Battling Diabetes

Check out this diabetes news item that was released from the American Diabetes Association by John E. Anderson, MD, Chair, ADA Advocacy Committee.

Legislative Updates:Major victory in fight against discrimination

More →

Unbelievable weather here in the Rockies. Temperatures hovered at 48 degrees. Can snow be far off?

Here’s what’s going on in the world of diabetes…

• September 24-26 is the 4th annual Joslin Under the Stars presented by Walgreens. Whether you are fitness fanatic, an avid golfer, corporate executive or long time Joslin friend; this three-day event has something for everyone. Come celebrate Joslin’s 110 years of excellence. As the world’s preeminent and largest diabetes institution devoted to diabetes research, treatment and education, Joslin is uniquely positioned to lead an extensive international campaign to prevent and cure the disease and its complications.

More →

I hope you’re having a great weekend, where ever you are in the world. Here in Denver, we are now post Democratic National Convention. There is a nice breeze in the foothills and we have a three-day holiday weekend.

Diabetes Events From Around the World and Coast to Coast:

Enter the Walk in Nick’s Shoes Sweepstakes-Nick Jonas and The Bayer Diabetes W.I.N.S Sweepstakes

Meet Nick in Los Angeles on November 1st

Winners get to meet Nick in L.A. Flights and hotel included. And the opportunity to be part of Team Jonas at the JDRF Walk to Cure Diabetes. Plus, you’ll receive your own personal diabetes coach for 1 year who will help you simplify your life with diabetes through one-to-one support.

More →

Hope your weekend is great. Here’s what is going on in the world of diabetes.

The Diabetes Action Team is running to conquer diabetes.

By joining the Diabetes Action Team, you can participate in any event you choose and gain the satisfaction of knowing you did it not just for yourself, but to help prevent, treat, and cure diabetes.

The Diabetes Action Research and Education Foundation is committed to the prevention and treatment of diabetes and to the funding of innovative, promising research aimed at finding a cure for diabetes and diabetes related complications.

The focus of The Diabetes Action Research and Education Foundation:

• Alternative and complementary research
• Grants for nutritional research
• Promising research to find a cure for diabetes
• Innovative research to prevent and treat diabetes
• American Indian diabetes prevention and treatment programs
• International medical assistance
• Children’s camp scholarship program
• Education and prevention programs

The Diabetes Action Team will be participating in the Marine Corps Marathon October 26, 2008.

The Marine Corps Marathon, or The People’s Marathon, is the 4th largest marathon in the United States. The course moves through Washington, DC, past monuments, the Capitol, and the National Mall, and finishes in front of the Iwo Jima Memorial where a Marine will place your medal around your neck.

More →

Have you seen My Food Advisor, ADA’s brand-new nutrition tool that takes the guesswork out of carb counting and calculates 21 other nutrients? You can also seek healthier alternatives, search for foods by categories, and browse hundreds of ADA’s recipes.

My Food Advisor highlights:

• Explore 5000 different foods
• Search database by setting your own criteria for carbohydrates and 4 other nutrients
• Search for healthier alternatives
• Easily add up the carb, fat and 20 other nutrients you eat in a day
• Browse recipes or search by criteria that you select
• Save meals & recipes to your personal recipe box

More →

While daily blood sugar monitoring is an essential part of your diabetes management don’t be surprised if you are asked to come into your doctor’s office or lab for routine A1C testing.

What is A1C?

More →

Patient: Doctor, if I give up wine, women, and song, will I live longer?

Doctor: Not really. It will just seem longer.

More →

Diabetes Events:

Diabetes Australia will unveil their new website on July 13, 2008 in conjunction with the start of Australia’s National Diabetes Week. Diabetes Australia is committed to turning diabetes around through awareness, prevention, detection, management and a cure.

Check out Team Diabetes Canada: Since its inception, Team Diabetes Canada participants have raised vital funds on behalf of the Canadian Diabetes Association and the 2 million Canadians with diabetes that the Association serves. Team Diabetes participants not only increase public awareness of the disease, they inspire their communities to get active and involved. They create lifestyle changes that reduce the risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes, while raising funds in support of the research, education, advocacy, and programming that the Canadian Diabetes Association delivers in communities across Canada. Team Diabetes participants are local heroes working to prevent diabetes at home and abroad. Team Diabetes programs allow you to walk or run in world-class marathon events in fascinating cities both nationally and throughout the World. More →

According to the American Diabetes Association, gestational diabetes affects 4% to 8% of all pregnant women, and about 135, 000 women in the United States each year. Gestational diabetes only occurs during pregnancy and glucose levels typically return to normal after pregnancy. The risk for the mother includes preeclampsia during pregnancy, while the developing fetus may be born jaundiced and hypoglycemic. There is also an associated risk that gestational diabetics and their babies will develop Type 2 diabetes in their lifetime.

The symptoms of gestational diabetes often go undetected as increased urination may be associated with pregnancy. Increased thirst is also a silent symptom. Women should be routinely tested in their 24th to 28th week of pregnancy with a glucose tolerance test. This should be done earlier if there is a history of gestational diabetes.

While any woman can have gestational diabetes there are known risk factors per the Mayo Clinic:

• Age. Women older than age 25 are at higher risk.
• Family or personal history. Your chance of developing gestational diabetes increases if a close family member, such as a parent or sibling, has type 2 diabetes, or you had gestational diabetes in a prior pregnancy.
• Weight. Being overweight before pregnancy makes it more likely that you’ll develop gestational diabetes, though weight during your pregnancy doesn’t cause gestational diabetes.
• Race. While it is unknown why, you’re at increased risk if you’re black, Hispanic or American Indian.
• Previous complicated pregnancy. If you’ve had an unexplained stillbirth or a baby who weighed more than 9 pounds, you should be monitored more closely for gestational diabetes the next time you become pregnant.

For more information o see the Mayo Clinic site.

More →