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With each day that goes by more and more people are coming together to fight diabetes, which affects around 30 million people in the United States alone.  There has been a concerted effort to get information out to the public through doctors, through hospitals, through clinics and through community efforts.  This is not just happening in the United States.  Countries throughout the world are communicating and coming together to work in tandem toward solving the problem world wide.

In Belgium, on October 20th The Johnson & Johnson Diabetes Institute brought global and local diabetes and public health leaders together to launch a new organization called Diabetes HOW(TM): Helping Our World.  HOW is an international coalition dedicated to identifying successful community-based solutions to improve diabetes care and work toward diabetes prevention.  Once these goals are achieved, HOW will replicate them in communities throughout the world.
More than 25 health leaders from 12 countries participated in the two-day Diabetes HOW(TM) Summit.  They worked to establish guiding principles for the coalition; to share model programs and ideas for promoting healthy eating, exercise and other diabetes prevention strategies; and to help ensure support and access to care for the world’s 240 million people living with diabetes.
The coalition will start by working on programs for children who have diabetes or who are at risk for diabetes. The International Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Diabetes (ISPAD) is joining as the Coalition’s inaugural member organization. Summit participants will include representatives of public health organizations and patient advocacy programs. 
Some of the main topics will be addressing issues brought on by the increasing problems with the economy world wide.  Other topics will include how the difficult economy has – and probably will continue to – cut coverage for doctor visits, medication and other treatment.  Some of the countries are in an impossible situation because they are involved in efforts to help keep diabetes under control or avoid having their citizens get diabetes altogether. 
It is extremely frustrating to be in a position to combat an illness as serious as diabetes but not have the proper tools to do so.  The Diabetes HOW coalition will do everything possible to help with diabetes diagnosis, care, treatment and control wherever it exists.

November is Diabetes Month.  Some people know that and some don’t.  If you are reading this, you know now.

Diabetes care and education was not easy to obtain a few years ago.  Diabetes Month was unheard of.  The fact that all of these things are available now is proof that we are moving forward in the battle against diabetes.

Many cities and towns have planned Diabetes Expo’s that offer a wealth of information and support.  One expo is offering hands on interactive displays regarding how diabetes works, how medication works, diet and exercise and more.

Experts in behavior change, diabetes management and motivation will be speaking at various expos and some will be available for question and answer sessions.  They will be able to provide information regarding topics such as heart disease, kidney disease, stroke, amputation and blindness.

Sheryl Scott, Senior Program Director of the Diabetes Treatment Centers at Lutheran and Parkview hospitals stated, “Diabetes affects nearly 24 million people living in the United States today.  While people living with diabetes face a set of overwhelming tasks to manage their condition, tools and community resources like these events will hopefully provide the participant with added support and motivation needed to get back or stay on track.”  Scott went on to explain that diabetes can be a devastating disease, but through early detection, intervention and treatment, the effects can be minimized.

According to the American Diabetes Association, knowing the “ABCs of diabetes” is important in the prevention or delay of the disease.  The ABCs include keeping your AIC (average glucose blood level over 3 months) below 7%; keeping your Blood pressure below 130/80; and keeping your Cholesterol under balanced and under control.

Diabetes Expos or other diabetes events are usually free to the public.  If you have diabetes, have a friend or relative dealing with diabetes; or simply want information so you know the symptoms and treatments, look for an expo or a Diabetes Month event in your city or town.  The first step in dealing with diabetes is getting accurate information as early as possible.  Hopefully, you can get the information before you have diabetes so that you can make adjustments in your life to stop diabetes before it starts.

There continue to be new inventions and ideas in the fight against diabetes.  There is a new discovery that could all but eliminate type 1 diabetes for some young people who have it.

Researchers at the University of Virginia along with researchers at various places around the world to see whether a computerized artificial pancreas that could change the way type 1 diabetes is treated and controlled.

Several clinical trials on the artificial pancreas have already been completed throughout the world.  The University of Virginia has completed its first trial with incredible results.  This individually prescribed controlled algorithm regulates blood sugar levels in type 1 diabetes.  There are seven research centers world wide and they are funded for these trials by the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation.
Starting late in June, researchers have been successful in using the new system to test five patients at the University of Virginia Health System. Three additional patients participated in parallel tests at the University of Padova, Italy.

“Our initial results are very encouraging,” said Boris Kovatchev, associate professor of psychiatry and neurobehavioral sciences and of systems and information engineering, who is leading the University of Virginia research team. “The system entirely maintained the patients’ blood glucose levels, and the algorithm achieved excellent overnight control without any incidence of hypoglycemia.”  Kovatchev is one of the world’s foremost experts on individualized diabetes research.

Another positive event regarding these tests is that the Food and Drug Administration provided its approval to test the artificial pancreas in humans without performing animal trials in advance.  Permission for the tests was based solely on computer simulation experiments. As a result, instead of the tests taking about 7 years, they took only 6 months.

“This artificial pancreas could one day greatly improve the current methods of self-treatment for Type 1 diabetes,” Kovatchev said. “Instead of a patient having to measure his or her blood sugar with a glucose meter several times a day and self-administer insulin injections, this system would continuously regulate the patient’s blood glucose, much like the way a non-diabetic’s pancreas functions.”

The results from the tests at University of Virginia, and centers in France and Italy should be available by early 2009.

Too many people around the world are battling with diabetes on a day-to-day basis.  Over 240 million people worldwide and over 16 million people in the United States alone have diabetes that has been diagnosed and up to 8 million more have diabetes that has not yet been diagnosed. 

One of the reasons that so many people have diabetes is that it is very insidious and sneaky disease.  Most people do not realize they have diabetes for quite a while.  They feel good and have no major health issues that are bothering them.  By the time the symptoms – which start out subtly and gradually get worse – are noticeable, the individuals need to get to the doctor and find good treatment and care.

Diabetes – plain and simple – is having too much sugar in your blood.  It is not just a matter of eating too much sugar.  That, of course, doesn’t help things.  In addition, though, too much blood sugar happens when your body turns certain foods into sugar and it overloads the system.  Then your body creates too much sugar and not enough insulin (which comes from the pancreas).  When that happens, if it is not stopped or noticed soon enough, you end up in the middle of a battle with diabetes that will most likely last for the rest of your lifetime. 
Your chances of having diabetes are higher if you are pre-diabetic; overweight or inactive; black, Hispanic, Asian-American, American Indian, a Pacific Islander or a native of Alaska; older than 45; or if you had gestational diabetes or delivered a baby weighing more than 9 pounds. Family history also is a factor.   A health diet and regular exercise helps overcome many symptoms of diabetes.
In addition, the symptoms that are so insidious and sneaky include several things to watch for.  The most common and prominent symptoms are frequent urination, unusual thirst or hunger, and/or unexplained weight loss or fatigue.  Other important symptoms can include frequent infections, blurry vision, numbness in the limbs, and cuts and bruises that are slow to heal.

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, and especially if you are experiencing one or more of these or a combination of symptoms, go see your doctor.  Tell your doctor what your symptoms are and what your concerns are.
The doctor can order several different tests to determine whether you have diabetes or not  and help you plan appropriate treatment that will keep you feeling better.

Recently, there has been more and more information regarding the link between diabetes and sleep –or lack of it.  Researchers have determined a definite connection in many people with diabetes, and the information regarding what happens to a person is of extreme importance.
The main sleep disorder that affects individuals with diabetes is Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA).  The symptoms of OSA include disruptions in sleep caused by irregular breathing,” according to sleep medicine physician Dr. Angela Hospenthal from the University of Texas Science Center. Other symptoms include: extremely loud snoring” (the kind that can be heard through closed doors), waking up choking or gasping, waking up with a dry mouth or sore throat, and being excessively tired during the day.
There are various things that happen to a person who has OSA.  Heart irregularities can occur, blood pressure in most people with OSA is elevated and oxygen and blood flow are reduced.  Sleep is often interrupted and not calm or restful.  As a result, the person with OSA often wakes up tired and continues to become more tired throughout the day.  To add insult to injury, it is also harder for many people with OSA to concentrate and/or remember things.
There are several areas where OSA and diabetes are connected.  A person who is obese and has most of their excess weight in the stomach/torso area is at risk for both diabetes and OSA.   Insulin resistance is another area that connects people with diabetes and OSA.  When people don’t breathe deeply enough, there is not enough oxygen that gets into the bloodstream to help keep blood sugar levels down.  Another symptom that is common in diabetes – neuropathy – is also found in individuals with OSA, though researchers have not determined why. Neuropathy is a form of nerve damage.
The conclusion that researchers have come to is that diabetes may contribute to sleep apnea or sleep apnea may contribute to diabetes.  The treatment of one can help improve the other.
If you are experiencing the symptoms of diabetes or OSA, contact your doctor and let them know immediately.  There is help available to deal with both.

Usually people who are diagnosed with diabetes are treated sort-of gradually.  It starts with changes in diet, eating healthy, doing more exercise and basically, living as healthy as possible.  Sometimes, depending upon how far along the diabetes is, there might be oral medication prescribed in conjunction with a healthy regimen.

There are new studies out of Dubai showing that aggressive treatment of diabetes as early as possible can produce very positive results.  One of those treatments considered aggressive is beginning the use of insulin early on.

A study of 12,000 participants with diabetes is currently being conducted to see if the introduction of insulin soon after diagnosis actually lowers blood glucose levels that much.  The study is also trying to determine whether changing the dosage of insulin as the levels of blood glucose change would better manage and control diabetes. 

According to the International Diabetes Federation, at least 1 in 5 people in the United Arab Emirates – which includes Dubai – has diabetes, second only to the South Pacific area.  The World Health Organization warns that it is possible that 70% of the population of the UAE could be battling diabetes soon, if they are not doing so now.

In an effort to help individuals with diabetes who have to take insulin, there is a new product available called the Solo Star.  The Solo Star is the newest evolution of an insulin pen which promises that pain from the insulin injection will be substantially reduced; in fact, Solo Star claims that any discomfort at all will be extremely minimal. 

In honor of World Diabetes Day, the UAE Republic of Dubai, where the studies are taking place and where Solo Star was released, will be holding a Diabetes Walkathon on November 14th.  A crowd of over 10,000 people is expected.

There are millions of people around the world that have diabetes.  Many of them are working hard to control diabetes by changing diet and exercise routines, taking their medicine, and trying to stay healthy.  The problem is that many people are not doing these things. 

Many times individuals live in areas that do not have sufficient healthcare or health information available.  Many have low incomes, and in difficult economic times, there is little extra money available to pay for doctors and expensive medications.

Thankfully, there are more programs becoming available to help people determine whether they have diabetes and what kind of treatment they need, making treatment available at little or no cost, right in their community. 

There are also other avenues of information available.  One important source on the scene today is the information that a number of celebrities who have diabetes and deal with it every day are sharing information, helping fund programs, and trying to raise awareness.  Whether your name is John Smith and you are a welder, or Susie Jones and you are a teacher, or Mary Tyler Moore, a world renowned actor and entertainer, diabetes treats everyone the same and the best way to combat diabetes is to share information and support.

To that end, entertainer, musician and celebrity Randy Jackson has teamed up with the American Heart Association to fight diabetes.  Since diabetes and heart disease are closely linked due to various factors, it is important for both issues to be understood and it is important to get information regarding both into the hands of everyone who could benefit.

The organization Randy is working with is a national campaign called The Heart of Diabetes.  The program is working to help individuals learn more about managing their diabetes, thus helping their heart at the same time.  The Heart of Diabetes offers testimonials, information on how to find and work with a doctor – including creating a treatment plan and being able to follow it.  There are interviews with Randy and other individuals about their diabetes.

A national campaign such as The Heart of Diabetes is essential in getting information to people who otherwise might not receive it and who might not even know what they are looking for in the way of symptoms and treatment.

To find out more about The Heart of Diabetes or to enroll – for free – you can find them on the internet at www.IKnowDiabetes.org.  Hats off to Randy Jackson and the others on his team for making diabetes education a priority.

Studies in countries around the world are showing that the way a doctor thinks – and treats his patients – has a huge impact on how the patient thinks and how the patient acts.  It’s similar to a parent and child.  When you look up to someone and depend on them for information, guidance and support, you are going to do what they say and act the way they treat you or the way you think they expect you to act.

Studies are showing that too many times, when a doctor begins to treat someone diagnosed with diabetes, they may be putting the patient at risk and putting them in a position to get worse before they get better – if they get better at all.  Many doctors start out by telling individuals with diabetes that the important things to do are to change diet and lifestyle. 

This is not to say that these are not essential to the health of someone with diabetes, because they are.  Eating a healthy diet, exercising more and doing other healthy things will help control diabetes.

Research done by Professor Julio Rosenstock, Director of the Dallas Diabetes and Endocrine Centre concludes that this is not always the right approach.  His research shows that most people who start out trying to make these life and diet changes end up on oral medication and then insulin – all well within 10 years. 

The problem, Professor Rosenstock feels, is that since these individuals will end up on insulin once the problems are and complications are too advanced to slow down too much, and way to advanced to reverse or stop, it is wiser to put individuals on insulin so late.  Rather than using insulin as a threat and telling patients that if they don’t lose weight, diet or exercise they will have to be put on insulin, it would be better to put individuals on insulin early on, so that their condition will stay stable, and under control, longer.

This is not a widespread view at this point, but it is an important idea to investigate.  Doctors can think about their patients with diabetes and consider whether there are any who would benefit from this type of treatment.  It is also important – if you have diabetes or you are caring for or close to someone with diabetes – that you discuss the idea with your doctor and see what works for you.

There are many research studies that have been conducted regarding diabetes, especially during this decade, and certainly during the past few years.  One of the current studies being conducted is a study in New Zealand involves the use of pig cells to treat type 1 diabetes.

This research trial which has been in the planning stages for 2 years will allow a company called Living Cell Technologies (LCT) to inject 8 people who have type 1 diabetes, with pig cells that produce insulin.  The expectation is that these injections will reduce the need for the normal amounts of insulin that these individuals would usually take. 

There will be one more review by the Ministry of Health to make sure that the trials will be safe.  One aspect of the review will be to make sure that no retroviruses will be transferred to the humans taking part in the trials.  The process of injecting the cells into the individuals is called xenotransplantation and it holds out great promise for individuals with type 1 diabetes. 

The trials will be under rigorous oversight of the National Data Safety Management Board, who will oversee every part of the trial.  In addition, the agreement for LCT to have the permission to perform the trial is that any adverse side affects in the trial – even minor ones – will be reported to and followed up by the Ministry of Health and an independent peer review board.

Considering the incredible possibilities for individuals with type 1 diabetes, this is an important trial and could change the way type 1 diabetes is treated forever.  As the Ministry of Health reports, there were certainly many people who volunteered to be part of the study.  The Ministry of Health stated that “there is definitely no shortage of people with type 1 diabetes.” 

November is Diabetes Month – an important time for individuals to get as much information about diabetes as they possibly can.  Communities across the country are planning events that will bring essential information to the public.

Many communities have Diabetes Expos which bring together physicians, medical experts, hospital employees, nurses – especially diabetes nurses, dieticians, health and lifestyle experts and more.  In addition, representatives from gyms, personal trainers, health department employees and community program employees, as well as any and all others who can help in the fight against diabetes.

Diabetes Month is a great time to get the information you need.  If you know someone that you care about who has diabetes, this is the time to go to one place, pick up all the information that you could ever want, ask questions of the experts and even get information for yourself.

If you are in a situation where you have a few symptoms of diabetes, such as excessive thirst, frequent urination, combined with tiredness and other symptoms, this is the time and place to find out what these symptoms mean.  Many of the events offer some tests that can assess whether an individual is pre-diabetic or has diabetes.  Some of these tests also let you know if you are not pre-diabetic or diabetic, and if there might be another health issue that you need to deal with.  Often symptoms of one health condition mimic another health condition, and by looking at one health issue and not finding that issue, lives have been saved by discovering something that can be addressed and treated immediately to stop it in its tracks.

It is heartening that we are finally in a time when diabetes is being recognized as a treatable disorder and the treatments and information avail able are plentiful.  If you could use information about diabetes, check your community calendar and check with your local hospital and local diabetes association for events coming to your area.  Most of these excellent and informative events are free.