Memory, speed of cognitive processes, and cognitive flexibility are the focus of a five year Dutch study. Results were submitted November 3, 2009, accepted May 26, 2010, and published June 2, 2010 in American Diabetes Association's “Diabetes Care”. It then took Reuters to bring this to the attention of the public on June 11, 2010.
At the 5-year follow-up, the decline in global mental functions in diabetes patients was approximately 3 times greater than in persons without diabetes. It is important to know that as we reach our middle years, that our brain may be slowing us down.
Diabetes can lead to a decline in memory, thinking speed, and mental flexibility in middle age; however, aggressive control of blood glucose might prevent some of the decline. This was not a factor in the study.
15 June 2010
14 June 2010
Fear of syringes and needles
Most everyone dislikes needles, but some have a real fear of needles. For those of us with diabetes, this is not a good a good combination, especially if the person has type 1 diabetes and some of us with type 2. For many people with type 2 diabetes, doctors will not prescribe insulin and will use the threat as a way to get patients to follow orders. Then when they need insulin the patient blames him/her self and feels that he/she is a failure.
Although this reference is humorous, it is not and has good information. I have personally seen examples of this while in the military, out of a group of over 100 men, six went down, succumbing to Trypanophobia . The way medical professional should handle type 2 patients is presented here. This article also covers other fears about insulin that many people with type 2 diabetes have and explains these.
For those people that need some encouragement about using syringes, view the following video from BD on using insulin syringes.
Although this reference is humorous, it is not and has good information. I have personally seen examples of this while in the military, out of a group of over 100 men, six went down, succumbing to Trypanophobia . The way medical professional should handle type 2 patients is presented here. This article also covers other fears about insulin that many people with type 2 diabetes have and explains these.
For those people that need some encouragement about using syringes, view the following video from BD on using insulin syringes.
13 June 2010
Earlier screening for diabetes recommended
Researchers now say that screening should now start at age 30 instead of age 45. Of course what the articles does not mention until near the end that this is only for those that are obese and have a family history of diabetes. The article is here.
Their recommendations say start at 30 and continue screening every three to five years until high blood pressure and then more often. They claim this is more cost effective.
While I agree that screening needs to start earlier, education needs to start earlier along with some preventative health education classes in all areas of health.
Their recommendations say start at 30 and continue screening every three to five years until high blood pressure and then more often. They claim this is more cost effective.
While I agree that screening needs to start earlier, education needs to start earlier along with some preventative health education classes in all areas of health.
12 June 2010
More terms to eliminate from our diabetes vocabulary
Or these words should be used very carefully with proper explanation.
I have a request of you. Keep this open in one tab and open this article in a new tab so that you may easily go between this and the article. This article starts out as an example of the type of misleading information that those of us with diabetes don't need. When you read the title and subtitle, what do you envision?
It is almost a given after the title and subtitle the the first words of the article have to be - type 2 diabetes can't be cured. They needed to put these words there to legally blunt their misleading information and then to compound their error, they used the word reversed very shortly after “can't be cured”. This is an attempt to minimize “can't be cured” and keep you reading.
This points out what we are seeing more of today. The use of sensationalism in the writing of information about diabetes. And these websites wonder why they are losing respect and readership as a reliable source of quality medical information.
Did I read the rest of the article? Yes, only because I wanted to see how far they would take their attempt to mislead their readers. What the author concluded with can be found most any place on the web. While nutrition and exercise are “the” important keys for the management of diabetes, there was nothing new or newsworthy in this article.
Reverse or reversed may be technically correct in reversing the progression and improving control when used for this meaning; however, these are still words that should be used carefully. The words “get rid of” in conjunction with “reverse” really should not be used. Another case of misuse of the words “get rid of” is used in this blog (link broken) in the last sentence.
I have a request of you. Keep this open in one tab and open this article in a new tab so that you may easily go between this and the article. This article starts out as an example of the type of misleading information that those of us with diabetes don't need. When you read the title and subtitle, what do you envision?
It is almost a given after the title and subtitle the the first words of the article have to be - type 2 diabetes can't be cured. They needed to put these words there to legally blunt their misleading information and then to compound their error, they used the word reversed very shortly after “can't be cured”. This is an attempt to minimize “can't be cured” and keep you reading.
This points out what we are seeing more of today. The use of sensationalism in the writing of information about diabetes. And these websites wonder why they are losing respect and readership as a reliable source of quality medical information.
Did I read the rest of the article? Yes, only because I wanted to see how far they would take their attempt to mislead their readers. What the author concluded with can be found most any place on the web. While nutrition and exercise are “the” important keys for the management of diabetes, there was nothing new or newsworthy in this article.
Reverse or reversed may be technically correct in reversing the progression and improving control when used for this meaning; however, these are still words that should be used carefully. The words “get rid of” in conjunction with “reverse” really should not be used. Another case of misuse of the words “get rid of” is used in this blog (link broken) in the last sentence.
10 June 2010
The diabetes diet myth
At least people are beginning to put in writing the changes that I blogged about here in the last paragraph. This is has taken about six months from setting policy to having people actually start writing in ways following the changes.
While I do not totally agree with some of the recommendations of the writer for WebMD, the article is worth promoting as they are saying "One diet [plan] is not going to work for everyone," This article is three pages so don't stop at the end of page one.
Also worthy of note is their statement of “Diets for people with type 2 diabetes are also more individualized than in the past. Such diet plans follow good nutrition, but also take into account the individual's specific dietary needs.” (Bold is my emphasis).
Where I respectfully disagree is their support for whole grain cereals and canola oil.
They are more correct in their recommended distribution of calories between carbohydrates, protein, and fat than I have seen in recent times for people with type 2 diabetes that are overweight. This is more to the point of what real lifestyle change should be, unlike most of the high protein – low fat diets I have seen in recent years.
While I do not totally agree with some of the recommendations of the writer for WebMD, the article is worth promoting as they are saying "One diet [plan] is not going to work for everyone," This article is three pages so don't stop at the end of page one.
Also worthy of note is their statement of “Diets for people with type 2 diabetes are also more individualized than in the past. Such diet plans follow good nutrition, but also take into account the individual's specific dietary needs.” (Bold is my emphasis).
Where I respectfully disagree is their support for whole grain cereals and canola oil.
They are more correct in their recommended distribution of calories between carbohydrates, protein, and fat than I have seen in recent times for people with type 2 diabetes that are overweight. This is more to the point of what real lifestyle change should be, unlike most of the high protein – low fat diets I have seen in recent years.
09 June 2010
Are we using incorrect terms?
David Mendosa wrote a post on June 1, 2010 on Health Central dot com about the terminology used by people, people with diabetes and the medical community. He points out something many of us know, or should know, even use from time to time, and should not.
While I admit to having used many of the words (incorrect terminology), I am willing to say that I am working to correct these errors. Follow his reference to his article of November 11, 2004, and last modified January 19, 2010.
I urge everyone to read both and learn. I do have one point to add to the discussion. I know that the American Diabetes Association does not recognize pre-diabetes as an official diabetes class. I know that the medical community and others use this to mean that all the indicators are present for a person to develop diabetes. I have said this before so some will recognize this when I say that this sounds a lot like the woman that says she is a little pregnant. So if it is diabetes, lets call it what it is and let the people learn what to do before there is much damage or development of complications. Many that are told they have pre-diabetes just ignore the doctor, and then are in shock when in a few years they are diagnosed with diabetes.
Many people in the early stages should be closely monitored and should be taught preventative techniques to delay the development of diabetes that requires medication. In other words, prolong the non-diabetes stage and prevent or slow the progression to diabetes. And we all know that means lifestyle change.
While I admit to having used many of the words (incorrect terminology), I am willing to say that I am working to correct these errors. Follow his reference to his article of November 11, 2004, and last modified January 19, 2010.
I urge everyone to read both and learn. I do have one point to add to the discussion. I know that the American Diabetes Association does not recognize pre-diabetes as an official diabetes class. I know that the medical community and others use this to mean that all the indicators are present for a person to develop diabetes. I have said this before so some will recognize this when I say that this sounds a lot like the woman that says she is a little pregnant. So if it is diabetes, lets call it what it is and let the people learn what to do before there is much damage or development of complications. Many that are told they have pre-diabetes just ignore the doctor, and then are in shock when in a few years they are diagnosed with diabetes.
Many people in the early stages should be closely monitored and should be taught preventative techniques to delay the development of diabetes that requires medication. In other words, prolong the non-diabetes stage and prevent or slow the progression to diabetes. And we all know that means lifestyle change.
08 June 2010
New official recommendations for low dose aspirin
The American Heart Association, the American Diabetes Association, and the American College of Cardiology have updated their recommendations on the use of low dose aspirin (75–162 mg/day) in patients with diabetes.
Their statement raises the age for men from 45 to 50 and for women from 55 to 60. This is for people with diabetes and at risk for heart problems of cardiovascular disease.
There is some dissension as some are recommending 325 mg/day, but there is insufficient data to support this and some are calling for more trials, while another article says they are underway.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, states that people with diabetes have three times the increased risk of cardiovascular problems compared with people without diabetes.
Sites for addition reading:
Their statement raises the age for men from 45 to 50 and for women from 55 to 60. This is for people with diabetes and at risk for heart problems of cardiovascular disease.
There is some dissension as some are recommending 325 mg/day, but there is insufficient data to support this and some are calling for more trials, while another article says they are underway.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, states that people with diabetes have three times the increased risk of cardiovascular problems compared with people without diabetes.
Sites for addition reading:
- Site one - Three page discussion - well stated
- Site two - The American Diabetes Association Care recommendations
- Site three - Another good read
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