10 August 2011

LCT breaking new ground in cell therapies

Rather than reprinting the newsletter, I will direct you to it and let your read it. Living Cell Technologies is fast out pacing the rest of the world in cell therapies for diabetes and may soon have products in Japan, China, and other countries.

The biggest plus is the lack of need for the use of any immunosuppression. As a person with type 2 diabetes, this is still very exciting news and especially for those that are type 1 and hypoglycemically unaware.

I am posting this on both of my blogs.

09 August 2011

Suggestions for World Diabetes Day - P2

When I wrote my original blog of suggestions for World Diabetes Day, I never imagined the feedback I would receive. I expected some objections to my wanting to cancel some building lighting, but this did not seem to bother most people.

To date, I have received one tentative support email that said the USA was not ready for this yet. Two people seemed very much identical in their thoughts about where I should put my suggestions – in a place where the sun doesn't shine. Two other emails had other ideas and that we should worry about our own people in need of diabetes supplies before helping people outside this country.

The sixth email bothers me the most. It used language that is not printable and some that I have not heard since the days before Martin Luther King. This talk reminded me of a few types of individuals dishonorably discharged from the military for their racial hatred and white supremacy views. I did not like it then, and I don't like it now.

So for putting the suggestions out in a blog, I had not expected this type of opposition and feelings, but so be it. That we have this type of people in the USA is not a surprise and even that they are so selfish and self-centered. That they would email me is also not a surprise as I asked for them, and I am very sure they used temporary email addresses to avoid return emails as those I have sent did not go and returned error messages.

Six emails and no comments until August 8, tells me what people think and feel about IDF and helping them. A sad feeling for me. I can only do so much as one individual, but I will do it just the same. I am more encouraged now after a few comments from others in the DOC.

Since writing this I have had two other emails, while not totally positive, were somewhat encouraging, but doubted that with the current economy there would be much support for organizations like the IDF or even ADA after receiving the email from the ADA expressing so much fear for what was going to happen to those receiving Medicare and Medicaid. Read my blog here.

08 August 2011

Can Lisinopril Cause Hyponatremia?

First a definition of hyponatremia – a deficiency of sodium in the blood or abnormally low concentration of sodium ions in blood. Lisinopril is an angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibiting drug administered as an antihypertensive and after heart attacks. This is used by many people for combating high blood pressure and often in combination with other drugs.

Hyponatremia is listed on the drug label insert as a potential adverse event but does not occur that frequently. The signs and symptoms of hyponatremia include nausea, malaise, headache, lethargy, seizures, coma, respiratory depression and decreased sodium levels.

Often the cause of hyponatremia was purported to be the result of a drug-induced syndrome of inappropriate secretion of anti-diuretic hormone (SIADH). When suppression of anti-diuretic hormone is impaired, which may be induced by ACE inhibitors, water is retained and sodium is lost. None of my test results have given any indication of this happening for me.

Although case reports suggest that ACE inhibitor therapy may cause hyponatremia (even at low doses), do not forget that other agents or medical conditions that may carry added risks for hyponatremia. For example, the risk for hyponatremia may be greater in patients also on diuretic therapy or who have congestive heart failure. There are limitations in drawing conclusions from case reports, it remains prudent to monitor electrolyte levels in patients on ACE inhibitor therapy, namely serum sodium and serum potassium. Hyponatremia is recognized as a potential adverse effect of ACE inhibitor therapy, with grave consequences if left uncorrected. Both patients and physicians should be aware of the signs and symptoms of hyponatremia.

Read the article here.