Cardiovascular disease and diabetes are linked in the sense that the diabetics have a higher risk for heart troubles than their counterpart who do not have diabetes. The question therefore that begs an answer is what can we do to lower that risk?
That risk can be reduced by maintaining the ABC's of diabetes at acceptable level. How do we do this? This can be done by eating healthy, exercising regularly and taking medication as prescribed. Losing weight if applicable is also part of maintaining the ABC.
Every little step you take will help maintain the ABC. Once the numbers come nearer the target levels, the chance to prevent heart attack is higher, much higher. Smoking is a great no, no. If you are smoking, quit. It is as simple as that. Now what do these ABC stand for anyway?
A is for A1C which tells the story of where your average blood sugar is up to in the preceding two to three months. In fact, this is now what they advocate as the way to diagnose diabetes instead of that fasting glucose test. The recommendation is to target the A1C of below 7.
B is for blood pressure that tells the story of how hard your heart has to work because it measures the force of blood in the blood vessels. The recommendation is to keep the blood pressure reading to below 130/80 mmHg.
Now how about the C? Well it stands for cholesterol which is the amount of fat in the blood. Just to get us confused, there are two kinds. There's the HDL which is our friend because it aids in protecting the heart. And there is the LDL which we can call frenemy (This is a new word just added recently to the dictionary) which means a fake friend because it clogs our blood vessel.
The Journal of the American Society of Nephrology reports in the January issue that treating patients with CKD (chronic kidney disease) with pioglitazone may lower the risk for cardiovascular disease. A new study on this confirms this.
University of Cologne's Dr. Christian A. Schneider of Germany said that this drug reduced death and cardiovascular occurrence when they studied more than 5000 type 2 diabetics who were at high risk for cardiovascular disease due to damage to the large blood vessels.
The patients treated with pioglitazone showed a lower risk for cardiovascular occurrence when compared to those assigned to take the placebo. The rate of death and cardiovascular events was reduced by 33.33%. It was noted that the decrease happened among those with lower stage of kidney function.
Dr. Schneider said their findings may not apply to diabetics with lower risk for cardiovascular events. Caution should be exercised when looking at the result of their study until it is further confirmed. This research was supported by Takeda Pharmaceutical Company. Let’s just follow the recommendation to lower the cardiovascular disease.
Friday, July 10, 2009
Friday, July 3, 2009
Disabled Diabetics May Collect Social Security Benefits
The main cause of disability in the US is diabetes. Its complications are many among which are blindness, kidney failure, nerve problems and blindness rendering diabetics disabled. Now there is news they are entitled to full disability benefits from Social Security.
One who is unable to work or earn enough income due to these complications and the condition has gone on or may continue for a year may be able to collect full benefits on disability insurance from Social Security. Apply at the Social Security Office.
Remember if you become disabled due to diabetes and unable to hold a job, you may be qualified to collect full social security disability benefits. So don't forget to head down to the social security office nearest to where you live and apply for benefits.
Be careful when you apply because if the person is not following a treatment plan, the Social Security Office will deny the claim. On what ground is this decision made? It is on the grounds that following the prescribed treatment plan will not make one disabled for 12 consecutive months.
Adults and children will be considered disabled due to severe kidney problem. They are also considered disabled for 12 months after a kidney transplant. A person who has had diabetes for long will have disabling complications due to retinopathy, neuropathy and kidney troubles.
Don't be disheartened if you get turned down. As far as I know that is what usually happens. Be tenacious and insist on it. You will have 60 days to appeal. Then contact a lawyer who is knowledgeable about social security disability right away. Find out if the lawyer's clients are happy with his services. That is how you know that he will be of help.
If the application is turned down, the social security lawyer who is experienced with disability insurance may be of help. These lawyers usually win cases on appeal when the client's application has been rejected. But consult the lawyer as soon as the application is turned down.
For those who are not disabled from diabetes, please continue the regimen of eating healthy, being physically active and taking the medication as prescribed. It looks like only about 50% gets disabled from these complications although I doubt if the number gets that high because most diabetics are taking good care of themselves.
One who is unable to work or earn enough income due to these complications and the condition has gone on or may continue for a year may be able to collect full benefits on disability insurance from Social Security. Apply at the Social Security Office.
Remember if you become disabled due to diabetes and unable to hold a job, you may be qualified to collect full social security disability benefits. So don't forget to head down to the social security office nearest to where you live and apply for benefits.
Be careful when you apply because if the person is not following a treatment plan, the Social Security Office will deny the claim. On what ground is this decision made? It is on the grounds that following the prescribed treatment plan will not make one disabled for 12 consecutive months.
Adults and children will be considered disabled due to severe kidney problem. They are also considered disabled for 12 months after a kidney transplant. A person who has had diabetes for long will have disabling complications due to retinopathy, neuropathy and kidney troubles.
Don't be disheartened if you get turned down. As far as I know that is what usually happens. Be tenacious and insist on it. You will have 60 days to appeal. Then contact a lawyer who is knowledgeable about social security disability right away. Find out if the lawyer's clients are happy with his services. That is how you know that he will be of help.
If the application is turned down, the social security lawyer who is experienced with disability insurance may be of help. These lawyers usually win cases on appeal when the client's application has been rejected. But consult the lawyer as soon as the application is turned down.
For those who are not disabled from diabetes, please continue the regimen of eating healthy, being physically active and taking the medication as prescribed. It looks like only about 50% gets disabled from these complications although I doubt if the number gets that high because most diabetics are taking good care of themselves.
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Oral Insulin Reduced Glucose Levels in Pre-Clinical Trials
Oral Insulin Cobalamini has been shown to considerably reduce sugar levels when tested on animals. This is as per announcement of Access Pharmaceuticals. They used some formulas of Cobalamini that are based on the body's natural absorption of Vitamin B12. They plan to do more pre-clinical tests.
Hopefully, this will be a success especially for people who have to do multiple insulin injection daily. This emerging company already has patents on Vitamin B12 to carry drugs. It will transfer this to the blood for easier absorption. Cobalamini therefore has the potential to deliver insulin orally or improve the delivery system currently in use.
Senior Vice President of Access Pharmaceuticals' Research and Development, Dr. David P. Nowotnik said that the company has data to use this method with different proteins but the result of the pre-clinical trials delighted them as there is indication that desired effect can be attained.
Access Pharmaceuticals plans to collaborate with other companies in the development of this oral delivery device. They have conducted studies with top pharmaceutical companies but are looking for partners to do more research on the availability of oral insulin.
CEO and Access Pharmaceutical Stephen R. Seiler said they're excited by the results of the research they conducted on animals. The potential for an oral delivery system for insulin is indicated. The Cobalamini technology, he said, can be applied to some cancer products as well.
People with diabetes I am sure will just be too happy not to have anymore of insulin resistance if they could take it by mouth as this will eliminate the irritation to the skin due to multiple injection. In another study, The American Chemical Society has known of this issue since their 222nd national meeting.
They were told at the meeting that the material is a polymer, the consistency of which is gel-like. This will offer another way or in place of injecting the insulin every day. A graduate student named Aaron C. Foss of Purdue University conducted a study on this issue with the guidance of the professor of biomedical and chemical engineering, Nicholas A. Peppas, ScD.
You see, the polymer is supposed to protect the insulin until it enters the small intestine. There, the blood will absorb it without it being exposed to the acidic hazards in the mouth first, then onto the throat and stomach. Researchers before this had only a minimum amount of insulin left for the blood to absorb but Peppas is confident this will not happen with their own research.
Why? Because the small intestine is less acidic than the other places where the insulin has to pass through So once the insulin gets to the small intestine, the polymer swells up. In addition, the polymer intercepts the calcium which is a good thing because the walls of the small intestine need to have the pores tightly sealed. Then as soon as they open up, the insulin can slip through to the blood. Sneaky, huh?
They have been working on this for some time so I looked for any report on the progress but I failed. So if any good soul out there who will be successful in this detective work, please let me know as I am truly interested to know the result of this investigation on oral insulin.
Hopefully, this will be a success especially for people who have to do multiple insulin injection daily. This emerging company already has patents on Vitamin B12 to carry drugs. It will transfer this to the blood for easier absorption. Cobalamini therefore has the potential to deliver insulin orally or improve the delivery system currently in use.
Senior Vice President of Access Pharmaceuticals' Research and Development, Dr. David P. Nowotnik said that the company has data to use this method with different proteins but the result of the pre-clinical trials delighted them as there is indication that desired effect can be attained.
Access Pharmaceuticals plans to collaborate with other companies in the development of this oral delivery device. They have conducted studies with top pharmaceutical companies but are looking for partners to do more research on the availability of oral insulin.
CEO and Access Pharmaceutical Stephen R. Seiler said they're excited by the results of the research they conducted on animals. The potential for an oral delivery system for insulin is indicated. The Cobalamini technology, he said, can be applied to some cancer products as well.
People with diabetes I am sure will just be too happy not to have anymore of insulin resistance if they could take it by mouth as this will eliminate the irritation to the skin due to multiple injection. In another study, The American Chemical Society has known of this issue since their 222nd national meeting.
They were told at the meeting that the material is a polymer, the consistency of which is gel-like. This will offer another way or in place of injecting the insulin every day. A graduate student named Aaron C. Foss of Purdue University conducted a study on this issue with the guidance of the professor of biomedical and chemical engineering, Nicholas A. Peppas, ScD.
You see, the polymer is supposed to protect the insulin until it enters the small intestine. There, the blood will absorb it without it being exposed to the acidic hazards in the mouth first, then onto the throat and stomach. Researchers before this had only a minimum amount of insulin left for the blood to absorb but Peppas is confident this will not happen with their own research.
Why? Because the small intestine is less acidic than the other places where the insulin has to pass through So once the insulin gets to the small intestine, the polymer swells up. In addition, the polymer intercepts the calcium which is a good thing because the walls of the small intestine need to have the pores tightly sealed. Then as soon as they open up, the insulin can slip through to the blood. Sneaky, huh?
They have been working on this for some time so I looked for any report on the progress but I failed. So if any good soul out there who will be successful in this detective work, please let me know as I am truly interested to know the result of this investigation on oral insulin.
Friday, June 19, 2009
Diabetics Taken Off From Avandia Most Likely to Use New Agents
Diabetes Dynamics USA reports on new research that shows just over 50% of diabetics withdrawn from Avandia were changed to new anti=diabetic drugs Januvia or Byetta when news spread that something was wrong with the drug they were taking. Can you imagine the worry and concern that caused?
International Client Services director Philip O'Hagan said that TNS Healthcare observed a rise in Avandia withdrawals and an increase in pioglitazone withdrawal as well. With the pioglitazone withdrawal only 10% were due to cardiac problems while those with the Avandia withdrawals, 20% were due to cardiac issues.
Only half of the Avandia change resulted in the switch to another drug. In 40% the change was only in the dosage. In the other 10% the doctors withdrew their patients from Avandia but did not make any other treatment change.
Diabetes Dynamics will continue to track the changes. They will note which of the drugs will lose or gain. They know that the prescription pattern will be volatile for a period of time. They will check what happens to the patients who changed their treatment.
Why would this have to happen anyway? Had there been more care in the clinical trials instead of rushing through it for financial gain, perhaps the side effects did not occur and then these changes the diabetics will not have to go through. Don't get me wrong, I am all for changes myself, but done the right way!
Rushing through the clinical trials and getting the FDA approval on the fast track is not the way to go, in my humble opinion. It smells something fishy. It is almost akin to changes in the computer operating system with not all the bugs ironed out. The end users are left to find this out and report the bug themselves. The powers-that-be then work on it to correct the system.
At least changes in the computer system are not life-threatening which is the opposite is true with the medications. Something could go horribly wrong if not all aspects of the medication are addressed and worked on before the release. Let us not rush through things and think more of the diabetics who will have to suffer more if we do.
International Client Services director Philip O'Hagan said that TNS Healthcare observed a rise in Avandia withdrawals and an increase in pioglitazone withdrawal as well. With the pioglitazone withdrawal only 10% were due to cardiac problems while those with the Avandia withdrawals, 20% were due to cardiac issues.
Only half of the Avandia change resulted in the switch to another drug. In 40% the change was only in the dosage. In the other 10% the doctors withdrew their patients from Avandia but did not make any other treatment change.
Diabetes Dynamics will continue to track the changes. They will note which of the drugs will lose or gain. They know that the prescription pattern will be volatile for a period of time. They will check what happens to the patients who changed their treatment.
Why would this have to happen anyway? Had there been more care in the clinical trials instead of rushing through it for financial gain, perhaps the side effects did not occur and then these changes the diabetics will not have to go through. Don't get me wrong, I am all for changes myself, but done the right way!
Rushing through the clinical trials and getting the FDA approval on the fast track is not the way to go, in my humble opinion. It smells something fishy. It is almost akin to changes in the computer operating system with not all the bugs ironed out. The end users are left to find this out and report the bug themselves. The powers-that-be then work on it to correct the system.
At least changes in the computer system are not life-threatening which is the opposite is true with the medications. Something could go horribly wrong if not all aspects of the medication are addressed and worked on before the release. Let us not rush through things and think more of the diabetics who will have to suffer more if we do.
Friday, June 12, 2009
Wockhardt UK Says There’s Still Insulin Available
Insulin therapy is an important part of treatment for type 1 diabetics and for some who have type 2 diabetes. The aim of insulin therapy is to keep the blood glucose levels within the target range. The insulin therapy that is best for you depends on many factors, like the type of diabetes, one's lifestyle and how much the blood glucose rises and falls throughout the day.
There are many available types. The following are for your information only and should be checked for the latest available data. Here they are but know that the doctor may prescribe a mixture of types:
Remember that depending on when you read this, the data may have changed and that the doctor has the final say on this as he will know the overall health condition of the person in question. You can read more about insulin at this site where you can sign up for free to get alert and tips delivered right to your email inbox. While there you can also access the home page for the disclaimer.
Bovine insulin and Hypurin porcine will still be supplied for diabetics as soon as Novo Nordisk extracts its pork insulin. This is why Wockhardt UK says they’ll be able to provide the diabetics this option for treatment.
Diabetes UK Care advisor Cathy Moulton says it is good for the diabetics to have a choice of treatment because no two diabetics are alike so they want to still provide animal insulin. The other point is that switching to human insulin from the animal type is not simple because of serious reaction to the change.
Diabetes UK had a report specially made for this issue that was published in the magazine Diabetic Medicine. Although many can deal with their diabetes well with human insulin, few have problems with hypoglycemia when treated with it. So the Department of Health agrees that some diabetics are more suited to bovine insulin and should therefore be made available.
There are many available types. The following are for your information only and should be checked for the latest available data. Here they are but know that the doctor may prescribe a mixture of types:
- The rapid acting ones are absorbed faster than the short-acting ones but wears off earlier like Insulin aspart, insulin glulisine, insulin lispro. They start working either after 15 minutes, with peak times of 30 minutes to three hours and effect lasts from two to five hours.
- The short-acting ones work faster but the effects do not last as long as the intermediate ones like Humulin R, Novolin R. It begins to work 30 to 60 minutes with peak times of 2 to four hours and effect lasts for 3 to 8 hours.
- The intermediate-acting ones begin working later than the short-acting ones but the effects last longer like the NPH human (Humulin N, Novolin N). It starts working later than the short-acting ones. It starts working one to four hours, with peak times at 4 to 12 hours and the effect lasts for 12 to 18 hours.
- The long-acting ones take several hours to work but it supplies the insulin at a steady level for one whole day or 24 hours like Insulin glargine (Lantus) and the Insulin detemir (Levemir). It starts working in one to ten hours, with no clear peak and the effect lasts for up to 24 hours.
Remember that depending on when you read this, the data may have changed and that the doctor has the final say on this as he will know the overall health condition of the person in question. You can read more about insulin at this site where you can sign up for free to get alert and tips delivered right to your email inbox. While there you can also access the home page for the disclaimer.
Bovine insulin and Hypurin porcine will still be supplied for diabetics as soon as Novo Nordisk extracts its pork insulin. This is why Wockhardt UK says they’ll be able to provide the diabetics this option for treatment.
Diabetes UK Care advisor Cathy Moulton says it is good for the diabetics to have a choice of treatment because no two diabetics are alike so they want to still provide animal insulin. The other point is that switching to human insulin from the animal type is not simple because of serious reaction to the change.
Diabetes UK had a report specially made for this issue that was published in the magazine Diabetic Medicine. Although many can deal with their diabetes well with human insulin, few have problems with hypoglycemia when treated with it. So the Department of Health agrees that some diabetics are more suited to bovine insulin and should therefore be made available.
Friday, June 5, 2009
Erectile Dysfunction: More Info and What To Do With This Problem
Erectile dysfunction or impotence occurs in approximately 35-75% of diabetic men. They will go through at least some degree of this condition during their life. They tend to develop this 10 to 15 years ahead of men who do not have diabetes.
As they age, erectile dysfunction even becomes more common. They will experience difficulties with an erection about 50 - 60% when they reach the age of over 50. When they hit above 90, the likelihood of having this difficulty, rises to approximately 95%. Please sign up at the top of the page to receive an ongoing free weekly alerts and tips at the top of the page of the above link.
This begs the question why men with diabetes suffer from impotence. Would you believe the causes are multifaceted? This condition includes impairment in blood vessel, nerve and muscle function. Men need healthy nerves, blood vessels, male hormones and the desire to be sexually aroused.
Therein lies the problem for diabetes can damage the nerves and blood vessels. So even if men have the desire and the correct amounts of male hormones, they may not be able to have firm erection. Diabetes could have damaged the nerves and blood vessels that control the erection.
Now let's go to the solution part for there are treatments available but you have to check with your doctor. Why? Because taking oral medication like Cialis, Viagra and Levitra which can help with the problem may not be appropriate because they may interact dangerously with heart medicine.
However, there are other treatment options like vacuum constriction devices, injection therapy, sex therapy, intracavernous injection therapy, and intraurethral therapy. Is there a best one? It depends on your condition and how much you can endure. Get your doctor to refer you to a urologist who is an expert on this.
Professors Dr. Pedro Vendeira and Dr. Carla Costa were awarded an ESSM Award of Excellence for their study on erectile dysfunction in diabetics at Lisbon, Portugal during the 10th yearly Congress. The title of their study is Bone-marrow Derived-cell Treatment for Diabetes-associated Erectile Dysfunction.
This condition appears earlier due to the peripheral vascular difficulty that changes the normal blood flux to the organ. This impedes the normal erectile capacity. The study’s chief goal is to revascularize the diabetic penile tissue. This is through the use of cellular therapy which is done in diabetic rats. Healthy animal cells are transplanted to the diabetic animal’s penis.
This research was conducted at the University of Oporto’s Faculty of Medicine. The researchers received financial help for this earlier and the ESSM Award came with financial reward as well. This award was formed by the European Study for Sexual Medicine to help with the development and research in sexual health, particularly on the issue of erectile dysfunction.
As they age, erectile dysfunction even becomes more common. They will experience difficulties with an erection about 50 - 60% when they reach the age of over 50. When they hit above 90, the likelihood of having this difficulty, rises to approximately 95%. Please sign up at the top of the page to receive an ongoing free weekly alerts and tips at the top of the page of the above link.
This begs the question why men with diabetes suffer from impotence. Would you believe the causes are multifaceted? This condition includes impairment in blood vessel, nerve and muscle function. Men need healthy nerves, blood vessels, male hormones and the desire to be sexually aroused.
Therein lies the problem for diabetes can damage the nerves and blood vessels. So even if men have the desire and the correct amounts of male hormones, they may not be able to have firm erection. Diabetes could have damaged the nerves and blood vessels that control the erection.
Now let's go to the solution part for there are treatments available but you have to check with your doctor. Why? Because taking oral medication like Cialis, Viagra and Levitra which can help with the problem may not be appropriate because they may interact dangerously with heart medicine.
However, there are other treatment options like vacuum constriction devices, injection therapy, sex therapy, intracavernous injection therapy, and intraurethral therapy. Is there a best one? It depends on your condition and how much you can endure. Get your doctor to refer you to a urologist who is an expert on this.
Professors Dr. Pedro Vendeira and Dr. Carla Costa were awarded an ESSM Award of Excellence for their study on erectile dysfunction in diabetics at Lisbon, Portugal during the 10th yearly Congress. The title of their study is Bone-marrow Derived-cell Treatment for Diabetes-associated Erectile Dysfunction.
This condition appears earlier due to the peripheral vascular difficulty that changes the normal blood flux to the organ. This impedes the normal erectile capacity. The study’s chief goal is to revascularize the diabetic penile tissue. This is through the use of cellular therapy which is done in diabetic rats. Healthy animal cells are transplanted to the diabetic animal’s penis.
This research was conducted at the University of Oporto’s Faculty of Medicine. The researchers received financial help for this earlier and the ESSM Award came with financial reward as well. This award was formed by the European Study for Sexual Medicine to help with the development and research in sexual health, particularly on the issue of erectile dysfunction.
Friday, May 29, 2009
Erectile Dysfunction, Everything You Want To Know and Ashamed to Ask
Professors Dr. Pedro Vendeira and Dr. Carla Costa were awarded an ESSM Award of Excellence for their study on erectile dysfunction in diabetics at Lisbon, Portugal during the 10th yearly Congress. The title of their study is Bone-marrow Derived-cell Treatment for Diabetes-associated Erectile Dysfunction.
Erectile dysfunction appears earlier due to the peripheral vascular difficulty that changes the normal blood flux to the organ. This impedes the normal erectile capacity. The study’s chief goal is to revascularize the diabetic penile tissue. This is through the use of cellular therapy which is done in diabetic rats. Healthy animal cells are transplanted to the diabetic animal’s penis.
This research was conducted at the University of Oporto’s Faculty of Medicine. The researchers received financial help for this earlier and the ESSM Award came with financial reward as well. This award was formed by the European Study for sexual Medicine to help with the development and research in sexual health.
The inability of a man to maintain an erection is called erectile dysfunction. It was formerly called impotence and considered a psychological issue but has now changed because it is more frequently caused by physical problems. It can be embarrassing to talk about but it is worth the effort to do so.
Nowadays this can be treated through medication or surgery. A heart problem or diabetes and other conditions may cause this so it is good to consider this a serious matter. As for the symptoms indicated of not being able to maintain an erection, this is so if it happens at least 25% of the time. An occasional lapse is normal.
Regarding the causes, male arousal involves hormones, brain, nerves, emotions, blood vessels and muscles so anything amiss in any of these can lead to erectile dysfunction. A chronic health problem or side effects of medication, a combination of things can lead to ED as well.
The risk factors include age, chronic health problem, medications, injuries and surgeries, smoking, obesity. stress, substance abuse, too much bicycling, and metabolic syndrome. Seek help for this condition to rule out other chronic health problems. After tests and diagnosis, there are treatment options available.
The treatment options range from medications to surgery and medical devices. The treatment of choice depends on the gravity and cause of the conditions. See if the treatment cost will be covered by your health insurance. Hope you got to know the things you want about erectile dysfunction.
Erectile dysfunction appears earlier due to the peripheral vascular difficulty that changes the normal blood flux to the organ. This impedes the normal erectile capacity. The study’s chief goal is to revascularize the diabetic penile tissue. This is through the use of cellular therapy which is done in diabetic rats. Healthy animal cells are transplanted to the diabetic animal’s penis.
This research was conducted at the University of Oporto’s Faculty of Medicine. The researchers received financial help for this earlier and the ESSM Award came with financial reward as well. This award was formed by the European Study for sexual Medicine to help with the development and research in sexual health.
The inability of a man to maintain an erection is called erectile dysfunction. It was formerly called impotence and considered a psychological issue but has now changed because it is more frequently caused by physical problems. It can be embarrassing to talk about but it is worth the effort to do so.
Nowadays this can be treated through medication or surgery. A heart problem or diabetes and other conditions may cause this so it is good to consider this a serious matter. As for the symptoms indicated of not being able to maintain an erection, this is so if it happens at least 25% of the time. An occasional lapse is normal.
Regarding the causes, male arousal involves hormones, brain, nerves, emotions, blood vessels and muscles so anything amiss in any of these can lead to erectile dysfunction. A chronic health problem or side effects of medication, a combination of things can lead to ED as well.
The risk factors include age, chronic health problem, medications, injuries and surgeries, smoking, obesity. stress, substance abuse, too much bicycling, and metabolic syndrome. Seek help for this condition to rule out other chronic health problems. After tests and diagnosis, there are treatment options available.
The treatment options range from medications to surgery and medical devices. The treatment of choice depends on the gravity and cause of the conditions. See if the treatment cost will be covered by your health insurance. Hope you got to know the things you want about erectile dysfunction.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)