Diabetes is hard on anyone, but the elderly have an especially difficult time because of the maintenance required to keep the disease in check. Now, a new study suggests that elderly diabetics also have a “higher level of residual renal function when they start dialysis,” which means more are starting dialysis than ever before. In addition, they generally need to start it earlier than non-diabetic patients.

Also, the “proportion of deaths from infection was significantly increased in diabetics (12.8% vs. 9.8% of deaths).” These scary numbers mean that diabetics have to be that much more diligent about caring for themselves, and in talking with their doctor about options before complete kidney failure takes over the body.

Image: MorgueFile.

Post from: Blisstree

Elderly Diabetics and Kidney Failure

Complications not only prevent diabetics from living a more normal life, they also cost money. I would think insurance companies would want to prevent that. Maybe the answer to that would be legislation.

In Ohio, for example, where approximately one in ten people are diabetic “insurance companies are under no obligation to cover supplies for people with diabetes.” Thankfully, the Diabetes Association of Greater Cleveland has been trying to change that, but “the measure has died each time it was brought up.” It is being brought up one more time are people are hopeful it goes through. Let’s hope so anyway. Maybe even other states would follow suit.

Image: sxc.hu.

Post from: Blisstree

Making Coverage of Test Supplies Mandatory

That’s the question that the folks behind the Diabetes Handprint initiative want to know. They are asking everyone to create a virtual handprint that has the word you’d like to use to help bring awareness to diabetes. In exchange for every virtual handprint made, they will give $5 to one of two diabetic charities.

I chose the word, “blessed.” That might seem like an odd word for someone who has had Type 1 Diabetes for 20 years, but I feel like getting the disease now, at this very time in history, makes me blessed. I also feel that anyone born with great health is blessed, and the word reminds me of how precious life (and health) really are.

To create your virtual handprint, log on to the Diabetes Handprint site today. The goal of this initiative is to raise $250,000 by June 30, 2009.

Image: sxc.hu.

Post from: Blisstree

Diabetes Handprint

Don’t worry, I’ll still be providing diabetes news and updates here. And the “Putting a Face on Diabetes” interview series remains alive and well! (A little “health” humor there! Tee hee).

This is an exciting time for diabetics everywhere, as each day we know more about the disease and get closer to a cure.

Remember if you’re a Type 1 or Type 2 diabetic who is interested in being interviewed, please send me an email at: cherieburbach@yahoo.com. I look forward to meeting each and every one of you as we learn about and tackle this disease.

Post from: Blisstree

Diabetes Notes Has a New Home

When you really stop and think about it, aren’t you more active in the summer months than the winter months? I think I am with the pool, walks in the evenings and running with the kids all day long. So this little tidbit of information shouldn’t come as a huge surprise.

A five-year study found people treated in the summer were on average 8% more likely to see their blood pressure come down to healthy levels.

These same findings were reported from 15 VA hospitals across the US. Not only are blood pressure’s elevated in the winter months but the incidence of stroke and heart attacks are also higher. Is it the slowed activity, the colder weather and thus vasoconstriction or the salty “winter”type hot foods that we consume? Maybe it is all of the above.

via BBC 

Post from: Blisstree

Winter brings cardiac implications

Researchers found that 37 percent of Americans with diseases that affect the heart and vascular system had reached recommended levels of LDL-C (bad cholesterol), but only 17 percent were at recommended levels for all lipids – LDL-C, HDL-C (“good” cholesterol) and triglycerides. In contrast, 85 percent of those without cardiovascular diseases were at recommended LDL-C levels, while 67 percent were at recommended levels for all lipids. 

What do we need to do to decrease our risk levels? Control your weight, blood pressure and blood lipid levels through good lifestyle habits and minimal stress. I do not know what to say about stress because that gets tough and is hard to control but it is important to minimize- I should practice what I preach, haha.

via Science Daily 

Post from: Blisstree

High cholesterol needs to be controlled better among patients with high blood pressure

But a new study finds that even when people with diabetes show up in their doctor’s office with a high blood pressure reading, there’s only a 50-50 chance that each of them will get some sort of attention for it. That might mean a change to their medications, or a plan to follow up a few weeks later to see if the reading is still high.

What happens to the other 50%. Does their pressure just get worse? Do they monitor their high blood pressure or just throw caution to the wind, without even know they are doing so?

The national goal for people with diabetes is less than 130/80 mm Hg. (For people without diabetes or kidney problems, the goal is less than 140/90, which is considered the cutoff for Stage I hypertension.)

The study also showed that it also came down to what the patients chief complaint seemed to be. If it was pain for instance- there was less of an urgency with higher blood pressure compared to if it was say… dizziness or palpitations.  Bottom line: be your own advocate!!

via Science Daily

Post from: Blisstree

High blood pressure poses questions when dealing with diabetics

My bloodsugars are back on track as well. I was 101 last night and 94 and 98 today. I ate a vanilla low carb yogurt for breakfast and I was oh so bad at lunch. I was embarrassingly bad. I met my hubby for lunch. You see during all that sickness over the weekend, he was on a 6 day golf outing with 25 guys so I was missing him.

Guess where we went for lunch? No not subway, not even Arby’s but… Burger King! Ugh… I ate a whopper junior with no mayo and extra pickles. Oh brother is what I have to say to that one. And of course I sampled his french fries just to get some extra calories in there, haha.

Oh well, you can’t be good all the time, but I will get back on the diabetic diet wagon tomorrow. Can’t beat myself up too bad, whats done is done.

Post from: Blisstree

Journal 1/23/08- Foodwise, It’s Not Pretty