Insulin Resistance

Title: Insulin Resistance
Category: Diseases and Conditions
Created: 2/10/2004 12:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 8/31/2016 12:00:00 AM

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

Glucovance (glyburide/metformin)

Title: Glucovance (glyburide/metformin)
Category: Medications
Created: 3/2/2005 12:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 8/31/2016 12:00:00 AM

Source MedicineNet Diabetes General http://ift.tt/2c2kXIz

Diabetes Diet (Type 2)

Title: Diabetes Diet (Type 2)
Category: Diseases and Conditions
Created: 5/5/2015 12:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 8/31/2016 12:00:00 AM

Source MedicineNet Diabetes General http://ift.tt/2caoZvN

Live. Work. Play: Kaylee’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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Kaylee Gronau
Associate Manager, Development
Phoenix, Arizona

Kaylee, Blake and Morgan at a reunion ,12 years after meeting.

My adventure with the American Diabetes Association began when I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes on Nov. 4, 1996, less than a month after my seventh birthday. My parents reached out to the organization, which provided resources and support for managing diabetes at home and school. This was especially important, as my diagnosis was in the middle of the school year. We soon discovered the Association had even more to offer a child new to diabetes, including Diabetes Camp!

Now let us fast-forward to the summer of 1997. I was signed up for my first year at Camp Needlepoint in Hudson, Wis. My parents cried the first time I went off to camp; they didn’t want to leave me alone. It was my first sleepover camp and my first time away from them—the first time someone else would help me with my diabetes. I, however, was very excited about the possibilities of developing new friendships and learning from my counselors. I learned so much from my camp friends and counselors, such as taking insulin shots in places besides my stomach, and got better at carb counting.

At camp, I began what has become a 20-year journey of lifelong friendships, memories
and a passion to work for the organization that was—in all senses of the word—a lifeline for me and my family. Camp Needlepoint is where I started to make lifelong friendships. I was a camper until I was 18 and then became a camp counselor (at Camp Needlepoint and Camp Sioux in North Dakota). Two of my best friends, Morgan and Blake, are a HUGE part of my life even though we live in different states (Minnesota, Utah and Arizona). We still get together every summer for at least one trip or weekend.

Camp is about creating a welcoming experience for kids with diabetes so they can create a bond with their fellow campers. It gives them the life-changing opportunity to be understood by those going through the same fight. This is why I was happy to develop such strong relationships with Morgan and Blake. Camp was also an opportunity to learn more about diabetes—and the possibility of working for the Association.

I now work for the Phoenix office on a variety of projects, including School Walk for Diabetes®, camp reunions at Step Out Walk to Stop Diabetes® and Tour de Cure,® and the Young Professional Leadership Council. I love our Diabetes Camp program and I hope to continue with the organization to someday become a camp director. When my schedule allows, I still return to Camp Needlepoint and Camp Sioux to help out as a counselor. It’s always a fulfilling experience to help kids learn more about managing their diabetes.

Working for the Association lets me connect with other staff and volunteers who have the same ambition. It gives me the opportunity to share my story and hear the stories of others fighting the same battle. Sometimes I get a message from a former camper asking me about my job and how he or she can follow the same path I did. It is the best feeling to hear from young adults who are just as committed to following their dreams.

My experiences growing up with camp will always be the memories that shaped me to be so passionate about this cause.

I would never wish diabetes on anyone, but it is a blessing to know the Association has given us all the opportunity to connect with others. I will forever be grateful for its support from beginning to end. The Association staff and volunteers have become my family.

And this Nov. 4, I will celebrate 20 years of conquering diabetes, and I will do so in the best way possible: by participating in our local Step Out the following day! I will be marking the occasion with hundreds of people who all share my desire to STOP DIABETES.

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

Source Diabetes Stops Here http://ift.tt/2cf8Zfk

Your Rights, One Voice: Carol’s Story

It’s probably one of the worst fears there is for a parent of a child with diabetes: That their child could suddenly not have access to life-saving diabetes medications.

That is what happened to Carol. Her 31-year-old son Dan, who has had type 1 diabetes since age 18, was sentenced to 60 days at a Minnesota county jail for a misdemeanor offense. It may not seem like a very long time, but for someone with type 1 diabetes, 60 days of potentially receiving very poor diabetes care can be life-threatening.

Just 10 days after being incarcerated, Dan was already experiencing physical symptoms from constant high blood glucose levels. He was being denied access to appropriately timed insulin—and was being punished for demanding to see a nurse or requesting insulin. Dan was extremely anxious and felt helpless about his situation. He resorted to not eating in order to keep his blood glucose from going even higher. This resulted in jail officials deeming him a danger to himself and placing him in lock-up.

Dan was doing his best to advocate for himself from within the facility. On three different occasions, he filed grievances about the lack of diabetes care, and those grievances were refused. He requested to be taken to the emergency room because of how ill he was feeling (weakness, blurry vision, back and side pain that he associated with his kidneys, etc.) and that was also refused.

Carol used the facility’s online system to put money in a phone account for Dan, so he could call and inform her of what was going on. Dan was scared and begged for help. He told his mother this was the worst situation he’d ever been in. He had never felt as ill because of his diabetes as he did when he was in jail, and he feared for his life and well-being.

Carol, too, was trying to advocate for better care for her son from her home in Michigan, but to no avail. She had Dan’s personal doctor send his prescribed insulin regimen and medicine to the jail in an effort to educate the jail medical unit. Carol also spoke with jail officials and was told that they limit insulin in order to protect staff and themselves from liability. Carol also spoke with the Sheriff on two occasions, but those conversations were not productive.

Aside from the poor diabetes care he was receiving, Dan was also denied access to a work release program that the judge approved him for—a program that would have allowed him an earlier release from jail. Officials were denying him access because his blood glucose levels were too high, a condition that they were responsible for causing and that only they could correct.

All of this amounted to one thing: Dan was being discriminated against because of his diabetes. He went five weeks without proper diabetes care. It was a horrifying experience.

Then, Dan told Carol about a time that he fainted in front of other inmates and guards; rather than get him medical help, the guards removed him and put him in isolation. That’s when she called the American Diabetes Association® for help for her son.

Carol spoke to a Legal Advocate who gave her information about her son’s rights and guidance on how to move forward. The Legal Advocate also sent information directly to Dan and referred the case to Tim Phillips, a Minnesota attorney who is a member of the Association’s Advocacy Attorney Network.

Dan used the information and sample language provided by the Legal Advocate to write a fourth grievance, which was finally accepted by jail officials. At the same time, Phillips sent letters to the Sheriff’s office and to the jail’s medical unit demanding adequate care and access for Dan.

Immediately, Dan began receiving his insulin as prescribed, including corrective insulin, and blood glucose checks as needed. His health improved and he was allowed work release for the last few weeks of his sentence.

Phillips was very pleased that jail officials finally decided to do the right thing. He encourages other attorneys to take on these cases: “Prisons and jails aren’t safe for anyone. Attorneys should intervene on behalf of people whose rights are violated, whether by writing letters or filing lawsuits.”

Dan did not stop there. He shared the information he received from the Association with other detainees with type 1 who were not receiving adequate diabetes care. He talked to them about their options and used the materials to educate them about their rights.

“This is when he learned how important it is to have a family member or someone on the outside to assist with making contact with administrators, sheriff, prosecutor, among others,” Carol says of her son. “So many inmates do not have the benefit of a caring family member or friends.”

“Thank you [ADA] so much for all your help in getting him the help he needed during his time in [the] Minnesota jail system. We are both very appreciative of your efforts, calls, referrals and materials that gave Dan a voice in his diabetes care during incarceration.”

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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.

Learn about the rights of individuals in detention and strategies to obtain adequate medical care.

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

Source Diabetes Stops Here http://ift.tt/2bwUE9q

Diabetes Treatment

Title: Diabetes Treatment
Category: Diseases and Conditions
Created: 12/5/2006 12:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 8/25/2016 12:00:00 AM

Source MedicineNet Diabetes General http://ift.tt/2bKVNOt

insulin

Title: insulin
Category: Medications
Created: 3/26/1998 12:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 8/24/2016 12:00:00 AM

Source MedicineNet Diabetes General http://ift.tt/1AHY8KN

Your Rights, One Voice: Jennifer and Allie’s Story

Allie, left, with her brother at Tour de Cure.

It was surreal. Unimaginable. I still remember my daughter Allie’s type 1 diabetes diagnosis like it was yesterday.

My name is Jennifer Holdgreve, and that day in May 2011 changed my life forever.

Allie was only 6 years old, and she exhibited all the signs of diabetes: frequent urination, nonstop exhaustion, drinking tons of water and losing weight. When my husband and I eventually took her to the doctor, it took him all of one minute to hear the symptoms, smell her breath and realize what was wrong. We were whisked away from Centreville, Maryland, to a hospital in Baltimore via pediatric transport. We spent days in the intensive care unit getting her blood glucose under control and learning about this disease and our daughter’s new world.

We were sent home trying to comprehend that we were now responsible for literally keeping Allie alive, in addition to the regular demands of day-to-day parenting. We realized that we also needed to inform others about this new world, including Allie’s school—even when we still knew so little about diabetes ourselves. Since only one month of the school year remained, I spent my vacation time in the classroom with her. I did not know what else to do about her diabetes care at the time.

During the summer we were even more lost. We became increasingly concerned about the upcoming school year—we knew we could not spend each day in class with Allie. My husband and I felt as though we were drowning in a sea of uncertainty and confusion.

Then, one evening in August, we found our life raft. We attended a Safe at School meeting, having received a promotional flyer in the mail from the American Diabetes Association®. There, I met Crystal Jackson, Director of the Safe at School program, as well as staff from the local Association office.  All of a sudden, we were pulled back onto a boat, a big boat full of people who understood the challenges of diabetes—people who could help. We learned about 504 Plans, how to open up the lines of communication with school staff and ensure that school personnel were trained in managing Allie’s blood glucose.

From that moment, we developed a relationship with the American Diabetes Association office in Maryland and worked with them to raise awareness of type 1 diabetes. We recognized this need because we were that family who did not originally understand the causes and complexities of diabetes. Because we did not know the signs, we just as easily could have let Allie go to sleep the night of her diagnosis—and might not still have her with us today. We were that family who believed the misconceptions and did not realize there were multiple types of diabetes. We wanted to make sure others understood, so no one else would become that family. The American Diabetes Association gave us a voice to do this.

We recently used that voice to pass Safe at School legislation in our state. Just last year, we testified before our Maryland State House committee, sent letters, made phone calls and watched the governor sign the Safe at School bill. We also used that voice to improve our relationship with school staff, which enabled Allie to become her own advocate at school and guaranteed she would receive appropriate diabetes care while she’s there. Her school now has designated a Diabetes Awareness Day to recognize her and the other students living with diabetes. It was amazing see our legislative process in action and how we as advocates can make a difference.

Much like that day five years ago when Allie was first diagnosed, the night of the Safe at School meeting changed my family’s life—but this time for the better. We were finally rescued from the sea of uncertainty and given a voice to improve our daughter’s life.

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View Jennifer’s Safe at School Facebook LIVE chat with Crystal Jackson to learn more about her legislative experiences and the rights of students with diabetes.

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.

Through our nationwide Safe at School program, the Association is dedicated to making sure that all children with diabetes are medically safe at school and have the same educational opportunities as their peers. Visit our Safe at School website for information and resources.

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

Source Diabetes Stops Here http://ift.tt/2bNfYZs

Mouse Study Suggests Antibiotics in Kids Might Help Spur Type 1 Diabetes

Title: Mouse Study Suggests Antibiotics in Kids Might Help Spur Type 1 Diabetes
Category: Health News
Created: 8/22/2016 12:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 8/23/2016 12:00:00 AM

Source MedicineNet Diabetes General http://ift.tt/2blujNj

Identification of Novel Changes in Human Skeletal Muscle Proteome After Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass Surgery

The mechanisms of metabolic improvements after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) surgery are not entirely clear. Therefore, the aim of our study was to investigate the role of obesity and RYGB on the human skeletal muscle proteome. Basal muscle biopsies were obtained from seven obese (BMI >40 kg/m²) female subjects (45.1 ± 3.6 years) pre- and 3 months post-RYGB, and euglycemic-hyperinsulinemic clamps were used to assess insulin sensitivity. Four age-matched (48.5 ± 4.7 years) lean (BMI <25 kg/m²) females served as control subjects. We performed quantitative mass spectrometry and microarray analyses on protein and RNA isolated from the muscle biopsies. Significant improvements in fasting plasma glucose (104.2 ± 7.8 vs. 86.7 ± 3.1 mg/dL) and BMI (42.1 ± 2.2 vs. 35.3 ± 1.8 kg/m²) were demonstrated in the pre- versus post-RYGB, both P < 0.05. Proteomic analysis identified 2,877 quantifiable proteins. Of these, 395 proteins were significantly altered in obesity before surgery, and 280 proteins differed significantly post-RYGB. Post-RYGB, 49 proteins were returned to normal levels after surgery. KEGG pathway analysis revealed a decreased abundance in ribosomal and oxidative phosphorylation proteins in obesity, and a normalization of ribosomal proteins post-RYGB. The transcriptomic data confirmed the normalization of the ribosomal proteins. Our results provide evidence that obesity and RYGB have a dynamic effect on the skeletal muscle proteome.

Source Diabetes Pathophysiology http://ift.tt/2bE0WrE

Hypothalamic Vitamin D Improves Glucose Homeostasis and Reduces Weight

Despite clear associations between vitamin D deficiency and obesity and/or type 2 diabetes, a causal relationship is not established. Vitamin D receptors (VDRs) are found within multiple tissues, including the brain. Given the importance of the brain in controlling both glucose levels and body weight, we hypothesized that activation of central VDR links vitamin D to the regulation of glucose and energy homeostasis. Indeed, we found that small doses of active vitamin D, 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D₃ (1,25D₃) (calcitriol), into the third ventricle of the brain improved glucose tolerance and markedly increased hepatic insulin sensitivity, an effect that is dependent upon VDR within the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus. In addition, chronic central administration of 1,25D₃ dramatically decreased body weight by lowering food intake in obese rodents. Our data indicate that 1,25D₃-mediated changes in food intake occur through action within the arcuate nucleus. We found that VDR colocalized with and activated key appetite-regulating neurons in the arcuate, namely proopiomelanocortin neurons. Together, these findings define a novel pathway for vitamin D regulation of metabolism with unique and divergent roles for central nervous system VDR signaling. Specifically, our data suggest that vitamin D regulates glucose homeostasis via the paraventricular nuclei and energy homeostasis via the arcuate nuclei.

Source Diabetes Pathophysiology http://ift.tt/2bLXqJF

Hyaluronidase 1 Deficiency Preserves Endothelial Function and Glycocalyx Integrity in Early Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetes

Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a major component of the glycocalyx involved in the vascular wall and endothelial glomerular permeability barrier. Endocytosed hyaluronidase HYAL1 is known to degrade HA into small fragments in different cell types, including endothelial cells. In diabetes, the size and permeability of the glycocalyx are altered. In addition, patients with type 1 diabetes present increased plasma levels of both HA and HYAL1. To investigate the potential implication of HYAL1 in the development of diabetes-induced endothelium dysfunction, we measured endothelial markers, endothelium-dependent vasodilation, arteriolar glycocalyx size, and glomerular barrier properties in wild-type and HYAL1 knockout (KO) mice with or without streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes. We observed that 4 weeks after STZ injections, the lack of HYAL1 1) prevents diabetes-induced increases in soluble P-selectin concentrations and limits the impact of the disease on endothelium-dependent hyperpolarization (EDH)–mediated vasorelaxation; 2) increases glycocalyx thickness and maintains glycocalyx structure and HA content during diabetes; and 3) prevents diabetes-induced glomerular barrier dysfunction assessed using the urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio and urinary ratio of 70- to 40-kDa dextran. Our findings suggest that HYAL1 contributes to endothelial and glycocalyx dysfunction induced by diabetes. HYAL1 inhibitors could be explored as a new therapeutic approach to prevent vascular complications in diabetes.

Source Diabetes Pathophysiology http://ift.tt/2bE0sly

Calling All App Developers – New ChallengeDiabetes App Contest

Diabetes can be a time consuming and expensive disease — and no one understands this better than the people who live with it.

In the United States, diabetes and prediabetes cost us a staggering $322 billion each year in direct medical expenses and reduced productivity. And studies have shown that people with diabetes spend 2.3 times more on their health each year compared to people without diabetes, making it one of the most costly conditions plaguing communities and straining health systems — not just here, but around the world.

People living with diabetes are at an increased risk of many serious health complications, such as blindness, kidney failure, hypertension, amputation and heart attack. It’s because of this that the day-to-day management of diabetes is so critical. The amount of information people living with diabetes need to keep track of can become overwhelming, from monitoring food intake, exercise and blood glucose levels to managing medication and doctors’ visits. There is no cure for diabetes, but it can be managed, and technology is helping to rapidly improve the quality of life for individuals with diabetes.

In the spirit of innovation and as part of our mutual commitment to the diabetes community, the American Diabetes Association^® (Association) and IBM Watson Health have launched the ChallengeDiabetes App Contest to kick-start the development of cognitive mobile apps to support people living with diabetes and prediabetes. (Developers: Work fast, because the deadline for submitting is Sept. 15! More here: http://ift.tt/1tt0lyx.)

Dr. Jane Chiang, Senior Vice President of Medical Innovation

We spoke with our Senior Vice President of Medical Innovation, Dr. Jane Chiang, about the cognitive app challenge to hear how these new technology solutions could help the diabetes community — from patients to caregivers to health care providers — to improve clinical, research and lifestyle decisions for better diabetes management.

Can you give an overview of the current tools available to people with diabetes today?

Most people today use traditional tools like the glucose meters and insulin syringes to treat diabetes. Continuous glucose meters (CGMs) and insulin pumps are higher-tech tools, with an artificial pancreas soon on the horizon.

A big part of living with diabetes is self-management. What are some of the challenges a person living with diabetes experiences every day?

The daily and sometimes minute-by-minute issues, like counting carbs, dosing insulin and managing lows, are the toughest part. Technology can help with the tough decisions and ease the burden.

Why should a mobile app developer want to participate in this challenge?

Developers and companies should apply because if they have a wellness app currently on the market with a good tool to support people with diabetes or prediabetes, the Association’s and IBM’s expertise and technology can amplify its capabilities and reach. We will provide advice from diabetes experts and access to diabetes related content, and IBM Watson Health will provide insights from cognitive analysis of the data collected by the app. We will also provide consulting on business and market models.

We want to see the innovative ways app developers can empower individuals to manage their diabetes or help their loved ones. We know there are many useful apps out there already. The goal of this challenge is to showcase the most effective ones. The Association and IBM will also offer consulting on the apps go-to-market strategy, to help accelerate visibility and process for the winning app.

Why is it important for diabetes patients, caregivers and providers to have access to cognitive tools?

Technology tools and mobile apps need to be personalized in order to be most effective. Each individual is different. If tech tools can be customized and hyper-personalized to an individual’s exact situation, then we anticipate that the outcomes would be better.

For patients and caregivers, cognitive tools for people living with diabetes or prediabetes could be developed to provide tailored information and insights, reflecting individual factors such as demographics, disease stage, treatment regimen and behaviors.

Why is a cognitive app challenge like this important for the diabetes community?

This is the future of health care. “Cognitive” computing refers to systems that learn at scale, reason with purpose and interact with humans naturally. Rather than being explicitly programmed, these systems learn and reason from their interactions with us and from their experiences with their environment to provide relevant, actionable insights.

Nowadays, there is so much information that it’s tough for us to process it all. Cognitive apps have the ability to bring together siloed data, or data from a variety of sources, so that providers, caregivers and even patients themselves can get the insights they need, when they need, to make better health decisions.

What do you think developers bring to the table that the medical community wouldn’t traditionally offer to people with diabetes?

The medical community is rich with content experts and expertise — they tell you what to do. The tech community is filled with experts at the delivery — they can help with how you do something . . . like manage your diabetes.

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The ChallengeDiabetes App Contest is officially open! Developers are invited to apply for the opportunity to enhance their current cognitive mobile apps by leveraging the Watson APIs and the Association’s deep data repository of clinical and research data. The purpose of the contest is to advance the use of technology to promote health and to ultimately help improve the lives of those living with diabetes or prediabetes.

 The contest is open for submissions, and developers can visit http://ift.tt/1tt0lyx to obtain an application and learn more. Deadline to submit an application is Sept. 15, 2016.

 

Source Diabetes Stops Here http://ift.tt/2beRWFi

25 Legends: Charlie Cole

This year marks the 25th anniversary of two American Diabetes Association® signature fundraising events—Step Out Walk to Stop Diabetes® and Tour de Cure®.

Every dollar raised at these events supports people living with diabetes and funds our life-changing research and programs.

The “25 Legends” blog series highlights personal stories from some of the Association’s most dedicated walkers and riders who are affected by the disease.

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Charlie Cole, third from left, with other Team Dignity members.

My name is Charlie Cole. If you, like me, have type 1 diabetes, you know how difficult it is to put life with the disease into words.

Three years ago, I started a new job at Service Corporation International in Houston, and my colleagues asked me to do just that during a Tour de Cure corporate team meeting. Although I was thrilled that the organization supported the American Diabetes Association, I was nervous about discussing my disease publicly.

I do not remember what came out of me when they asked me to speak. There were 20 years of waking up in the middle of the night in fear of severe hypoglycemia. Twenty years of making sure I was able to afford my insulin and diabetes supplies in addition to general living expenses. Twenty years of worry, struggle and frustration—but also 20 years of hope that everything was going to be okay.

After I finished sharing, I felt raw. My eyes were full but I did not cry. Everyone in the room was silent for a few moments, and Mike, one of the committee leaders, eventually said, “I don’t think you have any idea how much you are going to bring to the table for this cause.” Those words completely put me at ease. I now think of that moment as a pivotal experience in my life—and the end of my silent journey with diabetes.

I spent the next several months telling my story to fellow employees. I went floor to floor and gave presentations to recruit riders for our Tour de Cure team, Team Dignity. Each time I spoke, someone would come up to me afterward to say that they lost their father to diabetes or went through similar struggles. After giving numerous presentations, I felt as though something had changed in me. The disease that I always fought in solitude became public. I was no longer hiding my wounds—I was sharing them with the hope of having an impact.

My physical health was also improving. After multiple invites from coworkers, I began jogging during my lunch break. This inspired me to exercise more outside of work, and I even participated in a half-marathon. I also started using a continuous glucose monitor in order to better manage my blood glucose during exercise.

Starting this new chapter of my life was a big deal. For many years, I did not maintain healthy habits. At one point, I had no job or health insurance and did not have the strength or resources to carry myself. As I trained for the upcoming Tour, I thought about my support system and how my life was changing for the better.

The first Tour I rode in with my colleagues was 57 miles. My coworker Rone, another diabetes advocate, stayed by my side for the last 30 miles. Without him, I have no doubt that I would have given up. That’s the thing about diabetes—it’s not something we can fight on our own, it requires a collaborative effort. I am grateful for the support of my colleagues and their continued efforts to help people affected by diabetes. In 2014, my corporate team in Houston raised more than $100,000, and in 2015, we raised over $230,000! Nationally, Service Corporation International has raised over $1 million.

Riding in Tour de Cure proves to be more and more meaningful each year. After meeting other people with diabetes at these events, I have come to realize what champions we are. Diabetes is not easy to manage—you can eat the same foods and exercise at the same times each day, but still have different blood glucose readings. It’s expensive. And it is not something you can see from the outside, it’s hidden.

Thank you, Tour de Cure, for providing me the chance to break my silence and make a difference for other people with diabetes!

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Together, we CAN Stop Diabetes.

The Association is so grateful for our 25 Legends! Their tireless efforts as walkers and riders are a tremendous support and inspiration to people with diabetes.

Sign up today! Learn more about these events and find out how to get involved at diabetes.org/stepout and http://ift.tt/1qKFQGM.

Source Diabetes Stops Here http://ift.tt/2bJElIR

Fatty Fish May Curb Eye Risks for Diabetics, Study Finds

Title: Fatty Fish May Curb Eye Risks for Diabetics, Study Finds
Category: Health News
Created: 8/18/2016 12:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 8/19/2016 12:00:00 AM

Source MedicineNet Diabetes General http://ift.tt/2bDW7w2

Health Tip: The Pluses of Using an Insulin Pump

Title: Health Tip: The Pluses of Using an Insulin Pump
Category: Health News
Created: 8/16/2016 12:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 8/16/2016 12:00:00 AM

Source MedicineNet Diabetes General http://ift.tt/2bcOTQD

When Diabetes Strikes, Get Moving to Lower Risk to Eyes

Title: When Diabetes Strikes, Get Moving to Lower Risk to Eyes
Category: Health News
Created: 8/4/2016 12:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 8/5/2016 12:00:00 AM

Source MedicineNet Diabetes General http://ift.tt/2aY42HS

Precose (acarbose)

Title: Precose (acarbose)
Category: Medications
Created: 4/28/2001 12:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 8/5/2016 12:00:00 AM

Source MedicineNet Diabetes General http://ift.tt/2aAWabT

Why Diabetes Won’t Hold Back Olympic Athletes

We all have goals we want to accomplish, both short- and long-term: improving diabetes management, losing weight, traveling more, earning a higher degree, reconnecting with family and friends.

For some lucky and talented people, it’s being awarded an Olympic medal.

Most people won’t ever get the chance to compete in the Olympics—and to do so while living with diabetes may seem downright impossible. However, diabetes hasn’t stopped many athletes from competing in sports and extreme competitions. And with the 2016 Olympic Games in Brazil on our minds, it turns out there’s no shortage of professional athletes and Olympians living with the disease.

“I truly believe that people with diabetes can do anything,” says cross-country skiing star Kris Freeman. “I’m not sure that would have been possible decades ago. With the medical advances we’ve had, anything is possible. As much as diabetes stinks to have, we are by far in the best time in history to have the disease.”

Freeman, who lives with type 1 diabetes, has competed in every Olympic Winter Games since 2002.

“Being an Olympic athlete with diabetes is similar to being a diabetic in normal life,” he says. “Everything is a little more complicated. [For example,] you have to time your meals.”

Freeman recently traveled across the country as part of the Lilly Camp Care Program, inspiring adults and kids alike with his positive outlook. “Diabetes only gets in the way when you let it. It can be very difficult at times, but you’ve got to push through the hard times. It’s not always going to go right, but if it doesn’t go right, you can learn better for next time.”

Support from the diabetes community, family and friends is important to success. Matheus Santana, who’s been living with type 1 diabetes since he was 8 years old, was released from the Brazil men’s swimming team in 2013 due to fear that his diabetes would interfere with his swims. But he didn’t let this moment be the downfall of his swimming career.

After he was let go by his local team, Santana’s swimming club, family and friends helped raise his spirits. His family also helped find the best doctors to treat his diabetes. Santana was able to rejoin the team, and now he has his heart set on a gold medal in the 4x100m relay during the Olympics in Brazil.

While every year brings new advances in diabetes care, high performers aren’t a new phenomenon. Billy Mills was running with type 2 diabetes when he won the 10,000-meter race at the 1964 Summer Olympics. And he hasn’t stopped running!

There are also many young athletes who have dreams of competing in future Olympic Games, marathons and other high-intensity events. Seventeen-year-old Leeann Hewitt, who also lives with type 2, won first place in the 2016 Florida state girls’ weight-lifting tournament. She has also competed with the USA Powerlifting world team and holds six world records for her age group. She’s got her eye on the prize: A spot in the 2020 Olympic Games.

So again, we ask, what are your goals in life? If you want to become a high-performance or even professional athlete, don’t let diabetes get in the way. Pro athletes with diabetes like Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler, NASCAR driver Ryan Reed, LPGA golfer Michelle McGann, former Olympic swimmer Gary Hall Jr., marathoner Missy Foy and Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Sam Fuld will agree: Diabetes shouldn’t stop you.

Whether you’re just getting started or looking to become more active throughout the day, you can reach your fitness goals — and even receive a gold medal of your own.

Source Diabetes Stops Here http://ift.tt/2aAIcrI

25 Legends: Marcie Miller

This year marks the 25th anniversary of two American Diabetes Association® signature fundraising events—Step Out Walk to Stop Diabetes® and Tour de Cure®.

Every dollar raised at these events supports people living with diabetes and funds our life-changing research and programs.

The “25 Legends” blog series highlights personal stories from some of the Association’s most dedicated walkers and riders who are affected by the disease.

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My name is Marcie Miller, and here are two facts about me: 1) I do not like riding bikes and 2) I really do not like asking people for money.

You may find it surprising, then, that I have been the No. 1 fundraiser for the Northern Virginia Tour de Cure for the past three years, riding the 36-mile route each time. I have participated in this event 11 times—raising a total of over $100,000 with the hope that we will soon find a cure for diabetes.

My daughter Claire has had type 1 diabetes since the age of 3, and she is the reason I ride. A couple of weeks ago, Claire posted the following personal experience with insulin shock, or severe hypoglycemia, on Facebook—and it made me even more determined to find a cure:

“You wouldn’t know by looking.… You wouldn’t know I almost lost my life last night to insulin shock. You wouldn’t know that both cheeks are swollen from being bit. You wouldn’t know that I fell out of bed while convulsing. You wouldn’t know my entire body is bruised from the seizures. You wouldn’t know that I’m too weak to do everyday tasks. You wouldn’t know that I’m terrified to go to sleep every night because I’m afraid my blood sugar will go too low and I won’t wake up. You wouldn’t know by looking, but I have type 1 diabetes, and I fight this battle every hour of every day. My family and close friends are fighting this battle with me. And just like other people fighting their own battles—just because you can’t see it, doesn’t mean we aren’t fighting tooth and nail.”

From the day Claire was diagnosed 30 years ago until the day she went to college, I slept with a baby monitor in her room in fear of overnight hypoglycemia. If Claire went into shock overnight—which happened frequently—I woke up from the sound of her odd breathing pattern. Now she is 33 and lives on her own, and a baby monitor does not reach the 20 miles between her house and mine. But I still don’t sleep.

When she called me to tell me about going into insulin shock again, I cried because I was unable to prevent it. Thankfully, by some miracle, she came out of the seizures long enough to call her friend who has a key to her house in case of emergencies like this. He could not fully understand her words, but he recognized she was having a hypoglycemic episode and gave her juice and a granola bar*. I am very grateful to Claire’s friend for his quick thinking—and I let him know that if it ever happens again, he should feel free to call 911, then me!

Diabetes is relentless. I often wonder how different my life would be if I had not gotten involved with the American Diabetes Association 11 years ago. One of my coworkers sent a company-wide email to announce that she started a Tour de Cure team. Since I’m not an avid cyclist, I almost deleted the message. For some reason, however, I decided to read the rest of the email and learned that the goal of Tour de Cure was to raise money to support people with diabetes.

When Claire was 3 years old, I told her that I would do whatever it takes to help find a cure for type 1 diabetes. I realized that even though I had not cycled in 20 years, I had to sign up and begin a training program.

I started by cycling just one mile and eventually worked my way up to 36—the length of my Tour de Cure route. Training was not easy, but finding the motivation to continue was: Whenever I started to struggle and felt like I could not pedal anymore, I thought about Claire, and the millions of others who wish they could quit their struggle against diabetes. I know that they can’t stop; they have to keep fighting even when they do not want to anymore. That always gives me the strength and courage to keep on pedaling.

After I’d been cycling in Tour de Cure for a few years, Claire said, “Mom, next year, I’m going to ride with you!” I am proud to say that this year, Claire is the top Red Rider fundraiser—that is, a participant who lives with diabetes—and our team, Team Moxie, is the top Family and Friends team in our area.

I will keep cycling, keep working hard and keep fighting for Claire until there is a cure!

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Together, we CAN Stop Diabetes.

The Association is so grateful of our 25 Legends! Their tireless efforts as walkers and riders are a tremendous support and inspiration to people with diabetes.

Sign up today! Learn more about these events and find out how to get involved at diabetes.org/stepout and http://ift.tt/1qKFQGM.

*Note: It is not medically recommended to feed people who are unresponsive, seizing or not fully conscious. The American Diabetes Association recommends dialing 911 or their health care provider, administering glucagon and rolling the patients onto their side.

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Health Tip: Warning Signs of Nerve Damage

Title: Health Tip: Warning Signs of Nerve Damage
Category: Health News
Created: 8/3/2016 12:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 8/3/2016 12:00:00 AM

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