A very interesting trail study has been preformed in Moscow, Russia on four people with type 1 diabetes. They injected pig pancreatic cells into the abdomen of the four patients. The cells were covered in an alginate gel coating. This allowed nutrients to reach the cells and insulin to diffuse out, but this process hide the pig cells from the body’s immune system.
There was quite a big controversy because of the fear that dormant pig viruses in the cells could cause disease. Although, researchers said that no pig viruses have been found in the patients six months later.
Of the four people, one lady was able to suspend insulin injections for five months and when she resumed insulin her doses were less than 20 percent of what she had been taking before. Another man was able to reduce his doses of insulin by 40 percent. However, one of the four patients treatment failed. The fourth patient just received the treatment on March 31.
This study will be worth following for the next couple of years!
People with diabetes are at a ten times higher risk than normal for developing cardiovascular disease. There has been a study done of ninety-five Diabetes Center and Pediatric Care Clinics in Germany and Austria. There were eight hundred sixty eight subjects studied from age six until they were almost twenty-years-old.
Blood pressure reading was taken at pre-pubertal, going through puberty, and at post-pubertal. It was reported that 4 percent had elevated blood pressure during pre-puberty and puberty. Almost 14 percent had elevated blood pressure during post-puberty.
The research team reported, “Tracking of blood pressure revealed that children with elevated blood pressure had a higher blood pressure in adolescence and young adulthood.”
The goal now is to lower blood pressure early in life. The team’s next study will focus on the efficiency of early intervention for children with type 1 diabetes and diagnosed with hypertension.
According to findings published in the Journal of Diabetic Care, a biopsy of the bone can help doctors determine what antibiotic is best to treat diabetic patients with serious foot infection.
People with diabetes are often at a higher risk for foot injury because of circulation problems and decreased nerve sensation. A small injury can spiral into a serious skin infection and can extend done to the bone.
This new study compared patients that underwent bone biopsy-based therapy and patients that had a swab-based therapy. They followed up with these patients one year later, which is the average follow up time for this procedure. 81.8 percent of the patients with the biopsy-based therapy had no sign of infection. 50 percent of the patients that had swab-based therapy had no sign of infection.
The research team concluded, “Our results provide arguments for recommending the use of bone biopsy in diabetic patients treated non-surgically.”Although, it has been thought that an infection in the bone could not be treated without removing part of the bone this new study is the begin of a change.
Generally this blog provides information abut obtaining help with low or no cost medical supplies and information pertaining to the illness itself. This blog is about a time sensitive event that will benefit juvenile diabetes research.
A triathlon will be held on Sunday , May 11, 2008 at Gustavus Adolphus College in Minnesota. We found the following details on Www. http://gustavus.edu:
The triathlon is being organized by the Epsilon Pi Alpha fraternity at Gustavus, which has a history of supporting diabetes-related causes. In 2007 the fraternity raised $6,500 to support Insulindependence programs. The fraternity will look to surpass that amount this year during its Diabetes Awareness Project, which will feature several events beginning Monday, April 21 and concluding with the triathlon on May 11.
Insulindependence was founded by Gustavus alumnus Peter Nerothin. A nonprofit public benefit corporation based in San Diego, Calif., Insulindependence aims to change diabetic lives through adventure travel, educational outreach, and web-based community support. The organization operates through a global network of outdoor enthusiasts working together in an effort to promote healthy, proactive lifestyles to diabetics lacking financial resources, positive role models, and adequate guidance in professional healthcare.
If you are in the Minnesota area and want to participate, you may register at http://www.insulindependence.org/gusti_tri.asp
Type 2 diabetes is on the rise in the United States, especially among the elderly. According to a new study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, nearly half of those individuals fail to control their blood sugar levels.
The study was a comparison of data from the National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey (NHANES for short) from 1999 to 2004 and data from 1988 to 1994. They found that type 3 diabetes increased from 12.0 percent to 14.1 percent.
They did find that more elderly people are being treated for their diabetes. Also, diabetes control has been improved and the patients with high blood pressure and high cholesterol has declined. Although, only 55 percent of diabetic patients achieved blood sugar control during 1999 and 2004.
The researchers were able to show that blood sugar was easier to control in people without any other co-morbid illnesses.
Are you worried about flying with your diabetes supplies? Many Americans are, especially during the times when the nation’s security threat level rises.
The Transportation Security Administration has developed traveling tips to help ensure the safety and convenience of travelers with diabetes. This will help keep the traveling community as a whole safe. In addition it will speed up the security check-point screening and keep travelers on time.
The T.S.A. recommends to notify the screener that you have diabetes and are carrying supplies with you. Although not required, they recommend you have the prescription label to identify medication. This will expedite the screening process.
The American Diabetes Association has helped in developing these tips. The association will provide ongoing assistance to the T.S.A. The association wants to be aware of any difficulties people may encounter with the T.S.A. At the end of your travels you may report a problem or suggestion to the association by calling 1-800-DIABETES.
People with diabetes often have a side effect called peripheral neuropathy. This is the loss of sensation in the extremities. Shoes that don’t fit properly can pinch or rub the feet leading to ulceration and foot injury.
To avoid such foot injury it is important to have properly fitting diabetic shoes. The design of the shoes and specialty insoles help to alleviate or prevent pain and injury.
Diabetic shoes have a special insole, so they are often wider and deeper than regular shoes. Generally the insoles are custom made to fit the foot properly. This minimizes rubbing, uneven weight distribution, and injury to feet.
A good diabetic shoe should have a breathable construction, which allows the skin to breathe. It should be deep and wide to allow room for custom insoles. There should be no interior seams to prevent rubbing injury.
The cost of customization can be offset by Medicare or private insurance. Sometimes a pair of custom diabetic shoes could be free to you because the custom insoles are designed to meet the needs of diabetic feet.
People with diabetes often have damaged nerves. These damaged nerves cause diabetic nerve pain. The pain can make it hard for you to do the things you would like to do. Pain can also have a negative impact on your emotional well-being.
The first step to help you manage diabetic nerve pain is to prevent any more damage. This can be done by controlling your blood sugar levels with the proper diet, exercise, and diabetes medication. Other things that can help you manage the pain is to walk regularly, take warm baths, and use elastic stockings.
If you already have diabetic nerve pain, you should pay extra attention to your feet. The nerves in the feet are the most affected by diabetic nerve damage. There are several things you can do to keep your feet healthy. On a daily basis you need to clean your feet and check for injury or any type of irritation. Also, make sure to wear shoes or slippers to prevent injury. Make sure your shoes are comfortable and fit properly.
The Dallas-Fort Worth area Medicare beneficiaries will see prices slashed on oxygen equipment, power wheelchairs, diabetic supplies, and many other medical devices and supplies starting this summer.
Most people refer to the new laws in 2003, as creating Medicare’s prescription drug coverage. The new law has also allowed the agency a system of competitive bidding for medical equipment and other supplies. Until now beneficiaries paid for items on a fee schedule that the government sets and periodically updates.
This program will add 70 more cities next year and expand nationally soon after that. Medicare expects to save $1 billion a year once competitive bidding has been rolled out. The Medicare program spent $7.6 billion on equipment and supplies in 2006.
Paul Precht, a spokesman for the Medicare Rights Center, a consumer advocacy group said, “For too long, Medicare paid more than other agencies do for the same equipment. Now, its payments will be more in line with the products’ true costs.”
The government covers 80 percent of the cost of medical equipment and supplies, while individuals pay for the other 20 percent with supplemental insurance or out of pocket. This program will save taxpayers and beneficiaries a lot of money!
Diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of blindness in the United States. There has been a new study about retinopathy published in the April 22 issue of Journal of the American College of Cardiology. According to the study diabetic retinopathy is a warning sign of heart failure.
1,000 middle-aged people with type 2 diabetes were followed for nine years. It was founded that the people who began the study with retinopathy had more than a 2.5-fold higher risk of developing heart failure than those without retinopathy.
Dr. Hector O. Ventura, director of the cardiology residency program at the Ochsner Health System in New Orleans, and co-author of an accompanying editorial in the journal said, “They have made the point that patients with diabetic retinopathy need to be more vigilant in looking for the development of heart failure.” It has been believe for some time that there was a physical connection between retinopathy and heart failure, but the studies have not been clear. Ventura said that this new study strengthens such a link.
The doctors on this study hope that the guidelines for treatment of retinopathy will soon include a follow up with a cardiologist. Doctors have been more concerned about the coronary effects of diabetes. They advise that people with diabetes should talk to there doctors about any concerns they may have.