Findings from Two Studies on Diabetic Eye Disease Treatment Released
Diabetes Dateline
Winter 2011
A photo of an eye with diabetic macular edema.
Photo courtesy of the National Eye Institute, National Institute of Health (NIH)
A clinical trial of people with type 2 diabetes showed that intensively controlling blood glucose to near-normal levels reduced progression of diabetic retinopathy, the leading cause of vision loss in working-age Americans. Adding a fibrate drug to statin therapy for control of blood lipids also reduced disease progression. These results come from the Action to Control Cardiovascular Risk in Diabetes (ACCORD) Eye Study, a subgroup study of the ACCORD clinical trial supported by the National Eye Institute (NEI). The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute is the primary sponsor of ACCORD.
ACCORD compared the effect of intensive control of blood glucose, blood pressure, and blood lipids with standard, less-intensive treatments on the risk of major cardiovascular disease events in more than 10,000 adults with established type 2 diabetes. While the earlier ACCORD finding of increased mortality risk outweighed the benefits of near-normal control in the group studied, the ACCORD Eye Study and other recent ACCORD findings suggest there may be benefits to controlling blood glucose to targets lower than currently recommended in patients in whom such control can be achieved safely—for example, in people recently diagnosed with diabetes.
“The ACCORD Eye Study clearly indicates that intensive glycemic control and fibrate treatment added to statin therapy separately reduce the progression of diabetic retinopathy,” said Emily Chew, M.D., chair of the Eye Study and chief of the Clinical Trials Branch of the Division of Epidemiology and Clinical Applications at the NEI.
The study findings were published in the July 15, 2010, issue of The New England Journal of Medicine. More information about the ACCORD Eye Study can be found at www.nei.nih.gov/news/pressreleases/062910.asp.
Combination of Ranibizumab and Laser Therapy Proves Effective in Treating Diabetic Macular Edema
Researchers have found that the drug ranibizumab (Lucentis), combined with the current standard treatment of laser therapy, is more effective than laser therapy alone in treating diabetic macular edema (DME), a major complication of diabetes that can result in vision loss. DME occurs when fluid from damaged blood vessels in the eye cause swelling of the macula, part of the retina. Ranibizumab blocks the leakage of fluid from the blood vessels. Results of this study were published in the June 2010 issue of Ophthalmology.
This study provides the first definitive proof that a combined treatment and follow-up strategy could halt and reverse diabetic eye disease. “This comparative-effectiveness study demonstrated that a new treatment can protect and, in many cases, improve the vision of people with diabetic macular edema,” said Paul A. Sieving, M.D., Ph.D., director of the NEI.
The 2-year study focused on the effectiveness of three DME treatments: laser treatment alone; ranibizumab plus laser treatment; and the steroid drug triamcinolone (Trivaris) plus laser treatment. Specifically, the researchers found that ranibizumab combined with laser treatment improved vision significantly, compared with laser treatment alone.
The multicenter clinical trial was conducted by the NEI and the Diabetic Retinopathy Clinical Research Network (DRCR.net). DRCR.net researchers will continue to monitor the study participants for at least 3 years to gather more data about the safety and effectiveness of the treatments.
For more information about this study, see www.nih.gov/researchmatters/may2010/ 05102010eye.htm or visit www.drcr.net
.
The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases has easy-to-read booklets and fact sheets about diabetes and its complications, including diabetic eye disease. For more information or to obtain copies, visit www.diabetes.niddk.nih.gov.
NIH Publication No. 11–4562
January 2011
The National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse is a service of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health.
Source:
National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse
1 Information Way
Bethesda, MD 20892–3560
Phone: 1–800–860–8747
TTY: 1–866–569–1162
Fax: 703–738–4929
Email: ndic@info.niddk.nih.gov
Internet: www.diabetes.niddk.nih.gov
The Diabetes Epidemic Among Hispanics/Latinos
WHAT IS DIABETES?
Diabetes is a group of diseases marked by high levels of blood glucose resulting from defects in insulin production, insulin action, or both. Diabetes can lead to serious complications and premature death, but people with diabetes can take steps to control the disease and lower the risk of complications.
Diabetes is one of the leading causes of death and disability in the United States. Total health care and related costs for the treatment of diabetes run about $174 billion annually.
WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF DIABETES?
Type 1 diabetes (formerly called juvenile diabetes) results when the body’s immune system attacks and destroys its own insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. People with type 1 diabetes must have insulin delivered by injection or a pump. Symptoms of type 1 diabetes – increased thirst and urination, constant hunger, weight loss, blurred vision, and extreme fatigue – usually develop over a short period of time. If type 1 diabetes is not diagnosed and treated, a person can lapse into a life-threatening coma.
Type 1 diabetes accounts for 5 to 10 percent of all diagnosed cases of diabetes.
Type 2 diabetes, (formerly called adult-onset diabetes) occurs when the body does not make enough insulin or cannot use the insulin it makes effectively. This form of diabetes usually develops in adults over the age of 40 but is becoming more prevalent in younger age groups – including children and adolescents. The symptoms of type 2 diabetes – feeling tired or ill, unusual thirst, frequent urination (especially at night), weight loss, blurred vision, frequent infections, and slow-healing wounds – may develop gradually and may not be as noticeable as in type 1 diabetes. Some people have no symptoms.
Type 2 diabetes accounts for about 90 to 95 percent of all diagnosed cases of diabetes.
A person is more likely to develop type 2 diabetes if they:
o have a family history of diabetes
o are a member of an ethnic group like Hispanics/Latinos
o are overweight or obese
o are 45 year old or older
o have had diabetes while pregnant (gestational diabetes)
o have high blood pressure
o have abnormal cholesterol (lipid) levels
o are not getting enough physical activity
o have polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
o have blood vessel problems affecting the heart, brain or legs
o have dark, thick and velvety patches of skin around the neck and armpits (This is called acanthosis nigricans.)
Gestational diabetes develops during pregnancy. Women who have had gestational diabetes have a 40 to 60 percent chance of developing diabetes, mostly type 2, in the next five to 10 years.
HOW MANY HISPANICS/LATINOS HAVE DIABETES?
10.4 percent of Hispanics/Latinos ages 20 years or older have diagnosed diabetes.
Among Hispanics/Latinos, diabetes prevalence rates are 8.2 percent for Cubans, 11.9 percent for Mexican Americans, and 12.6 percent for Puerto Ricans.
WHAT IS THE LINK BETWEEN CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE AND DIABETES?
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death for people with diabetes – about two out of three people with diabetes die of heart disease or stroke.
Adults with diabetes have heart disease death rates about two to four times higher than adults without diabetes.
The risk for stoke is two to four times higher among people with diabetes.
About 75 percent of adults with diabetes also have high blood pressure.
Smoking doubles the risk for heart disease in people with diabetes.
WHAT CAN HISPANICS/LATINOS DO TO PREVENT HEART DISEASE OR STROKE AND OTHER DIABETES COMPLICATIONS?
Diabetes is a self-managed disease. People with diabetes must take responsibility for their day-to-day care. The chances of having diabetes complications can be reduced or delayed significantly by keeping blood glucose (blood sugar), blood pressure, and cholesterol levels (called the ABCs of Diabetes) in the target range.
The National Diabetes Education Program recommends the following targets for reducing the risk of heart disease and stroke for most people with diabetes:
A1C (Blood Glucose)
Less than 7 percent**
(check at least twice a year)
Blood Pressure
Less than 130/80 mmHg
(check every doctor’s visit)
Cholesterol (LDL)
Less than 100 mg/dl
(check once a year)
**Targets should be individualized – less stringent targets may be advised with severe hypoglycemia, limited life expectancy, other medical conditions, or longstanding diabetes.
People with diabetes can manage their disease by eating healthy foods, being physically active, taking diabetes medicine as prescribed and testing blood glucose levels.
Community education and support programs can help people with diabetes and their families to manage their diabetes.
CAN TYPE 2 DIABETES BE PREVENTED?
YES! The Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP), an important trial sponsored by the National Institutes of Health, and the DPPOS, the 10 year follow up study to the DPP, showed that type 2 diabetes can be delayed or prevented in overweight adults with pre-diabetes, including Hispanics/Latinos. Pre-diabetes is a condition where blood glucose levels are higher than normal, but not yet high enough for a diagnosis of diabetes.
Risk factors for pre-diabetes are the same as those listed for type 2 diabetes.
To prevent diabetes, the people who participated in the DPP study:
Lost 5 to 7 percent of their body weight (that is 10 to 14 pounds for a person who weighs 200 pounds).
Were physically active for 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week. Most participants chose brisk walking.
Made healthier food choices and limited the amount of calories and fat in their diet.
WHERE CAN I GO FOR MORE INFORMATION?
For more information about preventing and controlling diabetes, call 1-888-693-NDEP (6337) or visit the National Diabetes Education Program website at www.YourDiabetesInfo.org.
Source: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) , National Institute of Health (NIH)
Diabetes: A Guide for African American Families, Parts 1,2 & 3 – Time: 27:54
Part One:
Part Two:
Part Three:
Source: aacepr on YouTube
FDA Approves New Treatment for Type 2 Diabetes
FDA NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release: May 2, 2011
FDA approves new treatment for Type 2 diabetes
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved Tradjenta (linagliptin) tablets, used with diet and exercise, to improve blood glucose control in adults with Type 2 diabetes.
People with Type 2 diabetes do not produce or respond normally to insulin, a hormone that regulates the amount of glucose in the blood. Over time, high blood glucose levels can increase the risk for serious complications, including heart disease, blindness, and nerve and kidney damage.
“This approval provides another treatment option for the millions of Americans with Type 2 diabetes,” said Mary Parks, M.D., director of the Division of Metabolism and Endocrinology Products in the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. “It is effective when used alone or when added to existing treatment regimens.”
Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of the disease, affecting between 90 percent and 95 percent of the 24 million people in the United States with diabetes. Tradjenta increases the level of hormones that stimulate the release of insulin after a meal by blocking the enzyme dipeptidyl peptidase-4 or DPP-4, which leads to better blood glucose control.
Tradjenta was demonstrated to be safe and effective in eight double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical studies involving about 3,800 patients with Type 2 diabetes. The studies showed improvement in blood glucose control compared with placebo.
Tradjenta has been studied as a stand-alone therapy and in combination with other Type 2 diabetes therapies including metformin, glimepiride, and pioglitazone. Tradjenta has not been studied in combination with insulin, and should not be used to treat people with Type 1 diabetes or in those who have increased ketones in their blood or urine (diabetic ketoacidosis).
Tradjenta will be dispensed with an FDA-approved Patient Package Insert that explains the drug’s uses and risks. The most common side effects of Tradjenta are upper respiratory infection, stuffy or runny nose, sore throat, muscle pain, and headache.
Tradjenta is marketed by Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals Inc., Ridgefield, Conn., and Indianapolis-based Eli Lilly Co.
For more information:
Source: FDA – U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Fruit Juice = Diabetes!
STOP DRINKING ALL THAT JUICE!
Underground Wellness dips into the common misconceptions surrounding that so called healthy substance we call juice.
This information is to inform you on nutrition matters. It is not intended to make any suggestions regarding medicine, pharmaceutical drugs, or give medical advice. Do your research and consult your doctor.
Source: PaulChekLive on YouTube
4 Steps to Control Your Diabetes For Life
NDEP is a partnership of the National Institutes of Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and more than 200 public and private organizations.
4 Steps to Control Your Diabetes. For Life.
4 Steps to Control Your Diabetes. For Life.
Also available in these languages:
Cambodian, Chinese, Gujarati, Haitian Creole, Hindi, Hmong, Indonesian, Japanese, Korean, Laotian, Samoan, Spanish, Tagalog, Thai, Tongan, Vietnamese
Related Publications
Take Care of Your Heart. Manage Your Diabetes (in English)
(NDEP-52EN)
This patient education sheet explains the link between diabetes and heart disease. It encourages patients to work with their health care team to set targets and manage their blood glucose, blood pressure, and cholesterol. It includes a record form to track target numbers.
Tips to Help You Stay Healthy
(NDEP-8)
This tip sheet helps people work with their health care team to make a successful diabetes action plan.
In addition to a downloadable file (PDF) of the four-page tip sheet, online only, two-page PDF versions in two-color and black &white formats are available for ease of printing.
Find Similar Publications
To find similar publications based on keywords and/or audience, click the links below:
Diabetes Status: I Have Diabetes
Audiences:General Audience, Asian American and Pacific Islander, Older Adults, Adults
Keywords:A1C, Blood Pressure, Blood Glucose, Cholesterol
View more Publications »
These four steps help people with diabetes understand, monitor, and manage their diabetes to help them stay healthy. This publication is excellent for people newly diagnosed with diabetes or who just want to learn more about controlling the disease.
Publication date: 11/01/2009
Contents
- Introduction
- Step 1: Learn about diabetes.
- Step 2: Know your diabetes ABCs.
- Step 3: Manage your diabetes.
- Step 4: Get routine care.
- My Diabetes Care Record
- Where to get help
This booklet presents four key steps to help you manage your diabetes and live a long and active life.
Diabetes is a serious disease. It affects almost every part of your body. That is why a health care team may help you take care of your diabetes:
- doctor
- dentist
- diabetes educator
- dietitian
- eye doctor
- foot doctor
- mental health counselor
- nurse
- nurse practitioner
- pharmacist
- social worker
- friends and family
You are the most important member of the team.
The 
marks in this booklet show actions you can take to manage your diabetes.
- Help your health care team make a diabetes care plan that will work for you.
- Learn to make wise choices for your diabetes care each day.
Step 1: Learn about diabetes.
Diabetes means that your blood glucose (blood sugar) is too high. There are two main types of diabetes.
Type 1 diabetes – the body does not make insulin. Insulin helps the body use glucose from food for energy. People with type 1 need to take insulin every day.
Type 2 diabetes – the body does not make or use insulin well. People with type 2 often need to take pills or insulin. Type 2 is the most common form of diabetes.
Gestational (jes-TAY-shon-al) diabetes – occurs in some women when they become pregnant. It raises her future risk of developing diabetes, mostly type 2. It may raise her child’s risk of being overweight and developing type 2 diabetes.
Diabetes is serious.
You may have heard people say they have “a touch of diabetes” or that their “sugar is a little high.” These words suggest that diabetes is not a serious disease. That is not correct. Diabetes is serious, but you can learn to manage it!
It’s not easy, but it’s worth it!
All people with diabetes need to make healthy food choices, stay at a healthy weight, and move more every day.
Taking good care of yourself and your diabetes can help you feel better. It may help you avoid health problems caused by diabetes such as:
- heart attack and stroke
- eye problems that can lead to trouble seeing or going blind
- nerve damage that can cause your hands and feet to hurt, tingle, or feel numb. Some people may even lose a foot or a leg.
- kidney problems that can cause your kidneys to stop working
- gum disease and loss of teeth
When your blood glucose is close to normal you are likely to:
- have more energy.
- be less tired and thirsty and urinate less often.
- heal better and have fewer skin, or bladder infections.
- have fewer problems with your eyesight, feet, and gums.
- Ask your health care team what type of diabetes you have.
- Learn why diabetes is serious.
- Learn how caring for your diabetes helps you feel better today and in the future.
Step 2: Know your diabetes ABCs.
Talk to your health care team about how to manage your A1C, Blood pressure, and Cholesterol. This can help lower your chances of having a heart attack, stroke, or other diabetes problems. Here’s what the ABCs of diabetes stand for:
A for the A1C test (A-one-C).
It shows what your blood glucose has been over the last three months. The A1C goal for many people is below 7. High blood glucose can harm your heart and blood vessels, kidneys, feet, and eyes.
B for Blood pressure.
The goal for most people with diabetes is below 130/80.
High blood pressure makes your heart work too hard. It can cause heart attack, stroke, and kidney disease.
C for Cholesterol (ko-LES-ter-ol).
The LDL goal for people with diabetes is below 100.
The HDL goal for men with diabetes is above 40.
The HDL goal for women with diabetes is about 50.
LDL or “bad” cholesterol can build up and clog your blood vessels. It can cause a heart attack or a stroke. HDL or “good” cholesterol helps remove cholesterol from your blood vessels.
- Ask your health care team:
- what your A1C, blood pressure, and cholesterol numbers are
- what your A1C*, blood pressure, and cholesterol numbers should be
- what you can do to reach your targets
- Write down all your numbers on the record card at the back of this booklet.
*An A1C of less than 7 is the goal for many people but not for everyone. Talk to your health care team about what A1C target is right for you.
Step 3: Manage your diabetes.
Many people avoid the long-term problems of diabetes by taking good care of themselves. Work with your health care team to reach your ABC target. Use this self-care plan.
- Follow your diabetes meal plan.If you do not have one, ask your health care team to help you develop a meal plan.
- Eat healthy foods such as fruits and vegetables, fish, lean meats, chicken or turkey without the skin, dry peas or beans, whole grains, and low-fat or skim milk and cheese.
- Keep fish and lean meat and poultry portions to about 3 ounces (or the size of a deck of cards). Bake, broil, or grill it.
- Eat foods that have less fat and salt.
- Eat foods with more fiber such as whole grain cereals, breads, crackers, rice, or pasta.
- Get 30 to 60 minutes of physical activity on most days of the week. Brisk walking is a great way to move more.
- Stay at a healthy weight by using your meal plan and moving more.
- Ask for help if you feel down. A mental health counselor, support group, member of the clergy, friend, or family member who will listen to your concerns may help you feel better.
- Learn to cope with stress. Stress can raise your blood glucose. While it is hard to remove stress from your life, you can learn to handle it. NDEP’s Diabetes HealthSense provides online access to resources that support people with diabetes in making changes to live well. For more information visit www.YourDiabetesInfo.org/HealthSense.
- Stop smoking. Ask for help to quit. Call 1-800-QUITNOW (1-800-784-8669)
- Take medicines even when you feel good. Ask your doctor if you need aspirin to prevent a heart attack or stroke. Tell your doctor if you cannot afford your medicines or if you have any side effects.
- Check your feet every day for cuts, blisters, red spots, and swelling. Call your health care team right away about any sores that do not go away.
- Brush your teeth and floss every day to avoid problems with your mouth, teeth, or gums
- Check your blood glucose. You may want to test it one or more times a day. Use the card at the back of this booklet to keep a record of your blood glucose numbers. Be sure to show it to your health care team.
- Check your blood pressure if your doctor advises.
- Report any changes in your eyesight to your health care team.
- Talk with your health care team about your blood glucose targets. Ask how and when to test your blood glucose and how to use the results to manage your diabetes.
- Use this plan as a guide to your self-care.
- Discuss how your self-care plan is working for you each time you visit your health care team.
Step 4: Get routine care.
See your health care team at least twice a year to find and treat any problems early.
At each visit be sure you have a:
- blood pressure check
- foot check
- weight check
- review of your self-care plan shown in Step 3
Two times each year have an:
- A1C test – it may be checked more often if it is over 7
Once each year be sure you have a:
- cholesterol test
- triglyceride (try-GLISS-er-ide) test – a type of blood fat
- complete foot exam
- dental exam to check teeth and gums – tell your dentist you have diabetes
- dilated eye exam to check for eye problems
- flu shot
- urine and a blood test to check for kidney problems
At least once get a:
- pneumonia (nu-mo-nya) shot
- Ask your health care team about these and other tests you may need. Ask what yours results mean.
- Write down the date and time of your next visit.
- Use the card at the back of this booklet to keep a record of your diabetes care.
- If you have Medicare, ask your health care team if Medicare will cover some of the costs for
- learning about healthy eating and diabetes self-care
- special shoes, if you need them
- medical supplies
- diabetes medicines
My Diabetes Care Record
Record your targets and the date, time, and results of your tests. Take this card with you on your health care visits. Show it to your health care team to remind them of tests you need.
Self Checks of Blood Glucose
Record your targets and the date, time, and results of your checks. Take this card with you on your health care visits. Show it to your health care team.
Self Checks of Blood Glucose card
Where to get help:
Many of these groups offer items in English and Spanish.
National Diabetes Education Program
1-888-693-NDEP (1-888-693-6337)
www.YourDiabetesInfo.org
Diabetes HealthSense
An online library of resource for living well.
www.YourDiabetesInfo.org/HealthSense
National Kidney Disease Education Program
1-866-4-KIDNEY (1-866-454-3639)
www.nkdep.nih.gov
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse
1-800-860-8747
www.niddk.nih.gov
American Association of Diabetes Educators
1-800-TEAM-UP4 (1-800-832-6874)
www.diabeteseducator.org
American Diabetes Association
1-800-DIABETES (1-800-342-2383)
www.diabetes.org
American Dietetic Association
1-800-366-1655
www.eatright.org
American Heart Association
1-800-AHA-USA1 (1-800-242-8721)
www.americanheart.org
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636)
www.cdc.gov/diabetes
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227)
www.medicare.gov/navigation/manage-your-health/preventive-services/diabetes-screening.aspx
Source:
Diabetes in America: Emotional Support Needed
Diabetes In America: Emotional Support Needed
By: Jeff Roaderick
According to the Center for Disease Control almost 11% of the adult population in the United States has been diagnosed with either type-1 or type-2 diabetes. An additional 57 million people have pre-diabetes which is a condition when average blood glucose levels are higher than normal but not high enough for a diabetes diagnosis. Both of these populations total 81.6 million people in the US that have diabetes or are at risk for a diabetes diagnosis if their lifestyles are not changed. The agency projects that as many as 1 in 3 adults will have diabetes by 2050 which equates to 39 million people. The majority, 90% to 95%, of these individuals have type-2 diabetes.
Taking Control
Although these statistics indicate a significant epidemic, the outlook for individuals does not have to be a hopeless one. Unlike other chronic illnesses, diabetes allows individuals to take control of their lifestyle and make significant impacts on their quality of life. By taking control and incorporating healthy habits into ones daily life, one can significantly minimize the risk of diabetes complications which can include eye complications, kidney disease, heart disease, stroke, sexual dysfunction, and extremity amputation. For some individuals there is even a possibility of reversing diabetes.
The Diabetes Lifestyle
So what does a healthy diabetes lifestyle consist of? First, for many it involves the elimination of unhealthy habits such as smoking, excessive drinking, overeating, poor diet and a sedentary lifestyle. Second, it involves the incorporation of healthy lifestyle habits into one daily life that includes a low carbohydrate and low sugar diet, exercise, glucose monitoring, a medication regimen, consistent visits to a medical team and constant learning about the disease and its lifestyle.
Even though individuals with diabetes can significantly reduce the risk of diabetes complications by adhering to a healthy lifestyle, very few individuals do. For example, 70% of the individuals with type-2 diabetes are considered overweight and their diabetes diagnosis is correlated with their being overweight. For many of these individuals, losing weight can reverse a type-2 diabetes diagnosis. Given this, diabetes continues to grow with almost 90% of the diagnosis being type-2.
So why is it difficult for individuals to make healthy lifestyle changes and significantly impact diabetes complications and quality of life? The answer is complicated and it may involve practical and emotional dynamics which include knowledge and acceptance. A research study concluded that 95% of diabetes care is considered self-care. That means that only 5% of diabetes care is provided by a medical team and the remaining 95% of the care must be provided by the individual with diabetes and their families. In general, self-care consists of making significant lifestyle changes that include the elimination of unhealthy behaviors and the integration of healthy behaviors. This may mean giving up favorite foods, stopping smoking, and starting an exercise program For many learning the diabetes lifestyle and incorporating it into ones life can be an overwhelming and emotional endeavor. It is no wonder that many people with diabetes are not motivated to make such significant lifestyle changes.
Support
How can individuals be supported through this transition to a healthy diabetes lifestyle and how can one become motivated to learn and live a diabetes lifestyle? Countless studies have been conducted on the correlation between depression and diabetes. Depression has been identified as a significant factor why individuals do not adhere to a healthy diabetes lifestyle, even though the benefits are compelling. Other emotional struggles also appear to interfere with ones motivation to make the necessary lifestyle adjustments, such as fear, anger, sadness and denial. The process of developing motivation can be emotional as one works through these emotional dynamics. Trained counseling professionals at the Colorado Counseling and Wellness Institute can provide support and guidance to help individuals move towards acceptance and develop motivation to live a healthy life with diabetes. Diabetes is being called a lifestyle disease, and hopefully if all Americans can begin to live a healthy lifestyle, the diabetes trend will starting moving down.
Article Source: http://www.articlesnatch.com
a href=”http://66trp.com/c/6591-38456-825176?us=click-5371569-10874749%3FPPCPN%3D8669431352″ target=”_top”>
About the Author:
Jeff Roaderick is the Principal Owner of Colorado Counseling and Wellness Institute which is an organization that provides counseling services to support individuals with diabetes who are experiencing emotional and psychological challenges. You can contact Jeff via email jeff@coloradocwi.com or go to the website www.coloradocwi.com.
The Diabetes Epidemic Among African Americans
WHAT IS DIABETES?
Diabetes is a group of diseases marked by high levels of blood glucose resulting from defects in insulin production, insulin action, or both. Diabetes can lead to serious complications and premature death, but people with diabetes can take steps to control the disease and lower the risk of complications.
Diabetes is one of the leading causes of death and disability in the United States. Total health care and related costs for the treatment of diabetes run about $174 billion annually.
WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF DIABETES?
Type 1 diabetes (formerly called juvenile diabetes) results when the body’s immune system attacks and destroys its own insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. People with type 1 diabetes must have insulin delivered by injection or a pump. Symptoms of type 1 diabetes – increased thirst and urination, constant hunger, weight loss, blurred vision, and extreme fatigue – usually develop over a short period of time. If type 1 diabetes is not diagnosed and treated, a person can lapse into a life-threatening coma.
Type 1 diabetes accounts for approximately 5 percent of all diagnosed cases of diabetes in adults.
Type 2 diabetes (formerly called adult-onset diabetes) occurs when the body does not make enough insulin or cannot use the insulin it makes effectively. This form of diabetes usually develops in adults over the age of 40 but is becoming more prevalent in younger age groups – including children and adolescents. The symptoms of type 2 diabetes – feeling tired or ill, unusual thirst, frequent urination (especially at night), weight loss, blurred vision, frequent infections, and slow-healing wounds – may develop gradually and may not be as noticeable as in type 1 diabetes. Some people have no symptoms.
Type 2 diabetes accounts for about 90 to 95 percent of all diagnosed cases of diabetes in adults.
A person is more likely to develop type 2 diabetes if they:
o have a family history of diabetes
o are a member of an ethnic group like African Americans
o are overweight or obese
o are 45 year old or older
o had diabetes while pregnant (gestational diabetes)
o have pre-diabetes (glucose levels are elevated but not high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes)
o have high blood pressure
o have abnormal cholesterol (lipid) levels
o are not getting enough physical activity
o have polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
o have blood vessel problems affecting the heart, brain or legs
* have dark, thick and velvety patches of skin around the neck and armpits (This is
called acanthosis nigricans.)
Gestational diabetes develops during pregnancy. Women who have had gestational diabetes have a 35 to 60 percent chance of developing diabetes, mostly type 2, in the next 10 to 20 years.
HOW MANY AFRICAN AMERICANS HAVE DIAGNOSED AND UNDIAGNOSED DIABETES?
4.9 million; 18.7 percent of all non-Hispanic blacks ages twenty and older have diagnosed and undiagnosed diabetes
12.6 percent had diagnosed diabetes according to age adjusted 2004-2006 national survey data
WHAT IS THE LINK BETWEEN CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE AND DIABETES?
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death for people with diabetes – about two out of three people with diabetes die of heart disease or stroke.
Adults with diabetes have heart disease death rates about two to four times higher than adults without diabetes.
The risk for stroke is two to four times higher among people with diabetes.
About 67 percent of adults with diabetes also have high blood pressure.
Smoking doubles the risk for heart disease in people with diabetes.
WHAT CAN AFRICAN AMERICANS DO TO PREVENT HEART DISEASE OR STROKE AND OTHER DIABETES COMPLICATIONS?
Diabetes is a self-managed disease. People with diabetes must take responsibility for their day-to-day care. The chances of having diabetes complications can be reduced or delayed significantly by keeping blood glucose (blood sugar), blood pressure, and cholesterol levels (called the ABCs of Diabetes) in the target range.
The National Diabetes Education Program recommends the following targets for reducing the risk of heart disease and stroke for most people with diabetes:
A1C (Blood Glucose) Less than 7 percent **
(check at least twice a year)
Blood Pressure Less than 130/80 mmHg
(check every doctor’s visit)
Cholesterol (LDL) Less than 100 mg/dl
(check once a year)
**Targets should be individualized – less stringent targets may be advised with severe hypoglycemia, limited life expectancy, other medical conditions, or longstanding diabetes.
People with diabetes can manage their disease by eating healthy foods, being physically active, taking diabetes medicine as prescribed and testing blood glucose levels.
Community education and support programs can help people with diabetes and their families to manage their diabetes.
CAN TYPE 2 DIABETES BE PREVENTED?
YES! The Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP), an important trial sponsored by the National Institutes of Health, and the DPPOS, the 10 year follow up study to the DPP, showed that type 2 diabetes can be delayed or prevented in overweight adults with pre-diabetes, including African Americans. Pre-diabetes is a condition where blood glucose levels are higher than normal, but not yet high enough for a diagnosis of diabetes.
Risk factors for pre-diabetes are the same as those listed for type 2 diabetes.
To prevent diabetes, the people who participated in the DPP study:
Lost 5 to 7 percent of their body weight (that is 10 to 14 pounds for a person who weighs 200 pounds).
Were physically active for 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week. Most participants chose brisk walking.
Made healthier food choices and limited the amount of calories and fat in their diet.
WHERE CAN I GO FOR MORE INFORMATION?
For more information about preventing and controlling diabetes, call 1-888-693-NDEP (1-888-693-6337) or visit the National Diabetes Education Program website at www.YourDiabetesInfo.org.
Source: Adapted from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. National Diabetes Fact Sheet: national estimates and general information on diabetes and prediabetes in the United States, 2011. Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2011.
Updated January 2011
Why You Should Be Using Cinnamon As A Natural Remedy
Posted October 24, 2009
By Keith Henry
Keith Henry is the Director of Phase 3 ministries Inc. He is a medical missionary herbalist and Naturopathic Doctor Candidate. Grab his amazing free report “Emergency Herbal Medicine” at http://www.phase 3 Ministries.com
Cinnamon the botanical name being Cinnamomum Zeylanicum, is a small, bushy green tree. The dried leaves and/or dried bark of this tree form a constituent of many spice mixtures and medicines. Both add to the taste and flavor of food in addition to its medicinal value.
Cinnamon is purported to be a natural insulin sensitizer without any known adverse events. Both in vitro and in vivo animal studies have shown that cinnamon is an insulin sensitizer.
Studies suggest that cinnamon may have a regulatory effect on blood glucose, making it particularly advantageous for people with Type 2 diabetes.
Studies also indicate that merely 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon per day can lower LDL cholesterol.
In other studies, cinnamon has revealed an astounding ability to stop medication-resistant yeast infections.
In a study published by researchers at the U.S. Department of Agriculture in Maryland, cinnamon reduced the proliferation of leukemia and lymphoma cancer cells. Cinnamon had an anti-clotting effect on the blood.
In a study at Copenhagen University, patients given one-half a teaspoonful of cinnamon powder mixed with one tablespoonful of honey each morning prior to breakfast had considerable relief in arthritis pain after just one week and could walk with no pain at all after a month’s time.
When added to food, Cinnamon inhibits bacterial growth and development as well as food spoilage,
hereby making it a natural food preservative.
An additional study determined that smelling cinnamon boosts cognitive function as well as memory. Moreover, researchers at Kansas State University discovered that cinnamon fights the E. coli bacteria in juices that are unpasteurized. Cinnamon is also a great source of manganese, fiber, iron, and calcium.
Cinnamon has also been used in “brain tonics” to improve memory. Additionally, it is considered useful for anxiety, depression and mental tension. Cinnamon is also regarded as a very effective remedy for irritating cough, common cold, allergic rhinitis, and acute and chronic sinusitis.
Gynecologists that practice Ayurvedic medicine recommend cinnamon in menorrhagia (excessive bleeding during menses) and there have been medical trials that have supported this recommendation.
Women suffering from the condition known as menorrhagia are usually treated by the use of birth control pills in conventional medication. The failure to control the excessive monthly bleeding by use of contraceptive pills when it occurs is replaced with another so called “cure”.
The woman may sometimes be offered the unhappy choice of undergoing a hysterectomy in such cases-this being the second so called cure of conventional medication. So Cinnamon is at least a viable option.
So cinnamon can be a very potent natural “medicine” that lends help in digestive, respiratory and gynecological problems. Thus when used correctly the benefits just might be above what you expected.
Source: Keith Henry
Free Diabetes Supplies
Posted June 5, 2009
By Roger Thompson
The average person with diabetes spends more than $13,000 in medical care annually while the typical person without diabetes only spends approximately $3,000 per year on health care. While this cost sounds high, the toll of uncontrolled blood glucose levels and associated complications is a lot higher.
Think of all the prescriptions, lab work, and doctor’s visits as a form of preventive maintenance. Free diabetes supplies are provided to those who cannot afford to purchase them. There are also some insurance companies that provide these services. In fact, the majority of diabetes service companies are affiliated with health insurance companies, which is why you can get free diabetes supplies.
So, how do you get free diabetes supplies? Most companies that focus on providing health services and supplies for diabetics give out free supplies and will even ship them at no extra cost. However, you need to be covered by health insurance. Once you are covered, you will have to find a medical supply company that has either free or low cost diabetes supplies. Most of these places will deliver your supplies directly to your home for free.
Testing is important for diabetics because carefully monitoring blood glucose can give valuable information, helping to obtain great control which can seriously delay the progression of long term diabetic complications. Blood glucose is easy to monitor at home, using thumb prick blood tests. Many people who test this way daily do not actually understand how serious and important it is for them to do so.
Frequent monitoring can answer a lot of questions about diet and exercise, and what is happening over a long term period. Not only can monitoring blood glucose allow the diabetic control of his or her day to day – It can also indicate changes over time and help predict long term complications.
Health experts say that the ultimate goal of diabetics should be to get their blood glucose levels as close to normal as possible. However, if you have any medical conditions that affect your ability to control your glucose level, then these levels may be a bit higher. Therefore, it is important that you always have reliable blood glucose monitors, meters and other equipment so that you can check your present blood sugar levels.
Of course, this can be very costly because you have to pay for blood glucose monitors and test strips. It is actually these test strips that can leave a big hole in your pocket, which is why free diabetes supplies are very much appreciated by many diabetics. You should know that free diabetes supplies are safe to use as long as they have not expired because if they are expired they can be dangerous because they may not detect your glucose levels accurately.
Even if you decide to purchase large quantities of your supplies they will still cost you a lot of money, which is why it is advantageous to try to get them for free if you can.
Source: Roger Thompson
Obesity Can Cause Diabetes
Are You at Risk for Obesity?
| Tell us your success story! Tell us what you did to prevent or manage your diabetes. |
Are you overweight?
One way to find out if your weight puts you at risk for diabetes is to look at your body mass index, or BMI, which is based on a calculation of your height and weight. Use our BMI calculator to find out. If your BMI is over 25, you are at higher risk.
Learn more about the risks of being overweight.
You can get started right now!
Set a goal to get results.
If you are overweight or obese, calculate 5% of your body weight. If you weigh 150 pounds, 5% is 7.5 pounds. If you weigh 200 pounds, 5% is 10 pounds. Set a goal to lose 5% of your current body weight. Lose 5% of your weight and you have taken the first steps to reducing your health risks for diabetes and other serious conditions. Every pound you lose and keep off is a very positive step. Get motivated to lose weight.
Don’t Just Sit There!
Being inactive contributes to type 2 diabetes, and not just because it goes hand in hand with being overweight. Physical activity helps keep blood glucose levels in check. The Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) proved that type 2 diabetes can be prevented or delayed by managing weight and increasing physical activity.
Make a plan.
Include a healthy diet and physical activity. Losing weight and keeping it off is a challenge for most people. Begin your weight loss plan with the help of your health care team, and if possible, a dietician. Learn more about Healthy Weight Loss, including setting goals and getting started.
Source: American Diabetes Association
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