin pump? Or are you already pumping but could use a refresher course? Visit our pump training locations resource page to find online pump training or in-person pump training location. You can also submit your pump training course to be added to the listing!

Diabetes and E!

2009-05-14T21:52:38Z

This Thursday, May 14 at 10:00PM ET, see dLife's Howard Steinberg featured along with others in E! Entertainment's "Celebrity Medical Nightmares: In Their Own Words."

Celebrities profiled include Nick Jonas, diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of 13, and Bret Michaels, the front man for rock band Poison.

And throughout the piece, dLife's founder and CEO Howard Steinberg offers his personal thoughts and views about diabetes, discussing the realities of the disease and the medical risks of not managing it more closely.

Check local listings for your E! television network channel and if you miss the May 14 premiere show, tune in or record another airing:

Friday, May 15 10pm EST
Sunday, May 17 12pm EST
Thursday, May 21 11am EST

To watch dLifeTV anytime, visit www.dLife.com/viewingroom.

Calling All College Students with Diabetes

2009-05-06T19:43:06Z

dLifeTV is looking for current college students living with diabetes for a segment on college life with chronic disease. If you faced significant challenges dealing with diabetes while going to school - such as uneducated roommates and friends, weight gain, access to healthcare, worsening control, and parties and drinking - we'd like to hear your story. Stories from students who live on campus, either in college housing or at nearby student residential areas, are preferred.

Click here and submit your story!

Swine Flu and Diabetes

2009-04-30T13:54:47Z

People with diabetes need to take special precautions when they are sick, and the recent swine flu outbreak is no exception. The Center for Disease Control has special recommendations that people with chronic health condition such as diabetes who have had known exposure to someone with a confirmed or suspected case of swine flu go on a course of antiviral medication.

From the CDC:

"Antiviral Medications: Persons traveling within the US that are at high risk of severe illness from influenza (for example persons with chronic conditions such as diabetes, lung disease, heart disease, and the elderly) are recommended to take antiviral medications for prevention of swine influenza during travel. The recommended antiviral drugs for swine influenza are oseltamivir (brand name Tamiflu®) and zanamivir (brand name Relenza®). Both are prescription drugs that fight against swine flu by keeping flu viruses from reproducing in your body. These drugs can prevent infection if taken as a preventative. Talk to your doctor about correct indications for using influenza antiviral medications. Always seek medical care if you are severely ill."

It can be difficult to plan for cases of rare strains of influenza, such as the swine flu, you can still fight back with good habits that work in sickness and in health.

Learn more here about this particular form of flu and find out what you can do to stay safe.

We're Looking For YOU!

2009-04-28T20:21:48Z

We're looking for some dLifers to feature on the new season of dLifeTV. Do you have what we're looking for? Check out our call for submissions and see if your story fits.

dLife Up For a Webby Award!

2009-04-23T18:10:47Z

We are pleased to announce that the dLife Video Player has been nominated for a Webby Award! There is a “People’s Voice” award, and here is our chance as a community of people with diabetes and diabetes cargivers, to help raise our community to the top!

To vote, go to http://pv.webbyawards.com and register to vote. Click on “Online Film and Video” in the middle of the page and scroll down to select the “Reality” category. Select the dLife Video Player and cast your vote!

Thanks for voting, and thank you for being part of the dLife family.

Top 12 Low-Carb Fiber Foods

2009-04-20T21:47:37Z

Fiber’s been a buzz word for some time now, so you probably know it’s important for your health. But if you’re like most Americans, you are likely falling significantly short of the recommended intake. Why is fiber so important? And are there easy ways to up your intake? Read Lara Rondinelli's column to see if you're falling short on fiber needs, and then view the Top 12 Low-Carb Fiber Foods slideshow!