Sleepless Nights Might Raise Women's Type 2 Diabetes Risk

Title: Sleepless Nights Might Raise Women's Type 2 Diabetes Risk
Category: Health News
Created: 1/28/2016 12:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 1/29/2016 12:00:00 AM

Source MedicineNet Diabetes General http://ift.tt/1PGlQPk

Live. Work. Play: Diana’s Diabetes Story

Working for the American Diabetes Association® means making a difference for millions of people and working toward a future free of diabetes and all its burdens.

We all have a story to share. Some of us live with type 1 or type 2 diabetes, gestational diabetes or prediabetes. Others have loved ones with the disease or have lost someone to the fight.

The following are personal stories from the Association’s staff about why we are so committed to the mission to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes.

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April 2010: As a volunteer I got to meet the artist Frankie J.

Diana Velo
Associate Manager, Area Community Engagement
San Diego

I came to know the American Diabetes Association in 2009, when I was offered the opportunity to volunteer my time for the Por Tu Familia program. But my diabetes story started in 2005, when I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes at the age of 18. I am not ashamed to admit that I live with something that might have been prevented had I been more educated about the risk factors for type 2.

I didn’t do much or care much, to be honest—about the disease. I was in complete denial and refused to accept any medical attention for it. I thought if I ignored my diagnosis enough, it would go away on its own.

This all changed in 2008, when I became pregnant with my first child. I knew that if I wanted to live and see my baby grow, I would have to make some hard choices and stick by them. My first step was going on medication and checking my blood glucose like I was told to do.

But I felt that something was missing. Even though I wasn’t the only person in my family with this disease, I was the only person my age. At the time of my diagnosis, most of my relatives with diabetes were in their late 40s and couldn’t relate to me or my situation.

I started volunteering with the Association. A then staff member asked if I wanted to help out at the local office in San Diego as well, so whenever I could I would go in and help with any projects they had for me. Eventually, there was an administrative support opening at that office, and I applied—not knowing in that moment that it was going to be a life-changer for me.

Nearly three years later, I feel more committed than ever and in debt to the Association for all the help and support I’ve received as a volunteer, an employee and a person living with diabetes. My diabetes has never been so controlled. I recently started using a continuous glucose monitor (CGM). I am now on insulin shots and will potentially go on a pump within the next few months.

Left to right: Dewan Gibson, Sheila Mazdyasni, Diana Velo, Nikki Woodward and Nicole Parker

Seeing firsthand how hard the Association works both locally and nationally and working with my community has motivated me to continue working here. I know how hard the staff works to put on events like Step Out: Walk to Stop Diabetes®, Tour de Cure® and Father of the Year.

It’s my duty and own mission to educate the masses, to inspire others to make a choice like I did and live better, smarter and healthier. I wouldn’t be where I am today if it hadn’t been for that very first opportunity in 2009 to tell my story in front of a few people who, like me, live with diabetes.

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To learn more about nationwide employment opportunities and life at the Association, please visit diabetes.org/careers.

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New Transplant Technique Might Free Type 1 Diabetics From Daily Injections

Title: New Transplant Technique Might Free Type 1 Diabetics From Daily Injections
Category: Health News
Created: 1/27/2016 12:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 1/28/2016 12:00:00 AM

Source MedicineNet Diabetes General http://ift.tt/1RQfC61

Living with Diabetes in College: Erykah

For young adults living with diabetes, preparing for college can be a difficult time. Managing diabetes while trying to make sense of a new world, social network and expectations can be especially challenging. You’re not alone! There are many resources in place to help support this transition.

The following are stories shared by College Diabetes Network (CDN) Students, involved in CDN’s Student Advisory Committee (SAC), about their experiences heading off to college, and navigating life on campus, with diabetes.

The College Diabetes Network provides programs for young adults with diabetes to help make their college experience safer and more successful. The American Diabetes Association is working with CDN to help further this goal.

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Name and Age: Erykah, 17

School: Philander Smith College (Little Rock, Ark.), Class of 2019

I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when I was 11 years old and in the sixth grade.

I knew I needed to thoroughly research colleges and universities, because I had already encountered a case of discrimination. I was accepted to one university’s summer program and offered a scholarship. However, the director of the program took it away because I had type 1 diabetes and they didn’t want to burden the other students. The director felt I was not prepared for college due to my diabetes. But I fought to be in the program, informed the university of my rights as a student and proved myself capable. In the end I decided to not attend that school, but I hope they learned a lesson about the rights of people with diabetes and other disabilities.

After this incident I realized that as someone living with diabetes, it is so important for me to know about my rights and the available services and accommodations.

The resources provided by CDN to inform others about living with diabetes have been a tremendous help in my time so far at Philander. Whether through their website or educational programs, my local CDN chapter has helped me connect with others on campus who are also living with diabetes. It’s important to meet and connect with others who are going through the same experiences as me. Although Philander already celebrates Diabetes Awareness Month in November, I am hoping that with the help of CDN and the Project Blue campaign I will be able to have more programs and meetings on diabetes awareness to educate others.

Educating others about diabetes often starts with a simple question. For example, I’ve been asked about my insulin pump and why it is needed to manage my diabetes.

I have also experienced a lack of knowledge about type 1 and type 2 diabetes on my college campus. I have met many students who have no idea what diabetes is, or the difference between type 1 and type 2. Once in class, type 1 diabetes was being discussed and the instructor told the entire class that it developed when parents fed their children candy and sweets all their life. The instructor continued to say that we needed to make sure we ate oranges and apples to ensure we would not get diabetes. These statements really bothered me. That’s why I am glad CDN now has a chapter at my school to educate others and correct these myths.

When someone has a question or concern about diabetes, I try to explain it in the best way possible. I am happy to explain to anyone who is looking for knowledge. Sometimes I may even throw in a few jokes—I want them to realize that I appreciate how diabetes has shaped me as a person.

I chose to tell my college friends and professors about my diabetes, not only for the safety of myself but for the sake of others. It’s important to educate others about what to do in case of an emergency and to teach them about the devices we carry. My diabetes has been a struggle since I was diagnosed. They were surprised that I did open up and let it be known immediately. I am not ashamed; diabetes is just a part of who I am.

Before leaving for college I did not know how difficult it would be to manage my diabetes. It’s very time-consuming, and time management is very important. I have to be a full-time college student while managing my diabetes at the same time. I didn’t even consider that my life would change so much. The foods I eat, the amount of time I exercise, even how late I stay up at night all affect how my diabetes stays controlled.

Before I headed off to college, my mother made sure I had everything I needed, as did my health care team. My school is about six hours away from home, so we ordered supplies in advance and officially changed my address so that I could get certain items shipped directly to my college.

For high school students heading out to college, I would say do your best to get your diabetes managed and develop a set schedule before you even get there. College is extremely time-consuming; you are a student all day, every day. But when dealing with a chronic illness, you have to take time to take care of yourself. Once you arrive, do not be afraid to stand up for yourself, your health and your rights. You only have one body and you must take care of it.

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The College Diabetes Network (CDN) is a 501c3 non-profit organization, whose mission is to use the power of peers, access to resources, and grassroots leadership to fill the gaps experienced by young adults with diabetes and make their college experience safer and more successful. CDN’s vision is to empower young adults with diabetes to thrive in all of their personal, healthcare, and scholastic endeavors. CDN has over 80 campuses with 60+ affiliated chapters. Sign-up for more information here.

Diabetes Forecast magazine and the College Diabetes Network recently published a “Thrive Guide for Young Adults” with tips for doing college with diabetes. Visit diabetesforecast.org and diabetes.org for more information.

Source Diabetes Stops Here http://ift.tt/1OZOAmK

Your Rights, One Voice: Alicia and Darcie’s Story

Alicia Shantz of Dearborn, Michigan, was looking at a police officer job listing for the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office when she noticed something odd. The job application included the following:

“In order to be a police officer with the Wayne County Sheriff’s Department you must meet all qualifications and requirements. Persons unable to meet these standards should not complete this application. Requirements include …. pass a pre-employment medical examination and be in good physical condition, including…. be free from chronic diseases or functional conditions which may impair the efficient performance of duties or endanger the lives of others. This includes diseases such as diabetes.”

Because Alicia has type 1diabetes, she did not apply. But at the same time, she thought this policy was unfair. So she contacted the American Diabetes Association®.

A Legal Advocate at the Association gave Alicia information about the legal rights of people with diabetes. Diabetes is considered a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act, and there are employment and other protections for people with disabilities.

Under federal law, an employer cannot deny a person with a disability the opportunity to apply for a job, if he or she can perform the essential duties of the job. This applies whether or not the person needs a reasonable accommodation to do the job. An employer must also provide reasonable accommodations to its employees with disabilities. Examples of accommodations include adjusting a work schedule or providing time for necessary breaks for medical reasons.

To address this diabetes discrimination issue, the Legal Advocate put Alicia in touch with Darcie Brault, a partner with McKnight, Canzano, Smith, Radtke & Brault (a law firm in Royal Oak, Michigan), and a member of the Association’s Advocacy Attorney Network. Darcie sent the Sheriff’s Office a letter that outlined the laws that cover people with diabetes, stating that their policy was illegal—and requesting that the job application language be changed accordingly.

After some back and forth, the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office agreed to change the language in its job applications. They will allow people with diabetes (and other disabilities) to apply for police officer jobs in the future.

“It was gratifying to be involved in this process. I believe we educated the Sheriff’s Office, and the result will affect all future disabled applicants.” – Darcie Brault

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The American Diabetes Association leads the effort to prevent and eliminate discrimination against people with diabetes at school, at work and in other parts of daily life. If you need help, call 1-800-DIABETES or visit http://ift.tt/1zCIiW2.

Give the gift of fairness — donate now to help people with diabetes facing discrimination, just like Alicia.

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Check Your Risk for Diabetes, CDC Urges

Title: Check Your Risk for Diabetes, CDC Urges
Category: Health News
Created: 1/21/2016 12:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 1/22/2016 12:00:00 AM

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Variations in Brain Volume and Growth in Young Children With Type 1 Diabetes

Early-onset type 1 diabetes may affect the developing brain during a critical window of rapid brain maturation. Structural MRI was performed on 141 children with diabetes (4–10 years of age at study entry) and 69 age-matched control subjects at two time points spaced 18 months apart. For the children with diabetes, the mean (±SD) HbA_1c level was 7.9 ± 0.9% (63 ± 9.8 mmol/mol) at both time points. Relative to control subjects, children with diabetes had significantly less growth of cortical gray matter volume and cortical surface area and significantly less growth of white matter volume throughout the cortex and cerebellum. For the population with diabetes, the change in the blood glucose level at the time of scan across longitudinal time points was negatively correlated with the change in gray and white matter volumes, suggesting that fluctuating glucose levels in children with diabetes may be associated with corresponding fluctuations in brain volume. In addition, measures of hyperglycemia and glycemic variation were significantly negatively correlated with the development of surface curvature. These results demonstrate that early-onset type 1 diabetes has widespread effects on the growth of gray and white matter in children whose blood glucose levels are well within the current treatment guidelines for the management of diabetes.

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Living with Diabetes in College: Dorian

For young adults living with diabetes, preparing for college can be a difficult time. Managing diabetes while trying to make sense of a new world, social network and expectations can be especially challenging. You’re not alone! There are many resources in place to help support this transition.

The following are stories shared by College Diabetes Network (CDN) Students, involved in CDN’s Student Advisory Committee (SAC), about their experiences heading off to college, and navigating life on campus, with diabetes.

The College Diabetes Network provides programs for young adults with diabetes to help make their college experience safer and more successful. The American Diabetes Association is working with CDN to help further this goal.

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Name and Age: Dorian, 18
School: Howard University, Class of 2018

My name is Dorian, and I’m an 18-year-old sophomore at Howard University in Washington, D.C. I was diagnosed in October 2005 at the age of nine and am originally from Southfield, Michigan. Although I did not research health services and accommodations when looking into colleges and universities, I knew Howard would be a perfect fit. My doctor informed me that every school has some kind of accommodations in place for people with diabetes, due to the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Before I headed off to college, my health care team gave me a packet full of helpful information, important phone numbers, documents to give to my school’s Disability Services Office and a letter to give to my roommate and Resident Assistant (RA), among others. The letter stated and explained my condition and included my symptoms of high/low blood sugar levels. This was important so my roommate would be able to recognize them.

I chose to tell my roommate, RA and college professors about my diabetes. Even though I never had any issues, my RA was glad I let her know ahead of time instead of waiting until it could have been too late. Howard University’s Disability Services Office issues letters to each of my professors every semester, obligating them to accommodate my diabetes. These are all helpful accommodations and a must for everyone college student living with diabetes.

When talking to friends about diabetes, I am very open and honest about my lifestyle. I make sure to explain diabetes in a simple way to make it easier for my friends to understand. I answer all their questions because I am flattered that they are interested in learning about diabetes.

I knew that my college schedule would be more unpredictable than high school. I also knew how important it is to always be prepared. My parents made sure I had a box of medical supplies to make it through the whole semester so I wouldn’t have to order any extra supplies. Trying to develop a consistent eating schedule around my classes, extracurricular activities and downtime was a bit of a struggle. It took quite a few weeks for my body to adjust to the new food, the extra walking I was doing and the added stress. However, I knew I was going to be okay thanks to all the support around me.

I still had to learn the hard way that it was up to me to make sure I had what I need with me at all times. I’ve experienced low blood glucose levels with no food nearby or little time to go and find food. I have also been stuck with a malfunctioning insulin pump and no extra supplies on hand, so my blood glucose escalated until I could get back to my dorm. These are very uncomfortable situations! Before heading out to college, I wish I had realized the importance of always being prepared. Sometimes I put myself in certain situations during exams without food or supplies, and that was very dangerous.

My endocrinologist informed me about CDN after my first year of college. I found that there was no existing chapter at Howard, so I decided to start my own and it’s been a learning experience since then! Because I am currently in the process of starting a CDN chapter, it will be a while until I can fully use all that CDN has to offer. However, I plan to make the experience an enjoyable, rewarding one for all members. My efforts for starting the chapter have included hanging flyers, meeting with the Student Health Center, spreading the word using social media and planning a meet-and-greet—all in hope of finding students who are interested in joining even if they aren’t living with diabetes.

If you have diabetes and are getting ready for college, I would offer this advice:

• Take responsibility for your health! College is already hard; don’t make it harder by not taking care of yourself.
• Always try your best to be prepared and equipped with what you need; every day can be filled with unexpected situations.
• There will be times where you will have to stop what you are doing to tend to your health (i.e., having to leave a party or a class because you desperately need some supplies from your dorm room). Do what you need to do.
• Even though you may be under stress, keep a positive attitude; your negativity will do NOTHING for you or your diabetes.

Living with diabetes can be frustrating and stressful sometimes. But once you adjust to college, living with diabetes as a student is really not that bad. With education and a support group, you can feel perfectly normal.

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The College Diabetes Network (CDN) is a 501c3 non-profit organization, whose mission is to use the power of peers, access to resources, and grassroots leadership to fill the gaps experienced by young adults with diabetes and make their college experience safer and more successful. CDN’s vision is to empower young adults with diabetes to thrive in all of their personal, healthcare, and scholastic endeavors. CDN has over 80 campuses with 60+ affiliated chapters. Sign-up for more information here.

Diabetes Forecast magazine and the College Diabetes Network recently published a “Thrive Guide for Young Adults” with tips for doing college with diabetes. Visit diabetesforecast.org and diabetes.org for more information.

Source Diabetes Stops Here http://ift.tt/1QgV3wj

Catch-Up Sleep May Reverse Type 2 Diabetes Risk Tied to Sleep Loss: Study

Title: Catch-Up Sleep May Reverse Type 2 Diabetes Risk Tied to Sleep Loss: Study
Category: Health News
Created: 1/18/2016 12:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 1/19/2016 12:00:00 AM

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Stressed Teens May Face Higher Diabetes Risk as Adults: Study

Title: Stressed Teens May Face Higher Diabetes Risk as Adults: Study
Category: Health News
Created: 1/14/2016 12:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 1/14/2016 12:00:00 AM

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Living with Diabetes in College: Arianna

For young adults living with diabetes, preparing for college can be a difficult time. Managing diabetes while trying to make sense of a new world, social network and expectations can be especially challenging. You’re not alone! There are many resources in place to help support this transition.

The following are stories shared by College Diabetes Network (CDN) Students, involved in CDN’s Student Advisory Committee (SAC), about their experiences heading off to college, and navigating life on campus, with diabetes.

The College Diabetes Network provides programs for young adults with diabetes to help make their college experience safer and more successful. The American Diabetes Association is working with CDN to help further this goal.

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Name and Age: Arianna, 19

School: University of California – San Diego (UCSD), Class of 2017

I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in the middle of finals week during my sophomore year of college, about a year ago. It was a scary experience.  I was mainly preoccupied with what needed to be done to end the quarter with good grades and I started panicking a bit. However, my parents had driven up from Arizona to help me sort everything all out.

I told my roommates about my diagnosis as soon as it happened. They were wondering why I had to stay away in the hospital for four days and were very supportive. And when it came to my professors and others knowing, the Student Disabilities Office handled a lot of the class and exam accommodations. My parents took me to visit the office and I made an appointment with one of the counselors. She gave me paperwork that allowed me to leave during the exams to self-manage my diabetes and then return to the testing room. This took some of the pressure off.  I was very happy this service was offered at UCSD in addition to the support from my peers.

It’s been challenging to face new situations while still living the college life. Checking my continuous glucose monitor during exams, giving insulin shots in the middle of class, rummaging around in my backpack for foods to help treat lows (and then proceeding to eat them all within five minutes)—it has been overwhelming.

Although I was diagnosed in college, one thing I wish I knew about diabetes management was learning how to eat on a schedule and not skip meals (especially before exams). I’m extremely busy with classes and exams, but meal planning is just as important and makes a difference in my blood glucose levels.

Our CDN chapter was just founded in September 2015. I loved meeting other students living with type 1 diabetes and working together to make this chapter thrive. As the founder of the chapter, I am looking forward to also serving as chapter leader in the future and hosting and participating in events in and out of college, including diabetes walks.

My advice to incoming students living with diabetes is to not be scared! There are other people on campus working with the same challenges as you. If you can’t find them, look for a CDN chapter at your school. And if there isn’t a chapter yet, start one! It’s important to have a positive relationship with everyone you surround yourself with; a support group also helps! Thanks to the help and support of my family, friends and medical team, I was able to finish that year of college and continue working on my education.

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The College Diabetes Network (CDN) is a 501c3 non-profit organization, whose mission is to use the power of peers, access to resources, and grassroots leadership to fill the gaps experienced by young adults with diabetes and make their college experience safer and more successful. CDN’s vision is to empower young adults with diabetes to thrive in all of their personal, healthcare, and scholastic endeavors. CDN has over 80 campuses with 60+ affiliated chapters. Sign-up for more information here.

Diabetes Forecast magazine and the College Diabetes Network recently published a “Thrive Guide for Young Adults” with tips for doing college with diabetes. Visit diabetesforecast.org and diabetes.org for more information.

Source Diabetes Stops Here http://ift.tt/1OsQ88O

Health Tip: Diabetics, Watch for Gum Disease

Title: Health Tip: Diabetics, Watch for Gum Disease
Category: Health News
Created: 1/12/2016 12:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 1/12/2016 12:00:00 AM

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FDA Approves Animas® Vibe® Insulin Pump and Continuous Glucose Monitoring System For Use in Children

Insulin Pump System Offers Children Ages Two and Older an Integrated Solution for Diabetes Management.

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Device Approved for Diabetic Foot Ulcers

Title: Device Approved for Diabetic Foot Ulcers
Category: Health News
Created: 1/7/2016 12:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 1/8/2016 12:00:00 AM

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Q&A About Checking Your Blood Glucose

Why should I check my blood glucose? What are blood glucose target ranges? I've checked my blood glucose. Now what? Why is it important to record my results? Answers to these questions and more can be found in this article.

Source Diabetic recipes, free diabetes magazine & more! http://ift.tt/1ODynXU

Turn The Light On!

Have you ever tried to drive your car at night with no lights? Hopefully the answer is “No.” Why? I am sure you are thinking, the reason is obvious — I couldn’t see where I was going and I might crash. The same thing happens if you have diabetes and you don’t test your blood sugar. You have no idea of your blood sugar level, and this lack of knowledge can cause you serious problems.

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Diabetes Mystery Solver

You can think of diabetes as a mystery book, an award winning “Whodunit?” Did you know that blood glucose testing is a very important key to success in managing diabetes? You are in partnership with your healthcare provider in managing the mystery of diabetes. You check your blood sugars at home and your healthcare provider uses those blood sugars to create a care plan with you.

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Blood Glucose Monitoring Basics

If you have diabetes, one of the most important things you can do to help manage your own health is to monitor your blood glucose regularly. This helps keep track of your A1C, and also helps prevent or treat complications from your diabetes.

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Less Pain… More Gain

Why should I check my blood glucose? How often per day? Per week? What is the benefit of checking blood glucose first thing in the morning versus a couple of hours after a meal? If the numbers are always the same, should I try different times? Should I bother at all?

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Savvy Supermarket Trends To Watch In 2016

The New Year is here! January is a popular time for people to refocus on health and weight goals. Shopping smart can make a positive impact on blood sugar, health and weight. Researchers are now discussing findings that eating at home leads to a higher intake of whole grains, fruits and vegetables, and dairy products. Consumers are recognizing that eating at home offers health benefits and saves money-and calories.

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Blood Glucose Monitoring: Your Tool For Diabetes Control

If you have diabetes, you know that taking care of yourself is a lot of work in order to stay healthy and lower the risk of developing complications.

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What’s In A Number?

Numbers are very helpful when we are trying to live a healthy lifestyle. The number on the weight scale lets us know if we need to eat smaller portions of food or different foods or get more exercise. The number of steps on our pedometer keeps us on track with regular exercise. Lab tests give you and your health care providers information about your overall health.

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Be The Boss Of Your Diabetes

Checking your blood sugar is like doing a science fair project. The focus of the project is you. It is okay to experiment. It is even okay to have fun. Try checking blood sugar before a meal. Check one to two hours later. What happens? Expand your experiments. Does exercise lower your glucose? Does stress or illness make your glucose go up? The more you discover what affects your glucose, the more you can be the boss of your diabetes.

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Think You’re Having A Low? Check Don’t Guess!

You start to feel shaky, nervous, and you are sweating. Maybe you become cranky all of a sudden. What do you do? Well, if you have diabetes and take medicine for it, then I hope the first thing you do is check your blood glucose.

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Are You Driving Blindfolded?

When you were first diagnosed with diabetes, chances are your health care provider recommended you test your blood glucose at home. You may even bring your logbook in for your routine follow-up visits, but does it seem useless? Many patients with diabetes have told me of their frustration with testing, and end up stopping it all together. Have you ever felt that way? It helps if you understand there is a method to the madness.

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5 Reasons Checking Your Blood Glucose Regularly May Improve Diabetes Control

If you have diabetes, checking your blood glucose may not be fun, but did you know it might improve your diabetes care? Checking blood glucose regularly can also prevent complications from diabetes.

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CHECK, PLEASE!

When you are dining out, what do you say at the end of the meal when you want to pay? "Check, please!" And the waiter brings you your bill. I have lived with type 1 diabetes for 40 years. When I am dining out, what do I do before ordering my meal? “Check, please.” I always check my blood glucose to help guide my decision of how much insulin I will need to take to cover the food I plan to eat.

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USE YOUR ONE TOUCH METER TO COLLECT DATA

How do you feel? Do you think you are having a low blood sugar? Well, the first thing you should do when you don’t feel like yourself, is grab your One Touch meter and test!

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Living with Diabetes in College: Charles

For young adults living with diabetes, preparing for college can be a difficult time. Managing diabetes while trying to make sense of a new world, social network and expectations can be especially challenging. You’re not alone! There are many resources in place to help support this transition.

The following are stories shared by College Diabetes Network (CDN) Students, involved in CDN’s Student Advisory Committee (SAC), about their experiences heading off to college, and navigating life on campus, with diabetes.

The College Diabetes Network provides programs for young adults with diabetes to help make their college experience safer and more successful. The American Diabetes Association is working with CDN to help further this goal.

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Name and Age: Charles, 21

School: Ohio University, Athens Campus, Class of 2017

When I was diagnosed at 14 years old, my world turned upside down. At the time, I thought I was going to enlist in the Marine Corps directly out of high school. Type 1 diabetes had other plans for me.

After I had accepted I would be attending college after high school, I had a good idea of where I wanted to go. Ohio University was only a 20-minute commute from home, had the only osteopathic medical school in the state, and it even had a Diabetes Institute where research scientists, clinicians, educators and students met to improve the quality of life for those affected by diabetes. It was truly the perfect school for me.

Because the campus was so perfectly suited to me, I didn’t look too deeply into their medical accommodations or health services for students. My doctor’s office is less than a three-minute drive from campus, which is a huge advantage. Everything I needed for college, for life with type 1 in general, was close at hand. This made my transition into college relatively simple—dare I say easy. I know others aren’t as lucky. But the real transition for me was how I interacted with my diabetes.

Type 1 can be straining on a person, and some may even feel ashamed by it. But please trust me when I say that telling someone about your condition is one of the best things you can do. This may not be the easiest thing for everyone to do. Talking about it is a relief in its own right. Once you can “own” your diabetes, then there is nothing it can throw at you that you can’t overcome—but that first requires you to embrace it and understand how it can affect your life. Inform the people around you so they can help you own it.

I make every effort to coexist with my disease rather than to fight it, and that requires the people closest to me to have a deep understanding of my diabetes and what to do in the event of a crisis. You never have to go it alone!

In my hometown of Glouster, I know of three other people with type 1 diabetes. Two of them went to the same high school as I did. You could say that outside of diabetes camp, which I attended in the summer, my interactions with other people with type 1 were nearly non-existent. This changed in my sophomore year of college, when my doctor and some of the nutrition faculty approached me about starting a club for people with diabetes.

The club would go on to become the Ohio University chapter of the College Diabetes Network. Helping to co-found this group has had a profound impact on me. I’ve connected with leaders in the diabetes sector, which has really made me reevaluate how I want to continue into my career. I want to work toward better treatment methods and the ever-elusive cure, but I also want to work outside the traditional realm of medicine. I want to support my peers to find the best course of treatment rather than dictating what that means. I want to treat the people and not just the disease. I know what it’s like to be on the patient side of health care; it’s important to make it more personal.

Ever since joining CDN, I’ve become the “diabetes guy” on campus. In helping to found our chapter, I made contacts in our Diabetes Institute, our medical school and our local diabetes programs. I was never afraid of talking about my diabetes before entering college, but in working with CDN along with other organizations, I became a self-proclaimed expert in telling people about it. My friends and coworkers could probably tell you more about type 1 diabetes than your typical person, based on the amount of information I pass on to them.

If you’re heading off to college with diabetes, do not be afraid to get involved! You never know who is “touched by diabetes,” and you might be surprised by who is interested in working with you or even just sitting down and having a conversation about diabetes.

Take it from someone who went it alone all four years of high school. You can tackle your diabetes all by yourself, it will never beat you unless you let it. But having people close to you who can help you when you really need it—that can make beating diabetes all the easier.

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The College Diabetes Network (CDN) is a 501c3 non-profit organization, whose mission is to use the power of peers, access to resources, and grassroots leadership to fill the gaps experienced by young adults with diabetes and make their college experience safer and more successful. CDN’s vision is to empower young adults with diabetes to thrive in all of their personal, healthcare, and scholastic endeavors. CDN has over 80 campuses with 60+ affiliated chapters. Sign-up for more information here.

Diabetes Forecast magazine and the College Diabetes Network recently published a “Thrive Guide for Young Adults” with tips for doing college with diabetes. Visit diabetesforecast.org and diabetes.org for more information.

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Artificial Pancreas to Get Long-Term 'Real-Life' Trial

Title: Artificial Pancreas to Get Long-Term 'Real-Life' Trial
Category: Health News
Created: 1/5/2016 12:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 1/6/2016 12:00:00 AM

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Keeping Up With the Diabetes News

With the new year came a variety of diabetes-related news. First, reality show star Rob Kardashian was reportedly diagnosed with diabetes and hospitalized for diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). We can’t confirm or deny the specifics of these reports or what type of diabetes Kardashian may have, but we did notice many medical inaccuracies in the news, which is unfortunately all too common in content written about diabetes. As always, our thoughts are with the Kardashians and the thousands of families who face a diabetes diagnosis every day.

Source: American Girl

And as of Jan. 1, American Girl dolls can be outfitted with their own diabetes care kits, complete with an insulin pump, glucose tablets, a log book and more—all items used by people to take care of their diabetes, especially when they must take insulin. We celebrate any efforts to embrace diabetes awareness and inclusion, especially if it helps young people with diabetes feel more understood and less alone.

Diabetes ought to be front-page news year-round; we need a robust national conversation to fuel the fight against America’s most urgent chronic health crisis. Diabetes, in all its forms, is a very serious disease. But while every headline shines a much-needed spotlight, it can also leave room for confusion about type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

The complexity of diabetes makes it ripe for myths and misinformation—so let’s get back to the basics. While there are certainly distinct differences between type 1 and type 2 diabetes, you may be surprised to learn how much they also have in common.

It starts with understanding the hormone insulin, which is produced in the pancreas. It’s what gets glucose from the food we eat out of the bloodstream and into the cells of the body, giving us the energy necessary for life. In short, you can’t survive without it.

In people with type 1 diabetes, the immune system attacks the cells that make insulin. Eventually, all of these cells are destroyed and the body no longer makes its own insulin. Those with type 1 diabetes must inject insulin as a medication for the rest of their lives. Although most often diagnosed in children, type 1 diabetes can affect people at any age.

Type 2 diabetes is the more common form, affecting 90 to 95 percent of Americans with diabetes. With type 2, the body typically still makes some insulin but is not able to use it correctly and may not make enough of it. Type 2 diabetes is more common among adults, but children can develop it as well. It is treated with healthy eating, physical activity, oral medications and sometimes insulin or other injectables.

An additional 86 million Americans have a condition called prediabetes, which puts them at serious risk for developing type 2 diabetes. And as many as 9.2 percent of women develop a usually temporary form of diabetes during pregnancy, called gestational diabetes, which can cause health risks to the developing fetus and during labor. Gestational diabetes also puts a mother at higher risk for type 2 later on and may set up her infant for health problems later in life, too.

With these fundamentals outlined, let’s explore some striking similarities that unite all people affected by diabetes.

Diabetes is genetic. Two factors are important in both type 1 and type 2 diabetes: You inherit a predisposition to the disease, then something in your environment triggers it. In most cases of type 1 diabetes, people inherit risk factors from both parents. Researchers speculate that the triggers could be anything from weather to viruses, but exact causes are still unknown. Meanwhile, type 2 is influenced by genetics, family history, age and inactivity. Being overweight is a major risk factor for developing type 2, but it’s important to note that most overweight people never develop type 2, and many people with it are at a normal weight or only moderately overweight. (For the record, diabetes is not directly caused by eating or drinking too much sugar.)

Diabetes has a common set of symptoms. Frequent urination, blurry vision, extreme thirst and fatigue are all hallmarks of diabetes, though the onset for type 1 is typically more sudden and some people with type 2 have symptoms so mild that they go unnoticed.

Both types of diabetes require a healthy lifestyle—and sometimes insulin treatment. Just to survive, people with type 1 must take multiple injections of insulin daily or continually infuse insulin with a pump. Multiple daily blood glucose checks and healthful eating and regular physical activity are also important in their everyday diabetes management. For most people, type 2 diabetes is a progressive disease. Over time, the body gradually produces less and less of its own insulin, and eventually oral medications may not be enough to keep blood glucose levels normal. The need for insulin treatment doesn’t mean the person with type 2 has failed—or that his or her diabetes has suddenly become type 1. It just means that person’s body needs more insulin than the body can produce on its own.

All types of diabetes are serious. High blood glucose levels and long-duration diabetes can lead to devastating and life-threatening, long-term complications, including heart attack, stroke, kidney disease, blindness and limb loss. Severe low blood glucose and high blood glucose can pose immediate health dangers and death if untreated. Diabetes takes a staggering physical, emotional and financial toll on our country—to the tune of $245 billion—every year.

Diabetes has no cure. At this time there is no cure for diabetes. We don’t yet know how to prevent type 1 diabetes. We know that type 2 can sometimes be prevented or delayed through lifestyle changes, such as increased exercise and healthful eating. But even if people with type 2 manage to bring their blood glucose levels to a normal range without medication, they still have diabetes. We work with researchers every day to unlock the puzzles of diabetes. Finding a cure, preventing the disease and its complications when we can and supporting those affected by diabetes is at the very core of the mission of the American Diabetes Association®.

You can live well with diabetes. With good information, education, medical care and support, people with diabetes can enjoy a long, productive life. As barriers to discrimination have been lifted, particularly in the 25 years since the Americans with Disabilities Act was passed, there is very little that people with diabetes can’t do in life or career: play professional sports, join law enforcement, become a Supreme Court justice, you name it!

Diabetes is a dangerous foe, and misinformation about it can directly and indirectly harm people. We urge you to join us in spreading the facts about diabetes.

What do YOU wish more people knew about diabetes? Tell us in the comments!

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Ingrowing Nails - definition - cuses - treatment - prevention

What Is an Ingrown Toenail?

When a toenail is ingrown, it is curved and grows into the skin, usually at the nail borders (the sides of the nail). This “digging in” of the nail irritates the skin, often creating pain, redness, swelling, and warmth in the toe.

If an ingrown nail causes a break in the skin, bacteria may enter and cause an infection in the area, which is often marked by drainage and a foul odor. However, even if the toe isn’t painful, red, swollen, or warm, a nail that curves downward into the skin can progress to an infection.

Causes of ingrown toenails include:

Heredity. In many people, the tendency for ingrown toenails is inherited.

Trauma. Sometimes an ingrown toenail is the result of trauma, such as stubbing your toe, having an object fall on your toe, or engaging in activities that involve repeated pressure on the toes, such as kicking or running.

Improper trimming. The most common cause of ingrown toenails is cutting your nails too short. This encourages the skin next to the nail to fold over the nail.

Improperly sized footwear. Ingrown toenails can result from wearing socks and shoes that are tight or short.

Nail Conditions. Ingrown toenails can be caused by nail problems, such as fungal infections or losing a nail due to trauma.

Ingrown2Treatment

Sometimes initial treatment for ingrown toenails can be safely performed at home. However, home treatment is strongly discouraged if an infection is suspected, or for those who have medical conditions that put feet at high risk, such as diabetes, nerve damage in the foot, or poor circulation.

Home care:

If you don’t have an infection or any of the above medical conditions, you can soak your foot in room-temperature water (adding Epsom’s salt may be recommended by your doctor), and gently massage the side of the nail fold to help reduce the inflammation.

Avoid attempting “bathroom surgery.” Repeated cutting of the nail can cause the condition to worsen over time. If your symptoms fail to improve, it’s time to see a foot and ankle surgeon.

Physician care:

After examining the toe, the foot and ankle surgeon will select the treatment best suited for you. If an infection is present, an oral antibiotic may be prescribed.

Sometimes a minor surgical procedure, often performed in the office, will ease the pain and remove the offending nail. After applying a local anesthetic, the doctor removes part of the nail’s side border. Some nails may become ingrown again, requiring removal of the nail root.

Following the nail procedure, a light bandage will be applied. Most people experience very little pain after surgery and may resume normal activity the next day. If your surgeon has prescribed an oral antibiotic, be sure to take all the medication, even if your symptoms have improved.

Preventing Ingrown Toenails

Many cases of ingrown toenails may be prevented by:

Proper trimming. Cut toenails in a fairly straight line, and don’t cut them too short. You should be able to get your fingernail under the sides and end of the nail.

Well-fitted shoes and socks. Don’t wear shoes that are short or tight in the toe area. Avoid shoes that are loose, because they too cause pressure on the toes, especially when running or walking briskly

.

What You Should Know About Home Treatment

Don’t cut a notch in the nail. Contrary to what some people believe, this does not reduce the tendency for the nail to curve downward.

Don’t repeatedly trim nail borders. Repeated trimming does not change the way the nail grows, and can make the condition worse.

Don’t place cotton under the nail. Not only does this not relieve the pain, it provides a place for harmful bacteria to grow, resulting in infection

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OVER-THE-COUNTERmedications are ineffective. Topical medications may mask the pain, but they don’t correct the underlying problem 

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Dr . Tarik Torki

Diabetic Foot Specialist & Foot Care Specialist
Saudi Arabia – Riyadh
0562154241
Khuris Street – In Front of Pakistanian Airline
Info@diabeticfootarabia.com

http://diabeticfootcareonline.blogspot.com.

The Internet Search Shortcut for Diabetes Data

  Since you are reading this article on the Internet, you can pride yourself that you can use the world’s largest information technology. But this technology is so new and complex that nobody can claim to fully understand it. Learning how to search the Internet is such a new skill, the tools have become so sophisticated, and the data is so vast that you have to work at it full-time to master it. I have worked at it every day for more than 20 years in my career of writing about diabetes and I am still learning new tricks. It’s time for me to share some of the best ones. … In March 1994 I began to use the Internet to learn everything that I could about diabetes. That was one month and two days after a doctor told me than my A1C level was 14.4 and that I had type 2 diabetes. … You can, of course, read my chapter on how to search the Internet for diabetes information in these books. If you do, be sure to read it in the 2015 edition, because the Internet and searching it have changed so much over the years. While only [...]

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