Note: Resources mentioned below do not imply endorsement by the Diabetes
Action Network of the NFB.
News About the SensoCard Meter
The SensoCard Plus is a tiny talking glucose monitor. We reviewed this product,
along with its competitor the Prodigy meter, in the April 2006 Voice. Here’s
the latest: The Sensocard was recently sold to BBI Healthcare, in the UK. They
expect FDA approval shortly. Contact: BBI Healthcare, telephone: (011044) 7795-294459;
Web site: www.bbihealthcare.com
Adaptive tools available at the NFB’s Independence Market
You can buy a number of useful medical devices, such as the Lo-Dose Count-A-Dose
tactile insulin syringe filling tool, a talking blood pressure cuff, the AccuChek
VoiceMate talking blood glucose monitor, a digital thermometer, and a talking
prescription bottle reader. Prices are reasonable, and in some cases the lowest
price anywhere. Contact the NFB’s Independence Market at telephone: (410)
659-9314 (select option 4 from the voice menu); Web site: www.nfb.org
Full Service Diabetes Supplier
Access Diabetic Supply promises free glucose monitors, delivery, and in-home
training in the use of blood glucose testing devices. Your private insurance
is welcome, and they accept Medicare, too. Check them out online: www.diabeticsupply.com
or call:
1-800-285-1430.
Beta-Blocker Caution
British researchers report the beta-blockers, a class of blood pressure
drugs, are now suspected of increasing the risk of type 2 diabetes, perhaps
up to 30 percent. Noting that as many as 40 percent of adults will develop hypertension,
they recommend ACE inhibitors and calcium channel blockers instead. If you’re
taking beta-blockers, don’t just stop. Please discuss this with your doctor.
Metformin and Weight Loss
The oral diabetes medication Metformin has earned its place in therapy
for type 2 diabetes. Now it appears it may have some value as a weight loss
drug. A recent US study gave Metformin to a number of obese adolescents who
were at risk for type 2 diabetes. In the treated group, Metformin significantly
reduced the patients’ body mass index (BMI) at 6 and 12 months duration.
The untreated group’s BMIs did not change.
The test was small. Further studies are expected.
Compact, Talking Glucose Monitor
The new Prodigy is compact, it talks, and its display is clear and bright. The
meter uses capillary action, touchable test strips (no “hanging drop of
blood”) and tests across a 20 mg/dl to 600 mg/dl range, with a tiny (0.6
µl) blood sample.
The Prodigy meter is now available, and costs $31. A box of 50 strips costs $19. Order five boxes of strips, and the meter is free. Contact the retailer: Diabetic Support Program, 3381 Fairlane Farms Road, Wellington, FL 33414; telephone: 1-800-990-9826; Web site: www.prescriptionsplus.com
Men, Milk, and Type 2 Diabetes
Interestingly, a Harvard study linked increased consumption of low-fat dairy,
by adults, with a decreased risk of type 2 diabetes, especially in men.
Adaptive Computing Equipment
Freedom Scientific, a powerhouse adaptive equipment maker, offers screen magnifiers,
screen readers, talking PDAs, scanning-reading machines, and more. Freedom Scientific:
telephone: 1-800-444-4443; Web site: www.freedomscientific.com
Read the Paper by PHONE with NFB-NEWSLINE®
NFB-NEWSLINE® makes daily newspapers and magazines accessible by phone.
Users listen to the news via synthesized voice. No computer is needed and it
is FREE! To subscribe contact: NFB-NEWSLINE®, 1800 Johnson Street, Baltimore,
MD 21230; telephone: 1-866-504-7300.
Diabetes Supplies
American Diabetic Supply, Inc., will ship your diabetes supplies to your door.
They handle all insurance claims and provide free delivery. Those with Medicare
and/or private insurance (no HMOs) may receive supplies at no further cost.
For information, contact: American Diabetic Supply, Inc., telephone: 1-800-453-9033,
ext. 611; Web site: www.americandiabeticsupply.com
Dry Skin Care
People with diabetes frequently have to deal with dry skin. Borage DiabetiCare,
by Shikai, contains GLA, an important omega-6 fatty acid. To locate a retailer
near you, call DiabetiCare Labs; telephone: 1-888-544-3427, or visit their Web
site: www.diabeticarelabs.com
Flying With Insulin or Supplies?
Terrorist activity has caused the United States Transportation Safety Authority,
the TSA, to limit carry-ons. What about insulin, glucose tablets, and other
diabetic supplies? Passengers may bring insulin on board as long as the prescription
label matches the name of the traveler. For more details go to: www.tsa.gov.
NOTE: www.diabetesandtravel.com also contains useful advice for diabetic travelers, for example, how to manage time zone changes.
Talk is Cheap, or Should Be
Independent Living Aids offers an array of low-vision adaptive devices. Many
of them speak, helping you perform daily tasks without sight, and most are quite
inexpensive. For a free catalog, contact: ILA, Inc., PO Box 9022, Hicksville,
NY 11802; telephone:
1-800-537-2118; email: [email protected]
Counting
Calories?
Interested to find how many calories your workout burned?
Try the BBC Calorie Burner Calculator, enter the minutes spent at a given exercise, and the calculator will tell you how many calories you burned. The calculator is located at: www.bbc.co.uk/health/interactive_area/calculators_calorieburner1.shtml
Sugar Free Treats?
In the past, doctors believed diabetics had to avoid sugar. However, it’s
important to count all carbs (sugars and starches) into your meal plan. Don’t
overlook those “diabetic treats,” they count too!
Low Vision Optometrists
The International Academy of Low Vision Specialists is a consortium of optometrists
serving people with diminished vision. They can advise you on appropriate treatment
and assistive devices. Contact: Richard Shuldiner, OD, FAAO, telephone: 1-888-610-2020.
New Impotence Gel
Male sexual dysfunction is a common side effect of diabetes. Futura Medical
and GlaxoSmithKline are partnering to develop a rub-on gel. The active ingredient,
glyceryl trinitrate, works by dilating the arteries, improving blood flow. They
hope to have this treatment on the market in 2009.
Lantus Versus Levemir—Choices
For some time, Lantus insulin, from Aventis, with its even response and 24-hour
duration has been the ultimate long-acting insulin. Now it has competition.
Novo Nordisk announces Levemir, a similar long-acting insulin.
Are they the same? No, they’re different enough to avoid patent infringement. Preliminary data suggest similar efficacy for type 2 patients, and shows Lantus doing a slightly better job with type 1s. Talk to your doctor about Lantus and Levemir.
Take Trans Fats Seriously
In a recent study, researchers fed male vervet monkeys a “western-style
diet” containing 35 percent fat. Half the monkeys received lots of trans
fat, about 8 percent of their diet. The other monkeys received the same amount
of fat, but unsaturated fats only. All the monkeys gained weight, but the unsaturated-fat
group only gained an average of 1.8 percent. The ones who got the trans fats
gained 7.2 percent. Worse, the researchers noted, trans fat seems to move fat
deposits already on the body—straight to the belly. Choose fats that are
liquid at room temperature.
News About Avandamet
Avandamet, from GlaxoSmithKline, combines the oral diabetes medications Metformin
and Avandia. Both drugs are FDA-approved, and have been used, separately or
in combination, for years. Avandamet was FDA-approved several years ago, as
a second-line therapy—for type 2 patients who were uncontrolled by Metformin
alone.
The FDA has just approved Avandamet as a primary therapy for type 2 diabetes. Talk to your doctor about Avandamet, or visit the GlaxoSmithKline Web site: www.gsk.com
Herbal Remedy Shows Potential
A traditional Chinese remedy for type 2 diabetes was recently investigated by
researchers from Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School.
They found that genipin, an extract of Gardenia jasminoides Ellis, reversed
“faults linked to obesity and high glucose “when added to pancreatic
tissue.
Diabetes Wellness Day
SMMC Visiting Nurses presents
2nd Annual Diabetes Wellness Day
For those living with Diabetes, their family and friends
and health care providers.
Saturday, November 4, 2006
8:30 AM 2:30 PM
Coastal House, Route One, Wells, Maine
Pre-registration is required by October 20th. To receive a registration form,
call Jennifer Courtois, RN at SMMC Visiting Nurses, (207) 283-7689.