Precautions For Drivers With Diabetes

A study of 202 people with diabetes who were taking insulin found that about 60% of participants never tested their blood glucose levels before driving. 

Sudden bouts of low blood sugar, or hypoglycemia, can lead to confusion, delayed reaction, visual disturbances or loss of consciousness. Even in the absence of low blood sugar, people with diabetes may have impaired vision or nerve function in the feet, which can affect driving.

Image Credit lauren's hope blog

While most accidents related to diabetes complications happen to a small group of people with Type 1 diabetes, who need to take insulin, people with Type 2 diabetes are also at risk.

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Also visit lauren's hope blog for a great post on Diabetes and Safe Driving

Study Finds Good Bacteria In Intestines Prevents Diabetes

All humans have enormous numbers of bacteria and other micro-organisms (10 to 14) in the lower intestine. 

In fact our bodies contain about ten times more bacteria than our own cells and these tiny passengers are extremely important for our health. They help us digest our food and provide us with energy and vitamins. 

These "friendly" commensal bacteria in the intestine help to stop the "bad guys" such as Salmonella that cause infections, taking hold. Even the biochemical reactions that build up and maintain our bodies come from our intestinal bacteria as well as our own cells. 

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Create Your Plate - Diabetes Basics

Creating your plate let's you still choose the foods you want, but changes the portion sizes so you are getting larger portions of non-starchy vegetables and a smaller portion of starchy foods. 

Quote of the Day

Diabetic ID Card

Diabetics are encouraged to carry a medical alert card in their wallet in case of emergency. 

Paramedics are trained to check wallets first if they fail to see a Medical Alert Bracelet. 

Free Diabetic ID Card

Congress Commits to Renew Key Diabetes Research Program

JDRF, the leading global organization focused on type 1 diabetes (T1D) research, reported Congress has included a $150 million extension of the Special Diabetes Program (SDP) as part of a year-end package of legislation to avert the "fiscal cliff." 

"For the past year, we have led the fight in Congress for renewal of the SDP because we know that this program has contributed to remarkable scientific breakthroughs in managing and treating diabetes, and this timely extension is  central to curing T1D," said Jeffrey Brewer, JDRF's president and CEO. 

"We are deeply grateful to the bipartisan congressional, committee, and diabetes caucus leadership for their commitment to the SDP, and the scores of other lawmakers on both sides of the aisle who pushed for renewal. Clearly, when it comes to this disease there is no partisan divide, only a shared commitment to improve the lives of adults and children living with T1D."  

The SDP renewal was included in a package of bills addressing a series of health policy issues, including legislation to update Medicare health care provider payments. The $150 million per year extension of the SDP keeps the program operational until September 30, 2014 and ensures key research can continue uninterrupted. The SDP provides nearly 35 percent of the publicly-funded T1D research at the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

"Since it began, the SDP has demonstrated measurable and impressive results," said Richard A. Insel, M.D., JDRF's chief scientific officer. "The program has enabled scientists to make significant advances in cure therapies, prevention studies, and treatment improvements, including the artificial pancreas and groundbreaking advances in vision improvement among people with diabetic eye disease-advances that will help reduce long-term health care costs from diabetes complications."

JDRF made renewal of the SDP its top legislative priority in 2012. Over the course of the year, tens of thousands of JDRF advocates contacted their members of Congress to urge action on SDP. In addition, hundreds of JDRF families met with lawmakers in their districts and states, and prominent Americans with a connection to T1D-such as New York Jets owner Woody Johnson, boxing legend Sugar Ray Leonard, and Olympic gold medal swimmer Gary Hall-authored newspaper opinion articles noting that the SDP represents a great investment to improve lives while lowering long-term federal health care entitlement spending.

About JDRF

JDRF is the leading global organization focused on type 1 diabetes (T1D) research. Driven by passionate, grassroots volunteers connected to children, adolescents, and adults with this disease, JDRF is now the largest charitable supporter of T1D research. The goal of JDRF research is to improve the lives of all people affected by T1D by accelerating progress on the most promising opportunities for curing, better treating, and preventing T1D. JDRF collaborates with a wide spectrum of partners who share this goal.

Since its founding in 1970, JDRF has awarded more than $1.7 billion to diabetes research. Past JDRF efforts have helped to significantly advance the care of people with this disease, and have expanded the critical scientific understanding of T1D. JDRF will not rest until T1D is fully conquered. More than 80 percent of JDRF's expenditures directly support research and research-related education.

Article Source - JDRF  

Ray Allen’s Wife Tells How Diabetes Nearly Killed Their Son

The latest addition to the Miami Heat is Ray Allen.  

What you may not know about the team’s newest star is how close he came to losing one of the most important people in his life, his shining light: his young son.

Walker Allen is five years old, and just like his father, he loves basketball.  He’s constantly in motion, barely sitting still long enough to check his blood sugar level, something he needs to do.  Walker has Type 1 Diabetes which means his body doesn’t produce insulin.

The nightmare began during the 2008 NBA Finals.  Ray’s Boston Celtics were facing the Los Angeles Lakers.

View Video And Read Rest of the Article Here

Children Living With Type 1 Diabetes

500 kids in the United States suffer from type 1 diabetes. 

Six year old Eden Speaks suffers from Type 1 diabetes, which occurs when your body stops making insulin. She attends kindergarten, and all too often, her classmates ask her the same question. 

"They ask what the pink thing is on my side, but I tell them a pump," said Eden. "They ask the same question over and over again sometimes." 

Eden was diagnosed with diabetes when she was 4 years old, and her mother Brittany said, she clearly remembers the day it happened. 

"She was sitting watching television and just seemed lethargic, like, just staring at the wall, wouldn't even respond to us," said Brittany. When they got to the hospital, Eden's blood sugar was close to 500. For a child her age, Brittany said it's supposed to be between 80 and 120. 

For Eden, that's something she said is just another part of her daily life. "When my mom and dad stopped taking my shots, I learned how to do it myself, and I wasn't scared," said Eden. 

Full aritcle: Wlfi.com

Spicy Fish Tacos with Fresh Lime Sauce

Taco-seasoned fish fillets with crunchy cabbage and lime-yogurt dressing.

Source: bettycrocker.com via CE on Pinterest

Magic Answer For Diabetes Not Surgery

Over the past year, news headlines have suggested that Type 2 diabetes and obesity can be safely "cured" by bariatric surgery.

Patients who undergo this surgery, which bypasses part or all of the stomach, typically lose weight rapidly and may no longer need diabetes medication when they leave the hospital.

Surgery, however, has its own risks, including a significant number of complications that require re-hospitalization. In addition, follow-up studies demonstrate that many patients regain weight and have a re-emergence of their diabetes.

Although we do not fully understand why blood sugars normalize so rapidly after bariatric surgery, a study presented at the 2012 Obesity Society International compared low-calorie dieting to surgery. The study found equivalent effects on insulin and blood sugar levels, suggesting that a dramatic drop in calorie intake is the initial key.

The focus of diabetes therapy is prevention: Avoid or minimize the impact of damage to the eyes, kidneys, nerves and blood vessels. The usual therapeutic approach is to control blood sugars as much as is safely possible. This usually requires multiple medications and weight gain is a common side effect.

However, most people with Type 2 diabetes are already obese, and further weight gain as a result of well-intentioned therapy can increase psychological and physical distress. Weight gain means higher medication dosages and longer medication lists.

Read more here 

Jay Cutler Inspires Others With Type 1 Diabetes

Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler has faced monstrous defensive linemen and skilled pass defenders, gone through disappointing seasons, and traversed the inevitable NFL churn through two different teams and a revolving cast of characters. 

So, with all that said, it's a safe bet that Cutler was never going to let Type 1 Diabetes get in the way of his dreams. And he's become a role model for kids living with that same condition.

"It's hard enough as a kid these days to feel normal and just try to fit in." Cutler told Yahoo! Sports. "To be a diabetic is just a dramatic thing to go through."

Cutler, selected in the first round of the 2006 NFL draft by the Denver Broncos, actually played two years in the NFL, his entire college career at Vanderbilt, and his time at Heritage Hills High School in Indiana without knowing that he was diabetic - he was diagnosed before the 2008 NFL season.

Check out the video and read full article

Diabetes Myths, Risks and Life Saving Tips

The problem with diabetes is that people don't understand it. It often shows up unannounced. The symptoms aren't too obvious. And millions of people who have it don't even know it - yet . . . 

By the time diabetes is diagnosed, damage is being done in the body to the heart, eyes and nerves.

Happily, diabetes can be detected early with a simple blood test. It can be prevented or delayed with smart eating habits. And it can be managed on a daily basis with medications and diet. That's the good news.

But here's the alarming news: Six million Americans have diabetes and don't know it - yet, according to Shawn Murphy, executive director of the American Diabetes Association serving Nebraska, South Dakota and western Iowa.

“Diabetes just doesn't show up like a heart attack or stroke, and it can't be found on an x-ray,” she said.

Even more startling, 57 million of us are in a condition known as prediabetes, meaning we're on the brink of developing diabetes right now.

“One of every three people born after 2000 will develop diabetes in their lifetime,” said Murphy, “and among minorities, one of every two will (referring to the higher risk for Hispanics, African Americans, and Native Americans, among others).”

The Biggest Myth about Diabetes continue reading

Baldo Comic Strip Illustrate Diabetes Epidemic

A nationally syndicated comic strip, Baldo, is joining the Caller-Times as it takes a look at the Coastal Bend's diabetes epidemic.

The comic strip's co-creators, Hector Cantú and Carlos Castellanos, offered to provide Baldo characters and archived content to help illustrate the series, which starts today, after learning of the newspaper's plan to commit the next year toward exploring diabetes in the Coastal Bend.

The Baldo strip, which appears in more than 200 papers nationally, including the Caller-Times, features a Hispanic teen named Baldo Bermudez and his family members.

Full article at Caller.com

Costly Dead Duck

My good friend Al sent this to me today via e-mail. You can relate if you've had tests run at the doctor's office lately - I can definitely relate - Charles

______________________________________

A woman brought a very limp duck into a veterinary surgeon. As she laid her pet on the table, the vet pulled out his stethoscope and listened to the bird's chest.

After a moment or two, the vet shook his head and sadly said, "I'm sorry, your duck, Cuddles, has passed away."

The distressed woman wailed, "Are you sure?" "Yes, I am sure. Your duck is dead," replied the vet.

"How can you be so sure?" she protested. "I mean you haven't done any testing on him or anything. He might just be in a coma or something."

The vet rolled his eyes, turned around and left the room. He returned a few minutes later with a black Labrador Retriever. As the duck's owner looked on in amazement, the dog stood on his hind legs, put his front paws on the examination table and sniffed the duck from top to bottom. He then looked up at the vet with sad eyes and shook his head.

The vet patted the dog on the head and took it out of the room. A few minutes later he returned with a cat. The cat jumped on the table and also delicately sniffed the bird from head to foot. The cat sat back on its haunches, shook its head, meowed softly and
strolled out of the room.

The vet looked at the woman and said, "I'm sorry, but as I said, this is most definitely, 100% certifiably, a dead duck."

The vet turned to his computer terminal, hit a few keys and produced a bill, which he handed to the woman. The duck's owner, still in shock, took the bill. "$150!" she cried, "$150 just to tell me my duck is dead!"

The vet shrugged, "I'm sorry. If you had just taken my word for it, the bill would have been $20, but with the Lab Report and the Cat Scan, it's now $150."

Top 10 Worst Financial Habits

Have you set retirement planning goals for 2013?

If your answer is "no," then join the club. 

Some 84% of Americans surveyed by Allianz Life Insurance Co. said they had not included any financial resolutions among their goals for the new year.

Allianz also asked people 55 and older to identify their worst financial habits. More than one-third - 37% - replied that they had no bad financial habits. I have my doubts they were telling the truth. The list that the other two-thirds confessed sounds too familiar.

Here are the top 10 - Do you recognize yourself?

• I spend too much money on things I don't need: 20%
• I'm not saving any money: 23% 
• I'm saving some money, but not as much as I could: 20%
• I don't have a household budget: 15%
• I spend more money than I make: 13%
• I'm not educating myself about retirement finances: 12% 
• I only make the minimum payment on credit cards: 8%
• I can't resist gambling -- or at least playing the lottery: 10%
• I haven't pursued professional financial help planning retirement: 8%
• I'm not contributing to my employer-sponsored retirement plan (401(k) or 403(b)/457): 4%

Katie Libbe, vice president of Consumer Insights for Allianz Life, says she believes that the number of people who spend too much money on things that they don't need - often at the expense of retirement savings - is much higher than 20 percent. "You could probably ask anybody, and they'd tell you they spend money on things they don't need," she says.

What surprises her is the number of people who say they aren't saving any money at all. She attributes this to a lack of financial discipline over a lifetime and says the price for many of these boomers will be a pinched retirement. "If you spend all your money on your short-term goals, you are going to be out of luck on your long-term goals," she cautions.

This article is by By Jennie L. Phipps from Bankrate.com
If you found this article helpful, view more related posts at Bankrate
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Top 10 Worst Financial Habits

Glaucoma Early Predictor Identified

Glaucoma is an eye disease which involves damage to the optic nerve. 

It can lead to permanent vision damage and lead to blindness if left untreated. Glaucoma often, but not always, involves increase fluid pressure inside the eye, known as intraocular pressure. 

A new study has found that certain changes in blood vessels in the retina may be an early warning that an individual has an increased risk of glaucoma. 

Researchers from the Australian Blue Mountains Eye Study showed that people with abnormally narrow retinal arteries at the beginning of their 10-year study were most likely to develop glaucoma by the end of the study.

The most common form of glaucoma is open-angle glaucoma (OAG), affecting nearly 3 million people in the USA and 60 million people globally. 

The loss of vision occurs when the glaucoma damages the optic nerve and signals are not passed from the retina to the brain. Because there are no symptoms, the disease often sneaks up on people unaware of its existence until part of their vision is gone, making early detection extremely important.

The study, led by Paul Mitchell, M.D., Ph.D. from the University of Sydney, tracked almost 2,500 participants. The results support the conclusion that abnormally narrow retinal arteries were associated to four-fold increased risk of glaucoma.

Nobody had OAG at the beginning of the 10-year study. Those diagnosed with the eye disease at the end also tended to be older, had higher blood pressure or intraocular pressure at the beginning, and were more likely female. The results were adjusted for other factors such as family history of glaucoma, smoking, diabetes, etc.

"Our results suggest that a computer-based imaging tool designed to detect narrowing of the retinal artery caliber, or diameter, could effectively identify those who are most at risk for open-angle glaucoma," said Dr. Mitchell. "Such a tool would also need to account for blood pressure and other factors that can contribute to blood vessel changes. Early detection would allow ophthalmologists to treat patients before optic nerve damage occurs and would give us the best chance of protecting their vision."

The researchers advocate for regular eye exams to catch glaucoma, a symptomless disease, before it occurs or at least at its outset in order to save the patient's vision. The is particularly true for individuals over age 40.

For more information on taking care of your eye health, go to www.geteyesmart.org.
This study has been published in the journal of the American Academy of Ophthalmology


Source: ENN (Environmental News Network)