Diabetes
Type 1
Vision Impairment Caused by Diabetes - [10/17/08]
Summary: New research has found that 11% of diabetic adults have diabetic retinopathy (damage to the retina in the eye) or some form of visual damage, 3.8% of which is uncorrectable. Though retinal diseases can be reduced by managing blood glucose, and blood pressure, those who are diabetic are more likely to have uncorrectable visual impairments than those who are not diabetic.
Comment: Most diabetics that have visual impairments are most likely to suffer from this because of poor blood sugar management, high blood pressure, or abnormal cornea shape. By controlling your diabetes you can prevent many permanent side effects and improve your health.
Read article - Medical News TODAY October 17, 2008
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Aspirin is Found to Not Prevent Heart Attacks in Diabetics - [10/17/08]
Summary: Aspirin has been thought to prevent heart attacks in those with diabetes, but new research has proved this incorrect. Antioxidants and aspirin taken regularly do not prevent heart attacks even in high risk patients. Because those with diabetes are two to five times more likely to suffer from heart disease, doctors regularly prescribed aspirin, but because of this new research, aspirin will only be prescribed to those with established heart and stroke disease.
Comment: Heart disease is a major cause of death in those with type 1 and type 2 diabetes, making it important to find the right treatment for both conditions, aspirin not being one of them. Because the prolonged use of aspirin can cause gastrointestinal bleeding, it is important to only take this medication if suggested or prescribed by your doctor.
Read article - Medical News TODAY October 17, 2008
Patients Misunderstand Written Screening Tests - [10/14/08]
Summary: The majority of physicians require patients to answer written questions while in the waiting room to visit the doctor. However, a new survey has revealed the gap between doctors and patients in the process of answering the written questions. Because of the difference in literacy between patients and physicians, most patients are confused, or don't understand most of the questions. According to Dr. Master, one of the authors of this survey, the predominant reason for this is illiteracy.
Comment: Illiteracy is becoming more common in American which is causing great problems to physicians. Not only is there a problem with illiteracy but also with patients who are innumerate. By answering the surveys to the best of your abilities, you will receive better diagnosis or treatment of diabetes.
Read article - Medical News TODAY October 14, 2008
Guidelines to Address Mortality Increase - [10/12/08]
Summary: The American Society of Hypertension has issued new guidelines to address the high mortality rates for diabetics with hypertension. Physicians are urged to have a personalized, integrated approach to treating these patients, by treating the patient, not the individual conditions. ACE inhibitors or ARBs are recommended, coupled with thiazide-like diuretics or calcium antagonists. Levels of proteinuria need to be reduced in these patients to control their blood pressure and blood sugar.
Comment: About 75% of diabetes currently have hypertension or are taking anti-hypertension medications. Having hypertension and diabetes increases a patients mortality risk about seven times. These guidelines will help patients with diabetes and hypertension control their conditions and have better overall health.
Read article - Medical News TODAY October 12, 2008
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Internet Consulted More Often Than Doctors - [10/12/08]
Summary: New market research shows that over the past year more adults went to the internet to get health information than consulted a doctor. This trend may likely be the product of an increasing consumer comfort in using the web to find reliable medical information. In addition, rising costs of healthcare coverage and visits to the doctor may be adding to the preference for first looking for information online.
Comment: The impacts of this trend, as well as others, will be discussed in an online seminar entitled "Is TV Dead? How the New New Media Changes Pharmaceutical DTC Advertising". The event is scheduled for October 14th at 11am EST and October 16th at 3pm EST.
Read article - Medical News Today. October 12, 2008.
Read article - Register for the Seminar
New F.A.C.E. Campaign - [10/10/08]
Summary: Diabetes awareness month, which is each November, reminds the 24 million people in the United States who live with diabetes to realize the seriousness of their condition. The Fearless African-Americans Connected and Empowered (F.A.C.E.) Diabetes campaign was launched by the Eli Lilly company in efforts to help the African-American community. This campaign was also created to encourage and help better diabetes management among the community.
Comment: Diabetes is a common condition in the United States and this campaign was launched to help the African-American community which disproportionately affected by this condition. Diabetes can be a hassle in the day to day life and this campaign was designed to encourage good management even when it is hard.
Read article - Health News Digest October 10, 2008
Vitamin D Linked to Overall Health - [10/10/08]
Summary: Vitamin D has been linked to improved overall health. This vitamin affects 36 organ tissues in the body including bone marrow, breast, colon, intestine, kidney, lung, prostate, retina, skin, stomach and uterus tissues. It has also been linked to improving immune systems, insulin secretion, heart health, blood pressure, muscle strength, brain activity, and decreased risk of cancer. For most adults 200-600 IU of daily vitamin D is recommended, but some experts recommend up to 2000 IU daily.
Comment: Vitamin D has previously been thought to improve bone health, but this study shows that it can affect all areas of health. By increased intake of vitamin D people with type 1 diabetes can experience improved health.
Read article - Medical News TODAY October 10, 2008
Key Hormone may Lead to Earlier Diagnosis of Gestational Diabetes - [10/09/08]
Summary: New research has shown that women who suffer from gestational diabetes have an decreased amount of the insulin sensitizing hormone called adiponectin. The decreased amount of this hormone was found in as early as nine weeks into a pregnancy. The lower amount of this hormone was liked with the development of gestational diabetes. "Gestational diabetes, if untreated, leads to increased risk of neonatal complications," said Researcher Dr Kristine Lain.
Comment: Because gestational diabetes can cause so many medical problems to the baby that is being carried, it is important diagnose and treat the condition as soon as possible. The discovery of the hormone adiponectin is a great advancement in being able to diagnose gestational diabetes earlier.
Read article - Science Daily October 6, 2008
Book for Managing Diabetes - [10/07/08]
Summary: "Diabetes can be overwhelming. This book provides you with easy-to-digest information you can use through the next year" says Theresa Garnero author of a recently published book titled YOUR FIRST YEAR WITH DIABETES: What To Do, Month By Month. This book gives tips, and ideas on properly controlling your diabetes and offers encouragement, comfort, and inspiration to those recently diagnosed with the condition.
Comment: This book can be successful in helping those who have recently been diagnosed with diabetes. Diabetes can be a discouraging disease to be diagnosed with, but this book contains many different ways to control your diabetes and stay healthy.
Read article - October 7, 2008
Depression Linked to Higher Death Rates in Elderly with Diabetes - [10/06/08]
Summary: For elderly people with diabetes depression can raise death rates from all causes. Both diabetes and depression increased the risk of death from all causes by about 36% to 38% over a two-year period. Patients diagnosed with depression were less likely to be African-American, more likely to be Hispanic, more likely to be female, and had a more severe medical condition.
Comment: It is suggested that depression worsens chronic conditions such as diabetes because patients are less likely to care for themselves and are more likely to have a harmful habit such as smoking or overeating. Depression has also been associated with many other factors that raise a person's risk of death. By avoiding and treating depression elderly patients with diabetes can prolong the patients life and improve their health.
Read article - Science Daily October 6, 2008