Fun and Games for Kids With Diabetes

Learning about your diabetes doesn’t have to be scary and in fact can be a fun and educational process for kids.

And check out these products that can make compliance cool.

The Cadex Pediatric Alarm Watch with these features:

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Diabetes EXPO

What a terrific idea!.

A diabetes tradeshow.

The American Diabetes Association, Diabetes EXPO will be held in 18 venues across the United States. It is the largest exhibition dedicated to diabetics.

With the number of Americans who have diabetes and pre-diabetes, this sounds like a great way to reach out to that population.

Center For Disease Control, June 24, 2008: Number of People with Diabetes Increases to 24 Million. “Diabetes now affects nearly 24 million people in the United States, an increase of more than 3 million in approximately two years, according to new 2007 prevalence data estimates released today by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This means that nearly 8 percent of the U.S. population has diabetes.”

The ADA Diabetes EXPO contains highly interactive events that include professional speakers, access to health providers, a variety of ADA program/event information, exercise and cooking demonstrations and much more.

It’s one stop shopping for everything related to diabetes, healthy eating and active living.

• Exhibitors provide how-to-product demonstrations, free samples and the latest products, services and information.
• Medical professionals are present to answer questions
• Exciting lectures are scheduled throughout the day
• Cooking and exercise demonstrations
• Free health screenings
• Youth Zone – an interactive area for children

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Diabetes Goes High-Tech

For the techno geeks and wizards out there, here’s what is going on in high-tech gadgets for diabetes care.

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• Friday Diabetes News mentioned the glucose monitoring car of the future introduced by Medtronics. The M Concept car is a Lincoln sedan that uses wireless technology to monitor a patient’s blood glucose level through the car’s dashboard. Using BlueTooth technology the system alerts the driver of blood glucose problems with audio and visual signals. Medtronics plans to also launch a vehicle system which will dial for medical assistance if the driver does not respond to alerts or when abnormal glucose levels are generated.

• The PressureStat, by FootLogic, is a device that measures diabetic foot neuropathy potential through a pressure sensitive card. The card is covered with a film that presents an exact replica of the patient’s footprint. By identifying pressure areas physicians are able to do preventative education evaluating patients and monitoring them for tissue injury risk potential.

• The Electronic Pillbox. There are a variety of these devices, from a simple programmable system to a box that interfaces with your phone line and connects to a webpage which holds your information to program the box. Additionally the pillboxes provide audio and visual alarms to be sure the right medication is taken at the right time. Electronic pillboxes currently available include: The MD .2 Personal Medication System, MedCenter Monthly Medication Dispenser, and MedSignals.

• Virtual Health Monitoring. Several virtual health monitoring programs are already in use. VitalSignals works in conjunction with the MedSignals electronic pillbox. A patient bio monitoring device that launched with a blood pressure monitor and utilizes BlueTooth technology sending readings online to patient caregivers. VitalSignals will be adding glucose monitoring, weight measurements and a pedometer. Besides their usefulness for diabetics, virtual monitoring works in conjunction with other home monitoring sensors to keep the elderly population safe and compliant in their homes. See this great New York Times article, High Tech Devices Keep Elderly Safe From Afar, for more information.

               

The High Cost of Diabetes-Yes, It Is Personal

Today’s post is in response to an email from a Battling Diabetes reader who asks how to get low cost diabetes medications, supplies and care if you do not qualify for Medicare.

I’ll do my research but I would appreciate feedback from the experts. YOU! Please post your insights and links so we can all help each other.

If you qualify for Medicare due to your age or disability here are some sites that will answer questions you may have:

WebMD: Medicare Health Center

Medicare Learning Network:An Overview of Medicare Covered Diabetic Supplies and Services (pdf format)

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: The Official U.S. Government Site For People with Medicare

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The High Cost of Diabetes

According to a report released in January by the American Diabetes Association the” total annual economic cost of diabetes in 2007 was estimated to be $174 billion. This is an increase of $42 billion since 2002. This 32% increase means the dollar amount has risen over $8 billion more each year.”

A study by the CDC states that for every $1 spent on diabetes training and education, $8.76 is saved on health care costs. Forty six states now have passed diabetes bills and the states of Ohio, Alabama, Idaho and North Dakota have not. We should be asking WHY NOT?

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The Ovarian Cancer Battle

Ovaries are the small almond shaped glands that attach to the uterus via the fallopian tubes. They produce eggs and hormones.

According to the American Cancer Society, a woman’s risk of getting ovarian cancer in her lifetime is 1 in 71. The National Cancer Institute estimates that in 2008 there will be 21,250 new cases diagnosed and 15,520 deaths.

Most Ovarian Cancer develops from:

Epithelial Cells: surface cells covering the ovary, the most commonly diagnosed ovarian cancer
Germ Cells: the egg producing cells

While the cause of ovarian cancer is unknown, it is known what may reduce or increase your risk.

Ovarian Cancer Risk Factors:

• Your risk of getting ovarian cancer is reduced if you have had a hysterectomy or a tubal ligation (fallopian tubes are ‘tied’)
• Your risk is lower if you have had children, and lower with each pregnancy
• Women who have breast fed have a lower risk
• Women who take birth control pills have a lower risk
• The use of male hormones to treat endometriosis may increase your risk
• Obesity may increase your risk
• A family history of ovarian cancer, breast cancer or colorectal cancer increases your risk
• A personal history of breast cancer increases your risk
• Use of estrogen therapy alone may increase your risk
• Most ovarian cancers occur in women who are in menopause.

Please visit the American Cancer Society site for a complete discussion of these risk factors.
Ovarian cancer may be detected with a pelvic exam. By that time it may be advanced. Women with high risk factors and a family history should be extra diligent to maintain routine gynecologic exams and be very observant for possible symptoms.

Symptoms May Include:

Simple acronyms shared by the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance are:

B for Bloating
P for Pelvic or abdominal Pain
D for Difficulty eating or feeling full quickly
U for Urinary symptoms (urgency or frequency)

It’s obvious these symptoms may be indicative of other diseases. Per the American Cancer Society, “If you have symptoms that you can’t explain nearly every day for more than a few weeks, talk to your doctor right away. “

The BRCA1 and BRCA2 (or Breast Cancer 1 and 2) genes are responsible for many cases of familial ovarian cancer and familial breast cancer. Women with a familial link to ovarian cancer should consult their physicians about this test. Source: The Gilda Radner Familial Ovarian Cancer Registry at Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo, N.Y.

As part of diagnosis, your physician may order a blood test. A CA-125 will show higher levels in women who have ovarian cancer. Other tests may include various radiographic imaging exams and possibly a biopsy, colonoscopy and or laparoscopy.

Treatment:

Currently a combination of surgery, chemotherapy and radiation are the modalities for ovarian cancer treatment. Early diagnosis is the key.

For up-to-date treatment options for ovarian cancer see the National Cancer Institute pages which includes information on antiogenisis, the process of reducing the blood supply to tumors.

Ovarian Cancer Initiatives and Resources:

One of the strongest voices in the battle against ovarian cancer is the The Ovarian Cancer National Alliance. Their National Agenda has three initiatives:

1. Advance Ovarian Cancer Research
2. Improve Health Care Practice for Ovarian Cancer, and
3. Expand the National Advocacy Movement for Ovarian Cancer

February 13, 2008, a Yale University Phase II clinical trial released the following information: ” Researchers at Yale School of Medicine have developed a blood test with enough sensitivity and specificity to detect early stage ovarian cancer with 99 percent accuracy. ”

For more information on clinical trials for ovarian cancer see the American Cancer Society Clinical Trials Matching Service, the National Cancer Institute or The Ovarian Cancer National Alliance Clinicial Trials Matching Service.

The Gynecologic Cancer Foundation (GCF) offers support and advocacy. Upcoming classes include: 2008 Ovarian Cancer Survivors Course.

Ovarian Cancer Canada, and the Winners Walk of Hope: ” Join thousands of people in 14 cities across Canada on Sunday, September 7th to help commemorate September as Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month.”

Conversations! The International Newsletter for those Fighting Ovarian Cancer.

SHARE: Self-help for Women with Breast or Ovarian Cancer: hotlines, support groups, education and advocacy.

Battling Books:

100 Questions & Answers About Ovarian Cancer, Second Edition by Don S. Dizon (2006)

A Guide to Survivorship for Women With Ovarian Cancer by F. J. Montz, Robert E. Bristow, and Paula J. Anastasia (2005)

It’s My Ovaries, Stupid! by Elizabeth Lee Vliet (2003)

Tomorrow is your last day–comment on any blog post through Friday May 9th, for a chance to win a free pound of Bald Lady coffee.

               

Who is Prostate Cancer?

He can be any man.

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men after lung cancer, affecting one in six men in the U.S.

He is rarely under the age of 40, usually over 50 and in fact two-thirds of all cases are diagnosed in men over 65.

60 to 61% of the time he is an African American male.

He is twice as likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer if he has/had a father or brother with the disease. There is also an inherited gene for prostate cancer, affecting 5 to 10 % of all diagnosed cases. While research into genetic testing is promising, it is not yet available.

For more information on who is prostate cancer see the Prostate Cancer Foundation site.

The Prostate Cancer Research Foundation of Canada offers a risk assessment quiz on their website.

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Seeking Prostate Cancer Survivors for Technology Discussion

Thanks to Lesly Maranan, for passing this along!

From the desk of Dan Ollendorf, MPH, ARM, Chief Review Officer, Institute for Clinical & Economic Review

I am writing concerning the efforts of a new initiative known as the Institute for Clinical & Economic Review (ICER), a new initiative of Harvard Medical School, that seeks to provide an impartial review of new or emerging healthcare technologies that involves ALL relevant stakeholders (including patients). We are currently evaluating permanent brachytherapy and proton beam therapy for prostate cancer, and would like to include patients who have undergone each of these treatments in our discussion.

While our reviews operate on an 8-month cycle, the time commitment we would need includes an initial, one-hour conference call, review of documents produced during the review cycle at your discretion, and attendance at all or part (again, at your discretion) of a live one-day meeting in the Boston area. You will be compensated for your time.

Our website is under construction, but more information on ICER and its efforts can be found at the Institute for Clinical & Economic Review, click on the ICER button.

Additional note: The menu at the site has a staff icon and from there you can email Dan Ollendorf, directly.

About ICER

“Launched in 200, ICER is an academic technology assessment initiative based at Harvard Medical School. ICER produces rigorous assessments of new medical interventions and translates its findings into integrated ratings specifically formatted to support value-based insurance benefit designs, coverage and reimbursement policy, and patient-clinician decision support tools.”

               

I Have Alzheimer’s Disease! What Now?!

You are probably feeling a flood of varied emotions, that’s to be expected.  As you sort out your feelings and get your bearings, here are a few suggestions as to what to do and how to LIVE with Alzheimer’s Disease.

(1) Learn as much as you can about Alzheimer’s.  Facts diminish fear. The more you learn, the more you will understand the disease and what is to come.

(2)  Play brain games.  Keep your mind sharp. Word puzzles, crossword puzzles, math games, scrabble and jigsaw puzzles are just a few activities to keep your mind working.

(3)  Exercise.  Walk, swim, get in a class. Do whatever you can to get and stay physically active.

(4)  Set up a memory system (use post its, alarms, reminder calls).  You might need a little help with this one, but it will ultimately help you to keep your independence longer.

(5)  Consider the future (different living arrangements, power of attorney). It’s tough, but think about where you want to live when it isn’t best for you to live alone.  There are lots of options, so think about it now before it becomes an emergency and someone has to make the decision for you.

(6)  Share the diagnosis with family and friends.  Your first inclination might be to keep it a secret, but don’t. Talk with your family members and close friends so that they can support you.

(7)  Get an ID card and bracelet.  It can’t hurt and it may help.  Just in case you get separated from familiar people or in case you have a medical emergency, the card/bracelet will enable emergency personnel to help you more effectively.

(8)  Relax/meditate.  Of course, you are stressed and concerned, but take the time to relax.  Listen to your favorite music. Read your favorite book, watch some movies, enjoy your family.  Studies show that people who pray and meditate do better than those who don’t.

(9)  Have fun! A wise man once said, “Laughter is the best medicine…”  Take time to enjoy your family and friends.  Watch a funny video or DVD.  Remember, you still have life to LIVE.

(10)  Consider conventional and alternative treatment options.  There are so many more treatment options available today.  Be sure to consider them all with the help of someone you trust.

(11)  Print this list and share it with those who will be supporting you

Take a deep breath and don’t try to do everything at once. If you have additional health concerns, speak to your health care professional.

Are you willing to talk about it? Do you have Alzheimer’s Disease?  It’s so important to put a personality on these issues.  I’d like to know what its been like for you. How have others helped? How have they gotten in the way? 

               

Volunteer for breast cancer: Six ways you can start today!

I’ve been fortunate in the last month to be blessed with some really good circumstances: a relocation to a new city with great opportunities, employment in a situation that lets me blend the two things that I’m most interested in (science and writing), and the welcome surprise of moving into a great apartment that me, my husband, and my two parrots love.

My family has always instilled in me the sense of giving back when one has been so blessed, so in that spirit of giving, I signed up today to be a volunteer at my local hospital. Incidentally, my local hospital happens to the M.D. Anderson Cancer Clinic, America’s #1 Best Hospital for cancer treatment according to the 2007 US News & World Report. My orientation session is this Friday, and I’m really excited to start. . . and I’d like you to come and join me as a new volunteer!

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