Diabetes Care — The Diabetic & Diabetes Center

Diabetes TV Show May Help Health and Awareness

March 26, 2009 By AnaLise Leave a Comment

Is it possible for a show about disease to help people?

At lunch at a fancy Philadelphia restaurant, advertising entrepreneur Howard Steinberg lifts his shirt and shows off two gadgets that he keeps connected to his bloodstream at all times. One measures his blood sugar, and the other is a computerized pump that dispenses insulin. “I’m doing what my pancreas isn’t,” he says between bites of diabetes-friendly sashimi.

Steinberg, 50, was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes at age 10 and started out in denial. Away at a sleepover camp, he ran out of insulin, didn’t tell his counselors and almost died three days later. Ever since he’s been compulsive about staying on top of his diabetes.

In 2004 he founded a company called DLife, which sounds the message far and wide that people can control and master their diabetes just like he has. The half-hour television show–a disguised infomercial– airs on CNBC on Sunday nights. A related Web site with 720,000 members is filled with chat boards, advice and a shopping mall.

The show is hosted by a former Miss America with diabetes, and offers tips on health, cooking and travel, as well as interviews with celebrities who have diabetes, like Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler and CBS newsman Bob Schieffer on how they manage their diabetes and the difference in symptoms, medication, diet, exercise and more – showing that every person is unique and there is no exact “one size fits all” way to deal with diabetes. This shows that if you have diabetes, you can create your own regimen and adapt it to your own particular lifestyle so that you can stay healthy and enjoy life in the best way for you.

In one segment a correspondent with juvenile (type 1) diabetes flies to Guatemala to see Mayan ruins. He surveys the country’s understocked pharmacies and hospitals. Says a shopkeeper: “No tiene insulina.” 229,000 households tune in to any given segment, so thousands of people see this particular segment and many can possibly help.

No question patients can use more information and prodding. Twenty-four million Americans suffer from diabetes, which can lead to heart disease, kidney failure, blindness and limb amputation, and nearly half fail to keep the disease under control. One study found that 46% of recently diagnosed adult diabetics (type 2) don’t take their medicine correctly. Diabetics rack up $174 billion a year in health spending, according to government estimates.

But there is a question as to whether the show is really reaching people who don’t take their meds – or does it just help sell expensive gadgets to motivated patients who are already doing better than most? One certainty: Steinberg’s media company has profit potential. DLife, in Westport, Conn., has 33 employees and should break even this year on $15 million in ad sales. Steinberg buys the 30 minutes on CNBC and sells the ads himself. Advertisers include Ocean Spray (light cranberry juice), Merck (nyse: MRK – news – people ) (Januvia), Abbott Laboratories (nyse: ABT – news – people ) (glucose monitors) and Rite Aid (nyse: RAD – news – people ), which gets 31% of its sales from diabetics.

Steinberg says he doesn’t interfere with editorial content. Yet the show avoids controversial subjects that might offend potential advertisers. In 2007 GlaxoSmithkline’s Avandia was linked to higher rates of heart disease. The program didn’t cover the controversy.

The physician view: Patient education is a good thing, but let’s not kid ourselves that the average American can be as effective as Steinberg at managing blood work and pills on his own. “I have 1,500 people under my care. Maybe 2 or 3 are like that,” says Mount Sinai School of Medicine’s Zachary Bloomgarden, who hasn’t seen the show. “If you are your own doctor, you have a fool for a doctor.” Steinberg says he isn’t against doctors. But he thinks that anything that gets more patients to pay more attention to their diabetes and make more of a concerted effort of keeping it under control can feel better longer and slow down the progression of the disease. It’s great if people purchase any of the items offered on the show, but the larger purpose is to tune them in to effective ways to take care of themselves, whether they ever purchase anything or not.
Encouraging people to take their medication and live a healhy life is a good thing no matter what other information is provided.

Some quotes courtesy of FORBES.

Filed Under: Diabetes News Tagged With: diabetes, diabetes awareness, Diabetes Care, Diabetes Symptoms, diabetes treatment, Diabetes TV Show

Taking Care of Diabetes

March 20, 2009 By AnaLise Leave a Comment

According to the American Diabetes Association, a diabetic’s “fight-or-flight” response to stress doesn’t work properly. In people with type 2 diabetes, this can trigger a dangerous increase in blood glucose. Stressed people with type 1 diabetes, however, may experience either a rise or fall in blood glucose.

In addition, people under stress often forget to take care of themselves. They may forget to exercise, eat the wrong foods, or drink too much alcohol. All of these habits can significantly affect blood sugar.

The ADA advises that you can learn to help control your reaction to stress. Performing relaxation techniques can help keep you calmer during stressful times, and making lifestyle changes can help avoid sources of stress altogether, the association says.

Here are some “Diabetes Daily Tips” from Msnbc

“People can reduce the likelihood of developing diabetes by taking charge of their lives in simple and healthy ways,” added Dr. Metz. “According to results of the Diabetes Prevention Program study, adults 60 and older who are at high risk for diabetes can reduce their likelihood of developing this disease by 71 percent over three years through healthy lifestyle interventions. We urge seniors to make these lifestyle changes to reduce the risk of diabetes and enhance their lives.”

Six Lifestyle Changes to Reduce Your Diabetes Risk

1. Eat Healthy, Whole Foods

Eat at least five servings of fruits and vegetables daily, focusing on non-starchy green vegetables such as spinach, broccoli, green beans, and Brussels sprouts. Include dried beans such as kidney beans and lentils, and use brown rice and whole grain pasta rather than white rice and pastas. Eat fewer processed and pre-packaged foods.

2. Read Food Labels

On any pre-packaged or processed foods that you do buy, read the nutrition label first. Look for foods with labels showing they are low in fat and cholesterol. Eliminate foods with high sugar content, such as sodas and candy, and those with high levels of sodium. Be aware of the carbohydrates in the product. Research has shown that the type of carbohydrate (complex versus simple or refined) as well as the total amount of carbohydrate per serving can have a significant effect on blood sugar levels.

3. Maintain a Healthy Weight

Most people know that being overweight can increase their risk of chronic disease, such as heart disease and high blood pressure. But overweight and obesity are also the leading risk factors for pre-diabetes and diabetes. Check with your doctor to determine your target weight and make changes in your diet and exercise regimens to help you maintain that healthy weight.

4. Commit to an Exercise Program that You Enjoy

If the word “exercise” brings images of a drill sergeant demanding 20 more push-ups, it’s no wonder you might be intimidated. If this sounds like you, it’s time to rethink exercise. Remember that it can be social and fun (dancing and playing tennis), meditative (yoga), or it can challenge you to accomplish a goal (improving your golf game or planting that garden you’ve always dreamed about). Seniors who have specific exercise needs or physical challenges can hire a personal trainer or join a senior wellness program like Silver&Fit, which caters to the health and exercise needs of older adults. The key is to do something you enjoy so that you’ll stick with it for years to come. Always check with your doctor before starting a new exercise program to understand what level of exercise best suits your health status.

5. Know the Risk Factors for Diabetes

The primary risk factors for diabetes include overweight or obesity, high blood glucose levels, high blood pressure, unhealthy cholesterol, physical inactivity, smoking, a family history of diabetes, and ethnicity. According to the Centers for Disease Control, certain ethnic groups are at higher risk for diabetes including American Indians, Latino Americans, and African-Americans.

6. Get Regular Blood Glucose Checkups

Make a blood glucose test a regular part of your annual health checkup if you are an older adult. Make it a point to have a blood glucose test on Diabetes Alert Day this March!

“Reducing your risks for diabetes is an important step toward remaining healthy, happy, and independent your entire lifetime,” added Dr. Metz.

About Silver&Fit and American Specialty Health

Silver&Fit is a fitness and healthy aging program designed to help older adults achieve better health through regular exercise. Silver&Fit provides: a no-cost membership at a local participating fitness club, including use of cardiovascular equipment and weights, whirlpools, exercise classes, and saunas, where available; specialized senior exercise classes; access to an online health library, a quarterly newsletter and health monitors; a health store; and, support from Silver&Fit’s toll-free member services hotline and Web site. Unless required by their health plans, Silver&Fit members pay no copays, coinsurance, or deductibles to participate in these activities. Ask your Medicare Advantage plan if it offers the Silver&Fit program.

Silver&Fit is provided by American Specialty Health Incorporated (ASH) and its subsidiaries and is offered through contracts with certain Medicare Advantage plans. American Specialty Health is a national health and wellness company that provides wellness and prevention services, specialty network management programs, and fitness and exercise services to health plans, insurance carriers, employer groups, and trust funds. Based in San Diego, ASH has 700 employees and covers over 15 million members.
CONTACT: American Specialty Health Incorporated

Parts of this article are reprinted through Globe Newswire

Filed Under: Diabetes News Tagged With: diabetes, Diabetes Care, diabetes health, Diabetes Lifestyle, Diabetes prevention

The Connection Between Diabetes and Eggs

February 5, 2009 By AnaLise Leave a Comment

There are a lot of precautions that individuals must take when it comes to their diet. If the diet is balanced along with exercise and a few other things that are good for you, you should be fine and feeling well.

But just when you thought you knew what could eat safely, here comes another addition to the list of things that aren’t good for you if you have diabetes. We already know about sugar, fried foods and other food that is certainly not good for you if you have diabetes.

So here’s the new addition that you never would have expected: eggs. That’s right, eggs. Ok, we know about the cholesterol thing with eggs, but now we are being told that if we sit down to a breakfast of bacon and eggs every day or even every other day, we have a higher than usual chance of developing type 2 diabetes.

To put it in percentages, researchers have found that if a person eats one egg per day they have a 58 to 77% more likely to develop diabetes than individuals who do not eat eggs, or at least not as many eggs.

The studies regarding eggs do not mean that eating eggs will cause diabetes directly. However, eating a lot of eggs can definitely raise your chances of getting diabetes, so it is definitely a good idea to limit the number of eggs you eat.

A study from Harvard Medical School in Boston stated that it is not necessary to eliminate eggs completely, but you should limit your eggs to 6 or less per week, the less, the better.

The study did not explain how and why eggs are linked to diabetes, but researchers are looking at cholesterol as a cause. Cholesterol is often linked to diabetes.

There is more research being done to determine more specific answers to the connection between eggs and diabetes. Until the answers are found, it’s probably a good idea to limit your egg intake.

Filed Under: Diabetes News Tagged With: diabetes, Diabetes and eggs, Diabetes Care, Diabetes Diet, Diabetes prevention

Gestational Diabetes a Precursor to Diabetes

January 1, 2009 By AnaLise Leave a Comment

Gestational Diabetes has been an issue for pregnant women for many years. It knows no boundaries and can develop in any woman whose body falls into the right condition during pregnancy to cause this disease.

The issue that has not been reported on much is that gestational diabetes can lead to type 2 diabetes that can last a lifetime. In fact, of women who develop gestational diabetes have a 71% higher chance of developing type 2 diabetes after pregnancy. An interesting phenomenon is that once the women who have gestational diabetes have delivered their babies and the gestational diabetes has subsided, they do not necessarily develop type 2 diabetes right away. It can take from a few months to a few years before type 2 diabetes develops after the pregnancy. The medication metformin has been used for women who have had gestational diabetes with excellent results.

Sometimes gestational diabetes is caused by difficult pregnancies and/or multiple pregnancies in a short period of time or year after year not allowing the body and the immune system to totally stabilize or normalize in between pregnancies. One example of a situation that can be quite dangerous and very conducive to gestational diabetes is that of Angelina Jolie. She has had several pregnancies that were close together – nearly back to back – and there were problems with the most recent pregnancy which caused her to have to deliver by cesarean section. Doctors have warned her that she should wait quite a while before she has another pregnancy or preferably, not get pregnant again.

If you have had a pregnancy during which you developed gestational diabetes or if you ever have that situation, it is important that you follow up with your doctor every 6 to 12 months and keep track of your blood glucose level. Make sure that you keep on the watch for diabetes symptoms such as frequent urination, excessive thirst, extreme tiredness, or rapid changes in weight.

If you are pregnant, do everything you can to keep you and your child healthy by eating well, getting enough rest and getting at least a modest amount of exercise. If you still develop gestational diabetes, be sure to monitor your health far into the future

Filed Under: Diabetes News Tagged With: blood glucose level, diabetes, Diabetes Care, gestational diabetes, managing diabetes, Type 2 Diabetes

High Blood Glucose Linked to Memory Loss

January 1, 2009 By AnaLise Leave a Comment

High blood glucose levels and diabetes have been linked to numerous health issues and a new study has found yet another link. Researchers have discovered that high blood glucose levels and diabetes are linked to memory loss.

Researchers studied individuals and used MRI tests which showed that high blood glucose levels were linked to changes in the hippocampal region of the brain which involves memory. Decline of memory and lower cognitive abilities were found to be directly linked to high blood glucose levels, especially in older individuals.

In addition to studying the fMRI results of people, researchers also ran tests on rhesus monkeys and diabetic mice and found that blood glucose was the underlying cause to changes in the hippocampal region of the brain, therefore creating memory problems. These changes in the brain were actually visible on the fMRI. The research showed that blood vessels were damaged in this area of the brain (which involves memory) and at times there was temporary los of blood supply in this area as well.

This is the first study to find a direct link between blood glucose levels and memory/cognitive issues. It is an important and defining study that not only provides information to help look for ways to avoid or at least diminish memory loss by controlling blood glucose levels, and can also begin to define and develop treatment and prevention regimens to deal with this critical issue.

If you happen to have diabetes or you develop high blood glucose levels or diabetes in the future, this groundbreaking study should strongly encourage you to do everything you can to keep your levels under control. Take your medicine, eat healthy, get enough exercise and rest and check in with your doctor. It could mean a difference of remembering or not remembering your spouse, children and grandchildren in the future.

Filed Under: Diabetes News Tagged With: blood glucose, diabetes, Diabetes Care, diabetes health, memory loss

The Link Between Diabetes and Cancer Mortality

December 17, 2008 By AnaLise Leave a Comment

There is more and more information being discovered about diabetes every day. A lot of the information is helpful and has led to great strides as far as getting to controlling the symptoms, arresting or reversing some symptoms or finding a cure for diabetes altogether.

There is other information that is just as helpful in the fight against diabetes, however not so positive. There has been a recent discovery regarding Cancer patients that have existing diabetes. In studying the link between the two most common diseases – diabetes and cancer - researchers have found a negative link. According to a report in a recent Journal of the American Medical Association, cancer patients that already have diabetes have a greater chance of dying than cancer patients that don’t have diabetes.

Researchers are trying to find the reason why this link and this situation exists by studying diaetes-related health problems and the link to cancer. One fact that they uncovered is that out of the approximately 24 million people in the United States who have diabetes, up to 18% of newly dignosed cancer patients have diabetes. Both ailments are extremely common, but until recently, researchers had not thought to organize the information in such a way that the link could be seen and researched.

Once that happened, researchers were able to start looking at the link. They discovered several reasons that individuals with cancer who also had diabetes might have a higher mortality rate. Diabetes causes tumors to grow faster, though researchers do not know why. Because diabetes can compromise the immune system, it might weaken their ability to withstand chemtherapy. People with diabetes may be diagnosed with cancer at a later stage because their doctors are concentrating on other symptoms.

There is more research ongoing regarding cancer and diabetes. While we await more information, it is important to be vigilant regarding your symptoms and work closely with your doctor to monitor your diabetes and make sure you do not have cancer. If you find that you do have cancer and diabetes, be sure to stay aware of and on top of your symptoms and treatment so that you have a long and happy life.

Filed Under: Diabetes News Tagged With: cancer, diabetes, Diabetes Care, Diabetes Research, Diabetes Statistics

Juvenile Diabetes – What Symptoms to Look For

December 4, 2008 By AnaLise Leave a Comment

Juvenile Diabetes is also called Type 1 Diabetes. A child or young person that has diabetes is in a situation where their body does not create enough insulin, and as a result, it needs to be treated by the person taking insulin shots to provide for the insulin not being produced in the body.

The production of insulin, which is an important hormone, happens in the pancreas. The food a child eats is broken down by the body into a sugar called glucose. The sugar is carried through the blood and gives the body energy. Insulin helps the sugar enter the cells in the body and controls the amount of sugar in the blood.

What happens with diabetes is that there ends up being too much sugar in the blood because there is not enough insulin to balance out the sugar. This can cause many heath problems, and if they are not treated, these problems can end up being fatal.

In childhood diabetes (Type 1 Diabetes), the pancreas cannot create enough insulin because many of the cells in the pancreas are being destroyed, sometimes due to the body’s immune system destroying the cells. Sometimes Type 1 Diabetes occurs due to hereditary factors, as it can be genetic and run in families.

Some of the main symptoms of Type 1 Diabetes are excessive thirst, urinating a lot and losing weight. Some of the treatments include learning about the disease and learning about what type of diet can be helpful and healthy for diabetes. It is important for the family to learn this information. Another part of treatment is controlling blood sugar through use of a glucose meter to check the levels, but just as importantly, exploring the choices for a good diet and sticking to it. Keytone tests are also important. Basically, they test the urine and can tell you if enough insulin is being produced. Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you how they work.

It is also essential to have continuous treatment and monitoring through your family’s or child’s doctor, not only for the child that is diagnosed with diabetes, but also to have the entire family tested, as well.

Juvenile, Childhood or Type 1 Diabetes can be managed and controlled in a way that will allow your child to live a normal life, doing the same things that other children do. There is a lot of information available. One of the best sources of information is the American Diabetes Association. You can call them at 1-800-342-2383 or visit the on the web at www.diabetes.org.

Filed Under: Diabetes News Tagged With: Childhood Diabetes, Diabetes Care, diabetes monitoring, diabetes treatment, Juvenile Diabetges, Type 1 Diabetes

Anyone Can Develop Diabetes

December 1, 2008 By AnaLise Leave a Comment

Diabetes can strike at any age. In addition to sneaking up on individuals, diabetes has a history of symptoms which, if not identified quickly can take a huge toll on a person and greatly interfere with their life.

Diabetes can attack a homemaker, a business man or woman, a person of any ethnic group or age, and even amateur or professional athletes.

One case in point is the Washington Nationals Baseball Team. Their first baseman Dmitri Young, has diabetes. This does not stop him from playing baseball, just as it does not stop Mary Tyler Moore from acting.

However, when a person – even a pro athlete – is battling symptoms of diabetes that are affecting his or her ability to play, that is a different story. Dmitri Young is having trouble controlling the symptoms of his diabetes and, as a result he was unable to join his team on the road for part of last summer’s season. He had to stay in Washington, D.C. to try to get his diabetes under control.

There are times when the symptoms don’t create enough problems to cause someone away from work. However, in some cases the symptoms interfere with basic performance. In Dmitri Young’s case, his symptoms did not allow him to play ball. He is suffering from vision problems and dizziness, not a good combination for a ball player.

Many diabetics experience flare ups from time to time and have to work with their physicians to get their symptoms under control. This can involve a variety of things including special diet, adjusting medication, exercise and/or rest and other assistance to get the individual back on track.

It is not known how long it will take Dmitri Young to get his diabetes under control. This can be devastating to anyone, but especially to an athlete. Hopefully, he and his medical professionals will find the right combination of tools to control his symptoms and help him get ready to be back in the game for next season.

Filed Under: Diabetes News Tagged With: controlling diabetes, diabetes, Diabetes Care, Diabetes Symptoms, diabetes treatment, healthy diet

Protein Linked to Risk of Diabetes

July 11, 2008 By AnaLise Leave a Comment

Diabetes can be an insidious disease. Why is it something that affects one person and not another? Why can one person be quite overweight and not end up with diabetes, while another individual is slightly overweight but ends up with severe diabetes?

There have been numerous studies and a tremendous amount of research to determine the factors involved in diabetes, what the best treatments are, what the best methods of control are and how and where to get the most accurate information.

There are more organizations that are providing information and services for individuals with diabetes today than in the past. One of the areas that have been researched extensively is the isolation of specific causes of diabetes.

There have been some past studies that show the excess of certain proteins to be linked to development of diabetes. These studies are important because they have provided the basis and the building blocks for further research. Recent research has shown that the protein fetuin-A – especially in elderly persons – is linked to the development of diabetes. Fetuin-A works by overcrowding insulin and preventing it from making glucose available to muscle cells. In addition, researchers feel it is a link in answering the question as to why some people develop diabetes and others don’t. The reason that fetuin-A is considered a link is due to the fact that it operates regardless of a person’s weight and other factors. This means that this could be the answer as to why someone who is quite overweight might not develop diabetes, and someone who is slightly overweight or not overweight at all might develop the disease.

Studies showed that in research during a six year period, high levels of fetuin-A in individuals over seventy years of age increased the development of diabetes by over 70%. Though the study did not determine specific antidotes to the problem, researchers are working on it. The study was groundbreaking, in that it was the first to be conducted over a long period of time.

Researchers are still looking for ways to inhibit and limit fetuin-A, thus trying to diminish the onset and effects of diabetes. Other factors, such as high blood pressure, obesity, diet and more are still contributors, however, fetuin-A seems to make all of these accelerate diabetes and its problems. Hopefully researchers will soon find a way to inhibit fetuin-A and slow the other factors, helping to eliminate some of the risks of diabetes in everyone.

Filed Under: Diabetes News Tagged With: diabetes, Diabetes Care, Diabetes Research, diabetes treatment, protein linked to diabetes