American Association of Diabetes Educators offers Travel Tips

Holiday season will soon be in full swing so the American Association of Diabetes Educators have issued a press release detailing some travel tips.

Newswise — AAA estimates 36.1 million people will travel this Memorial Day weekend. If diabetes is your constant companion, that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy traveling, whether traversing America in an RV or flying to the far reaches of the globe. Ensuring you stay healthy and keep your glucose levels on an even keel does require a little bit of organization and planning ahead, though.

The American Association of Diabetes Educators suggests a plan of attack for ensuring your next travel adventure is safe and successful:

- Over-pack your medications – Gone for a week? Pack two weeks’ worth of your diabetes medications in case of travel delays or misplaced supplies (insulin, syringes, testing strips, extra batteries for your pump, a first-aid kit, glucagon emergency kit, etc.). If you use a pump, ask the company if you can bring a backup in case yours fails. Have a prescription from your doctor for insulin or oral medication in case of an emergency.

- Protect your supplies – Keep your medications and supplies close at hand and don’t put them in checked luggage or in the trunk, where they can be exposed to harmful extreme temperatures (too hot or too cold). If you’re flying, keep them in the original packaging (so no one questions they’re yours) in a bag separate from your toiletries, as requested by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), which manages airport security. Don’t worry, the TSA allows you to go over the 3.4 liquid-ounce carry-on limit for diabetes medications and supplies.

- Identify yourself – Wear your medical bracelet or necklace that notes you have diabetes and take insulin (if you do). Bring a doctor’s note that explains you have diabetes and lists your medications, as well as a prescription in case you need more. Carry a health card that includes your emergency contact and doctor’s name and phone number. Learn how to say “I have diabetes,” “sugar,” and “orange juice, please” in the language of the country you are visiting.

- Carry snacks and low blood sugar treatment – Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) can strike any time and food access during travel is unpredictable, so be sure to bring plenty of snacks such as peanut butter crackers, granola bars and trail mix as well as glucose tablets or gel.

- Simplify flying – Tell the TSA folks that you have diabetes (they’re used to accommodating people with health issues). Visit http://www.tsa.gov/traveler-information/passengers-diabetes before your trip to learn about current screening policies. If you plan to inject insulin while flying, be forewarned – the pressurized air can make it more challenging to draw up your insulin, if using a vial and syringe, so be extra careful not to inject air into the bottle.

- Test often – New foods, increased activity and different time zones can throw your glucose levels out of whack, so be sure to test frequently, including before and after meals. If you take insulin, keeping your levels steady can be tricky when changing time zones, so make a plan to adjust your schedule for injecting. Before your trip, see a diabetes educator, who can help you with this challenging process.

- Favor your feet – Wear comfortable well-fitting shoes and socks at all times – never go barefoot. Check your feet frequently, especially after a hike or long walk. Feet and ankles often swell during flights so consider wearing light knee-high compression stockings (20-30 mm Hg) or bring thinner socks to change into if your feet swell. Wear a shoe that can be loosened if that occurs. Pointing and flexing your ankles during a flight can improve blood flow in your calf muscles and decrease swelling as well as lower the risk of blood clots.

- Prepare for a health emergency – If you need medical treatment, ask your hotel to recommend a local doctor who treats diabetes. Prior to an overseas trip, get a list of local English-speaking doctors through the International Association for Medical Assistance to Travelers athttp://www.iamat.org/.

The secret to any successful trip is to take plenty of time and plan far in advance of your departure – and that goes double when you have diabetes. For more information about how a diabetes educator can help you plan your next trip, visit http://www.diabeteseducator.org/.

Sources: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), American Diabetes Association and Joslin Diabetes Clinic

The original press release can be viewed at:

http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/618258/?sc=dwhn

The benefits of exercise for diabetics

Many people with diabetes will have been informed about how exercise can benefit their condition by helping to keep their weight down, improve glucose control, and how it can contribute to heart health.  As most diabetics should know, high glucose levels can leave people more prone to heart problems and now new research led by scientists from the John Hopkins University School of Medicine has shown just how valuable exercise is to diabetics, and how it can help improve the heart function in diabetics.

The researchers found that the levels of fatty acids which are generated during exercise can help to counteract the damaging effects of excess glucose and improve the heart's pumping ability.  The study was carried out using a mouse model of type 2 diabetes and has been published in the journal Diabetes; the study examined the effects of glucose and fatty acids and how they influence heart function.

Commenting in a press release, Miguel Aon, Ph.D., assistant professor of medicine at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and a senior author of the study article, said:

"Our work offers a new view of the role of fatty acids in diabetic hearts under stress, and suggests potential new therapies to improve heart function."

“It has been commonly assumed that fatty acids were detrimental to heart muscle function, but our study showed the opposite to be true in the diabetic heart.”

Anon continues:

“Over time, if the heart muscle is not receiving enough energy, the mechanical and electrical functions required to produce a normal heartbeat become impaired, which leads to cardiomyopathy."

“In our study, we were able to show a cause-and-effect relationship between dysfunction of the mitochondria—the energy-producing components of cells—and the heart’s mechanical and electrical functions, which helps to explain why people with type 2 diabetes develop cardiomyopathy."

“Now that we have shed light on why exercise can improve heart function in people with type 2 diabetes.” 

“The next step is figuring out how to harness that knowledge to prevent heart damage from diabetes, especially among those people who cannot bring their blood sugar levels under good control.”

Dentists could identify undiagnosed diabetes

Dentists could play a key role in spotting undiagnosed diabetes or pre diabetes, according to a new study by the Columbia University College of Dental Medicine. Details of the study were published in the July issue of the Journal of Dental Research.

Dr Ira Lamster is dean of the College of Dental Medicine and senior author of the study, commenting in a news release Dr. Lamster said:

“Periodontal disease is an early complication of diabetes, and about 70 percent of U.S. adults see a dentist at least once a year.”

“Prior research focused on identification strategies relevant to medical settings. Oral healthcare settings have not been evaluated before, nor have the contributions of oral findings ever been tested prospectively.”

600 people from the Northern Manhattan area took part in the study which aimed to identify patients with hyperglycaemia. The patients were divided into two groups: 40-years-old plus and non-Hispanic white and those aged 30 plus, Hispanic or non-white.

According to the press release, around 530 patients had at least one risk factor for diabetes such as a family history. Each of the patients received a periodontal check and an A1C test, which monitors longer term glucose levels.

The press release explains that there were only two dental factors needed to identify those with diabetes or pre-diabetes, the two factors being the number of missing teeth or the percentage of periodontal pockets.

Dr. Evanthia Lalla, an associate professor at the College of Dental Medicine, and lead author of the study, said:

“Early recognition of diabetes has been the focus of efforts from medical and public health colleagues for years, as early treatment of affected individuals can limit the development of many serious complications.”

“Relatively simple lifestyle changes in pre-diabetic individuals can prevent progression to frank diabetes, so identifying this group of individuals is also important."

“Our findings provide a simple approach that can be easily used in all dental-care settings.”

Diabetes is a condition that can often go undiagnosed leaving patients at a greater risk of developing of developing complications. Previous studies have shown that gum disease can make diabetes harder to control and also leave patients at a higher risk of heart disease which is already a risk factor for patients with diabetes.

Free video for patients with diabetic nerve pain

Diabetics who suffer from nerve pain from neuropathy, a common complication of long-term diabetes, can now get access to a free new guidebook and educational video.

Actor Jerry Mathers, known for his role in the American sitcom “Leave it to Beaver “ is presenting a new video called “Diabetic Nerve Pain: A Guide for Patients and Families” - a new educational video from the American Academy of Neurology Foundation, the release is part of National Neuropathy Week. Mathers will also appear on the May/June issue of Neurology Now®.

The video offers advice to patients suffering from painful neuropathy and gives details of the different treatment options available to patients.

The video and guidebook are available by going to this link:

http://patients.aan.com/go/videos

New study into diabetic complications

What do some diabetics develop complications while others do not? That is what a new Swedish study called PROLONG is aiming to find out.

Valeriya Lyssenko is from Lund University Diabetes Centre and will carry out the research along with her colleague Peter Nilsson.

In a press release,which was made available on the Alpha Galileo website, Valeriya Lyssenko said:

“The majority of diabetics will over time develop severe or fatal complications, but 10–15 per cent never do. They are the ones we are interested in in the PROLONG study."

I won't dwell on the possible complications of diabetes as most people will already be well aware of those.

A pilot study has begun and will concentrate on patients who have had diabetes for 30 years. According to the information in the press release, people who have had diabetes for that long and have not developed complications by then are less likely to in later life.

The full press release can be viewed here:

http://www.alphagalileo.org/ViewItem.aspx?ItemId=94079&CultureCode=en

Free Diabetes Management Tool

Diabetes.co.uk have launched a free diabetes management tool called 'My Lifestyle'.

It's available online and lets you save all of your diabetes care information safely in one place. It allows you to record such information as blood test results, medication etc.

It also has sections for blood glucose, blood pressure, weight, BMI and a food diary.

It sounds to me like a useful tool and one I'll be signing up to.

You'll find details of the service here;

http://www.diabetes.co.uk/myLife/

New study: Fish oils and anti-diabetic genes

New research carried out on mice shows that polyunsaturated fatty acid fish oils could have a positive effect on fat cells and glucose levels.

Study results found that oils such as EPA and DHA could help to regulate glucose intake.

Taking fish oils as a supplement could also lead to reduced levels of glucose in the blood.

You can find more details of the research here:

http://www.nutraingredients.com/Research/Fish-oils-may-help-to-activate-anti-diabetic-genes-Study/?utm_source=Newsletter_Product&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Newsletter%2BProduct


Fish oil has long been thought to be beneficial for your heart, cholesterol levels etc so whether you are diabetic or not, this is an important supplement, and as a diabetic, it is one that I take often.

Dolphins and Diabetes

Scientists say that dolphins may aid in the research in the aim to find a cure for those with type 2 Diabetes.

Research carried out by the US National Marine Mammal Foundation shows that bottle nose dolphins are also prone to insulin resistance.

But it's been shown that the mammals are able to turn the insulin resistance on and off. (If only that applied to humans)

Researchers now hope that they can simulate the same on- off process in humans with the condition and the scientists,who announced this development at the American Association for the Advancement of Science yearly meeting, hope to work with those involved in diabetes research to further their work.

To view the full article from the BBC news website. Go here:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/8523412.stm

If you want to reproduce any part of this blog please do but e mail first with details of where the content will be added and include the full url of the blog piece.

New treatment for Type 2 Diabetics

A new treatment is being trialled for Type 2 diabetics. The medication is currently being tested on 155 people who are based in Britain.

The drug is called Victoza. This is treatment that is already used to treat diabetes but it needs to be injected. The new trials are testing the drug so that it can be taken in pill form.

The medication works by helping the pancreas to produce more insulin.

Novo Nordisk are behind the trial and while this trial only focuses on those with Type 2 diabetes it is said that millions are being spent to see if it is possible to give insulin in the form of a pill to people with diabetes Type 1, a development, that if it were to happen, would be welcomed by millions of diabetics worldwide.

To see the full article then follow the link below:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1245999/New-drug-diabetics-end-ordeal-daily-insulin-jabs.html

Hypoglycemia and your hormones

One thing some diabetics may notice is that their blood sugars have a tendency to run low when their hormone levels start kicking in. This is something I've noticed in the middle of the month or towards the end of the month.

This, I've been told, is caused largely by your estrogen levels so it might well be that these hormone levels are elevated which can make your cells more sensitive to insulin. I've gone for days on end with my blood sugar not getting above 3.0. That makes you feel really good!

I've found something that seems to work. I used to have a job in a nutrition store which gave me an interest in alternative remedies and vitamins etc. and their benefits, and after taking a few supplements I haven't been bothered with low blood sugar, at least not any related to hormone levels.

It's simple. I take Agnus Castus every day and Wild Yam from day ten onwards right up until the first day of the cycle and it works when it comes to balancing your hormones and your blood sugars. Give it a try but check with your doctor first to make sure this is all right and won't interfere with your medication.

New Diabetes Blog

This Blog has been set up with the aim to bring you the latest news on Diabetes, tips on controlling your blood sugars which are based on years of experiences and anything related to taking care of your Diabetes.

Contributions are welcome so anything you want to add then feel free to e mail me and if there's anything you would like to see on the blog or if you have any questions then please get in contact.